Posted: July 29, 2009

EPA clarifies Significant New Use Rules for carbon nanotubes

(Nanowerk News) On June 24, 2009, the U.S. EPA issued final Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 23 new chemicals, including two carbon nanotubes (nanoscale materials) (http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-TOX/2009/June/Day-24/t14780.pdf). The SNURs will allow the commercialization of these specific carbon nanotubes under limited conditions to protect against unreasonable risks to human health and the environment.
The SNURs require companies to notify EPA at least 90 days before manufacture, import, or processing of the specific carbon nanotubes for any activity not meeting the conditions specified in the rules at 40 C.F.R. 721.10155 and 40 C.F.R. 721.10156.
Upon reviewing the rules some stakeholders have asked EPA whether these SNURs apply to all variants of carbon nanotubes.
This is not the case. These SNURs only apply to the specific carbon nanotubes that were the subject of the premanufacture notices (PMNs) submitted under Section 5 of TSCA and not to any other carbon nanotubes. Other carbon nanotubes must be notified through EPA's New Chemicals Program.
The U.S. EPA strongly encourages all manufacturers and importers of nanoscale materials that are intended for commercial use to consult with the Agency in advance of production or importation.
Source: EPA