EPA chemical review delays drive manufacturers overseas

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has 421 new chemical notices pending as of September 1, despite a statutory requirement to review each within 90 days. Industry representatives warn that these delays are driving manufacturing opportunities overseas.

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) stated that when reviews exceed statutory deadlines by more than a year, manufacturers cannot confidently scale production or make necessary long-term investments. One unnamed company has already moved the production of an advanced cooling chemical for semiconductor chips to France due to U.S. review delays.

Recent Federal Register notices indicate several submissions are currently under review, including materials for batteries, heat transfer fluids, and ingredients for computer chip coatings. While Congress recently extended the EPA’s authority to collect fees from chemical makers through December 11, legislative proposals to reform the review process into a more predictable system remain in the discussion draft stage.