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January 31, 2022

OMB Reviewing Proposed Rule on Procedures for Submitting Information Subject to CBI Claims under TSCA

Lynn L. Bergeson Carla N. Hutton

On January 20, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) submitted a proposed rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) concerning the procedures for submitting information subject to business confidentiality claims under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). According to an item in the fall 2021 Unified Agenda, EPA is considering proposing new and amended rules concerning the assertion and maintenance of claims of business confidentiality (i.e., confidential business information (CBI)) under TSCA. The 2016 Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (Lautenberg Act) amendments included several new provisions concerning the assertion and EPA review and treatment of confidentiality claims. The Unified Agenda item states that EPA is considering procedures for submitting and supporting such claims in TSCA submissions, including substantiation requirements, exemptions, electronic reporting enhancements, and maintenance or withdrawal of confidentiality claims. EPA is also considering whether the proposed rule should also elaborate on its procedures for reviewing and communicating with TSCA submitters about confidentiality claims. EPA expects the proposed rule to include new provisions, as well as revisions to existing rules on asserting confidentiality claims to conform to the 2016 TSCA amendments.