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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 248 (Monday, December 29, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77891-77911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29887]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 9 and 721

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2010-0573; FRL-9915-60]
RIN 2070-AJ73

Benzidine-Based Chemical Substances; Di-n-pentyl Phthalate 
(DnPP); and Alkanes, C12-13, Chloro; Significant New Use Rule

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), EPA is 
promulgating a significant new use rule (SNUR) to add nine benzidine-
based chemical substances to the existing SNUR on benzidine-based 
chemical substances. With respect to both the newly-added benzidine-
based chemical substances and the previously-listed benzidine-based 
chemical substances, this rule makes inapplicable the exemption 
relating to persons that import or process substances as part of an 
article. EPA is also promulgating a SNUR for di-n-pentyl phthalate 
(DnPP) and a SNUR for alkanes, C12-13, chloro. These actions 
require persons who intend to manufacture (defined by statute to 
include import) or process these chemical substances for an activity 
that is designated as a significant new use to notify EPA at least 90 
days before commencing such manufacture or processing. The required 
notifications will provide EPA with the opportunity to evaluate 
activities associated with a significant new use and, if necessary 
based on the information available at that time, an opportunity to 
protect against potential unreasonable risks, if any, from that 
activity before it occurs. EPA is also making a technical amendment to 
the codified list of control numbers for approved information 
collection activities so that it includes the control number assigned 
by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to the information 
collection activities contained in this rule.

DATES: This final rule is effective February 27, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this action, identified by docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2010-0573, is available at 
http://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pollution Prevention and 
Toxics Docket (OPPT Docket), EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West 
Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The Public 
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public 
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPPT 
Docket is (202) 566-0280. Please review the visitor instructions and 
additional information about the docket available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    For technical information contact: Sara Kemme, National Program 
Chemicals Division (7404T), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 566-0511; email 
address: kemme.sara@epa.gov.
    For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 
422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202) 
554-1404; email address: TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Executive Summary

A. Does this action apply to me?

    These three different SNURs may apply to different entities. The 
North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes have been 
provided to assist you and others in determining whether this action 
might apply to certain entities.
    1. Benzidine-based chemical substances. You may be potentially 
affected by this action if you manufacture (defined by statute to 
include import), or process, including as part of an article, any of 
the benzidine-based chemical substances listed in Tables 1 and 2 of the 
regulatory text in this document. Potentially affected entities may 
include, but are not limited to:
     Manufacturers or processors of one or more of the subject 
chemical substances.
     Entities which plan to use the listed chemical substances 
in conjunction with apparel and other finished products made from 
fabrics, leather, and similar materials.
     Entities which plan to use the listed chemical substances 
in conjunction with paper and allied products.
     Manufacturers or processors of the subject chemical 
substances in printing inks. These entities may include those described 
by the NAICS codes 325--chemical manufacturing, 31--textile 
manufacturers, 316--leather and allied products manufacturers, 322--
paper manufacturers, 4243 apparel, piece goods, and notions 
wholesalers, or 443--clothing and accessories stores.
    2. DnPP. You may be potentially affected by this action if you 
manufacture (defined by statute to include import), or process DnPP. 
Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to: 
Chemical industry--plastic material and resins (NAICS code 325211).
    3. Alkanes, C12-13, chloro (CAS No. 71011-12-6). You may be 
potentially affected by this action if you manufacture or process the 
following short-chained chlorinated paraffin (SCCP): Alkanes, 
C12-13, chloro (CAS No. 71011-12-6). Potentially affected 
entities may include, but are not limited to: Manufacturers of SCCPs 
(NAICS codes 325 and 325998), chemical manufacturing; including 
miscellaneous chemical product and preparation manufacturing; and 
processors of SCCPs (NAICS codes 324 and 324191), petroleum lubricating 
oil and grease manufacturing.
    This action may also affect certain entities through pre-existing 
import certification and export notification rules under TSCA. Persons 
who import any chemical substance governed by a final SNUR are subject 
to the TSCA section 13 (15 U.S.C. 2612) import

[[Page 77892]]

certification requirements and the corresponding regulations at 19 CFR 
12.118 through 12.127; see also 19 CFR 127.28. Those persons must 
certify that the shipment of the chemical substance complies with all 
applicable rules and orders under TSCA, including any SNUR 
requirements. The EPA policy in support of import certification appears 
at 40 CFR part 707, subpart B. In addition, any persons who export or 
intend to export a chemical substance that is the subject of a proposed 
or final SNUR are subject to the export notification provisions of TSCA 
section 12(b) (15 U.S.C. 2611(b)) (see 40 CFR 721.20) and must comply 
with the export notification requirements in 40 CFR part 707, subpart 
D.
    To determine whether you or your business may be affected by this 
action, you should carefully examine the applicability provisions in 40 
CFR 721.5 for SNUR-related obligations and with respect to benzidine-
based chemical substances, the applicability provisions in Unit V. If 
you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a 
particular entity, consult the technical person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. What Is the Agency's Authority for Taking this Action?

    Section 5(a)(2) of TSCA (15 U.S.C. 2604(a)(2)) authorizes EPA to 
determine that a use of a chemical substance is a ``significant new 
use.'' EPA must make this determination by rule after considering all 
relevant factors, including those listed in TSCA section 5(a)(2). Once 
EPA determines that a use of a chemical substance is a significant new 
use, TSCA section 5(a)(1)(B) requires persons to submit a significant 
new use notice (SNUN) to EPA at least 90 days before they manufacture 
or process the chemical substance for that use (15 U.S.C. 
2604(a)(1)(B)). As described in Unit V., the general SNUR provisions 
are found at 40 CFR part 721, subpart A.

C. What action is the agency taking?

    In a Federal Register proposed rule published on March 28, 2012 (77 
FR 18752) (FRL-8865-2), EPA proposed three chemical specific SNURs 
being addressed in this final rule (Ref. 1). EPA's response to public 
comments received on the proposed rule appears in Unit X. Please 
consult the March 28, 2012 Federal Register proposed rule (Ref. 1) for 
further background information for this final rule.
    These final SNURs will require persons to notify EPA at least 90 
days before commencing the manufacture (including import) or processing 
of:
     The nine benzidine-based chemical substances identified in 
Table A of Unit II., which are being added to 40 CFR 721.1660 with a 
designation of any use as a significant new use;
     DnPP with a designation of any use other than as a 
chemical standard for analytical experiments as a significant new use; 
and
     Alkanes, C12-13, chloro (CAS No. 71011-12-6) with a 
designation of any use as a significant new use.
    In addition, this final rule amends the SNUR at 40 CFR 721.1660 to 
make inapplicable the exemption at 40 CFR 721.45(f) for persons that 
import or process benzidine-based chemical substances as part of an 
article. For the benzidine-based chemical substances, the elimination 
of the article exemption at 40 CFR 721.45(f) will require persons to 
notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing processing or importing 
as part of an article any of the newly-added benzidine-based chemical 
substances, as well as those already covered (61 FR 52287, October 7, 
1996 (FRL-5396-6), codified at 40 CFR 721.1660) (Ref. 2).

D. Why is the agency taking this action?

    These SNURs are necessary to ensure that EPA receives timely 
advance notice of any future manufacturing and processing of these 
chemical substances for new uses that may produce changes in human and 
environmental exposures. The rationale and objectives for this SNUR are 
explained in Unit III.

E. What are the estimated incremental impacts of this action?

    EPA has evaluated the potential costs of establishing SNUR 
reporting requirements for potential manufacturers and processors of 
the chemical substances included in this final rule. This analysis, 
which is available in the docket, is discussed in Unit IX., and is 
briefly summarized here. In the event that a SNUN is submitted, costs 
are estimated to be less than $8,700 per SNUN submission for large 
business submitters and $6,300 for small business submitters. These 
estimates include the cost to prepare and submit the SNUN and the 
payment of a user fee. In addition, for persons exporting a substance 
that is the subject of a SNUR, a one-time notice must be provided for 
the first export or intended export to a particular country, which is 
estimated to cost less than $100 on average per notification. The rule 
may also affect firms that import or process articles that may contain 
benzidine-based chemicals, because, while not required by the SNUR, 
these parties may take additional steps to determine whether benzidine-
based chemicals are part of the articles that they are considering to 
import or process. Since EPA is unable to predict whether anyone might 
engage in future activities that would require reporting, potential 
total costs were not estimated.

II. Overview of the Chemical Substances Subject to This Rule

    The SNURs in this final rule involve certain benzidine-based 
chemical substances in the existing SNUR at 40 CFR 721.1660 (Ref. 1), 
the nine benzidine-based chemical substances listed in Table A of this 
unit, DnPP (CAS No. 131-18-0), and alkanes, C12-13, chloro (CAS No. 
71011-12-6).

                            Table A--Newly Added Benzidine-Based Chemical Substances
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        CAS or accession No.                C.I. name               C.I. No.                Chemical name
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
117-33-9...........................  Not available.........  Not available.........  1,3-Naphthalenedisulfonic
                                                                                      acid, 7-hydroxy-8-[2-[4'-
                                                                                      [2-(4-
                                                                                      hydroxyphenyl)diazenyl][1,
                                                                                      1'- biphenyl]-4-
                                                                                      yl]diazenyl]-.
65150-87-0.........................  Not available.........  Not available.........  1,3,6-
                                                                                      Naphthalenetrisulfonic
                                                                                      acid, 8-hydroxy-7-[2-[4'-
                                                                                      [2-(2-hydroxy-1-
                                                                                      naphthalenyl)diazenyl][1,1
                                                                                      '-biphenyl]-4-yl]diazenyl]-
                                                                                      , lithium salt (1:3).
68214-82-4.........................  Direct Navy BH........  Not available.........  2,7-Naphthalenedisulfonic
                                                                                      acid, 5-amino-3-[2-[4'-[2-
                                                                                      (7-amino-1-hydroxy-3-sulfo-
                                                                                      2-
                                                                                      naphthalenyl)diazenyl][1,1
                                                                                      '-biphenyl]-4-
                                                                                      yl]diazenyl]-4-hydroxy-,
                                                                                      sodium salt (1:2).
72379-45-4.........................  Not available.........  Not available.........  2,7-Naphthalenedisulfonic
                                                                                      acid, 4-amino-5-hydroxy-3-
                                                                                      [2-[4'-[2-[2-hydroxy-4-[(2-
                                                                                       methylphenyl)amino]
                                                                                      phenyl]diazenyl][1,1'-
                                                                                      biphenyl]-4-yl]diazenyl]-6-
                                                                                      (2- phenyldiazenyl)-.

[[Page 77893]]

 
Accession No. 21808................  CBI...................  CBI...................  2,7-Naphthalenedisulfonic
CAS No. CBI (NA)...................                                                   acid, 4-amino-5-hydroxy
                                                                                      [[[(substituted
                                                                                      phenylamino)] substituted
                                                                                      phenylazo] diphenyl]azo-,
                                                                                      phenylazo-, disodium salt.
                                                                                      (generic name).
Accession No. 24921................  CBI...................  CBI...................  4-(Substituted
CAS No. CBI (NA)...................                                                   naphthalenyl)azo
                                                                                      diphenylyl
                                                                                     azo-substituted
                                                                                      carbopolycycle azo
                                                                                      benzenesulfonic acid,
                                                                                      sodium salt. (generic
                                                                                      name).
Accession No. 26256................  CBI...................  CBI...................  4-(Substituted phenyl)azo
CAS No. CBI (NA)...................                                                   biphenylyl azo-substituted
                                                                                      carbopolycycloazo
                                                                                      benzenesulfonic acid,
                                                                                      sodium salt. (generic
                                                                                      name)
Accession No. 26267................  CBI...................  CBI...................  4-(Substituted phenyl)azo
CAS No. CBI (NA)...................                                                   biphenylyl azo-substituted
                                                                                      carbopolycycle azo
                                                                                      benzenesulfonic acid,
                                                                                      sodium salt. (generic
                                                                                      name).
Accession No. 26701................  CBI...................  CBI...................  Phenylazoaminohydroxynaphth
CAS No. CBI (NA)...................                                                   alenylazobiphenylazo
                                                                                      substituted benzene sodium
                                                                                      sulfonate. (generic name).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAS = Chemical Abstracts Services. CBI = Confidential Business Information. CBI (NA) = Confidential Business
  Information (Not Available). C.I. = Chemical Index.

III. Rationale and Objectives

A. Rationale

    Consistent with EPA's past practice for issuing SNURs under TSCA 
section 5(a)(2), EPA's decision to issue a SNUR for a particular 
chemical use need not be based on an extensive evaluation of the 
hazard, exposure, or potential risk associated with that use. Rather, 
the Agency's action is based on EPA's determination that if the use 
begins or resumes, it may present a risk that EPA should evaluate under 
TSCA before the manufacturing or processing for that use begins. Since 
the new use does not currently exist, deferring a detailed 
consideration of potential risks or hazards related to that use is an 
effective use of resources. If a person decides to begin manufacturing 
or processing the chemical for the use, the notice to EPA allows EPA to 
evaluate the use according to the specific parameters and circumstances 
surrounding that intended use.
    1. Benzidine-based chemical substances. As described in the 
proposal (Ref. 1), EPA is concerned about potential carcinogenic 
effects on workers and consumers from the manufacture, processing, or 
use of these substances. Consumers exposed via dermal exposure to 
consumer products containing the benzidine-based chemical substances 
are a particular concern because enzymes present in the human body and 
in bacteria on the skin aid in the reduction of these chemical 
substances to the benzidine unit, an established human carcinogen (Ref. 
3). The main consumer products that could result in dermal exposure if 
containing these chemical substances include textiles and leather 
products because they are in prolonged contact with human skin.
    During the review of information on benzidine-based chemical 
substances, EPA determined that the newly identified chemical 
substances that are being added to 40 CFR 721.1660 by this final rule 
present the same concerns (Ref. 4) as those of the benzidine-based 
chemical substances already listed in the rule ((Ref. 2)), codified at 
40 CFR 721.1660). EPA does not believe there is any current use of 
these nine benzidine-based chemical substances within or outside the 
United States. This conclusion is based on a review of EPA's own 
Inventory Update Reporting (IUR) data, and more recent Chemical Data 
Reporting (CDR) data as well as other sources including the Colour 
Index International, published by the Society of Dyers and Colourists 
and American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists; IHS 
Chemical Economics Handbook, Dyes; and ICIS Directory of World Chemical 
Producers.
    In addition, as discussed earlier, although some of the benzidine-
based chemical substances subject to the 1996 SNUR may be manufactured 
or processed outside the United States, an analysis of the benzidine-
based chemical substances market (Ref. 4) revealed no information 
indicating import of articles containing benzidine-based chemical 
substances for non-excluded purposes.
    Although it appears there is no ongoing domestic manufacture of the 
nine newly added benzidine-based chemical substances, or import for a 
non-excluded use of articles containing any benzidine-based chemical 
substances, the manufacture (including import) or processing of the 
nine newly added benzidine-based chemical substances and the import or 
processing of articles containing any benzidine-based chemical 
substances may begin at any time, without prior notice to EPA. Thus, 
EPA is concerned that commencement of the manufacture (including 
import) or processing for any new uses, including resumption of past 
uses, of benzidine-based chemical substances could significantly 
increase the magnitude and duration of exposure to humans over that 
which would otherwise exist currently. EPA is concerned that such an 
increase should not occur without an opportunity for the Agency to 
evaluate activities associated with a significant new use and an 
opportunity to protect against potential unreasonable risks, if any, 
from exposure to the chemical substance.
    Accordingly, EPA is finalizing a SNUR for the nine benzidine-based 
chemical substances by adding them to those currently listed at 40 CFR 
721.1660, and making inapplicable the article exemption at 40 CFR 
721.45(f) for those chemical substances newly added in this rulemaking 
as well as for those already listed at 40 CFR 721.1660. This final rule 
will require persons who intend to manufacture (including import) or 
process any of the benzidine-based chemical substances for a non-
excluded use, including importing or processing any listed benzidine-
based chemical substance for a non-excluded use as part of an article, 
to submit a SNUN.
    2. DnPP. As described in the proposal (Ref. 1), EPA has concerns 
regarding potential adverse human health and environmental effects that 
may be caused by DnPP. EPA has direct information from animal studies 
that DnPP specifically can elicit developmental/reproductive effects 
that are relevant to human health and also indicate potential effects 
in wildlife. EPA also is concerned that due to its general structure 
and categorization as a phthalate that DnPP may elicit adverse 
environmental effects similar to those

[[Page 77894]]

described for other phthalates. EPA is concerned that any manufacturing 
(including import) or processing of DnPP, beyond that for its limited 
ongoing use as a chemical standard for laboratory use, could 
significantly increase the magnitude and duration of exposure to humans 
over that which would otherwise exist currently. EPA is concerned that 
such an increase should not occur without an opportunity to evaluate 
activities associated with a significant new use and an opportunity to 
protect against potential unreasonable risks, if any, from exposure to 
the chemical substance. Accordingly, EPA is finalizing a SNUR for DnPP 
that would designate, as a significant new use, any use of the chemical 
substance other than use as a chemical standard for analytical 
experiments. A person who intends to manufacture or process DnPP for 
use other than use as a chemical standard for analytical experiments 
would be required to submit a SNUN.
    3. Alkanes, C12-13, chloro (CAS No. 71011-12-6). As described in 
the proposal (Ref. 1), EPA has a primary concern regarding adverse 
environmental effects that may be caused by alkanes, C12-13, chloro 
(CAS No. 71011-12-6), one type of SCCP. For example, alkanes, C12-13, 
chloro, have been shown to be highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates 
following acute and chronic exposures and to fish following chronic 
exposures. EPA also has concerns about the persistence and 
bioaccumulation potential of SCCPs, including alkanes, C12-13, chloro, 
since these substances have been measured in a variety of biota (i.e., 
freshwater aquatic species, marine mammals, and avian and terrestrial 
wildlife) and have also been measured in human breast milk from Canada 
and the United Kingdom. The mechanisms or pathways by which SCCPs, 
including alkanes, C12-13, chloro (CAS No. 71011-12-6), move into and 
through the environment and humans are not fully understood, but are 
likely to include releases from manufacturing of the chemicals, 
manufacturing of products like plastics or textiles, aging and wear of 
products like sofas and electronics, and releases at the end of product 
life (e.g., disposal, recycling).
    EPA believes that all manufacture and processing into the United 
States of alkanes, C12-13, chloro (CAS No. 71011-12-6) has ceased. 
Given that EPA has no evidence to suggest that there is any manufacture 
or processing of this chemical substance in the United States, and 
taking into consideration the negative commercial and regulatory 
environment associated with this chemical internationally (including 
the European Union (EU) and Canadian ban on marketing) and use of the 
alkanes, C12-13, chloro (CAS No. 71011-12-6) domestically, EPA does not 
expect to find such activity. However, EPA is concerned that 
commencement of the manufacture or processing for any new uses, 
including resumption of past uses, could significantly increase the 
magnitude and duration of exposure to humans over that which would 
otherwise exist. EPA is concerned that such an increase should not 
occur without an opportunity to evaluate activities associated with a 
significant new use and an opportunity to protect against potential 
unreasonable risks, if any, from exposure to the chemical substance. 
Accordingly, EPA is finalizing a SNUR for alkanes, C12-13, chloro (CAS 
No. 71011-12-6) that designates as a significant new use any use of the 
chemical substance. This SNUR requires a person who intends to 
manufacture or process alkanes, C12-13, chloro (CAS No. 71011-12-6) for 
any use to submit a SNUN.

B. Objectives

    Based on the considerations described in the proposal (Ref. 1) and 
in the response to public comments, EPA expects to achieve the 
following objectives with regard to the significant new uses that are 
designated in this final rule:
    1. EPA will receive notice of any person's intent to manufacture or 
process the specified chemicals for the described significant new uses 
before that activity begins;
    2. EPA will have an opportunity to review and evaluate data 
submitted in the SNUN before the notice submitter begins manufacturing 
or processing of the specified chemicals for the described significant 
new use;
    3. EPA will be able to regulate prospective uses of the specified 
chemicals before the described significant new uses occur, provided 
that regulation is warranted pursuant to TSCA sections 5(e), 5(f), 6 or 
7; and
    4. EPA would receive a notice alerting the Agency to a reversal of 
an industry trend toward deselecting for a chemical.

IV. Significant New Use Determination

    Section 5(a)(2) of TSCA states that EPA's determination that a use 
of a chemical substance is a significant new use must be made after 
consideration of all relevant factors including:
     The projected volume of manufacturing and processing of a 
chemical substance.
     The extent to which a use changes the type or form of 
exposure of human beings or the environment to a chemical substance.
     The extent to which a use increases the magnitude and 
duration of exposure of human beings or the environment to a chemical 
substance.
     The reasonably anticipated manner and methods of 
manufacturing, processing, distribution in commerce, and disposal of a 
chemical substance.
    In addition to these factors enumerated in TSCA section 5(a)(2), 
the statute authorizes EPA to consider any other relevant factors.
    To determine what constitutes a significant new use of the 
benzidine-based chemical substances, DnPP, and alkanes, C12-13, chloro 
(CAS No. 71011-12-6) subject to this rule, EPA considered relevant 
information about the toxicity of these substances, likely human 
exposures and environmental releases associated with possible uses, and 
the four factors listed in section 5(a)(2) of TSCA. EPA has determined 
that the manufacture or processing, of any of the benzidine-based 
chemical substances subject to the 1996 SNUR or being newly added to 40 
CFR 721.1660 by this final rule, except for ongoing uses specified in 
40 CFR 721.1660(a)(2)(i) of the regulatory text in this document, is a 
significant new use. EPA has also determined that the manufacture or 
processing of DnPP for any use other than use as a chemical standard 
for analytical experiments is a significant new use, and the 
manufacture or processing of alkanes, C12-13, chloro (CAS No. 71011-12-
6) for any use is a significant new use.

V. Applicability of the General Provisions

    General provisions for SNURs appear under 40 CFR part 721, subpart 
A. These provisions describe persons subject to the rule, recordkeeping 
requirements, exemptions to reporting requirements, and applicability 
of the rule to uses occurring before the effective date of the final 
rule.
    Provisions relating to user fees appear at 40 CFR part 700. 
According to 40 CFR 721.1(c), persons subject to SNURs must comply with 
the same notice requirements and EPA regulatory procedures as 
submitters of Premanufacture Notices (PMNs) under TSCA section 
5(a)(1)(A). In particular, these requirements include the information 
submissions requirements of TSCA section 5(b) and 5(d)(1), the 
exemptions authorized by TSCA section 5(h)(1), (h)(2), (h)(3), and 
(h)(5), and the regulations at 40 CFR part 720. Once EPA receives a 
SNUN, EPA may take regulatory action under TSCA section 5(e), 5(f), 6 
or 7 to control the activities

[[Page 77895]]

on which it has received the SNUN. If EPA does not take action, EPA is 
required under TSCA section 5(g) to explain in the Federal Register its 
reasons for not taking action.
    However, 40 CFR 721.45(f) (which generally exempts persons 
importing or processing a substance as part of an article) will not 
apply to the benzidine-based chemical substances listed at 40 CFR 
721.1660 and those added by this final rule. Therefore, a person who 
imports or processes as part of an article a benzidine-based chemical 
substance that is covered by this rule would not be exempt from 
submitting a SNUN.
    Persons who export or intend to export a chemical substance 
identified in a proposed or final SNUR are subject to the export 
notification provisions of TSCA section 12(b). The regulations that 
interpret TSCA section 12(b) appear at 40 CFR part 707, subpart D. 
Persons who import a chemical substance identified in a final SNUR are 
subject to the TSCA section 13 import certification requirements, 
codified at 19 CFR 12.118 through 12.127; see also 19 CFR 127.28. Those 
persons must certify that the shipment of the chemical substance 
complies with all applicable rules and orders under TSCA, including any 
SNUR requirements. The EPA policy in support of import certification 
appears at 40 CFR part 707, subpart B.

VI. Applicability of the Final Rule to Uses Occurring Before the 
Effective Date of the Final Rule

    As discussed in the Federal Register of April 24, 1990 (55 FR 
17376) (FRL-3658-5) (Ref. 5), EPA has decided that the intent of 
section 5(a)(1)(B) of TSCA is best served by designating a use as a 
significant new use as of the date of publication of the proposed rule 
rather than as of the effective date of the final rule. If uses begun 
after publication of the proposed rule were considered ongoing rather 
than new, it would be difficult for EPA to establish SNUR notice 
requirements, because a person could defeat the SNUR by initiating the 
proposed significant new use before the rule became final, and then 
argue that the use was ongoing as of the effective date of the final 
rule. Thus, persons who begin the commercial manufacture or processing 
of a covered substance as a significant new use have to cease any such 
activity as of the effective date of the rule if and when finalized. To 
resume their activities, these persons would have to comply with all 
applicable SNUR notice requirements and wait until the notice review 
period, including all extensions, expires. If a person were to meet the 
conditions of advance compliance under 40 CFR 721.45(h), that person 
would be considered to have met the requirements of the final SNUR for 
those activities.

VII. Test Data and Other Information

    EPA recognizes that TSCA section 5 does not require developing any 
particular test data before submission of a SNUN. There are two 
exceptions:
    1. Development of test data is required where the chemical 
substance subject to the SNUR is also subject to a test rule under TSCA 
section 4 (see TSCA section 5(b)(1)) and
    2. Development of test data may be necessary where the chemical 
substance has been listed under TSCA section 5(b)(4) (see TSCA section 
5(b)(2)).
    In the absence of a section 4 test rule or a section 5(b)(4) 
listing covering the chemical substance, persons are required only to 
submit test data in their possession or control and to describe any 
other data known to or reasonably ascertainable by them (15 U.S.C. 
2604(d); 40 CFR 721.25, and 40 CFR 720.50). However, as a general 
matter, EPA recommends that SNUN submitters include data that would 
permit a reasoned evaluation of risks posed by the chemical substance 
during its manufacture, import, processing, use, distribution in 
commerce, or disposal. EPA encourages persons to consult with the 
Agency before submitting a SNUN. As part of this optional pre-notice 
consultation, EPA would discuss specific data it believes may be useful 
in evaluating a significant new use. SNUNs submitted for significant 
new uses without any test data may increase the likelihood that EPA 
would take action under TSCA section 5(e) to prohibit or limit 
activities associated with this chemical. SNUN submitters should be 
aware that EPA will be better able to evaluate SNUNs that provide 
detailed information on:
     Human exposure and environmental releases that may result 
from the significant new uses of the chemical substance.
     Potential benefits of the chemical substance.
     Information on risks posed by the chemical substances 
compared to risks posed by potential substitutes.

VIII. SNUN Submissions

    According to 40 CFR 721.1(c), persons submitting a SNUN must comply 
with the same notice requirements and EPA regulatory procedures as 
persons submitting a PMN, including submission of test data on health 
and environmental effects as described in 40 CFR 720.50. SNUNs must be 
on EPA Form No. 7710-25, generated using e-PMN software, and submitted 
to the Agency in accordance with the procedures set forth in 40 CFR 
721.25 and 720.40. E-PMN software is available electronically at http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/newchems.

IX. Economic Analysis

A. SNUNs

    EPA has evaluated the potential costs of establishing SNUR 
reporting requirements for potential manufacturers and processors of 
these chemicals and for articles containing any of the benzidine-based 
chemical substances included in the 1996 SNUR and those newly added by 
this final rule when imported or processed as part of an article. These 
economic analyses, which are briefly summarized here, are available in 
the docket for this rule. EPA added additional information to the 
economic analysis for the benzidine-based chemical substances in 
response to public comments.
    The costs of submission of a SNUN would be incurred when a company 
decides to pursue a significant new use of one of these chemicals. In 
the event that a SNUN is submitted, costs are estimated at 
approximately $8,600 per SNUN submission, and include the cost for 
preparing and submitting the SNUN, recordkeeping, and the payment of a 
user fee. Businesses that submit a SNUN are either subject to a $2,500 
user fee required by 40 CFR 700.45(b)(2)(iii), or, if they are a small 
business with annual sales of less than $40 million when combined with 
those of the parent company (if any), a reduced user fee of $100 (40 
CFR 700.45(b)(1)). In its evaluation of this final rule, EPA also 
considered the potential costs a company might incur by avoiding or 
delaying the significant new use in the future, but these costs have 
not been quantified.

B. Export Notification

    EPA regulations under TSCA section 12(b) (15 U.S.C. 2611(b)) at 40 
CFR part 707, subpart D require that, for chemicals subject to a 
proposed or final SNUR, a company notify EPA of the first export or 
intended export to a particular country of an affected chemical 
substance. EPA estimated that the one-time cost of preparing and 
submitting an export notification to be $84. The total costs of export 
notification would vary per chemical, depending on the number of 
required notifications (i.e., number of countries to which the chemical 
is exported).

[[Page 77896]]

C. Import or Processing Benzidine-Based Chemical Substances as Part of 
an Article

    In the case of the benzidine-based chemical substances, this rule 
makes inapplicable the exemption relating to persons that import or 
process substances as part of an article. In the proposed rule EPA 
preliminarily determined, based on the Agency's market research, that 
there was no ongoing manufacturing (including import) or processing of 
these chemical substances for significant new uses as part of articles 
or otherwise. For the nine newly-added benzidine-based chemical 
substances, EPA found no evidence of manufacture either domestically or 
abroad, and thus also no evidence of importation or processing of these 
chemical substances as part of articles (Ref. 1). For the majority of 
the 24 previously listed benzidine-based chemical substances, EPA found 
no evidence of manufacture, either domestically or abroad. While EPA 
found that some of the previously listed benzidine-based chemical 
substances were being manufactured domestically for discrete uses that 
are not subject to this SNUR, EPA found no evidence that these chemical 
substances were being imported or processed as part of articles (Ref. 
1). EPA received no public comments indicating otherwise. Based on the 
global trend away from using these chemical substances, the fact that 
they are regulated in numerous jurisdictions, and the absence of public 
comments indicating their ongoing use for significant new uses, EPA is 
finalizing its determination that these benzidine-based chemical 
substances are not being manufactured (including import) or processed 
for a significant new use as part of articles or otherwise.
    However, the rule may affect firms that plan to import or process 
types of articles that benzidine-based chemicals are potentially a part 
of. Some firms have an understanding of the contents of the articles 
they import or process. However, EPA acknowledges that importers and 
processors of articles may have varying levels of knowledge about the 
chemical content of the articles that they import or process. These 
parties may need to become familiar with the requirements of the rule. 
And, while not required by the SNUR, these parties may take additional 
steps to determine whether benzidine-based chemicals are part of the 
articles that they are considering to import or process. This 
determination may involve activities such as gathering information from 
suppliers along the supply chain, and/or testing samples of the article 
itself. Costs vary across the activities chosen and the extent of 
familiarity a firm has regarding the articles it imports or processes. 
Cost ranges are presented in the ``Economic Analysis of the Final 
Significant New Use Rule for Nine Benzidine Based Chemical Substances'' 
(Ref. 4). Given existing regulatory limitations on certain benzidine-
based substances both internationally and within the U.S., industry-
wide processes, resources that support companies in understanding and 
managing their supply chains, and evidence showing minimal worldwide 
availability of the dyes regulated under the SNUR, EPA believes that 
article importers that choose to investigate their products would incur 
costs at the lower end of the ranges presented in the Economic Analysis 
as a result of this rule. For those companies choosing to undertake 
actions to assess the composition of the articles they import or 
process, EPA expects that in all likelihood, these importers and 
processors would take actions that are commensurate with the company's 
perceived likelihood that a chemical substance might be a part of an 
article they intend to import into the United States and the resources 
it has available.

X. Response to Public Comment

    The Agency reviewed and considered all comments received related to 
the proposed rule. Copies of all non-CBI comments are available in the 
docket for this action. A discussion of the major comments germane to 
the rulemaking and the Agency's responses follow

A. Legal Authority To Make Inapplicable the Exemption for Persons Who 
Import or Process Chemical Substances as Part of Articles

    One commenter suggests that if chemical substances are not exempted 
from the SNUR at the point they are incorporated into articles, then 
EPA should consider whether it is inappropriately regulating ``articles 
under the chemical management authorities of TSCA,'' (emphasis 
original) inconsistent with Congressional intent in enacting TSCA. The 
commenter argues further that the regulation of articles is not the 
primary purpose of TSCA and that such regulation should be addressed by 
other agencies operating under other statutes such as the Occupational 
Safety and Health Act of 1970 and the Consumer Product Safety Act of 
1972. Another comment raises similar issues.
    EPA responded that the SNUR for benzidine-based chemical substances 
does not regulate articles per se, but rather persons who manufacture 
or process these chemical substances, including when the chemical 
substances are present as part of articles. TSCA clearly contemplates 
such regulation, as certain articles are expressly removed from TSCA 
jurisdiction at TSCA section 3(2). Indeed, EPA has a long history of 
regulating chemical substances as part of articles under TSCA. For 
polychlorinated biphenyls (the only chemical substance specifically 
addressed in TSCA as it was originally enacted), section 6(e) of TSCA 
provides authority for EPA to promulgate rules related to 
polychlorinated biphenyls in articles, such as electrical transformers. 
Other examples include the regulation of asbestos (40 CFR 763.160) and 
regulation of manufacturers of consumer products intended for use by 
children who also manufacture (including import) lead (40 CFR 
716.21(a)(8)).
    TSCA section 5 provides EPA with authority to regulate chemical 
substances, including chemical substances that are part of articles.\1\ 
Under this section, EPA has previously regulated persons that import or 
process chemical substances as part of articles, including articles 
containing erionite fiber (40 CFR 721.2800) and mercury (40 CFR 
721.10068). This is in keeping with the statutory language authorizing 
the Administrator to designate a ``use of a chemical substance as a 
significant new use'' and to require SNUN submissions from persons that 
intend to manufacture or process a chemical for a designated 
significant new use. The commenter is incorrect in suggesting that 
regulation to address chemical substances in articles is beyond the 
originally intended functions of TSCA. When TSCA was being drafted, 
legislators characterized it as ``a mechanism to protect against 
dangerous chemical materials contained in consumer and industrial 
products''; by way of example, the drafters cited ``the presence of 
mercury in such consumer products as paint, home thermometers, sponges, 
and a variety of other products.'' S. Rep. No. 94-698, 94th Cong., 2d 
Sess., 5-6 (1976).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ It should be noted that there is no general SNUN exemption 
for uses of a chemical substances involving articles and EPA 
routinely defines significant new uses to include use in articles. 
The exemption at 40 CFR 721.45(f) relates to a different question: 
whether the SNUR applies to persons who process or import a chemical 
substance by processing or importing the substance as part of an 
article.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Furthermore, this application of the regulations (to persons who 
manufacture or process the chemical substance as part of articles) is 
consistent with legislators' observation, in drafting this section, 
that:

[[Page 77897]]

    [T]he most desirable time to determine the health and 
environmental effects of a substance, and to take action to protect 
against any potential adverse effects, occurs before commercial 
production begins. Not only is human and environmental harm avoided 
or alleviated, but the cost of any regulatory action in terms of 
loss of jobs and capital investment is minimized.

H.R. Rep. 94-1679, 94th Cong., 2d Sess., 65 (1976).

    When a chemical substance is domestically produced, the substance 
generally exists in non-article form at the earliest point of 
commercial production in the United States. When a chemical substance 
is imported, however, it may in many instances already be part of an 
article, even at the earliest point that it enters U.S. commerce. By 
this action, EPA makes importers of specific chemical substances 
subject to the same SNUN requirements as domestic manufacturers of the 
same substance, irrespective of whether such import is as part of an 
article. This action is consistent with the plain text of TSCA 
5(a)(1)(B) (generally, ``no person may . . . manufacture or process'' 
for a significant new use without proper notice) and with one of the 
intended goals of TSCA: to hold importers to ``the same 
responsibilities and obligations as domestic manufacturers,'' H.R. Rep. 
No. 94-1341, 94th Cong. 2d. Sess., 12-13 (1976). This action is also 
consistent with EPA's identified concerns regarding benzidine-based 
chemical substances when they are present as part of an article (See 
Ref. 1, pg. 18756).
    Moreover, when originally promulgating the presumptive SNUN 
submission exemption for persons who import or process chemical 
substances as part of articles (40 CFR 721.45(f)), EPA did so based on 
a belief that people and the environment would generally not be exposed 
to chemical substances in articles. To address those cases where the 
assumption may not be valid, EPA specifically noted that, ``EPA may 
decide to eliminate one or all of these . . . exemptions [including the 
exemption for importers and processors of chemicals as part of 
articles] if EPA decides that review under a SNUR is warranted for 
specific substances . . . in articles.'' (Ref. 6). Thus, while EPA 
clearly has statutory authority to subject importers and processors of 
chemical substances in articles to SNUN requirements, they are 
presumptively excluded by rule at 40 CFR 721.45(f), based on an 
assumption that people and the environment will generally not be 
exposed to substances in articles. (Ref. 6). To the extent that 
potential exposure to a chemical substance as part of an article 
contributes to the EPA's determination pursuant to the factors in 
section 5(a)(2) of TSCA that the new use is significant (i.e., EPA has 
reason to anticipate that use as part of an article would raise 
important questions, related to potential exposure, that EPA should 
have an opportunity to review before such use could resume or occur), 
it is appropriate to make the exemption inapplicable.
    EPA notes that one of the commenters appears to have conflated the 
Federal Register notice establishing the article importers' and article 
processors' exemption from PMN requirements (Ref. 7), discussing 40 CFR 
720.22(b)) with another Federal Register notice establishing the 
comparable exemptions from SNUR requirements (Ref. 6), discussing 40 
CFR 721.45(f)). While EPA recognizes that parts 720 and 721 deal with 
many similar issues, they are also distinct from each other in 
important respects. It is significant that in the 1984 action, whereby 
EPA established the article importers' and article processors' 
exemption for SNURs, it did not simply mirror the 1983 rationale for 
the comparable exemption from PMN obligations. For PMNs, EPA noted the 
difficulties associated with determining the identity and Inventory 
status of each chemical substance in imported articles (e.g., 
automobiles) (Ref. 7). But for SNURs, EPA placed special emphasis on 
its assumption that import of the substance as part of an article would 
not affect human or environmental exposure to the substance, while 
taking particular care to reserve ongoing discretion to revise its 
assumption as warranted in the case of specific substances. EPA had 
reason to differentiate between the two rationales. SNURs are for 
specified chemical substances for which EPA has identified exposure-
based concerns for the defined significant new use (per the TSCA 
section 5(a)(2) factors). By contrast, PMNs are required for all new 
chemicals (i.e., those not on the TSCA inventory), not a specified set 
of chemicals.
    Finally, there is no basis for the commenter's suggestion that EPA 
should decline to review significant new uses, in deference to the 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the Consumer 
Product Safety Commission (CPSC), simply because a significant new use 
notice would be submitted by a person who imports or processes the 
chemical substance as part of an article. Neither the Occupational 
Safety and Health Act of 1970 nor the Consumer Product Safety Act of 
1972 contains a comparable mechanism to ensure advance notice and 
opportunity to review significant new uses of chemical substances, as 
part of articles or otherwise.

B. Development of a Separate Policy Framework for Making Inapplicable 
the Exemption for Persons Who Import or Process Chemical Substances as 
Part of Articles

    1. Comment. Some commenters suggest that before finalizing a 
rulemaking to make the ``articles exemption'' inapplicable to the 
benzidine-based chemical substances, the EPA should complete a separate 
public comment process to develop a general ``policy framework for the 
issuance of article SNURs.'' Commenters suggest that this policy 
framework should include science based criteria, feasibility criteria, 
costs, and other factors.
    One comment suggests that, in formulating the ``policy framework'' 
or criteria for making the exemption for importers and processors of 
chemical substances as part of articles inapplicable, EPA should 
address the following questions:
     Can the risk posed by the chemical of concern be addressed 
through the standard regulation?
     Why is the standard approach for SNURs that exempts 
articles not sufficient?
     What conditions make direct regulation of articles 
necessary?
     What gaps in health and environmental protection are 
likely to occur if a SNUR only regulates chemicals and mixtures?
    Response. The comments conflate two separate issues: The 
determination of a significant new use under TSCA section 5(a)(2), and 
the decision to make the regulatory exemption at 40 CFR 721.45(f) 
inapplicable. (40 CFR 721.45(f) provides that persons who import or 
process a chemical substance as part of an article are not subject to 
the notification requirements at 40 CFR 721.25; this exemption is 
referred to as the ``articles exemption'' by some commenters). EPA 
first makes a determination on whether a use of a chemical substance is 
a significant new use considering the factors listed in TSCA section 
5(a)(2). Once that determination is made, EPA separately determines 
whether it would be appropriate to revoke the regulatory exemption at 
40 CFR 721.45(f) for persons who import or process a chemical substance 
as part of an article.
    EPA notes that there may be a variety of cases in which it may be 
appropriate for EPA to include persons who import or process the 
chemical substance as

[[Page 77898]]

part of an article among the persons subject to SNUN submission 
obligations. Knowledge regarding chemical exposures from articles has 
evolved since the Agency established the exemption at 40 CFR 721.45(f) 
in 1984, and there has been a steady increase in international trade of 
chemicals in articles. Accumulated data illustrate that SNURs (and 
section 5(e) consent orders) that include the exemption for persons who 
import or process a chemical substance as part of an article are 
sometimes insufficient to appropriately flag significant new exposures 
from downstream uses. For example, there have been instances in which a 
section 5(e) consent order for a new chemical substance was issued, 
prohibiting the release of the chemical substance to water, and yet the 
chemical substance at issue was later found in the environment and 
biota. The presence of the chemical substance in the environment and in 
biota then appears to be associated with the use of the substance in 
articles (Ref. 8). There are also documented exposures (and resulting 
toxicity) of children to lead and cadmium and their compounds from a 
variety of articles, such as toys (Ref. 9), and exposures to other 
heavy metals from articles, as measured in indoor air and house dust 
samples, which are direct routes of exposure accounting for children's 
levels and toxicity (Ref. 10). Other well-documented examples are the 
presence of brominated flame retardants (e.g., polybrominated diphenyl 
ethers and brominated phthalates and benzoates) in samplings of 
articles, indoor air, people, and house dust. The low exchange rate of 
indoor air and house dust to sources outside the home support the flame 
retardant release from articles postulate. Likewise, other semi-sealed 
environments, such as automobiles, have demonstrated migration of flame 
retardants from treated articles to interior surfaces and indoor air, 
as no other source was possible. In addition, high flame retardant 
levels have been observed in biota raised in proximity to articles and 
living near article recyling sites. Further, observed flame retardant 
levels in biota and in the environment at locations remote from 
manufacturing sites suggest transport of these non-volatile chemical 
substances on associated particulate matter from distributed treated 
articles, which strongly suggest release from articles as one potential 
source (Ref. 11-15).
    The information discussed in this unit--the well-documented 
exposures (and resulting toxicity) of children to lead, cadmium, and 
other metals from a variety of articles; the data on other chemicals 
used in articles; and the presence in the environment and biota of 
certain brominated flame retardants (e.g., polybrominated diphenyl 
ethers and brominated phthalates and benzoates)--all illustrate that 
there can be exposure to the chemicals associated with their presence 
in articles (Refs. 9-15).
    The scope of the suggested criteria (which the commenters suggest 
EPA should now develop to govern its exercise of its authority to make 
the exemption at 40 CFR 721.45(f) inapplicable) is incommensurate with 
the level of analysis supporting the original development of the 
exemption. EPA notes that TSCA section 5(a)(1) establishes a general 
prohibition on manufacturing or processing a chemical substance for a 
significant new use without prior notice to EPA. 40 CFR 721.45(f) 
establishes an exemption from this prohibition, but it is based on a 
fairly minimal rationale: ``EPA believes people and the environment 
will generally not be exposed to substances in articles.'' (Ref. 6). 
EPA counterbalanced its reliance on this generalized assumption (about 
all chemicals that exist as part of articles) with a broad reservation 
of case-by-case discretion to make the exemption inapplicable as 
``warranted for specific substances.'' (Ref. 6).
    EPA does not think that development of a ``policy framework'' is 
necessary before reaching the conclusion, with respect to benzidine-
based chemical substances, that persons who import or process these 
substances as part of articles should be subject to the notification 
provisions of 40 CFR 721.25. Dermal exposure can occur from the 
leaching of the benzidine-based chemical substances by sweat in contact 
with the dyed textiles (Ref. 1)). In addition, data indicate that 
exposure to other chemicals in materials such as textiles and foam can 
result from the dust that is generated from abrasion and/or degradation 
of the materials (Ref. 16). EPA notes that the commenter did not offer 
data to undercut the conclusion that such exposure can occur. Because 
of this information, and other information described in Unit III.E. of 
the (Ref. 1), EPA does not assume that new types or forms of exposure 
associated with new use of benzidine-based chemical substances would be 
insignificant merely because the chemical substance is imported or 
processed as part of an article. Thus, EPA does not believe the default 
assumption used to support 40 CFR 721.45(f) (that people and the 
environment will generally not be exposed to substances in articles) 
holds with respect to benzidine-based chemical substances.
    2. Comment. Comments also suggest that EPA analyze the ``variety of 
products'' that could be construed as articles, the ``practical 
questions that will arise'' if the import and processing of such 
products were not exempt from SNURs, and the ``unique channels of 
trade,'' through which different varieties of products move. Commenters 
encouraged EPA to develop and articulate publicly a policy framework, 
considering the following factors on an article-specific basis, before 
proceeding to revoke the article exemption with respect to a particular 
chemical substance:
     Whether there is, or will be, direct exposure to the 
chemical substance in the article during the course of the article's 
use.
     Whether there is, or will be, a release of the regulated 
substance, or a metabolite or breakdown product from the substance, 
during subsequent processing, distribution, use or disposal of the 
article.
     Whether there is, or will be, a link between import or 
export of an article and cross-border exposure to the U.S. population.
    Response. Given the variety of substances and uses addressed under 
SNUR regulations, EPA believes it is more efficient to address article-
specific issues as they actually arise within each regulatory action 
than to develop, as suggested by the commenter, an anticipatory 
``policy framework'' document.
    The importers and processors of chemical substances present in 
articles are generally in the best position to know which chemical 
substances are used in which types of articles. When EPA identifies a 
particular chemical substance in a SNUR, such stakeholders have an 
opportunity to identify, in their public comments, any article-specific 
issues that concern them. Furthermore, these issues are likely to be 
more accurately identified and more appropriately addressed in 
connection with the development of a SNUR for particular chemical 
substances than they would be if they were reviewed generically. In 
this case, commenters did not raise any issues specific to certain 
articles.

C. A Compelling Basis Standard for Making Inapplicable the Exemption 
for Persons Who Import or Process Chemical Substances as Part of 
Articles

    1. Comment. Some commenters made the point that revocation of the 
exemption at 40 CFR 721.45(f) should

[[Page 77899]]

not be a presumed component of all SNURs. This was part of a broader 
comment that EPA should not make this exemption inapplicable unless 
there was a ``compelling basis'' to do so. One commenter was concerned 
that if EPA proceeds on a case-by-case basis, following reasoning that 
``could be applied to many chemicals,'' then elimination of the 
exemption would come to be a ``kind of `default' step'' in future 
SNURs. One commenter also argues that, where the SNUN submission 
requirement is to apply to importers and processors of substances as 
part of articles, the TSCA section 5(a)(2) criteria require EPA to 
undertake a compelling analysis of how the use and distribution of the 
``specific articles or article categories,'' would ``contribute to 
potential exposures of concern.''
    Response. As an initial matter, the comments conflate two separate 
issues: The determination of a significant new use under TSCA section 
5(a)(2), and the decision to make the regulatory exemption at 40 CFR 
721.45(f) inapplicable. The TSCA section 5(a)(2) factors do not impose 
a ``compelling analysis'' requirement on the elimination of the 40 CFR 
721.45(f) exemption because (among other reasons) these two actions 
concern two discrete issues. The section 5(a)(2) factors speak to the 
significant new use itself. 40 CFR 721.45(f) speaks to who is required 
to notify EPA of the significant new use.
    In this case, EPA identified its reasons, under the TSCA section 
5(a)(2) factor analysis, to anticipate that the new use would pose 
important new questions related to the substances' potential to 
threaten health or the environment (Ref. 1, pg. 18756), and that EPA 
should have an opportunity to consider those questions before such use 
could occur. (In essence, a SNUR puts a particular set of uses on the 
same footing as a new chemical, which is subject to automatic review 
under TSCA section 5(a)(1) unless EPA specifically excludes it from 
such review.) EPA also identified a basis, specific to benzidine-based 
chemical substances, to question the assumption that people and the 
environment will generally not be exposed to the chemical substances in 
articles. Therefore, EPA is also making inapplicable the exemption at 
40 CFR 721.45(f) for persons who import or process a chemical substance 
as part of an article. No commenter provided data or other information 
to undercut the factual basis for either decision.
    Neither TSCA nor the implementing regulations for SNURs establish a 
separate ``compelling basis'' standard, either with respect to the 
determination of a significant new use or with respect to the decision 
to make the exemption at 40 CFR 721.45(f) inapplicable. Nor have 
commenters identified a persuasive basis for EPA to adopt such a 
standard under either scenario.
    EPA's specific action with respect to benzidine-based chemical 
substances is not, as commenters suggest, tantamount to the presumptive 
revocation of the SNUN submission exemption for importers and 
processors of chemical substances as part of articles in all future 
instances. EPA has not proposed to globally modify or eliminate the 
SNUR exemption for persons who import or process chemical substances as 
part of articles. EPA need not presently address the merits of an 
action it is not presently taking, and did not previously propose to 
take.
    TSCA sections 5(a)(2)(B) and (C) require EPA to consider the extent 
to which a new use ``changes the type or form of exposure'' or 
``increases the magnitude and duration of exposure'' before making a 
determination that a particular use is a ``significant new use.'' EPA 
disagrees that it must therefore, as one commenter suggests, conduct a 
multiplicity of separate significant new use analyses whenever the use 
under consideration involves an article (i.e., one for each specific 
article or article category, comparing the relative significance of 
each particular article or article category). In particular, the 
commenter's interpretation of TSCA section 5(a)(2) misconstrues the 
baseline against which the ``newness'' and the ``significance'' of a 
significant new use are evaluated. As EPA has long maintained, the 
single analytical baseline is the set of uses that were ongoing ``as of 
the date of publication'' of the SNUR proposal. (See e.g., Ref. 1).
    Furthermore, the particular analytical standards the commenter 
suggests are not commensurate with the establishment of a one-time 
notice requirement intended to give EPA an opportunity to later 
evaluate the need for testing or other regulatory action under TSCA. 
Requiring upfront answers to the very questions EPA would evaluate 
after receiving a significant new use notice, as a pre-condition of 
requiring the notices, would undermine the statutory authorization to 
issue SNURs in the first place. EPA's decision to propose a SNUR for a 
particular chemical use and to make the exemption at 40 CFR 721.45(f) 
inapplicable to that SNUR need not be based on an extensive evaluation 
of the hazard, exposure, or potential risk associated with that use. 
Rather, the Agency is acting because it has reason to anticipate that 
such use would raise important new questions related to the substance's 
potential to threaten health or the environment, and that EPA should 
have an opportunity to consider those questions before such use could 
occur. Since the use designated as a significant new use does not 
currently exist, deferring a detailed consideration of potential risks 
or hazards related to that use is an effective use of resources. If a 
person decides to begin manufacturing or processing the chemical for 
the significant new use, in articles or otherwise, the notice to EPA 
allows EPA to evaluate the use according to the specific parameters and 
circumstances surrounding that intended use.
    Even if it were appropriate to construe the decision to make the 40 
CFR 721.45(f) exemption inapplicable as a subcomponent of the 
significant new use determination under section 5(a)(2) (rather than as 
a subsequent determination), EPA adequately considered the section 
5(a)(2) factors.
    The first factor is the ``projected volume of manufacturing and 
processing of a chemical substance'' (TSCA section 5(a)(2)(A)). EPA 
projects that these substances will not be manufactured or processed at 
any volume for the new uses in question and notes that for the newly 
proposed nine benzidine-based chemical substances, data reported to EPA 
for the 2012, 2006, 2002, and 1998 reporting cycles, as required by the 
TSCA IUR rule, indicate no evidence of manufacture (including import) 
(Refs. 1 and 17). Any increase in the projected volume of manufacturing 
(including import) or processing of these substances, beyond the very 
limited uses currently ongoing, would reflect a significant departure 
from prior trends. Given that these chemical substances are anticipated 
to metabolize to the parent benzidine molecule, which is a known human 
carcinogen, EPA anticipates that information presented in the SNUN on 
the quantities manufactured (including imported) and processed of 
benzidine based chemical substances would be important to EPA's overall 
evaluation of whether the new use may present an unreasonable risk to 
human health or the environment. The necessary increase in volume of 
this substance from any new use weighs in favor of determining that the 
new use is a significant new use.
    The second factor is ``the extent to which a use changes the type 
or form of exposure of human beings or the environment to a chemical 
substance'' (TSCA section 5(a)(2)(B)). For the newly added benzidine-
based chemical substances, a general market review on

[[Page 77900]]

these chemical substances indicates no current manufacture within or 
outside the United States. Although some of the chemical substances 
subject to the 1996 SNUR may still have certain limited ongoing uses 
(e.g., as a test reagent, lab standard, or microscopy stain), such uses 
are expected to be confined to limited laboratory or technical 
applications that are not expected to represent an appreciable amount 
of overall exposure. Furthermore, EPA did not find evidence of actual 
ongoing importation or domestic production for these uses. No comments 
provided evidence of ongoing manufacture (including import) or 
processing of these chemical substances as part of articles or 
otherwise. Thus, EPA believes that there is no, or almost no, current 
exposure to these chemical substances in the United States.
    Should a significant new use be planned, EPA anticipates that the 
new use would raise important new questions such as the following:
     To what extent would the use be expected to involve dermal 
contact with the substance?
     Would the substance be used in a setting where oral 
exposure is likely (e.g., would young children be able to mouth the 
article)?
     How would potential occupational exposures and releases to 
the environment over the substance's lifecycle be expected to be 
managed?
    Given that these chemical substances are anticipated to metabolize 
to the parent benzidine molecule, which is a known human carcinogen, 
EPA anticipates that the answers to such questions would be important 
to EPA's evaluation of whether the new use may present an unreasonable 
risk to human health or the environment. The potential for a new use to 
change the type or form of exposure weighs in favor of determining that 
the new use is a significant new use.
    The third factor is ``the extent to which a use increases the 
magnitude and duration of exposure of human beings or the environment 
to a chemical substance'' (TSCA section 5(a)(2)(C)). Should one of the 
designated significant new uses be planned, EPA anticipates that the 
planned new use would raise important new questions relating to the 
concentration in which the substance would be used, the potential for 
repeated exposure, and the potential for continuous exposure. Given 
these chemical substances are anticipated to metabolize to the parent 
benzidine molecule, which is a known human carcinogen, EPA anticipates 
that the answers to these questions would be important to EPA's overall 
evaluation of whether the new use may present an unreasonable risk to 
human health or the environment. EPA also notes that dermal exposure 
can occur from the leaching of the chemical substances by sweat in 
contact with the dyed textiles (Ref. 1). Because of this information, 
and the information described in Unit III.E. of the proposal (Ref. 1), 
EPA does not assume that new types or forms of exposure associated with 
new use of these substances would be insignificant merely because they 
relate to new use in an article or because the pertinent manufacturing 
or processing of the substance occurred as part of an article. The 
potential for activities related to a new use to increase the magnitude 
and duration of exposure weighs in favor of determining that any non-
ongoing use is a significant new use.
    The fourth factor is ``the reasonably anticipated manner and 
methods of manufacturing, processing, distribution in commerce, and 
disposal of a chemical substance'' (TSCA section 5(a)(2)(D)). EPA 
anticipates that any new use, beyond the very limited uses currently 
ongoing, would raise important new questions such as the following:
     To what extent can the anticipated manufacturing, 
processing, distribution in commerce, and disposal of the chemical 
substance be expected to result in worker exposure, user exposure, or 
release of the chemical substance to the environment?
     What potential controls are available to limit such 
releases?
    Given these chemical substances are anticipated to metabolize to 
the parent benzidine molecule, which is a known human carcinogen, EPA 
anticipates that the answers to these questions would be important to 
EPA's overall evaluation of whether the new use ``may present an 
unreasonable risk to human health or the environment.'' The potential 
for manufacturing, processing, distribution in commerce or disposal of 
these benzidine-based chemical substances to change the overall 
exposure picture weighs in favor of determining that consumer textile 
use is a significant new use.
    After considering each of the four TSCA 5(a)(2) factors, EPA has 
concluded that the factors taken together weigh in favor of determining 
that manufacture or processing of these benzidine-based chemical 
substances for any non-ongoing use would be a significant new use such 
that the Agency should have an opportunity to analyze the new use 
before such use (and potential exposures) occurs. This determination 
would still hold even if one were to consider the 40 CFR 721.45(f) 
exemption as a subcomponent of the significant new use determination 
under section 5(a)(2).

D. Narrowing the Scope of SNURs Where the Exemption for Importers and 
Processors of Chemical Substances as Part of Articles Is Made 
Inapplicable

    Some comments suggest that significant new uses should not be 
``open-ended'' but instead must be targeted to specific articles, 
particularly in cases where the exemption at 40 CFR 721.45(f) is made 
inapplicable. The concern expressed is that if the SNUN applies to 
``any use of a substance, then regulated parties and the EPA would be 
obligated to proceed through the SNUR process for an article that would 
have little relevance to the perceived hazard that drove the original 
SNUR.'' The commenter further writes that ``open-ended article SNUR's 
can trigger reviews for articles that may have no relationship to the 
hazard or exposure concerns that motivated EPA's decision to initiate 
the rule.''
    EPA's concern with these benzidine-based dyes is not limited to 
certain exposure pathways to specific articles. EPA's concern is 
specific to the benzidine-based dyes and thus to the range of exposures 
that could occur for these chemical substances. The preamble of the 
proposed rule notes multiple potential routes and sources of exposure 
including inhalation, skin absorption via dyed textiles, and ingestion. 
(Ref. 1). Furthermore, SNURs need not be narrowly focused on the 
mitigation of currently foreseeable exposure scenarios--it is proper 
that they will also ensure EPA has timely notice of future (and 
currently unforeseeable) exposure scenarios. An additional requirement 
to make targeted predictions of the particular uses that ``may be 
proposed in the future'' would undermine this intended function of the 
SNUR.
    More generally, an exhaustive list of all applications that could 
possibly fall within the ambit of a significant new use definition is 
not a prerequisite for issuing a SNUR. Since the significant new use 
does not currently exist, deferring a detailed consideration of 
potential risks related to the importation or processing of these 
chemical substances (including as part of articles) is an effective use 
of resources. If a person decides to begin importing or processing the 
chemical, as part of an article or otherwise, the notice to EPA allows 
EPA to evaluate the significant new use according to the specific 
parameters and circumstances surrounding that intended use.

[[Page 77901]]

E. EPA Should Have a Reasonable Basis To Conclude That Identified 
Articles Would Be Distributed in the United States

    One comment states that ``EPA presents an exposure-based rationale 
for why certain articles could be a concern, but indicates that there 
is no current expectation that these chemical substances will be used 
in such articles.'' The commenter believes that before issuing an 
article SNUR, EPA should have a reasonable basis to conclude that 
identified articles of concern would be distributed in the United 
States. The commenter contends that EPA should identify an article 
containing such a chemical that is currently in global commerce and 
explain why it is likely to be distributed in the United States. The 
commenter believes that it might also be possible to identify an 
article at the research and development stage that is likely to proceed 
to commercial development. Without such findings, however, the 
commenter is concerned that EPA would be issuing an article SNUR for a 
situation that presents no current or likely future threats to health 
or the environment, and thus that the rule would be a waste of public 
resources. Another comment raises similar issues, arguing that EPA 
should provide even more specific information on how the significant 
new uses contribute to risk.
    Alternatively, the first commenter suggests that EPA include a 
specific provision suspending enforcement of the SNUR until a 
determination is made that there is a reasonable basis to believe that 
an article containing the specific chemical had been, or would be, 
distributed in the United States.
    EPA disagrees with the suggestion to limit the application of SNUN 
submission requirements for importers and processors of the chemical 
substances as part of articles to situations where importation or 
processing as part of an article is known to be imminent. SNURs address 
situations in which EPA is concerned about the potential for use to 
commence without prior opportunity for review and risk management 
action where appropriate. For purposes of SNURs, EPA cannot be expected 
to predict specific situations where new uses may be imminent, or how 
those specific uses may contribute to risk, before designating 
significant new uses. The purpose of a SNUR is to obtain such 
information so that EPA can evaluate risks associated with, and take 
risk management action where appropriate regarding, any notified 
activities. These rules serve the important function of alerting EPA 
when a significant new use is intended. Without them, EPA would have no 
expectation of timely identification of new uses of these chemicals. 
Notice relating to the import or processing of articles is particularly 
important in this case, as the proposal specifically identified a 
concern related to the potential for dermal exposure via dyed articles 
(i.e., from the leaching of the benzidine-based chemical substances by 
sweat in contact dyed articles, such as textiles). (Ref. 1).
    It would not be an efficient use of government resources for EPA to 
continually monitor global commerce to try to predict which chemicals 
are about to be imported as part of articles (but have not yet been 
imported) into the United States. Persons who wish to manufacture 
(including import) or process these chemical substances for a 
significant new use, as part of an article or otherwise, are in a 
better position than EPA to evaluate when they are about to initiate a 
particular significant new use.
    Given that SNURs cannot be issued for ongoing uses, the commenter's 
suggestion (that EPA must itself make an upfront demonstration that a 
particular new use is about to begin, to secure the opportunity to be 
notified of when significant new uses involving importation or 
processing of chemical substances as part of articles are about to 
begin) is impracticable. It would likely result in a scenario in which 
an otherwise significant new use would be allowed to commence prior to 
the issuance of a SNUR proposal, thereby placing that use outside of 
EPA's SNUR authority. Furthermore, EPA has already considered and 
rejected (in 2006, following public comment on a 2004 proposal) the 
position that it must defer revocation of the 40 CFR 721.45(f) 
exemption for a SNUR until it appears likely ``that these chemical 
substances will be imported as part of articles.''(Ref. 18). EPA 
concluded in 2006, after a re-evaluation of the issue prompted by 
public comments, that ``if the subject substances when imported as a 
part of articles are not subject to the SNUR, EPA could miss the 
opportunity to obtain notifications that would provide information of 
potential regulatory and assessment value.'' (Ref. 19)(ultimately 
declining to make the exemption inapplicable, based on a separate 
concern that the use with respect to articles appeared to be already 
ongoing).
    Finally, for essentially the same reasons as set forth in this 
unit, EPA believes it would be inappropriate to follow one commenter's 
alternative suggestion: To promulgate a SNUR without the exemption for 
importers and processors of chemical substances as part of articles, 
while somehow ``suspending enforcement'' until the precise moment that 
manufacture or processing for a significant new use as part of an 
article is about to begin, but has not yet begun.
    In sum, EPA believes commenter's suggestions would turn the 
regulatory process on its head. EPA would likely need to already have a 
SNUR in place in order to obtain the kind of timely information about 
significant new use that the commenter asserts should be prerequisite 
to issuing the SNUR in the first place.

F. Intended Coverage of the Benzidine-Based Chemical Substances SNUR

    1. Comment. One commenter writes that ``A proposed rule offering a 
clear explanation of what uses EPA intends to cover, including an 
explanation of the alternatives if certain situations are unclear, will 
greatly increase the chances that useful information about business 
practices and common terms of art in an industry will be identified.'' 
EPA should define the scope of the uses to be regulated as clearly and 
precisely as possible.
    The commenter also contended that soliciting public comment on the 
appropriate scope of new uses to be regulated, for a specific chemical 
substance, constitutes ``an abdication of the role that EPA should be 
undertaking.'' The commenter suggests that before soliciting public 
comments, EPA should have first pursued an informal coordination with 
downstream industries and (as necessary) an exercise of its ``ample 
authority under TSCA, either through regulatory action under section 8 
or order authority under section 11(c).'' Finally, the commenter 
suggests that to the extent the proposed significant new uses admit 
ambiguity or potential need for adjustment in response to public 
comment, that is evidence that EPA ``should have learned more about the 
uses'' before issuing the proposal and is improperly seeking ``to shift 
the responsibility to stakeholders.''
    Response. The description of the scope of the significant new uses 
in the benzidine-based chemical substances proposed SNUR and the 
Agency's basis for the proposal were explicit. The SNUR proposal fairly 
apprised stakeholders as to the chemical at issue and the particular 
concerns driving the proposed action. It further indicated that based 
on information available to EPA, the significant new uses identified 
are not currently on-going. Stakeholders had an opportunity to oppose 
any of these preliminary findings by supplying

[[Page 77902]]

countervailing information thorough the rulemaking process itself. 
Grafting additional pre-proposal steps onto the SNUR rulemaking process 
would be unnecessarily time-consuming and an unsound use of agency 
resources. The timelier, less resource-intensive, and more transparent 
process is for interested stakeholders, through the public comment 
process itself, to simply provide any pertinent countervailing 
information they wish to add to the initial collection of information 
EPA presented in the proposal.
    As noted earlier, TSCA section 5(a)(2) does not compel nor 
contemplate an article by article analysis to identify every 
conceivable significant new use of a chemical substance. EPA evaluates 
whether a new use is ``significant'' consistent with the evidence of 
Congressional intent underlying the enactment of TSCA. See H.R. Rep. 
No. 94-1341 at 24 (1976) (``[B]ecause of the nature of a substance, it 
is possible that any new use of it will be significant. Thus, a 
potentially dangerous substance which is manufactured for a particular 
use may, if manufactured for a different use present additional health 
or environmental problems and consequently there should be notice of 
the intent to manufacture it for such different use.'' H.R. Rep. No 94-
1679 at 66 (1976) (``[T]he conferees intend that any potential threats 
to health or the environment from the manufacture, processing, 
distribution in commerce, or disposal of a substance associated with a 
new use be considered by the Administrator when determining the 
significance of a new use.'') Finally, a broad construction of the 
significant new use is particularly appropriate where (as in the case 
of benzidine-based dyes) any increase in the projected volume of 
manufacturing (including import) or processing of these substances, 
beyond the very limited uses currently ongoing, would reflect a 
significant departure from prior trends.
    2. Comment. ``It does not make sense to issue article SNUR's [sic] 
for full size machines or structures. An article SNUR should focus on 
the specific components of more complex machines or structures that 
involve the chemical of concern.''
    Response. The commenter neither explains what the commenter means 
by ``full size,'' nor offers any specific evidence to support their 
general view that new uses of chemical substances in ``full size 
machines or structures,'' are any less likely to be significant than 
new uses of chemical substances in ``specific components.'' Nor does 
the commenter indicate why persons who import or process chemical 
substances as part of articles would be more likely to be importing or 
processing the chemical substances for use in ``full size'' articles. 
Attempting to define and distinguish between ``full size'' article uses 
and other uses, and correlating such distinctions to whether persons 
are importing or processing these chemical substances as part of 
articles, would delay the rulemaking and increase its complexity, in a 
manner that does not seem warranted on the basis of the limited 
information supplied in the comment.
    3. Comment. ``Chemicals used in articles may sometimes be 
incorporated into 'internal' mechanisms of the article that are 
unlikely to come into contact with people or be released into the 
environment during normal use of the article.''
    Response. The commenter does not explain why the basis for a SNUR 
should be limited to those exposures that occur concurrent with the 
article fulfilling its intended function, when TSCA section 5(a)(2)(D) 
contemplates that EPA will consider the value of ensuring it has a 
future opportunity to review the whole life-cycle impact (e.g., 
``manufacturing, processing, distribution in commerce, and disposal'') 
of a significant new use of a chemical substance. The exposure to the 
chemical substance, including when it is in an article, may be larger 
during disposal or recycling than during the ``normal use'' of the 
chemical. Further, chemical substances that are `internal' to an 
article may still result in exposure if the chemical substance has 
certain physical- chemical properties (e.g., a relatively volatile 
chemical used as a plasticizer in interior automobile parts) or due to 
abrasion of the article (e.g., a dye incorporated into furniture 
covering.)
    Nor does the commenter indicate why persons who import or process 
chemical substances as part of articles would be more likely than any 
other manufacturers or processors to be manufacturing or processing for 
use in the internal mechanisms of articles. Attempting to define and 
meaningfully distinguish between ``internal'' article uses and other 
uses, and correlating such distinctions to whether manufacturing or 
processing of the substance occurs as part of an article, would delay 
the rulemaking and increase its complexity, in a manner that does not 
seem warranted on the basis of the limited information supplied in the 
comment.
    4. Comment. ``EPA should clarify whether the SNUR applies to 
articles containing the chemical of concern in a solid, liquid, 
particle or gaseous form.''
    Response. This SNUR applies to the chemical substances regardless 
of form. To the extent the commenter seeks to continue some aspect of 
the exemption at 40 CFR 721.45(f), depending on the form of the 
chemical substance in the article that is being imported or processed, 
the commenter has not offered any specific support for that 
proposition, either generally or in any particular case. In the SNUR at 
issue, EPA does not believe it is prudent to limit the application of 
the rule based on the form (solid, liquid, or gaseous) of the chemical 
substances at issue. Chemicals that may have been used in one form 
during the manufacture of the article may be released from the article 
in a different physical form. Also, fluids and particles are not 
covered under the applicable definition of article at 40 CFR 704.3. EPA 
received no comments suggesting that use of these chemicals in one form 
or another may not be significant based on the TSCA section 5(a)(2) 
factors. Moreover, information relevant to a specific form of a 
chemical substance can be submitted in a SNUN and may be considered by 
EPA in review of that SNUN in determining whether follow-up action is 
warranted, and may support EPA's amendment of the SNUR to limit its 
scope.
    5. Comment. ``[A] chemical may be present at a very low 
concentration that is unlikely to be associated with a risk warranting 
EPA risk management action. . . . EPA should consider whether it can 
establish a de minimus exclusion [from the SNUR].''
    Response. EPA notes that the SNUR already contains a general 
exemption for unintentionally present impurities at 40 CFR 721.45(d). 
To the extent chemical substances are intentionally added to articles 
at very low concentrations, the question of whether the substance 
warrants risk management action is one that EPA can address upon 
receipt of the SNUN, not an analytical prerequisite to deciding whether 
it should receive the SNUN in the first place.

G. Screening for Benzidine-Based Chemical Substances

    Some commenters faulted the proposal for not identifying precise 
screening operations to be taken in response to the SNUR, and for not 
conducting additional analyses of the cost and feasibility of such 
screening operations. One commenter suggests, in particular, that an 
article importer should be deemed in compliance with the SNUR if the 
chemical is present below an established de minimis level (based on 
mass or concentration), or if it simply does not know the article's

[[Page 77903]]

content after conducting a reasonable inquiry for such information.
    With respect to processors, given the requirements of 40 CFR 
721.5(a)(2), a processor of the chemical substance should have received 
notification that the chemical substance is the subject of a SNUR. A 
processor is not required to submit a SNUN for its unknowing processing 
of a chemical substance subject to a SNUR if (upon obtaining knowledge) 
the processor can document that when the past processing occurred, the 
processor neither knew the chemical identity of the substance it was 
processing nor knew that substance was subject to a SNUR. See 40 CFR 
721.5(c). EPA would generally expect that processors would only fail to 
be aware of the presence of a chemical subject to a SNUR if the 
manufacturer (including importer) or upstream processor of the chemical 
substances failed to meet their obligations under 40 CFR 721.5(a)(2).
    With respect to importers, EPA disagrees that it would be 
appropriate or necessary for the SNUR itself to define screening 
procedures to be employed for compliance purposes. The Agency did not 
propose to require a particular screening procedure and, for the 
following reasons, it does not agree that particular screening 
procedures should be specified and incorporated into the final rule.
    First, EPA believes that adding these sort of screening-effort 
exemptions, specifically for importers of chemical substances as part 
of articles, would be especially difficult to reconcile with the 
general statutory prohibition (under TSCA section 5(a)(1)) on 
manufacturing or processing a chemical substance for a significant new 
use without prior notice to EPA. The issue under the statute is whether 
or not an importer actually imports a substance. This is a separate 
question from the importers' level of knowledge or level of effort to 
obtain knowledge respecting the content of the imports.\2\ With respect 
to SNURs, EPA notes that its direct rulemaking authority is to identify 
significant new uses under section 5(a)(2). The Agency has been 
appropriately cautious in exercising its implicit rulemaking authority 
to limit the applicability of section 5(a)(1). EPA recognizes that it 
did previously exercise such implicit rulemaking authority when 
establishing 40 CFR 721.45(f). However, as noted in this unit, the 
exemption at 40 CFR 721.45(f) was established along with a broad 
reservation of authority to withdraw the exemption where, as here, it 
is inaccurate to assume that there would not be exposure to the 
substance simply because it is present as part of an article. And a 
screening-effort exemption is especially difficult to reconcile with 
the statute in the case of importers. With importers, unlike with 
processors, there are no upstream entities with a duty under TSCA to 
notify importers of the presence of a chemical substance subject to a 
SNUR.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ The limiting clause in the definition of ``principal 
importer'' at 40 CFR 721.3--``knowing that a chemical substance will 
be imported''--is a limit based on the person's knowledge that he or 
she is engaged in an import transaction, not a limit based on the 
person's knowledge of a particular chemical's identity and 
regulatory status. (48 FR 21727, May 13, 1983) (FRL 2998-5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Second, establishing a safe-harbor for importers based on lack of 
knowledge would create incentives for foreign suppliers to deliberately 
withhold information from importers. This could greatly reduce the 
efficacy of this SNUR. Currently, when an importer wishes to import a 
substance it knows would be subject to notification requirements, but 
for which the chemical identity is claimed as CBI by a foreign 
manufacturer, EPA's longstanding practice when reviewing PMNs and SNUNs 
is to accept the relevant information on chemical identity directly 
from the foreign manufacturer. See, (Ref. 7)(``[t]he principal importer 
need not know the specific chemical identity of the imported 
substance'' and ``may have its foreign manufacturer or supplier, or 
some other person, report the chemical identity to EPA.'') Offering an 
outright regulatory exemption to an importer simply because it is 
ignorant of the existence of a SNUR-regulated substance in the imported 
article (after conducting a prescribed inquiry) would allow foreign 
suppliers to short-circuit this process simply by refusing to divulge 
to the importer whether the import contains a chemical substance 
subject to SNUR.
    Third, to the extent the chemical substance subject to the SNUR is 
only ``unintentionally present'' at the point of foreign manufacture, 
it is already exempt from reporting by the importer as an imported 
impurity. See 40 CFR 721.3 (chapeau), 40 CFR 720.3(m), and 40 CFR 
721.45(d). Thus, importers are not required to submit a SNUN for a 
substance based simply on that substance's presence as an impurity 
(i.e., a chemical substances unintentionally present with another 
chemical substance).
    Fourth, whether and how it may appropriate for importers to screen 
for benzidine-based chemical substances will depend on many factors, 
including their current state of knowledge about the articles that they 
import and the potential risk of unknowingly importing articles that 
contain these chemical substances. The relevant factors are largely 
impossible for EPA to establish at this time, given that there is 
currently no on-going import of these substances for the designated 
significant new uses.
    Finally, EPA did conduct additional analysis of potential screening 
burden to explore commenters' concerns. As described in Unit X.H., EPA 
acknowledges the costs of the various activities that certain entities 
may choose to undertake, in response to this rule, to ensure that the 
chemicals they import or process as part of articles do not trigger 
SNUN submission requirements (Ref. 20). Based on EPA's economic 
analysis and the responses to the proposed rule, EPA does not believe 
that these costs will be significant for any individual entity.

H. Costs Associated With Making the Exemption for Persons That Import 
or Process Chemical Substances as Part of Articles Inapplicable

    Some comments note that the economic analysis, which focuses on the 
cost of filing a SNUN, does not include any analysis of the costs that 
might be associated with screening articles to determine whether these 
SNURs would apply. One comment also notes that ``the preambles to the 
proposed rules do not discuss what, if any obligations companies have 
to screen articles for the chemicals included in the SNUR's.''
    With respect to processors: existing SNUR regulations already 
provide that the unknowing processing of a chemical substance does not 
itself trigger SNUN requirements if the processor can (upon obtaining 
knowledge) document that when the past processing occurred, the 
processor neither knew the chemical identity of the substance it was 
processing nor knew that substance was subject to a SNUR. See 40 CFR 
721.5(c).
    With respect to importers: Based on an assessment of current market 
activity in the economic analysis, EPA believes that the chemicals 
subject to the final SNUR are not currently being imported into the 
United States for the identified significant new uses in articles. EPA 
received no public comments on the proposed SNUR that indicate that 
importation of these benzidine-based chemical substances for the 
finalized significant new uses, in articles or otherwise, is ongoing. 
However, because this SNUR makes inapplicable the exemption for persons 
that import or process chemical substances as part of articles, 
companies may take actions to ensure that they do not import any 
articles containing the subject chemical substances after promulgation 
of this rule, by such means they deem

[[Page 77904]]

appropriate. This is not necessarily a new consideration for importers 
given that importers of mixtures have needed to be aware of chemical 
substances subject to a SNUR that may be a component of imported 
mixtures. Whether and how companies respond will depend on many 
factors, including their current state of knowledge about articles that 
they import and their own assessments of the potential risk of 
unknowingly importing articles that contain these chemicals. As noted 
in this unit, EPA did conduct additional analysis of burdens that may 
be associated with activities entities may undertake to ensure the 
chemicals they import or process as part of articles do not trigger 
SNUN submission requirements (Ref. 20).
    In any event, EPA did not propose to mandate any particular level 
of screening of imported or processed articles. The preamble to the 
proposed SNUR did not discuss the precise steps that an importer or 
processor must take in this regard because there is no precise level of 
screening by which the manufacturer or processor could be separately 
liable under the rule (if not performed) or by which a manufacturer or 
processor could obtain ``safe harbor'' from what would otherwise be a 
violation of the rule. While EPA might potentially take screening 
practices into consideration when evaluating a particular instance in 
which the SNUR was nevertheless violated, that would be as a matter of 
enforcement policy, not as a provision of the rule itself.
    EPA has included estimates for some activities that importers may 
undertake (e.g., supplier inquiries) in order to evaluate the 
likelihood of chemicals being imported as part of articles. These costs 
will vary for individual companies and their experience with suppliers. 
Awareness of article components and constituents is becoming more 
commonplace as companies frequently operate on a global scale and are 
subject to numerous regulatory requirements around the world that 
affect product stewardship responsibilities. Existing requirements that 
may compel a company to investigate an article's components include the 
Consumer Product Safety Act, California's Proposition 65, and the EU's 
regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction 
of Chemical (REACH), which requires customer notification about the 
presence of certain chemical in articles that a company distributes. 
U.S. importing companies may already be familiar with the process of 
determining whether the articles they import contain restricted 
chemical substances, if they are subject to the requirements cited 
above or various U.S. regulations, such as the Product Safety 
Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, Washington's Children's Safe Product 
Act, and Maine's Act to Protect Children's Health and the Environment 
from Toxic Chemicals in Toys and Children's Products (Ref. 20).
    Given the existing regulatory limitations on certain chemicals both 
internationally and within the United States, regulated industries have 
begun to develop industry-wide processes and other resources to obtain 
information on chemical substances in articles. Policies and procedures 
could include supplier agreements, such as Hewlett Packard's 
requirement that suppliers meet their General Specifications for the 
Environment (GSE) (Ref. 21) and Walmart's requirement that suppliers 
participate in International Compliance Information Exchange (iCiX) to 
manage and share compliance information throughout the supply chain 
(Ref. 22). More extensive policies and procedures could even include 
product testing. Companies may choose to use existing procedures or 
develop new ones that could range from document review, to supplier 
agreements, to product testing.
    Additional analysis conducted by EPA on activities that companies 
may choose to undertake to ensure that the chemicals they import or 
process as part of articles do not trigger requirements of the SNUR 
shows a wide range of potential activities and associated costs. The 
conduct of these activities and associated costs are at the discretion 
of the company. Table B of this unit shows EPA's estimated range of 
costs associated with some of these potential activities for importers 
of articles.

 Table B--Range of Costs Associated With an Importer's Identification of Chemicals Subject to SNURs in Articles
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Activity                          Cost US  ($)                           Notes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Per Rule Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Rule familiarization.................  $55........................  Cost typically already included in SNUR
                                                                        Economic Analyses.
2. Identify the type of imported          $130 to $1,550.............  Actual costs may vary based on number of
 articles that potentially contain the                                  articles imported and the complexity of
 restricted substances.                                                 the article itself (number of
                                                                        components).
3. Identify all suppliers involved......  $950.......................  Actual costs may vary depending on the
                                                                        number of articles imported, number of
                                                                        suppliers, and frequency of supplier
                                                                        changes.
6. Recordkeeping........................  $10........................  Cost typically already included in SNUR
                                                                        Economic Analyses.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Article-Related Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Collect data from suppliers..........  $5 to $515 per article       Actual costs only apply to those
                                           reviewed. $0 if no data      companies that choose to collect data
                                           collected                    from suppliers. They will vary depending
                                                                        on the specific data collection method
                                                                        chosen. Total costs depend on
                                                                        considerations including the number of
                                                                        articles imported, number of suppliers,
                                                                        and frequency of supplier changes.
5. Chemical testing.....................  $130 per article tested. $0  Actual costs only apply to those
                                           if no testing.               companies that choose to collect data
                                                                        from suppliers. Total costs per company
                                                                        will depend on considerations including
                                                                        the number of articles tested, which may
                                                                        be affected by the number of suppliers
                                                                        and risk associated with each, and
                                                                        frequency of supplier changes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Should processors of articles need to demonstrate compliance with a 
SNUR, it is expected that they could use the shipping or labeling 
documents received with the article in the ordinary course of business. 
As these documents

[[Page 77905]]

would be received and stored anyway, as per standard business 
practices, the elimination of the exemption in the SNUR for persons 
that import or process chemical substances as part of articles would be 
unlikely to lead such persons to incur significant additional costs. To 
the extent that processors choose to undertake more steps to identify 
regulated chemicals as part of articles, the costs of these activities 
would be similar to those in Table B of this unit for importers of 
similar size, supply chain complexity, and level of compliance with 
other chemical regulations.
    There are a number of regulations, including California's 
Proposition 65 and the EU's REACH that currently restrict or otherwise 
affect the use of certain benzidine-based substances, particularly in 
their use as dyes in textiles and leather. California's Proposition 65 
Chemical List includes benzidine-based dyes as a potential carcinogen 
and requires that firms provide a clear and reasonable warning before 
knowingly and intentionally exposing anyone to a listed chemical. This 
warning may include the labeling of consumer products (Refs. 23-24).
    The EU has banned, in textile and leather articles which may come 
into direct and prolonged contact with humans, the use of azo dyes 
which can break down to release any of 22 listed carcinogenic aromatic 
amines (including benzidine and its congeners) in amounts above 30 ppm 
(Ref. 25). The European Commission's Directorate General for Health and 
Consumers maintains the RAPEX database that member countries can use to 
report dangerous products and the measures they have taken to prevent 
or restrict those products. Despite the EU ban, small numbers of 
products containing such azo dyes have recently been listed on RAPEX. 
The products are typically voluntarily withdrawn from the market and/or 
destroyed by the importer or have been placed under an order by the 
authorities to cease sales (Refs. 26, 27). Therefore, azo dyes in 
imported articles still remain a potential issue in the EU. Other 
countries have also banned the manufacture and use of the azo dyes in 
textiles. Currently the manufacture of azo dyes is banned in South 
Korea and Japan (Ref. 27). Use of these chemicals is banned by Egypt, 
India, China, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam (Ref. 28), and Indonesia 
has banned the use of the dyes in children's and baby's clothing (Ref. 
29). In 2012, the Japanese textiles and leather industry announced 
voluntary restrictions of the chemicals (Refs. 29, 30). Canada has also 
expressed concern about the potential release of benzidine or its 
congeners from azo dyes and is evaluating potential approaches for 
addressing azo dyes (Ref. 30). Organizations, such as the American 
Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), have developed a comprehensive 
Restricted Substances List (RSL) as a reference for companies and have 
developed a toolkit to help apparel and footwear companies to better 
manage chemicals throughout the supply chain. Given the current level 
of international and domestic regulation and attention to benzidine-
related chemicals, EPA believes that importers and processors of 
articles may already have undertaken a number of activities to manage 
chemicals within their supply chains and generally to deselect for 
these chemicals. Therefore, EPA expects that companies that could 
potentially commence importing or processing benzidine-based chemicals 
as part of articles may already have some knowledge of the chemicals 
within their supply chain and would undertake few of the activities 
listed in Table B and would fall toward the lower end of the cost range 
for any activities undertaken. More detailed information is included in 
EPA's economic analysis.
    EPA does not believe that the subject chemicals are entering the 
United States in imported articles for the significant new uses defined 
by the final regulation. However, companies may screen or initiate 
other activities to determine if articles they import in the future 
contain chemicals included in this SNUR. EPA notes that no commenters 
provided data that could be used to estimate what, if any, costs might 
be associated with continued assurance that imported articles are free 
from the chemical substances subject to this SNUR. The number of 
companies that may take such actions is not known, nor is the level of 
action that may be taken by a particular company. Based on EPA's 
economic analysis and the responses to the proposed rule, EPA does not 
believe that these costs will be significant for any individual entity.

I. Import and Export Regulations for Chemical Substances as Part of 
Articles

    One comment noted that EPA is not proposing to change the way in 
which TSCA's export and import rules (pursuant to TSCA sections 12(b) 
and 13, respectively) apply to articles containing these chemical 
substances. The comment indicates that (under the status quo of the 
import rules) the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will not be 
screening articles for the chemical substances in the proposed SNURs.
    EPA agrees that the TSCA import rules are important TSCA compliance 
mechanisms and that 19 CFR 12.119 allows EPA to establish section 13 
import certification requirements for chemicals in articles. However, 
declining to subject importers to one notice requirement (section 13 
import certification) does not render another notice requirement 
(section 5 SNUN submission) unenforceable.
    In this case, EPA did not propose to require section 13 import 
certification or section 12 export notification for the subject 
chemical substances when part of articles. This is consistent with 
EPA's past practice of making the exemption at 40 CFR 721.45(f) 
inapplicable without also requiring import certification or export 
notification for these chemical substances as part of articles (40 CFR 
721.2800; 40 CFR 721.10068). However, the Agency continues to study 
this issue and has not ruled out a later proposal to require import 
certification and/or export notification for these chemical substances 
as part of articles.
    With or without an import certification requirement, it is the 
importer that is ``responsible for insuring that chemical importation 
complies with TSCA just as domestic manufacturers are responsible for 
insuring that chemical manufacture compliance with TSCA.'' 40 CFR 
707.20(b)(1).

J. Distinguishing Between Chemicals in Non-Article Form and Other 
Products

    One comment contends that the rule, as proposed, ``would not allow 
[EPA] to distinguish between a chemical being brought into the United 
States in its raw form and a chemical being brought in on a shift as a 
dye or finish.'' The comment goes on to state that treating them the 
same way is unrealistic and scientifically unsound.
    EPA disagrees with the comment and notes that it was not proposing 
to eliminate all distinctions, in all regulatory provisions under TSCA, 
between import of a chemical substance in non-article form, and import 
of a chemical substance as part of an article. The rule simply removes 
one particular distinction between persons who import or process a 
chemical substance in non-article form and persons who import or 
process a chemical substance as part of an article. Thus, while the raw 
chemical manufacturer and the article importer may both be required to 
submit a SNUN, EPA would be able distinguish between the two scenarios, 
as appropriate, in its review of the SNUN. The SNUN review process will 
allow case-by-case analysis of each circumstance.

[[Page 77906]]

    With respect to the commenter's comparison of the volume at which 
these chemical substances are currently manufactured in non-article 
form and the volume at which these chemical substances are currently 
manufactured in article form (i.e., via import of a chemical substance 
as part of an article), EPA's conclusion, with respect to the 
significant new uses, is that the two volumes are currently the same. 
This is because EPA has concluded that there is no current manufacture 
of these chemical substances for the significant new uses, either 
through domestic manufacture of the substances in non-article form, or 
through import of articles containing the substances. Thus, both 
production volumes are currently zero.

K. Provisions for Processors

    In a comment submitted after the closing of the public comment 
period, one commenter questions the utility of a provision for 
processors at 40 CFR 721.5(c), as applied to notice requirements under 
this rule. The commenter states that 40 CFR 721.5(c) would not protect 
companies unless they could document lack of knowledge that a SNUR 
applies. The commenter believes that this requirement is therefore 
impossible to meet, explaining that it is impossible to document what 
one does not know.
    EPA will respond to this comment, although it was submitted after 
the closing of the public comment period for this action, because it 
relates closely to the timely submitted comments. EPA disagrees that 
applying 40 CFR 721.5(c) is impossible or impracticable. The provisions 
at 40 CFR 721.5(c) provide that the unknowing processing of a chemical 
substance does not itself trigger SNUN submission requirements, subject 
to meeting certain documentation requirements. Upon obtaining knowledge 
that it previously engaged in activities covered by the SNUR, a 
processor can at that time assemble evidence relating to the period 
when the past processing occurred. Specifically, this would be evidence 
bearing on whether the processor previously knew the chemical identity 
of the substance it was processing or previously knew that that 
substance was subject to a SNUR. Evidence to establish a prior lack of 
knowledge could include items such as a purchase order and, where 
applicable, a material safety data sheet (MSDS) that indicates neither 
the relevant chemical identity nor the presence of a chemical subject 
to a SNUR. Another type of evidence would be the affidavit of a person 
in a position of appropriate authority swearing to the prior lack of 
knowledge. EPA would generally consider the wording on a purchase order 
and, where applicable, an MSDS, along with an affidavit as described 
above, in determining whether there is sufficiently clear documentation 
for purposes of 40 CFR 721.5(c). However, if there was also contrary 
documentary evidence, indicative of the prior possession of knowledge 
(e.g., receipt of a notice given to the processor pursuant to 40 CFR 
721.5(a)(1)(i)) then the overall documentary evidence would not allow 
the processor to take advantage of the provisions of 40 CFR 721.5(c).

L. Potential Ongoing Use of DnPP

    One commenter identified a potential ongoing use of DnPP in grease 
in automotive switches. The commenter requested that EPA exclude the 
identified use from the SNUR.
    After investigation, EPA has determined that there is no ongoing 
use of DnPP in grease in automotive switches.
    The commenter states that ``[b]ased on current use information . . 
. [the commenter] believes that DnPP is being used in grease in some 
automotive switches.'' The proposal stated that EPA ``welcome[d] 
specific information that documents [ongoing] use.'' Yet the commenter 
does not provide any current use information to substantiate this 
belief. When raising a potential ongoing use, it is generally 
preferable to include information substantiating that use, especially 
where the entity raising that use is not an actual manufacturer 
(including importer) or processor of that chemical substance for that 
use and thus would not be anticipated to have direct knowledge of that 
use.
    In order to determine whether there is an ongoing use of DnPP in 
grease in automotive switches, EPA performed targeted searches of 
sources including IHS Chemical Economics Handbook, MSDS search tools 
such as Seton's MSDS Hazard Communication Library and patent searches 
and was unable to substantiate this use as an ongoing use of DnPP. EPA 
reviewed several grease MSDS, and no grease MSDS listed any phthalate 
in its composition. EPA's DfE alternatives analysis also has not 
identified use in grease in automotive switches as an ongoing use of 
DnPP.
    EPA also conducted patent searches for grease in automotive 
switches, and dampening greases in general. A patent search found 
mentions of the term phthalates with electronic components, but not 
DnPP specifically for automotive switches. However, one patent gave a 
very broad alkyl range that release of phthalates C4 and C8 were 
observed during the vacuum burn pretreatment of electronic components 
[disc drives]. This process is routine treatment to remove volatiles 
from electronic components, including electronic switches (Vacuum 
baking process USP 6,051,169 and Electric switches USP 3,694,601). EPA 
does not believe the existence of this information is indicative of 
current use of DnPP in grease in automotive switches because, patents 
do not necessarily indicate current use. As noted in the proposed rule 
(Ref. 1), no IUR production volume data were reported for DnPP during 
the 2006, 2002, 1998 and 1994 reporting cycles. In addition, no 
production volume data were reported for the 2012 CDR (Ref. 17)
    Accordingly, EPA is declining to exclude use ``in grease in 
automotive switches'' from the significant new uses of DnPP.

M. Reliance on Inventory Update Rule (IUR) Data in Assessing Ongoing 
Use of DnPP

    One commenter suggests that EPA relied solely on the IUR data for 
determining ongoing uses of DnPP, and that such reliance may be 
misleading or incomplete. The commenter notes that ongoing uses below 
the IUR reporting threshold of 10,000 lbs would not be reported to EPA 
through the IUR process.
    EPA uses IUR data to identify ongoing uses of chemical substances. 
However, this is not the sole source of information relied upon to 
support the SNUR. EPA first identified a SNUR as a regulatory 
alternative for DnPP in the Phthalates Action Plan because EPA found 
that the most recent IUR data contained no reports of DnPP being 
produced in or imported into the United States. In proposing the SNUR, 
EPA prepared the ``Economic Analysis of the Proposed Significant New 
Use Rule for Di-n-pentyl Phthalate (DnPP)'' (Ref. 31) and conducted 
internet queries in order to ascertain whether there were any ongoing 
uses of DnPP at levels below the IUR reporting threshold. During the 
course of this research EPA identified several companies which either 
use or sell DnPP as a chemical standard for use in phthalates testing. 
Accordingly, the significant new uses of DnPP does not include use of 
DnPP as a chemical standard for analytical experiments as a significant 
new use.

N. Design for the Environment (DfE) Assessment for Phthalates

    One commenter noted that EPA has undertaken a DfE project focused 
on phthalates, including but not limited to, DnPP. The commenter 
believes that the

[[Page 77907]]

DfE phthalates alternative assessment will provide valuable information 
about potential alternatives to industries using phthalates. The 
commenter recommends that EPA refrain from further action on any 
phthalate until the DfE project is finalized.
    EPA disagrees that finalization of the DnPP SNUR should be delayed 
until the DfE project is complete. (To the extent the comment is 
discussing the timing of other potential EPA actions to address 
phthalates, it is outside the scope of this proposal.)
    The comment states that the final DfE report would identify 
alternatives, their viability as substitutes, and EPA's comparative 
hazard information. EPA disagrees that this report is likely to provide 
information relevant to this SNUR. When defining the ``significant new 
use,'' EPA is limited to uses of the chemical substance that are not 
ongoing. The DfE report is not expected to identify alternatives for 
chemical substances that are generally no longer in use. It is already 
clear that there are many alternatives to DnPP use, because there are 
almost no ongoing uses of DnPP. Furthermore, the DfE report is not 
expected to suggest DnPP itself as an alternative to another phthalate 
because of its toxicity relative to other phthalates. Even if the DfE 
report were to identify a significant new use of DnPP as an alternative 
to some other chemical substance, then EPA would have the opportunity 
to consider that information at such time as it received the 
significant new use notice for DnPP.
    EPA notes that it is a regular practice to finalize SNURs for 
chemical substances that have not undergone a DfE assessment. Given 
that the DfE report is unlikely to provide additional information 
relevant to EPA's significant new use determination for DnPP, that 
newly available information respecting any particular use of DnPP could 
be included in the significant new use notice itself, and that further 
delay would increase regulatory uncertainty, EPA disagrees that it 
would be appropriate to delay issuance of the SNUR on DnPP pending the 
release of the DfE report.

XI. References

    The following is a listing of the documents that are specifically 
referenced in this action. The docket includes these documents and 
other information considered by EPA, including documents that are 
referenced within the documents that are in the docket, even if the 
referenced document is not physically located in the docket. For 
assistance in locating these other documents, please consult the 
technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

1. U.S. EPA. Proposed Rule; Benzidine-Based Chemical Substances; Di-
n-pentyl phthalate (DnPP); and Alkanes, C12-13, Chloro; Significant 
New Use Rules. 77 FR 18752, March 28, 2012 (FRL-8865-2). 2. U.S. 
EPA. Benzidine-Based Chemical Substances; Significant New Uses of 
Certain Chemical Substances, 61 FR 52287, October 7, 1996 (FRL-5396-
6).
3. U.S. EPA, 2010. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Chemical 
Substances Derived from Benzidine and Its Congeners, http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/DCB%20Action%20Plan_06232010.noheader.pdf (Accessed January 24, 
2011).
4. U.S. EPA. Economics and Policy Branch, USEPA/OCSPP/Economics, 
Exposure, and Technology Division. ``Economic Analysis to Support 
the Final SNUR for Benzidine and Benzidine-based Chemical 
substances.''
5. U.S. EPA. Significant New Uses of Certain Chemical Substances, 55 
FR 17376, April 24, 1990 (FRL-3658-5).
6. U.S. EPA. Significant New Uses of Chemical Substances; Certain 
Chemicals. 49 FR 35014, September 5, 1984 (FRL-2541-8).
7. U.S. EPA. Premanufacture Notification; Premanufacture Notice 
Requirements and Review Procedures. 48 FR 21722, May 13, 1983 (FRL 
2998-5).
8. Testimony of James J. Jones, Acting Assistant Administrator 
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency before the Committee on Environment 
and Public Works and the Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxic and 
Environmental Health United States Senate, July 24, 2012, available 
at http://www.epa.gov/ocir/hearings/pdf/2012_jjones_testimony1.pdf.
9. CPSC, 2011. Staff Briefing Package. Petition HP 10-2. Requesting 
Restriction of Cadmium in Toy Jewelry (Consumer Product Safety 
Commission (February 9, 2011). Staff Report, Cadmium in Children's 
Metal Jewelry. Toxicity Review of Cadmium. TAB B pp19-39 http://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/96192/cadmiumtoy.pdf (October 14, 2010).
10. Danish Environmental Protection Agency, Survey of Chemical 
Substances in Consumer Products Survey No. 25 2003, Mapping the 
Liberation of Organic Tin Compounds in Mattress Pads, To Mattresses, 
and Baby/Junior Duvets.
11. Stapleton, et al., 2008, Alternate and New Brominated Flame 
Retardants Detected in U.S. House Dust, Environ. Sci. Technol.
12. CPSC Staff Preliminary Risk Assessment of Flame Retardant [FR] 
Chemicals in Upholstered Furniture Foam, December 21, 2006.
13. Muller, et al., 2011, Car Indoor Air Pollution--Analysis of 
Potential Sources, Journal of Occupations Medicine and Toxicology 
2011, 6:33.
14. Wu, et al., 2009, Residues of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in 
Frogs (Rana limnocharis) from a Contaminated Site, South China: 
Tissue Distribution, Biomagnification, and Maternal Transfer, 
Environ. Sci. Technol. 2009, 42: 5212-5217.
15. Gaylor, et al. 2012, House Crickets Can Accumulate 
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) Directly from Polyurethane 
Foam Common in Consumer Products, Chemosphere, 2012, 86: 500-505.
16. Covaci, et al. 2006, Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) in the 
Environment and Humans: A Review. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2006, 40: 
3679-3688.
17. U.S. EPA, Chemical Data Access Tool (CDAT), http://java.epa.gov/oppt_chemical_search/.
18. U.S. EPA, Certain Polybrominated Diphenylethers; Proposed 
Significant New Use Rule. 69 FR 70409, December 6, 2004 (FRL 7633-
1).
19. U.S. EPA, Certain Polybrominated Diphenylethers; Significant New 
Use Rule.71 FR 34018, June 13, 2006 (FRL 7743-2).
20. U.S. EPA, Understanding the Costs Associated with Eliminating 
Exemptions for Articles in SNURs, May 1, 2013.
21. Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP. (2010). ``International 
Material Data System.'' Retrieved from http://www.mdsystem.com/.
22. Wal-Mart. (2012). Become a Supplier: Requirements. Retrieved 
from http://www.walmartstores.com/Suppliers/248.aspx.
23. CAEPA, 2013a. State of California Environmental Protection 
Agency. Chemicals Known to the State to Cause Cancer or Reproductive 
Toxicity. Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, 04 
February 2013. http://oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/files/P65list020813.pdf.
24. CAEPA, 2013b. State of California Environmental Protection 
Agency. Proposition 65 in Plain Language! Febuary 2013. http://oehha.ca.gov/prop65/background/p65plain.html.
25. European Commission. 2009. Commission Regulation EC No. 552/2009 
Commission Regulation (EC) No 552/2009 of 22 June 2009 amending 
Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the 
Council on REACH as regards Annex XVII.
26. European Commission. 2010. RAPEX--Latest Notifications. 
Directorate General for Health and Consumers. http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/dynex/rapex/rapex_achives_en.cfm.
27. IARC, 2012. International Agency for the Research on Cancer. 
IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans--
Benzidine.Volume 100F: 53-63.
28. Textination, 2012. Textination ``Textile and Apparel Weekly 
June, 8 2012''. http://textination.de/en/tiw/2012/TIW08062012.pdf.
29. Intertek, 2013. Intertek, ``Requirements of Azo dyes and 
Formaldehyde content in fabric for babies and children clothing in 
Indonesia'' Jan 4, 2013.

[[Page 77908]]

30. HKTDC, 2012. HKTDC Research ``Japan Industry Stipulates 
Voluntary AZO Dyes Standard for Textile and Leather Products'' May 
22, 2012.
31. Environment Canada. 2009. Strategic options for the management 
of toxic substances benzidine and 3,3-dichlorobenzidine. Available 
at: http://www.ec.gc.ca/toxics/docs/sor/bdine/EN/sum.cfm (Accessed 
10 September, 2009).
32. U.S. EPA. Economics and Policy Branch, USEPA/OCSPP/Economics, 
Exposure, and Technology Division. ``Economic Analysis of the Final 
Significant New Use Rule for Di-n-pentyl phthalate (DnPP).''
33. U.S. EPA. Economics and Policy Branch, USEPA/OCSPP/Economics, 
Exposure, and Technology Division. ``Economic Analysis of the Final 
Significant New Use Rule for Alkanes, C12-13, chloro (CAS 
RN: 71011-12-6).''
34. U.S. EPA. Modification of Significant New Use Rules for Certain 
Substances, 62 FR 42690, August 8, 1997 (FRL-5735-4).

XII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive 
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

    This final rule has been designated by OMB as a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 
51735, October 4, 1993). Accordingly, EPA submitted this action to OMB 
for review under Executive Order 12866 and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 
21, 2011), and any changes made in response to OMB recommendations are 
documented in the docket.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    This action does not impose any new information collection burden 
under the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Burden is defined in 5 CFR 
1320.3(b). The information collection activities associated with 
existing chemical SNURs are already approved by OMB under OMB control 
number 2070-0038 (EPA ICR No. 1188); and the information collection 
activities associated with export notifications are already approved by 
OMB under OMB control number 2070-0030 (EPA ICR No. 0795). If an entity 
were to submit a SNUN to the agency, the annual burden is estimated to 
be less than 100 hours per response, and the estimated burden for an 
export notifications is less than 1.5 hours per notification. In both 
cases, burden is estimated to be reduced for submitters who have 
already registered to use the electronic submission system. Additional 
burden, estimated to be less than 10 hours, could be incurred where 
additional record keeping requirements are specified under 40 CFR 
721.125(a), (b), and (c).
    An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to a collection of information that requires OMB approval 
under the PRA, unless it has been approved by OMB and displays a 
currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's 
regulations in Title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the Federal 
Register, are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and included on the related 
collection instrument, or form, if applicable. EPA is amending the 
table in 40 CFR part 9 to list this SNUR. This listing of the OMB 
control numbers and their subsequent codification in the CFR satisfies 
the display requirements of the PRA and OMB's implementing regulations 
at 5 CFR part 1320. Since the existing OMB approval was previously 
subject to public notice and comment before OMB approval, and given the 
technical nature of the table, EPA finds that further notice and 
comment to amend the table is unnecessary. As a result, EPA finds that 
there is ``good cause'' under section 553(b)(3)(B) of the 
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), to amend this 
table without further notice and comment.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    Pursuant to section 605(b) of the RFA, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., I 
hereby certify that promulgation of this SNUR will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
The rationale supporting this conclusion is as follows.
    EPA generally finds that proposed and final SNURs are not expected 
to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities (See, e.g., Ref. 34). Since these SNURs will require a person 
who intends to engage in such activity in the future to first notify 
EPA by submitting a SNUN, no economic impact will occur unless someone 
files a SNUN to pursue a significant new use in the future or forgoes 
profits by avoiding or delaying the significant new use. Although some 
small entities may decide to engage in such activities in the future, 
EPA cannot presently determine how many, if any, there may be. However, 
EPA's experience to date is that, in response to the promulgation of 
SNURs covering over 1,000 chemical substances, the Agency receives only 
a handful of notices per year. During the six year period from 2005-
2011, only three submitters self-identified as small in their SNUN 
submission (Refs. 5, 32, 33). EPA believes the cost of submitting a 
SNUN is relatively small compared to the cost of developing and 
marketing a chemical new to a firm and that the requirement to submit a 
SNUN generally does not have a significant economic impact.
    A SNUR applies to any person (including small or large entities) 
who intends to engage in any activity described in the rule as a 
``significant new use.'' In the proposed SNUR EPA preliminarily 
determined, based in part, on the Agency's market research, that these 
chemical substances are not being manufactured (including imported) or 
processed for a significant new use. In the case of the benzidine-based 
dyes, this preliminary determination also included importation and 
processing of these chemical substances as part of articles (Ref. 1). 
EPA received no public comment indicating any ongoing importation of 
the benzidine-based chemical substances as part of articles or 
otherwise. Therefore, EPA is finalizing its determination that these 
uses, including the importation and processing of benzidine-based dyes 
as part of articles, are new and not ongoing. Thus no small entities 
presently engage in a significant new use.
    Therefore, EPA believes that the potential economic impact of 
complying with this SNUR is not expected to be significant or adversely 
impact a substantial number of small entities.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

    Based on EPA's experience with proposing and finalizing SNURs, 
State, local, and Tribal governments have not been impacted by these 
rulemakings, and EPA does not have any reason to believe that any 
State, local, or Tribal government would be impacted by this 
rulemaking. As such, EPA has determined that this regulatory action 
would not impose any enforceable duty, contain any unfunded mandate, or 
otherwise have any effect on small governments subject to the 
requirements of sections 202, 203, 204, or 205 of UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-
1538.

E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    This action does not have a substantial direct effect on States, on 
the relationship between the national government and the States, or on 
the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels 
of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, 
August 10, 1999).

[[Page 77909]]

F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    This action does not have Tribal implications because it will not 
have any effect (i.e., there will be no increase or decrease in 
authority or jurisdiction) on Tribal governments, on the relationship 
between the Federal government and the Indian tribes, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal 
government and Indian tribes. Thus, Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, 
November 9, 2000), does not apply to this action.

G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health Risks and Safety Risks

    This action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, 
April 23, 1997), because this action is not intended to address 
environmental health or safety risks for children.

H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use

    This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, 
May 22, 2001), because it is not expected to affect energy supply, 
distribution, or use.

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA)

    Since this action does not involve any technical standards, section 
12(d) of NTTAA, 15 U.S.C. 272 note, does not apply to this action.

J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

    This action does not entail special considerations of environmental 
justice related issues as delineated by Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 
7629, February 16, 1994), because EPA has determined that this action 
will not have disproportionately high and adverse human health or 
environmental effects on minority or low-income populations. This 
action does not affect the level of protection provided to human health 
or the environment.

K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)

    Pursuant to the CRA, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., EPA will submit a report 
containing this rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate, 
the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the 
United States prior to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. 
This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

List of Subjects

40 CFR Part 9

    Environmental protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

40 CFR Part 721

    Environmental protection, Chemicals, Hazardous substances, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: December 16, 2014.
Wendy C. Hamnett,
Director, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.

    Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:

PART 9--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 9 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 135 et seq., 136-136y; 15 U.S.C. 2001, 2003, 
2005, 2006, 2601-2671; 21 U.S.C. 331j, 346a, 348; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 33 
U.S.C. 1251 et seq., 1311, 1313d, 1314, 1318, 1321, 1326, 1330, 
1342, 1344, 1345 (d) and (e), 1361; E.O. 11735, 38 FR 21243, 3 CFR, 
1971-1975 Comp. p. 973; 42 U.S.C. 241, 242b, 243, 246, 300f, 300g, 
300g-1, 300g-2, 300g-3, 300g-4, 300g-5, 300g-6, 300j-1, 300j-2, 
300j-3, 300j-4, 300j-9, 1857 et seq., 6901-6992k, 7401-7671q, 7542, 
9601-9657, 11023, 11048.

0
2. In Sec.  [emsp14]9.1, add the following sections in numerical order 
under the undesignated center heading ``Significant New Uses of 
Chemical Substances'' to read as follows:

Sec.  [emsp14]9.1  OMB approvals under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

* * * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    40 CFR citation                      OMB Control No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Significant New Uses of Chemical Substances
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
721.10226.............................................         2070-0038
721.10227.............................................         2070-0038
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

PART 721--[AMENDED]

0
3. The authority citation for part 721 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2604, 2607, and 2625(c).

0
4. Revise Sec.  721.1660 to read as follows:

Sec.  721.1660  Benzidine-based chemical substances.

    (a) Chemical substances and significant new uses subject to 
reporting. (1) The benzidine-based chemical substances listed in Table 
1 and Table 2 of this section are subject to reporting under this 
section for the significant new uses described in paragraph (a)(2) of 
this section.

                                                      Table 1--Benzidine-Based Chemical Substances
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         CAS or accession No.                   C.I. name                  C.I. No.                                 Chemical name
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
117-33-9..............................  Not available............  Not available...........  1,3-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 7-hydroxy-8-[2-[4'-[2-(4-
                                                                                              hydroxyphenyl)diazenyl][1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl]diazenyl]-
65150-87-0............................  Not available............  Not available...........  1,3,6-Naphthalenetrisulfonic acid, 8-hydroxy-7-[2-[4'-[2-(2-
                                                                                              hydroxy-1-naphthalenyl)diazenyl][1,1'- biphenyl]-4-
                                                                                              yl]diazenyl]-, lithium salt (1:3)
68214-82-4............................  Direct Navy BH...........  22590...................  2,7-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 5-amino-3-[2-[4'-[2-(7-
                                                                                              amino-1-hydroxy-3-sulfo-2- naphthalenyl)diazenyl][1,1'-
                                                                                              biphenyl]-4- yl]diazenyl]-4-hydroxy-, sodium salt (1:2)
72379-45-4............................  Not available............  Not available...........  2,7-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 4-amino-5-
                                                                                             hydroxy-3-[2-[4'-[2-[2-hydroxy-4-[(2-
                                                                                              methylphenyl)amino]phenyl]diazenyl][1,1'- biphenyl]-4-
                                                                                              yl]diazenyl]-6-(2-phenyldiazenyl)-
Accession No. 21808...................  CBI......................  CBI.....................  2,7-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 4-amino-5-
CAS No. CBI (NA)......................                                                       hydroxy [[[(substituted phenylamino)] substituted
                                                                                              phenylazo] diphenyl]azo-, phenylazo-, disodium salt.
                                                                                              (generic name)

[[Page 77910]]

 
Accession No. 24921...................  CBI......................  CBI.....................  4-(Substituted naphthalenyl )azo diphenylyl azo-substituted
CAS No................................                                                        carbopolycycle azo benzenesulfonic acid, sodium salt.
                                                                                              (generic name)
Accession No. 26256...................  CBI......................  CBI.....................  4-(Substituted phenyl)azo biphenylyl azo-
CAS No. CBI (NA)......................                                                       substituted carbopolycycloazo benzenesulfonic acid, sodium
                                                                                              salt. (generic name)
Accession No. 26267...................  CBI......................  CBI.....................  4-(Substituted phenyl)azo biphenylyl azo -
CAS No. CBI (NA)......................                                                       substituted carbopolycycle azo benzenesulfonic acid, sodium
                                                                                              salt. (generic name)
Accession No. 26701...................  CBI......................  CBI.....................  Phenylazoaminohydroxynaphthalenylazobiphenylazo substituted
CAS No. CBI (NA)......................                                                        benzene sodium sulfonate. (generic name).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  Table 2--Benzidine-Based Chemical Substances
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            CAS No.                 C.I. name           C.I. No.                     Chemical name
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
92-87-5.......................  Benzidine........  Not available....  [1,1'-Biphenyl]-4,4'-diamine.
531-85-1......................  Benzidine          Not available....  [1,1'-Biphenyl]-4,4'-diamine,
                                 [middot] 2HCl.                        dihydrochloride.
573-58-0......................  C.I. Direct Red    22120............  1- Naphthalenesulfonic acid, 3,3'-[[1,1'-
                                 28.                                   biphenyl]-4,4'-diylbis(azo)]bis[4-amino-,
                                                                       disodium salt.
1937-37-7.....................  C.I. Direct Black  30235............  2,7-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 4-amino-3-
                                 38.                                   [[4'-[(2,4-diaminophenyl) azo][1,1'-
                                                                       biphenyl]-4- yl]azo]-5-hydroxy-6-
                                                                       (phenylazo)-, disodium salt.
2302-97-8.....................  C.I. Direct Red    22500............  1-Naphthalenesulfonic acid, 8,8'-[[1,1'-
                                 44.                                   biphenyl]-4,4'-diylbis(azo)]bis[7-hydroxy-
                                                                       , disodium salt.
2429-73-4.....................  C.I. Direct Blue   22590............  2,7-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 5-amino-3-
                                 2.                                    [[4'-[(7-amino-1-hydroxy-3-sulfo-2-
                                                                       naphthalenyl)azo][1,1'-biphenyl]-4-
                                                                       yl]azo]-4-hydroxy-, trisodium salt.
2429-79-0.....................  C.I. Direct        22130............  Benzoic acid, 5-[[4'-[(1-amino-4-sulfo-2-
                                 Orange 8.                             naphthalenyl) azo][1,1'-biphenyl]-4-
                                                                       yl]azo]-2- hydroxy-, disodium salt.
2429-81-4.....................  C.I. Direct Brown  35660............  Benzoic acid, 5-[[4'-[[2,6-diamino-3-[[8-
                                 31.                                   hydroxy-3,6-disulfo-7-[(4-sulfo-1-
                                                                       naphthalenyl)azo]-2- naphthalenyl]azo]-5-
                                                                       methylphenyl]azo][1,1'- biphenyl]-4-
                                                                       yl]azo]-2-hydroxy-, tetrasodium salt.
2429-82-5.....................  C.I. Direct Brown  22311............  Benzoic acid, 5-[[4'-[(7-amino-1-hydroxy-3-
                                 2.                                    sulfo-2-naphthalenyl) azo][1,1'-biphenyl]-
                                                                       4-yl]azo]-2-hydroxy-, disodium salt.
2429-83-6.....................  Direct Black 4...  30245............  2,7-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 4-amino-3-
                                                                       [[4'-[(2,4-diamino-5-
                                                                       methylphenyl)azo][1,1'-biphenyl]-4-
                                                                       yl]azo] -5-hydroxy-6-(phenylazo)-,
                                                                       disodium salt.
2429-84-7.....................  C.I. Direct Red 1  22310............  Benzoic acid, 5-[[4'-[(2-amino-8-hydroxy-6-
                                                                       sulfo-1-naphthalenyl)azo][1,1'-biphenyl]-
                                                                       4-yl]azo]-2-hydroxy-, disodium salt.
2586-58-5.....................  C.I. Direct Brown  30110............  Benzoic acid, 5-[[4'-[[2,6-diamino-3-
                                 1:2.                                  methyl-5-[(4-
                                                                       sulfophenyl)azo]phenyl]azo][1,1'-
                                                                       biphenyl]-4- yl]azo]-2-hydroxy-, disodium
                                                                       salt.
2602-46-2.....................  C.I. Direct Blue   22610............  2,7-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 3,3'-
                                 6.                                    [[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diylbis(azo)]bis[5-
                                                                       amino-4-hydroxy-, tetrasodium salt.
2893-80-3.....................  C.I. Direct Brown  30140............  Benzoic acid, 5-[[4'-[[2,4-dihydroxy-3-[(4-
                                 6.                                    sulfophenyl) azo]phenyl]azo][1,1'-
                                                                       biphenyl]-4- yl]azo]-2-hydroxy-, disodium
                                                                       salt.
3530-19-6.....................  C.I. Direct Red    22240............  1,3-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 8-[[4'-[(4-
                                 37.                                   ethoxyphenyl)azo][1,1'-biphenyl]-4-
                                                                       yl]azo]-7-hydroxy-, disodium salt
3567-65-5.....................  C.I. Acid Red 85.  22245............  1,3-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 7-hydroxy-
                                                                       8-[[4'-[[4-[[(4-
                                                                       methylphenyl)sulfonyl]oxy]phenyl]azo][1,1
                                                                       '-biphenyl]-4-yl]azo]-, disodium salt.
3626-28-6.....................  C.I. Direct Green  30280............  2,7-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 4-amino-5-
                                 1.                                    hydroxy-3-[[4'-[(4-
                                                                       hydroxyphenyl)azo][1,1'- biphenyl]-4-
                                                                       yl]azo]-6-(phenylazo)-, disodium salt.
3811-71-0.....................  C.I. Direct Brown  30045............  Benzoic acid, 5-[[4'-[[2,4-diamino-5-[(4-
                                 1.                                    sulfophenyl) azo]phenyl]azo][1,1'
                                                                       biphenyl]-4- yl]azo]-2-hydroxy-, disodium
                                                                       salt.
4335-09-5.....................  C.I. Direct Green  30295............  2,7-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 4-amino-5-
                                 6.                                    hydroxy-6-[[4'-[(4-
                                                                       hydroxyphenyl)azo][1,1'-biphenyl]-4-
                                                                       yl]azo]-3-[(4-nitrophenyl)azo]-, disodium
                                                                       salt.
6358-80-1.....................  C.I. Acid Black    30336............  2,7-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 4-amino-5-
                                 94.                                   hydroxy-3-[[4'-[[4-hydroxy-2-[(2-
                                                                       methylphenyl)amino]phenyl]azo] [1,1'-
                                                                       biphenyl]-4-yl]azo]-6-[(4-sulfophenyl)
                                                                       azo]-, trisodium salt.
6360-29-8.....................  C.I. Direct Brown  31725............  Benzoic acid, 5-[[4'-[[4-[(4-amino-7-sulfo-
                                 27.                                   1-naphthalenyl)azo]-6-sulfo-1-
                                                                       naphthalenyl]azo][1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl]
                                                                       azo]-2- hydroxy-, trisodium salt.
6360-54-9.....................  C.I. Direct Brown  30120............  Benzoic acid, 5-[[4'-[[2,6-diamino-3-
                                 154.                                  methyl-5-[(4-sulfophenyl)azo]phenyl]
                                                                       azo][1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl]azo]-2- hydroxy-
                                                                       3-methyl-, disodium salt.
8014-91-3.....................  C.I. Direct Brown  36300............  Benzoic acid, 3,3'-[(3,7-disulfo-1,5-
                                 74.                                   naphthalenediyl)bis [azo(6-hydroxy-3,1-
                                                                       phenylene)azo[6(or7)-sulfo-4,1-
                                                                       naphthalenediyl]azo[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-
                                                                       diylazo]]bis[6-hydroxy-, hexasodium salt.
16071-86-6....................  C.I. Direct Brown  30145............  Cuprate(2-), [5-[[4'-[[2,6-dihydroxy-3-[(2-
                                 95.                                   hydroxy-5-sulfophenyl)azo]phenyl]
                                                                       azo][1,1'- biphenyl]-4-yl]azo]-2-
                                                                       hydroxybenzoato(4-)]-, disodium salt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 77911]]

    (2) The significant new uses are:
    (i) For each of the chemical substances listed in Table 2 of this 
section, any use other than use as a reagent to test for hydrogen 
peroxide in milk; a reagent to test for hydrogen sulfate, hydrogen 
cyanide, and nicotine; a stain in microscopy; a reagent for detecting 
blood; an analytical standard; and, additionally for Colour Index 
(C.I.) Direct Red 28 (Congo Red) (CAS No. 573-58-0), an indicator dye.
    (ii) For the chemical substances listed in Table 1 of this section: 
Any use.
    (b) Specific requirements. The provisions of subpart A of this part 
apply to this section except as modified by this paragraph (b).
    (1) Revocation of certain notification exemptions. The provisions 
of Sec.  721.45(f) do not apply to this section. A person who imports 
or processes a chemical substance identified in paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section as part of an article for a significant new use described 
in paragraph (a)(2) of this section is not exempt from submitting a 
significant new use notice.
    (2) [Reserved]

0
5. Add Sec.  721.10226 to subpart E to read as follows:

Sec.  721.10226  Di-n-pentyl phthalate (DnPP).

    (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to 
reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as di-n-pentyl 
phthalate (DnPP) (1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,2-dipentyl ester) 
(CAS No. 131-18-0) is subject to reporting under this section for the 
significant new uses described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
    (2) The significant new use is: Any use other than use as a 
chemical standard for analytical experiments.
    (b) [Reserved]

0
6. Add Sec.  721.10227 to subpart E to read as follows:

Sec.  721.10227  Alkanes, C[bdi1][bdi2]-[bdi1][bdi3], chloro 
(CAS No. 71011-12-6).

    (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to 
reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as alkanes, 
C12-13, chloro (CAS No. 71011-12-6) is subject to reporting 
under this section for the significant new uses described in paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section.
    (2) The significant new use is: Any use.
    (b) Specific requirements. The provisions of subpart A of this part 
apply to this section except as modified by this paragraph (b).
    (1) Persons who must report. Section 721.5 applies to this section 
except for Sec.  721.5(a)(2). A person who intends to manufacture for 
commercial purposes a substance identified in paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section and intends to distribute the substance in commerce must submit 
a significant new use notice.
    (2) [Reserved]

[FR Doc. 2014-29887 Filed 12-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
```