The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has put forward reporting requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for manufacturers, importers and processors of nanoscale material.

The proposed rules come after a nearly 10-year research and feedback process with stakeholders. (Read details on the proposed rulemaking here.)

The EPA wants to use its authority under Section 8(a) of TSCA to require those who have manufactured, imported or processed nanoscale materials within three years of the rule’s effective date to fulfill a one-time reporting obligation within six months of the final rule.

Also, people who propose to manufacture, import or process nanoscale materials would have to fulfill the reporting requirements 135 days prior to starting those activities.

The information required for submission to EPA includes “known” or “reasonably ascertainable” materials related to chemical identity, physical and chemical characteristics, production volume, use and function, methods of manufacture and processing, exposure and release, and environmental and health effects.

Also included in the proposed rule are several record-keeping requirements.

This is the first major rulemaking effort by the EPA to collect necessary data to determine if novel nanoscale materials pose an “unreasonable risk” and need to be further regulated. Based on the proposal, the EPA plans to evaluate nanoscale materials on a “case by case basis.”

Comments on the proposed rule are due by July 6, 2015.