SG 96/24
EPA publishes proposal to regulate N-methylpyrrolidone under TSCA, which would prescribe requirements for consumer and commercial uses, prohibit certain commercial applications and impose workplace protection requirements.
On June 5, 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its latest proposed rule (89 FR 51134), which would regulate N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) in most applications. NMP is part of the ‘first 10’ chemicals, which the EPA listed for risk evaluation in 2016. Other chemicals on this list include methylene chloride, trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene, for which the EPA has already released proposed or finalized rules (SafeGuardS 77/24, 154/23 and 76/23). The proposal seeks to address the unreasonable risk of NMP to human health by amending 40 CFR 751 ‘Regulation of certain chemical substances and mixtures’, under section 6 of TSCA.
N-Methylpyrrolidone is a solvent used in a wide range of industrial, commercial and consumer applications, including the production of polymers, coatings and paint removers, lubricants, degreasers, cleaning and furniture care products, as well electrical devices. The EPA is concerned with the chemical’s associated health effects, such as damage to the liver, kidneys, immune system and nervous system, as well as reduced fertility.
Highlights of the proposed measures are:
Type of proposed measure | Requirement | Affected Applications | Proposed Effective Date |
Prohibition |
|
| 12-24 months after publication of the final rule (Staggered phase-out for manufacturing, processing, distributing and commercial/industrial uses) |
Concentration limits* |
|
| 12-24 months after publication of the final rule (Staggered phase-out for manufacturing, processing, distributing and commercial/industrial uses) |
Container size limits, and labels |
|
| 12 months after publication of final rule |
Prescriptive workplace requirements |
|
| 12 months after publication of final rule |
Workplace Chemical Protection Program |
|
| 36 months after publication of final rule for federal agencies and federal contractors 12 months after publication of final rule for other owners and operators, or Within 30 days of introduction of NMP into the workplace |
* Including concentration limit for seven more industrial or commercial uses
The rule proposes a de minimis level of 0.1%, meaning that prohibitions and restrictions do not apply to articles with NMP concentrations below the de minimis level. The proposal also provides certain recordkeeping requirements to demonstrate compliance. Comments are accepted until July 29, 2024.
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