In an article published on August 16, 2019, regulatory news provider Chemical Watch reported that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a public consultation regarding whether or not to conduct risk evaluations on two phthalates. In June 2019, three companies submitted complaints to the EPA requesting risk evaluations be conducted on diisononyl phthalate (DINP; CAS 28553-12-0) and diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP; CAS 68515-49-1) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Industry association the American Chemistry Council (ACC) said that “a broad-based risk evaluation of DINP and DIDP is in the interest of consumer confidence.” However, a number of non-governmental organizations described the request as rather “an apparent attempt at an end run around state action on these chemicals” and to “block health protective policies from being enacted in other states.”
A 45-day public comment period is now open on the request until October 3, 2019. Commenters are noted specifically as being “encouraged to identify any information not included in the [companies’ original] request that the commenters believe would be needed to conduct a risk evaluation.” After this date, the EPA will have to make a decision on whether or not to grant the evaluation request within 60 days. The EPA also announced earlier that five other phthalates may potentially be identified as high priority under TSCA and undergo a risk evaluation (FPF reported). The agency has until December 22, 2019, to finalize this selection of high priority substances and then to begin the evaluations.
Read more
Kelly Franklin (August 16, 2019). “EPA consults on TSCA manufacturer-requested risk evaluations.” Chemical Watch
References
EPA (August 19, 2019). “Di-isodecyl Phthalate (DIDP); Manufacturer Request for Risk Evaluation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Notice of Availability and Request for Comments.” U.S. Federal Register
EPA (August 19, 2019). “Di-isononyl Phthalate (DINP); Manufacturer Request for Risk Evaluation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Notice of Availability and Request for Comments.” U.S. Federal Register
