On August 11, 2017, the TSCA Inventory Notification (Active-Inactive) Rule published in the Federal Register. This rule, required by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, was released on June 22, 2017 and requires industry reporting of chemicals manufactured or processed in the U.S. over the past 10 years. This reporting will be used to identify which chemical substances on the TSCA Inventory are active in U.S. commerce.

This publication in the Federal Register initiates a 180-day reporting period in which manufacturers, including importers, are required to notify EPA of chemical substances on the TSCA Inventory that were manufactured (including imported) for nonexempt commercial purposes during the ten-year time period ending on June 21, 2016. These notices are due February 7, 2018.

This rule also contains a provision to allow notification by processors. EPA will use these notifications to distinguish active substances from inactive substances in the TSCA Inventory. These notices are due October 5, 2018.

In addition, the rule establishes procedures for notification of chemical substances on the Inventory that are initially designated as inactive to be re-designated as active, if and when the manufacturing or processing of such chemical substances for nonexempt commercial purposes is expected to resume.

With respect to confidential information, persons who manufactured or processed a chemical substance on the confidential portion of the Inventory that was added to the Inventory prior to June 22, 2016, must submit a request to EPA if they wish to maintain an existing claim for protection against disclosure of the specific chemical identity of the substance as confidential. The rule further establishes the procedures regarding the manner in which such notifications must be submitted and the details of the notification requirements.

The Agency has developed a list of active chemical substances that are exempt from reporting under the TSCA Inventory Notifications (Active-Inactive) rule. The Exemption List of Active Substances includes chemical substances reported under the 2012 and 2016 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) rule, and in Notices of Commencement received since June 21, 2006.

EPA will be hosting webinars to assist submitters this fall. Further details will be posted. 

All information must be submitted electronically to EPA via EPA's Central Data Exchange (CDX) https://cdx.epa.gov/. Prior to submission to EPA via CDX, Notices of Activity and any associated information must be generated and completed using the e-NOA software module.

Submitters can obtain instructions for registering in CDX as follows:
Web site. The CDX Registration User Guide is available at https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/cdx_registration_guide_v0_02.pdf. To register in CDX, go to https://cdx.epa.gov and follow the appropriate links.
Telephone. Contact the EPA CDX Help Desk at 1-888-890-1995.
Email. Email the EPA CDX Help Desk at HelpDesk**At_Symbol_Here**epacdx.net.

Submitters can obtain instructions for using CISS and the e-NOA software module as follows:
Web site. Go to the EPA New Chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act Web site at https://www.epa.gov/reviewing-new-chemicals-under-toxic-substances-control-act-tsca/how-submit-e-pmn and follow the appropriate links.
Telephone. Contact the EPA TSCA Hotline at 1-202-554-1404.
Email. Email the EPA TSCA Hotline at TSCA-Hotline**At_Symbol_Here**epa.gov.

For more information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/tsca-inventory/tsca-inventory-notification-active-inactive-rule