G/TBT/N/USA/2271

15 April 2026

(26-2897)

Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade

Original: English

1.

Notifying Member: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):

2.

Agency responsible:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [2304]

3.

Notified under Article 2.9.2 [ ], 2.10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [ ], 5.7.1 [ ], 3.2 [ ], 7.2 [ ], Other [X]: EPA is required to conduct risk evaluations on chemical substances. Each risk evaluation must be conducted consistent with the best available science, be based on the weight of the scientific evidence, and consider reasonably available information.

4.

Products covered (HS codes or national tariff lines. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): 1,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-Hexamethylcyclopenta [g]-2- Benzopyran (HHCB) and Phthalic Anhydride; Environmental protection (ICS code(s): 13.020); Production in the chemical industry (ICS code(s): 71.020); Products of the chemical industry (ICS code(s): 71.100)

5.

Details of notified document(s) (title, number of pages and languages, means of access): 1,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-Hexamethylcyclopenta [g]-2- Benzopyran (HHCB) and Phthalic Anhydride Draft Risk Evaluations Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Notice of Availability and Request for Comment; (3 page(s), in English)

Link to notified document(s) and/or contact details for agency or authority which can provide copies upon request:

https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/USA/26_02057_00_e.pdf

6.

Description of content: Notice - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is announcing the availability of and seeking public comment on draft risk evaluations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta [g]-2-benzopyran (HHCB) and phthalic anhydride. The purpose of risk evaluations under TSCA is to determine whether a chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment under the conditions of use (COUs), including unreasonable risk to potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations identified as relevant to the risk evaluation by EPA, and without consideration of costs or non-risk factors. EPA is seeking comment on the draft risk evaluations for HHCB and phthalic anhydride.

7.

Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: Protection of human health or safety; Protection of animal or plant life or health; Protection of the environment

8.

Relevant documents:

91 Federal Register (FR) 19134, 14 April 2026:

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-04-14/html/2026-07167.htm

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-04-14/pdf/2026-07167.pdf

This notice; request for comment is identified by Docket Numbers EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0430 (for HHCB) and EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0459 (for phthalic anhydride). The Docket Folders are available from Regulations.gov at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0430/document and https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0459/document and provide access to primary and supporting documents as well as comments received. Documents are also accessible from Regulations.gov by searching the Docket Number.

9.

Proposed date of adoption: To be determined

Proposed date of entry into force: To be determined

10.

Provision of comments

Final date for comments: 15 June 2026

[ ] 60 days from notification

WTO Members and their stakeholders are asked to submit comments to the USA TBT Enquiry Point by or before 4pm Eastern Time on 15 June 2026. Comments received by the USA TBT Enquiry Point from WTO Members and their stakeholders will be shared with EPA and submitted to the Docket(s) if received within the comment period.

Contact details of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification:

Please submit comments to: USA WTO TBT Enquiry Point, Email: usatbtep@nist.gov