The EPA on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010, announced it is proposing several actions to strengthen reporting requirements for chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The EPA will request more detailed information under its Inventory Update Reporting Rule on volumes of chemical production, manufacturing facility data, and how the chemicals are used. The agency also is proposing to increase the frequency of reporting.

The proposed rule would require manufacturers, including importers, to submit information electronically, which will help the agency to make the data public more quickly. The proposed rule also would limit the information that can be treated as confidential, and require more reporting from chemical manufacturers.

This proposal will undergo public comment, before the agency develops the final rule and guidance documents. The agency expects to finalize the modifications to the chemical information reporting rule in time for the next reporting period, scheduled for June 1 to Sept.30, 2011. Electronic reporting software and associated guidance materials will be available before the start of the submission period.

The agency is also seeking public comment on a draft guidance document on chemical information reporting and on specific documents relating to the reporting of chemical byproducts.

To submit comments on the proposed rule and the guidance document, see docket EPA–HQ–OPPT–2009-0187: www.regulations.gov.

More information about the TSCA Inventory Update Reporting program and the IUR Modifications proposed rule is available at www.epa.gov/iur.