Short Takes – 11-13-25 – Federal Register Edition

Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (Cyclotetrasiloxane, 2,2,4,4,6,6,8,8-octamethyl-)(D4); Draft Risk Evaluation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Extension of the Comment Period. Federal Register EPA comment extension notice. Summary: “In the Federal Register of September 17, 2025, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of and sought public comment on a draft risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (Cyclotetrasiloxane, 2,2,4,4,6,6,8,8-octamethyl-) (D4) (CASRN 556-67-2). The purpose of risk evaluations under TSCA is to determine whether a chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment under the conditions of use (COUs), including unreasonable risk to potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations identified as relevant to the risk evaluation by EPA, and without consideration of costs or non-risk factors. EPA used the best available science to prepare this draft risk evaluation and to preliminarily determine, based on the weight of scientific evidence, that D4 poses unreasonable risk to health and the environment driven primarily by COUs analyzed in the draft risk evaluation. This document extends the comment period, which was scheduled to end on November 17, 2025, for 15 days.”

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Data Reporting and Recordkeeping Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Revision to Regulation. Federal Register EPA notice of proposed rulemaking. Summary: “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is proposing amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulation for reporting and recordkeeping requirements for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). As promulgated in October 2023, the regulation requires manufacturers (including importers) of PFAS in any year between 2011-2022 to report certain data to EPA related to exposure and environmental and health effects. EPA is proposing to incorporate certain exemptions and other modifications to the scope of the reporting regulation. These exemptions would maintain important reporting on PFAS, consistent with statutory requirements, while exempting reporting on activities about which manufacturers are least likely to know or reasonably ascertain.”

Methylene Chloride; Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Compliance Date Extension. Federal Register EPA compliance date extension notice. Summary: “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is finalizing an extension to the compliance dates applicable to certain entities subject to the regulation of methylene chloride promulgated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Specifically, EPA is finalizing an 18-month extension of the Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP) and associated recordkeeping compliance dates for industrial or commercial laboratories that are not owned or operated by Federal agencies or contractors acting on behalf of the Federal government. Under this final rule, all non-Federal laboratories will share the same compliance dates with Federal and Federally contracted laboratories. EPA is finalizing an extension of the compliance dates for associated laboratory activities detailed in this final rule to avoid disruption of important functions of non-Federal laboratories such as the use of environmental monitoring methods needed for cleanup sites and wastewater treatment, as well as activities associated with university laboratories or law enforcement laboratories.”