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EPA proposes Significant New Use Rules for Carbon Nanotubes

Published: Friday 6 November 2009

US EPA is proposing Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) for single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes; according to a Notice in the US Federal Register (6th November 2009), ‘[t]he two substances are identified generically as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (P–08– 177) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (P–08–328). These substances are subject to TSCA section 5(e) consent orders issued by EPA. The consent orders require protective measures to limit exposures or otherwise mitigate the potential unreasonable risk.’ [...] ‘This action would require persons who intend to manufacture, import, or process either of these two substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this proposed rule to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. The required notification would provide EPA with the opportunity to evaluate the intended use and, if necessary, to prohibit or limit that activity before it occurs.'

On the 24th June 2009, EPA had published the final Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) for multi- and single-walled carbon nanotubes using direct final rulemaking procedures, but later withdrawn the two rules, after receiving a notice of intent to submit adverse comments on these rules.

Follow these links to read the full SNURs on CTNs in the US Federal Register (6th November 2009), or about the history of SNURs for CNTs at EPA.

  
Related Links:
According to a recent Nanowerk Spotlight article, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is ‘sharpening its focus on nanotechnology’: The article reviews the ongoing discussion around the regulation of nanomaterials through regulatory tools available to the EPA, since the EPA’s first publication on this topic in 2007. (2nd September 2009)
 
According to a Notice in the US Federal Register (21st August 2009), the EPA ‘is withdrawing two significant new use rules (SNURs) promulgated under section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for chemical substances which were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs), i.e., multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PMN P–08–177) and singlewalled carbon nanotubes (PMN P–08– 328).’ (21st August 2009)
 
CNano, a manufacturer of carbon nanotubes with headquarters in the US (Santa Clara, CA) and a research, development and manufacturing facility (capacity 500 tons per year) in Beijing (China), has announced that that it has ‘received regulatory approval from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to sell multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) through its subsidiary in the USA.’ (18th August 2009)
 
Nanotechnology Law Blog reports that the US Environmental Protection Agency has clarified the Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) published on the 24th June 2009 (Federal Register, 24th June 2009), including multi-walled carbon nanotubes and single-walled carbon nanotubes. (4th August 2009)