EPA Expands Toxic Chemical Reporting, Strengthening Transparency on PFAS PollutionWASHINGTON — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule adding sodium perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS-Na) to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). The TRI is a tool that tracks and shares information about chemical releases and pollution prevention activities by factories and other facilities. Under this rule, businesses in covered industries must begin tracking and reporting any use or release of PFHxS-Na, a well-studied PFAS chemical. The first reporting period began Jan. 1, 2026, and the first reports will be due to EPA by July 1, 2027. Because PFHxS-Na is classified as a chemical of special concern, it is subject to a lower reporting threshold, in this case, 100 pounds. “This addition ensures communities have the right to know what chemicals are being used and released in their neighborhoods,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Doug Troutman. “Transparency is a critical step toward protecting public health and the environment and holding polluters accountable.” PFHxS-Na is the latest PFAS chemical added to the TRI under a process established by Congress in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which directs EPA to automatically include new PFAS chemicals in the inventory each year. With this action, the number of PFAS substances tracked by TRI rises to 206. PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals known for their persistence in the environment and the human body. Because they do not break down easily, PFAS can accumulate over time, prompting growing concern about their potential health and environmental impacts. The TRI program enables Americans to see how facilities in their area handle toxic chemicals, supporting informed local decision-making and advancing EPA’s commitment to environmental transparency. More information for businesses and the public is available on the Reporting for TRI Facilities webpage. |
January 06, 2026
EPA Provides Update on Expiring Confidential Business Information Claims Under the Toxic Substances Control Act
Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the process the agency intends to use to notify companies of upcoming expiring confidential business information claims (CBI) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and how companies can request an extension of expiring CBI claims.
As part of this Administration’s commitment to transparency, EPA strives for open access to chemical information while respecting legal obligations and well-supported claims of confidentiality. Having access to this information strengthens trust, collaboration and innovation and is essential for stakeholders and the public to make informed decisions about health and environmental protections. TSCA allows companies to claim certain chemical information, like a chemical’s name, structure and use, as confidential – meaning EPA is legally not allowed to publicly release this information. Under TSCA, most CBI claims expire 10 years after submission. Expirations are for claims submitted shortly after TSCA was amended in June 2016 by the Lautenberg Act and will occur in June 2026.
In early spring, EPA will post the first list of TSCA submissions with CBI claims expiring starting in June of 2026 on the agency’s TSCA CBI website. The agency will also send direct notices to submitters with expiring claims via the Central Data Exchange (CDX), EPA’s electronic reporting system. EPA recommends that companies review lists of submissions with expiring CBI claims to determine if an extension is necessary. The expiration date for chemical identity claims can be found on the TSCA inventory. Those dates are contained in the column labeled “EXP.”
To request extension of an expiring CBI claim, companies must submit a request electronically via CDX no later than 30 days prior to the expiration date of the claims. The request must include substantiation of the need to extend the period of CBI protection.
EPA is developing a new tool in CDX to collect these requests and expects to have the CDX tool in place prior to June 2026, the time claims begin to expire. If completion of this tool is delayed, EPA will provide notice of this delay and provide an estimated date of completion on the TSCA CBI website. EPA will not release any information subject to expiring claims until companies are given the opportunity to submit extension requests. EPA will review extension requests and either grant an extension or deny the request. If EPA does not receive a request for extension at least 30 days prior to the claim expiration, the agency is not required to safeguard the CBI from disclosure, and the information may be made public without further notice to the submitter.
The regulated community should monitor EPA communications, the Federal Register and the TSCA CBI website for further information relating to the expiration of confidentiality claims for information submitted under TSCA.