The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Aug. 4 issued a final rule on what was previously known as the Inventory Update Rule (IUR), which dictates the amount and types of information it collects on commercial chemicals from chemical manufacturers and importers. The information required by this rule, which is promulgated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), is deemed necessary to allow the agency to better identify and manage potential risk to public health and environmental risks. The key provisions of the final rule, now known as the Chemical Data Reporting Rule (CDR), require chemical manufacturers and importers to submit information electronically, and limit confidentiality claims that can be made by companies. Other key provisions of the CDR require more frequent reporting of critical information on chemicals and the submission of new and updated information on potential chemical exposures, production volume, manufacturing site-related data, as well as processing and use-related data for a larger number of chemicals. - More Companies will be required to start following the new reporting requirements in the next data submission period, which will occur Feb. 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012.For more information, including program updates, announcements, and guidance materials for 2012 reporting, visit the EPA’s CDR website