Member DashboardFinal TSCA workshop July 9
Session three of the TSCA webinar series is Thursday, July 9 at 2 p.m. Eastern. Hosted by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), information will focus on how to tell your company story to inform the existing chemical review process. Register here.
Manufacturers ask EPA to prioritize PFAS under TSCA
On July 1, NAFEM joined a coalition of manufacturers in a meeting with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials to advocate for modernization of the federal chemical management program under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
Participants acknowledged EPA’s progress under TSCA section 6, including the prioritization of more than 40 chemicals for federal review. However, they emphasized that state-level chemical restrictions continue to advance faster than federal action, particularly regarding PFAS. The meeting allowed NAFEM to encourage the agency to adopt a uniform, federal approach that reduces the growing state-by-state compliance burden on downstream manufacturers, including NAFEM members.
The meeting follows Congressional calls for TSCA reform (see “Lawmakers push for TSCA fee reauthorization” article below) and an April coalition letter urging EPA to align federal oversight with chemicals already facing state restrictions and to adopt a risk‑based approach to PFAS and PFAS-related substances. The discussion opened the door to continued engagement with EPA on this issue. NAFEM will share updates as they become available.
Lawmakers push for TSCA fee reauthorization, urge broader reform
A June 9 letter from 25 members of Congress urged House Energy and Commerce leaders to advance bipartisan legislation reauthorizing EPA’s authority to collect fees for TSCA reviews before it expires at the end of FY 2026. The members said targeted reforms are needed to reduce review delays, improve EPA communication with manufacturers and downstream users, and provide greater regulatory certainty, particularly for small businesses. They also called for sufficient EPA staffing and funding to support timely, science-based reviews that protect public health while strengthening U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.
EPA welcomes HFC conversation
The EPA will meet with NAFEM members Aug. 4, to discuss a December 2025 letter requesting an extension of certain hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) transition periods under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act’s Technology Transitions requirements. Members interested in participating in the meeting and continued conversations with EPA should contact advocacy@nafem.org.
EPA aligns chemical reporting rules
The EPA issued a final rule updating hazardous chemical inventory reporting requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) to align with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) 2024 Hazard Communication Standard.
The rule revises hazard classifications and terminology to match OSHA’s current framework.
EPCRA requires facilities that store hazardous chemicals above certain thresholds to submit annual inventory reports to state and local emergency planning agencies and fire departments. The rule takes effect Aug. 21, but facilities do not need to use the new hazard categories until Jan. 1, 2028. The delay gives facilities, regulators and emergency planning organizations time to update systems and procedures.
EPR updates
California, Colorado, Maryland and Oregon have active Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs for end-of-life packaging. Maine, Minnesota and Washington have forthcoming programs. All seven states require annual supply reporting and California, Oregon and Washington also include reduction mandates.
NAFEM’s legal team at Barnes & Thornburg recently presented a webinar on EPR programs and their potential impact on members. During the session, they recommended that members take several steps:
- Assess their obligations.
- Conduct a packaging volume audit and exemption analysis.
- Review registration and compliance requirements.
- Budget, monitor and prepare, especially in states considering EPR legislation, including Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
The slide deck presented during the session is a useful resource. NAFEM also hosted an EPR Working Group discussion Thursday, July 9 to review this rapidly evolving regulatory area and discuss best practices.