EPA proposed a significant new use rule (SNUR) on July 11, 2011, for 14 glymes or dimethoxyethane. Issued under section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the SNUR would require persons who intend to manufacture, import, or process these chemicals for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by the proposed rule to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. This notification would provide EPA with the opportunity to evaluate the intended use and, if necessary, to prohibit or limit that activity before it occurs.
The public can comment on the proposed rule by September 9, 2011, by submitting comments at www.regulations.gov under Docket ID EPA–HQ–OPPT–2009–0767.
This SNUR is a follow-up action resulting from the Risk Based Prioritization (RBP) documents on monoglyme and diglyme published on March 18, 2008. EPA is concerned about the reproductive and/or developmental toxicity of three glymes: monoglyme, diglyme, and ethylglyme, and believes that individuals could suffer adverse effects from their use.
Of the 14 glymes, 12 have industrial or consumer uses of some kind and two have no current uses. EPA has preliminarily determined that the manufacture, import, or processing of 12 of the glymes for “any use in a consumer product” is a significant new use, although some ongoing uses are excluded from the SNUR. In addition, EPA has primarily determined that the manufacture, import, or processing of the remaining two glymes for “any use” is a significant new use.
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