On June 26, 2024, Dr. Michal Freedhoff, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the launch of a New Chemicals Division Reference Library. This database contains all relevant EPA documents related to the work of EPA’s New Chemicals Division in one place. The database includes guidance documents, compliance advisories, templates, manuals, and other relevant resources for stakeholders engaged in work with new chemicals.
Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), new chemical substances are subject to a review process. EPA determines whether the chemical presents an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment. Prior to manufacturing, businesses that intend on manufacturing chemicals that are not already under the TSCA inventory must determine whether the chemical qualifies for an evaluation. Previously, these documents were available to the public but scattered throughout various EPA web pages. The creation of this database consolidates almost 100 documents relevant to the new chemical process onto a single website. There, members of the public can easily search and sort all the existing resources.
Dr. Freedhoff noted that this centralized database should make accessing the materials easier for the public. In addition, EPA intends to continue updating the database as more materials become available. Easy access to the most up-to-date and relevant documents will facilitate better participation in the new chemicals process for small businesses. The Office of Advocacy will continue to work with the EPA on amplifying the needs of small entities as the EPA evaluates new and existing chemicals.
Small entities should utilize the database to ensure compliance with existing policies and procedures. For more information on the New Chemicals Division and the process for submitting information to EPA on new chemicals, particularly as EPA continues to update and develop the process for submitting and evaluating new chemicals, see the following resources:
- New Chemicals Division Reference Library
- Reviewing New Chemicals Under Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
For more information, please send an email to Emily Jones at Emily.Jones@sba.gov