G/TBT/N/USA/2273

27 April 2026

(26-3125)

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) [2306]

3.

Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [ ], 5.7.1 [ ], 3.2 [ ], 7.2 [ ], Other:

4.

Products covered (HS codes or national tariff lines. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): 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): Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (26-2); (9 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_02213_00_e.pdf

6.

Description of content: Proposed rule - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for certain chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs) and are also subject to an Order issued by EPA pursuant to TSCA. The SNURs require persons to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing the manufacture (defined by statute to include import) or processing of any of these chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use in the SNUR. The required notification initiates EPA's evaluation of the conditions of that use for that chemical substance. In addition, the manufacture or processing for the significant new use may not commence until EPA has conducted a review of the required notification; made an appropriate determination regarding that notification; and taken such actions as required by that determination.

7.

Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: Protection of the environment; Cost saving and productivity enhancement

8.

Relevant documents:

91 Federal Register (FR) 22075, 24 April 2026; Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 721:

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-04-24/html/2026-08012.htm

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-04-24/pdf/2026-08012.pdf

This proposed rule is identified by Docket Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2025-2932. The Docket Folder is available on Regulations.gov at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OPPT-2025-2932/document and provides 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: 26 May 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 26 May 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 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