United States
EPA Seeks Comments On Previously Unavailable HHCB Studies
EPA has released a notice seeking comments by 16 December 2026 on 24 HHCB studies that were unavailable during consultation on its draft TSCA risk evaluation.
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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a notice seeking comments on 24 studies supporting its draft risk evaluation of the fragrance substance HHCB. An administrative problem had made the studies unavailable to the public during the earlier consultation.
The notice was released for public inspection on 13 November 2026, ahead of scheduled Federal Register publication on 16 November. It sets 16 December 2026 as the comment deadline. This is a consultation on supporting evidence for a draft assessment under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
Studies Restored To Public Access
EPA says the 24 industry-submitted studies were considered in its draft human-health and environmental hazard assessment. They were inaccessible through its Health and Environmental Research Online system during the draft risk-evaluation comment period, which ran from 14 April to 15 June 2026.
The agency resolved the access problem on 14 October. The new notice invites comments on those studies in the context of the draft risk evaluation. A memorandum listing the studies is available in docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0430.
Fragrance Uses And Assessment Scope
HHCB, CAS number 1222-05-5, is a synthetic musk used in fragrances. The notice describes household uses in detergents, cleaners and air fresheners. It separately identifies perfumes, cosmetics and personal-care products as non-TSCA uses.
EPA identifies manufacturers, importers, processors, distributors and users of HHCB among those who may be interested in the consultation.
Final Evaluation Still To Follow
EPA says it will consider comments while finalising the HHCB risk evaluation. A final determination of unreasonable risk would lead to a separate risk-management process under TSCA. The current notice does not impose a new restriction on HHCB.
Questions about this change
When are comments due on the additional studies for EPA’s HHCB risk evaluation?
The notice released for public inspection on 13 November 2026 sets a 16 December 2026 deadline. Comments concern 24 previously inaccessible studies supporting the draft HHCB risk evaluation and use docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0430.
Does EPA’s new HHCB study notice impose a restriction on fragrance products?
No. The notice seeks comments on supporting evidence for a draft TSCA risk evaluation. EPA says it will consider comments before finalising the evaluation. Any risk-management restrictions would follow a separate process.
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