EPA OIG Will Evaluate Process for Changes Made to Final SNUR for LCPFAC and Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonate Chemical Substances

According to an October 25, 2021, project notification memorandum, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) plans to begin an evaluation to determine the extent to which EPA followed applicable policies, procedures, and guidance for the changes made to the significant new use rule (SNUR) for long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylate (LCPFAC) and perfluoroalkyl sulfonate chemical substances between the EPA Administrator’s signing of the final rule on June 22, 2020, and the publication of the final rule in the Federal Register on July 27, 2020. The memorandum states that the anticipated benefits of the evaluation include greater assurance that EPA “has controls in place to maintain the integrity of signed final rules prior to final publication in the Federal Register.”

The memorandum states that the evaluation is the result of a Congressional request. The evaluation is part of OIG’s oversight plan for fiscal year (FY) 2022 and addresses the following FY 2022 top management challenge for EPA: ensuring safe use of chemicals.

More information on EPA’s July 27, 2020, final SNUR is available in our July 27, 2020, memorandum, “EPA Issues Final SNUR for LCPFAC and Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonate Chemical Substances.”