CAS 108-88-3 · TSCA · United States of America

Toluene (methylbenzene) under TSCA

C7H8 · 甲苯

Status: Listed. Toluene is on the TSCA Inventory as a grandfathered pre-1979 substance and is currently listed as TSCA Active. No PMN is required. **California Proposition 65 listed since 1 January 1991** as causing reproductive toxicity (developmental endpoint), verified against OEHHA toluene P65 page at https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/chemicals/toluene. **Active OSHA Toluene specific standard**: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-2 PEL 200 ppm 8-hr TWA, 300 ppm acceptable ceiling, 500 ppm peak (10 min); verified against https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1000TABLEZ2. NOT on EPA RMP threshold list. NOT on DEA scheduling. **TRI Section 313 listed**: Form R annual reporting required for facilities above 25,000 lb manufacture / 10,000 lb other-use thresholds. NO active US AD case on Chinese-origin toluene currently. Section 301 List 3 25% additional duty applies on Chinese-origin toluene (HS 290230). EPA TSCA Section 6 risk evaluation: toluene was prioritised for risk evaluation but currently NOT under active Section 6 RE.

The US toluene lane is dominated by **OSHA Toluene-specific 29 CFR 1910.1000 PEL + Cal Prop 65 "WARNING" labelling + TRI Form R annual reporting** workplace + downstream compliance overhead. NO active US AD/CVD case. Section 301 List 3 25% additional duty applies. NO active TSCA Section 6 risk evaluation currently (long-term watch). Major US producers: BP / INEOS, Shell Chemicals, ExxonMobil, Chevron Phillips. US is structurally **net-exporter** of toluene (combined domestic capacity ~8-10 Mt/yr exceeds domestic demand). BTX chain economics couple toluene + benzene + xylene markets via naphtha reformer + steam-cracker pyrolysis-gasoline integrated US producer economics. Imports from Chinese supply have been minimal due to Section 301 cost layer. **Toluene distinguishing pattern in US lane**: lighter trade-policy stack than caprolactam batch 14 + acetic acid batch 19 (no AD on top of Section 301), but heavier workplace overhead from OSHA toluene-specific PEL + Cal Prop 65 + TRI Form R combination.

Listing and threshold

Substance Toluene (methylbenzene) (CAS 108-88-3), C7H8
Regime US Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), administered by EPA
Jurisdiction United States of America
Status Listed
Tonnage threshold CDR (Chemical Data Reporting) threshold: 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) manufactured or imported per site per year

Classifications under this regime

  • OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS): GHS H225 / H304 / H315 / H336 / H361d / H373
  • OSHA Toluene-specific PEL 29 CFR 1910.1000: 200 ppm 8-hr TWA, 300 ppm acceptable ceiling, 500 ppm peak (10 min)
  • NIOSH REL: 100 ppm 8-hr TWA, 150 ppm STEL
  • NOT subject to TSCA Section 6 Risk Evaluation currently
  • NOT on TSCA Section 5(a)(2) Significant New Use Rule list
  • NOT on EPA RMP threshold list
  • NOT on DEA List I or List II
  • **California Proposition 65 listed (developmental toxicity, 1991)**
  • **TRI Section 313 listed**: Form R annual reporting required for facilities above thresholds
  • DOT hazardous materials regulation (49 CFR 172.101): UN 1294, Class 3, PG II
  • IARC: nitric acid itself is not separately classified; occupational exposure to strong-inorganic-acid mists containing sulfuric acid was classified IARC Group 1 (laryngeal cancer) in Monograph Volume 54 (1992) (verify the current classification and Monograph volume against https://monographs.iarc.who.int/list-of-classifications before relying on the inorganic-acid-mist read-across for nitric acid)

Restrictions and conditions of use

  • No TSCA Section 6 use restrictions currently
  • OSHA-compliant SDS and workplace HazCom training required
  • OSHA Toluene-specific 29 CFR 1910.1000 PEL compliance
  • **Cal Prop 65 listing requires "WARNING"** on consumer products containing toluene above No-Significant-Risk-Level
  • NO active US AD/CVD case on Chinese-origin toluene currently
  • Section 301 List 3 25% additional duty applies on Chinese-origin toluene (HS 290230)
  • NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code applies for storage
  • EPA Mobile Source Air Toxics rule (40 CFR Parts 79 + 80): toluene specific limit in gasoline (>0.62% benzene-equivalent restriction applicable to BTX blending)
  • TRI Form R annual reporting

Importer obligations

TSCA is a self-certification regime: importers attest at customs entry that the substance is on the TSCA Inventory. The dominant practitioner-facing layer for toluene is **OSHA Toluene-specific 29 CFR 1910.1000 PEL compliance + Cal Prop 65 "WARNING" labelling + TRI Form R annual reporting**. NO active AD/CVD case so no AD margin documentation. Section 301 List 3 25% additional duty applies. NO active TSCA Section 6 risk evaluation currently (toluene was prioritised but not active). Major US domestic producers: BP / INEOS Texas City + Whiting + Houston + Galveston + Toledo + Lima, Shell Chemicals Pearl Harbor + Norco + Geismar + Deer Park, ExxonMobil Beaumont + Baytown, Chevron Phillips Cedar Bayou + Sweeny + Pasadena. US is structurally net-exporter of toluene (combined domestic capacity ~8-10 Mt/yr exceeds domestic demand); imports from Chinese supply have been minimal due to Section 301 cost layer.

Required documents

  • TSCA Section 13 Import Certification statement on customs entry
  • OSHA-compliant SDS (Safety Data Sheet) reflecting H225 / H304 / H315 / H336 / H361d / H373 classification
  • Customs entry CBP Form 7501 with HS code 290230 (toluene) and Section 301 List 3 25% duty applied
  • Cal Prop 65 "WARNING" label compliance documentation for consumer-product downstream applications
  • TRI Form R annual report (where site exceeds 25,000 lb manufacture / 10,000 lb other-use thresholds)
  • CDR filing every 4 years if site exceeds 25,000 lb/yr threshold (next cycle 2026)
  • NFPA 30-compliant storage tank engineering documentation for bulk receipt

Common compliance traps

The pitfalls that have bitten importers on this lane in the past. None of these is theoretical.

  • **OSHA Toluene-specific 29 CFR 1910.1000 PEL** compliance is dominant workplace overhead
  • **Cal Prop 65 listing applies to all finished-product distribution to California**; "WARNING" label compliance
  • **TRI Form R annual reporting** is the most-missed compliance step for new toluene importers
  • NO active TSCA Section 6 risk evaluation currently (toluene was prioritised but not active; long-term watch)
  • NO active US AD/CVD case on Chinese toluene currently
  • Section 301 List 3 25% additional duty applies; structurally lighter than caprolactam batch 14 + acetic acid batch 19 lanes
  • Major US domestic producers: BP / INEOS, Shell Chemicals, ExxonMobil, Chevron Phillips. US is structurally net-exporter (combined capacity ~8-10 Mt/yr exceeds domestic demand)
  • BTX chain economics: toluene + benzene + xylene markets coupled via naphtha reformer + steam-cracker pyrolysis-gasoline integrated US producer economics
  • Imports from Chinese supply have been minimal due to Section 301 cost layer

Where to read next

For substance-level identifiers (formula, molecular weight, SMILES, InChIKey), GHS hazard profile, IMDG transport class, and full sourcing reference for toluene (methylbenzene), see the CAS 108-88-3 sourcing reference.

For grade-by-grade buying notes, freight maths, supplier-tier pricing, and a worked landed-cost example, the toluene (methylbenzene) cornerstone hub covers the full sourcing chain.

For the structure and history of TSCA, see the TSCA glossary entry.

Need cross-jurisdiction compliance support on this substance? Run it through the REACH / TSCA / IECSC / AICIS / K-REACH checker, or send us the substance and the destination and we will quote FOB China and CIF / DDP landed including the regulatory work on the destination side.

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Cross-jurisdiction profile and sourcing references

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