Development of a chemical use classification system to facilitate reporting under the Toxic Substances Control Act

A classification system was developed to enable manufacturers and processors of industrial chemicals to report categories of proposed categories of use of such chemicals to the Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with the Toxic Substances Control Act. To accommodate the two aspects of chemical use (i.e., function and application), a faceted classification scheme was designed. The function facet contains categories denoting the action for which a chemical is specially fitted or used, for example, adhesives or fuels. The application facet contains categories denoting the process or product in which a chemical is used, such as synthetic rubber manufacture. Linking these two facets in a single notation code provides a comprehensive indication of a chemical's use or uses. A variety of existing relevant classification schemes and reference tools were used as input sources for the chemical use classification. The practicability of the classification system was tested using a small sample of manufacturing and processing companies.