What: On August 8, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it is seeking small entity representatives to participate in two Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panels. The panels will focus on Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulations for formaldehyde and asbestos.
Why: Formaldehyde is used in:
- Resins used in the manufacture of composite wood products (i.e., hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard).
- Building materials and insulation.
- Household products such as glues, permanent press fabrics, paints and coatings, lacquers and finishes, and paper products.
- Preservatives used in some medicines, cosmetics and other consumer products such as dishwashing liquids and fabric softeners.
- Fertilizers and pesticides.
The asbestos SBAR panel will focus on legacy uses and associated disposals and conditions of use of asbestos-containing talc. Legacy uses are uses in which manufacturing, processing, or distribution have ended, but there may still be asbestos present, including:
- Floor and ceiling tiles.
- Pipe wraps.
- Insulation.
- Heat protective textiles containing chrysotile and other fiber types.
- Stove gaskets and rings.
- Flooring felt.
- Vinyl floor tiles.
To qualify for a panel, a participant must:
- Be a small entity under the industry-relevant NAICS code; or
- Exclusively represent or at least primarily represent potentially regulated small entities (e.g., a trade association that exclusively or mainly represents small entities impacted by the proposed regulations).
Action: Nominations for the formaldehyde SBAR panel are due by August 22, 2025. Nominations for the asbestos SBAR panel are due September 7, 2025.
SUBMIT A NOMINATION:
Potential SBAR Panel: Formaldehyde Risk Management Rulemaking Under the Toxic Substances Control Act
RISK EVALUATIONS:
CONTACT:
Nick Goldstein
EMAIL:
Alerts Archive
TAG(S):
EPA
Is your small business or entity being impacted by a proposed rule? If yes, write a comment letter to the proposing agency.