New uses for certain chemicals now require US environmental regulator approval
What happened
US environmental regulators now require companies to get approval before using certain chemicals in new ways. This means manufacturers and importers must tell the regulators 90 days in advance and wait for a decision.
Why it matters
Companies often find new uses for existing chemicals. Now, for a specific list of substances, they cannot simply start using them. The US environmental regulators must first review the new use and give permission.
The signal
Watch whether companies try to challenge these rules in court, or if they simply comply with the new notification requirements.