The remaining 359 (88%) new chemicals have been under TSCA review for more than 90 days, creating a backlog of advanced chemistries ensnared in the EPA’s review pipeline.
As of July 1, the 90-day review backlog increased by 7% since May 17 to 88%. Although it appears that the backlog of new chemical reviews decreased 6% since April, there was an increase in the number of PMN submissions, while the number of chemicals under review for greater than 90 days remained essentially the same.
EPA completed 23 PMN submissions in April from the TSCA new chemical review backlog. The average number of PMN submissions per month in 2023 was approximately 11.6, this number increased in the first 3 months of 2024 to an average of 20. The number of PMNs completed remained essentially the same in 2023 and the first 3 months of 2024 with approximately 12 completions per month.
365-Day Backlog
68% (243) of the backlog remains under review for greater than or equal to 365 days. Since May 17, there has been a 6% decline in the 365-day review backlog.
How New Chemical Review Delays Impact Manufacturing
EPA’s inability to meet the statutorily mandated 90-day deadline to conduct new chemical reviews coupled with the drop in the number of completed chemical reviews has created a significant backlog in the New Chemicals Program, threatening American innovation and manufacturing.
In a 2022 survey of ACC member companies, 70 percent of respondents reported that they have decided to introduce new chemicals outside of the U.S. due to uncertainties and challenges with the EPA’s New Chemicals Program.
Read ACC’s backgrounder on EPA’s TSCA New Chemicals Program