Companies must now get US environmental regulators' pre-approval for new chemical uses

US environmental regulators are making it harder to introduce new uses for certain chemicals. Companies must now get approval and wait 90 days before using these substances in any way not already cleared.

This rule adds a new layer of regulatory friction for companies wanting to innovate with existing chemicals. Even if a chemical has been approved for some uses, any new application, no matter how small, triggers a mandatory review and delay. This shifts the burden of proof and the timeline onto the manufacturer for a broader range of activities.