In December 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its risk evaluation for formaldehyde under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The EPA is now preparing for the next phase: risk management. As part of this process, a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel, hosted under the auspices of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA), will be convened to gather input from small entities potentially impacted by forthcoming regulations.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has not yet officially announced the Panel, we expect an announcement soon and want to inform you early so that you have time to consider participating and can engage at the appropriately.

Although EPA determined that several uses of formaldehyde, including aquaculture/hatchery/animal feeds, were outside the scope of TSCA and not covered under the formaldehyde risk evaluation, it remains important for the agency to hear your perspective on how this might impact the availability of formaldehyde/formalin as a fish therapeutant.

Participation typically includes one or two virtual meetings and an opportunity to submit written feedback. Small business owners/operators are preferred, but aquaculture trade associations representing primarily small businesses may also be eligible. The SBA defines fish farms and hatcheries as small businesses for those farms and hatcheries with less than $3,750,000 in annual sales.

Action Requested: 

If you are a small business and interested in providing input, please email the NAA Office at naa@nationalaquaculture.org. The NAA will connect you with the SBA to ensure you or your representative aquaculture association are considered for participation.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to help shape regulations that affect the U.S. aquaculture community.