OMB Approves EPA EtO NESHAP NPRM

Yesterday the OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) announced that it had approved a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) from the EPA on “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards for Sterilization Facilities Residual Risk and Technology Review, Reconsideration”. The NPRM was sent to OIRA on March 4^th, 2026.

Eight days is a pretty quick turnaround at OIRA for an NPRM, but this is probably a significant deregulation rulemaking so it would be a priority for the Administration.

According to the Spring 2025 Unified Agenda entry for this rulemaking:

“On April 5, 2024, the EPA published the risk and technology review (RTR) of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Commercial Ethylene Oxide (EtO) Sterilization Facilities (See 89 FR 73293). EPA announced on March 12, 2025 that this rule will be a prioritized rule for reconsideration. The EPA will be reconsidering this action in order to address several issues that are administration priorities and consistent with the direction of the Agency”

I would expect to see this NPRM published in the Federal Register in the next week or two. As with the publication of the Biden Administration regulation, I do not expect to cover this rulemaking in any detail. I will, at least, be acknowledging publication in the appropriate Short Takes post.