TSCA in Action: How the EPA Is Reviewing New Chemicals for a Safer Marketplace

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to advance chemical safety through its rigorous review of new chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). As global product compliance grows more complex, companies operating in or exporting to the U.S. must pay close attention to evolving TSCA procedures and enforcement activities.

This blog explores recent EPA updates and what they mean for manufacturers, importers, and compliance managers responsible for navigating chemical regulations in their supply chains.

What Is TSCA and Why Does It Matter?

TSCA gives the EPA the authority to review and regulate new and existing chemical substances in the U.S. to protect human health and the environment. All companies planning to manufacture or import a new chemical substance (not already listed on the TSCA Inventory) must submit a premanufacture notice (PMN) and await EPA evaluation before commercial activity can begin.

The EPA reviews the potential risks a substance may pose to workers, consumers, and the environment—determining whether restrictions, further testing, or outright bans are necessary.

Key Takeaways from Recent TSCA Activities

According to the EPA’s latest update, the agency has taken action on a growing number of new chemical submissions. Highlights include:

• Increased Transparency: The EPA has begun posting more detailed updates on TSCA reviews, including PMNs, Significant New Use Notices (SNUNs), and exemptions.
  
  
• More Rigorous Risk Evaluations: EPA is applying stricter scrutiny to new chemical applications, especially those involving PFAS or substances that could persist in the environment.
  
  
• Proactive Restrictions: Several recent cases have resulted in new chemical approvals being conditional—requiring workplace controls, hazard communication, or environmental release limitations.
  
  
• Streamlined Coordination: Internal improvements at the EPA aim to accelerate the review timeline while upholding high standards for risk assessment.

What This Means for Compliance Managers

If your company introduces new substances to the U.S. market—or sources materials from suppliers that do—keeping up with TSCA developments is critical. EPA’s more proactive approach signals that noncompliance risks are rising, and assumptions of “safe until told otherwise” are no longer acceptable.

Businesses should:

• Verify chemical inventory listings before introducing a substance.
  
  
• Prepare accurate and timely PMN submissions that include robust safety data.
  
  
• Monitor TSCA SNURs and consent orders, which may apply even to previously reviewed substances.
  
  
• Engage with suppliers to ensure upstream compliance and transparency in chemical sourcing.

How GoCompliance Can Help

With constant regulatory shifts like those seen under TSCA, real-time compliance tracking is essential. GoCompliance offers centralized tools to help businesses manage chemical data, identify potential regulatory triggers, and automate documentation across frameworks such as TSCA, REACH, and RoHS.

Our platform helps teams:

• Catalog substance use and inventory status
  
  
• Generate declarations and submissions
  
  
• Monitor regulatory updates affecting U.S. and global markets
  
  
• Streamline supplier collaboration to collect essential compliance documentation

Conclusion

EPA’s latest TSCA activities show a clear trend toward tighter chemical oversight. For companies striving to remain compliant while continuing to innovate, understanding new substance requirements under TSCA is no longer optional—it’s a strategic imperative.

Stay ahead of regulatory shifts with automated compliance tools and expert-driven insights from GoCompliance.

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