On June 22, 2026, EPA published a final rule replacing the 24 EPCRA hazard categories used since 2017 with 118 categories drawn directly from OSHA's updated Hazard Communication Standard. The change is intended to let facilities select hazard categories straight from Section 2 of a chemical's SDS, rather than interpreting how an OSHA classification maps to a broader EPCRA grouping.
Key dates
Effective date: August 21, 2026.
Compliance date for the new categories: January 1, 2028.
Applies starting with calendar year 2027 Tier II reports, due March 1, 2028.
No changes required for reports covering calendar year 2026.
Background
This rule followed a bumpier path than most. An earlier version was published as a direct final rule in November 2025, then withdrawn in January 2026 after EPA received adverse comments, before the June 2026 version was finalized.