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April 8, 2020

EPA Receives Manufacturer Request for Risk Evaluation of D4

Lynn L. Bergeson Carla N. Hutton

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on April 8, 2020, that it received a complete manufacturer request for EPA to conduct a risk evaluation of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) from Dow Silicones Corporation, Elkem Silicones USA Corporation, Evonik Corporation, Momentive Performance Materials, Shin-Etsu Silicones of America, Inc., and Wacker Chemical Corporation through the American Chemistry Council’s Silicones Environmental, Health, and Safety Center.  EPA states that D4 is used to make other silicone chemicals and as an ingredient in some personal care products.  D4 was identified in the 2014 Update to the TSCA Work Plan.
 
EPA notes that within 15 business days of receiving a facially complete request (i.e., submission appears to be consistent with rule requirements), it must notify the public of receipt of this request under 40 C.F.R. Section 702.37(e)(2).  Within 60 business days of receipt of a facially complete request, EPA will submit for publication the receipt of the request in the Federal Register, open a public docket for the request, and provide no less than 45 calendar days for public comment.  According to EPA, the docket will contain the manufacturer request, EPA’s proposed additions of conditions of use, and the basis for those proposed additions.  During the public comment period, the public may comment on the request, as well as the additional conditions of use EPA proposes for inclusion.  After the comment period closes, EPA has up to 60 days to either grant or deny the request to conduct a risk evaluation under 40 C.F.R. Section 702.37(e)(6).