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June 15, 2020

EPA Begins Public Comment Period for Manufacturer-Requested Risk Evaluation for D4

Lynn L. Bergeson Carla N. Hutton

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on June 12, 2020, that it is opening a public comment period for a manufacturer-requested risk evaluation of octamethylcyclotetra-siloxane (D4), a chemical used to make other silicone chemicals and as an ingredient in some personal care products.  EPA states that the manufacturer-requested risk evaluation of D4 is the third evaluation of this kind to be requested under the amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).  EPA will publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing the public comment period and beginning a 45-day comment period.  EPA “welcomes all public comments on this request, particularly on the following”:

  • Any information not included in the manufacturer request that the commenters believe EPA would need to conduct a risk evaluation;
  • Additional conditions of use the Agency is proposing to include in the risk evaluation; and
  • Information on conditions of use not included in the manufacturer request or in the additional conditions of use EPA is proposing to include in the risk evaluation.

After the comment period closes, EPA will review the comments and either grant or deny the request to conduct a risk evaluation within 60 days.  If EPA grants the request, the manufacturers would be responsible for half the cost of the risk evaluation.  EPA has opened Docket ID EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0443 for the request.