(a) A person who intends to manufacture (including import) or process a chemical substance which is described by a generic chemical name in subpart E of this part may ask EPA whether the substance is subject to the requirements of this part. EPA will answer such an inquiry only if EPA determines that the person has a bona fide intent to manufacture (including import) or process the chemical substance for commercial purposes.

(b) To establish a bona fide intent to manufacture (including import) or process a chemical substance, the person who proposes to manufacture (including import) or process the substance must submit the request to EPA via CDX. Prior to submission to EPA via CDX, such bona fide intents to manufacture (including import) or process must be generated and completed using e-PMN software. See 40 CFR 720.40(a)(2)(ii) for information on how to access the e-PMN software. A bona fide intent to manufacture (including import) or process must contain:

(1) The specific chemical identity of the chemical substance that the person intends to manufacture (including import) or process.

(2) A signed statement that the person intends to manufacture (including import) or process the chemical substance for commercial purposes.

(3) A description of the research and development activities conducted to date, and the purpose for which the person will manufacture (including import) or process the chemical substance.

(4) An elemental analysis.

(5) Either an X-ray diffraction pattern (for inorganic substances), a mass spectrum (for most other substances), or an infrared spectrum of the particular chemical substance, or, if such data do not resolve uncertainties with respect to the identity of the chemical substance, additional or alternative spectra or other data to identify the substance.

(c) If an importer or processor cannot provide all the information required in paragraph (b) of this section because it is claimed as confidential business information by the importer's or processor's manufacturer or supplier, the manufacturer or supplier may supply the information directly to EPA.

(d) EPA will review the information submitted by the manufacturer (including importer) or processor under paragraph (b) of this section to determine whether that person has shown a bona fide intent to manufacture (including import) or process the chemical substance. If necessary, EPA will compare this information to the information requested for the confidential chemical substance under §720.85(b)(3)(iii) of this chapter.

(e) If the manufacturer (including importer) or processor has shown a bona fide intent to manufacture (including import) or process the substance and has provided sufficient unambiguous chemical identity information to enable EPA to make a conclusive determination as to the identity of the substance, EPA will inform the manufacturer (including importer) or processor whether the chemical substance is subject to this part and, if so, which section in subpart E of this part applies.

(f) A disclosure to a person with a bona fide intent to manufacture (including import) or process a particular chemical substance that the substance is subject to this part will not be considered public disclosure of confidential business information under section 14 of the Act.

(g) EPA will answer an inquiry on whether a particular chemical substance is subject to this part within 30 days after receipt of a complete submission under paragraph (b) of this section.

[53 FR 28359, July 27, 1988, as amended at 60 FR 34464, July 3, 1995; 71 FR 33641, June 12, 2006; 80 FR 42746, July 20, 2015]