CAS 71-43-2 · TSCA · United States of America

Benzene under TSCA

C6H6 · 苯

Status: Listed. Benzene is on the TSCA Inventory as a grandfathered pre-1979 substance and is currently listed as TSCA Active. **Active OSHA Benzene Standard 29 CFR 1910.1028** (specific carcinogen standard with PEL 1 ppm 8-hr TWA, STEL 5 ppm, Action Level 0.5 ppm; verify against https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1028). **California Proposition 65 listed as carcinogen since 27 February 1987 and as reproductive toxicant on subsequent dates** (verify exact listing dates against OEHHA https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/proposition-65-list before invoicing California-distributed product; prior dataset cited 1987 plus 1997). **EPA Mobile Source Air Toxics rule** caps gasoline benzene content (verify the current annual-average vol percent and effective date against 40 CFR Part 80 Subpart L at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/part-80 before relying; prior dataset cited 0.62 vol percent effective 2011). **TRI Section 313 listed**: Form R annual reporting required. NOT on EPA RMP threshold list. NOT on DEA scheduling. NO active US AD/CVD case on Chinese-origin benzene currently (verify against https://access.trade.gov/ before invoicing). Section 301 List 3 25% additional duty applies on Chinese-origin benzene (HS 290220). NOT currently under active TSCA Section 6 risk evaluation (verify against https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca).

The US benzene lane is dominated by **OSHA Benzene-specific 29 CFR 1910.1028 PEL + Cal Prop 65 "WARNING" labelling + TRI Form R annual reporting + EPA Mobile Source Air Toxics 0.62 vol% gasoline benzene cap** workplace + downstream + upstream compliance overhead. NO active US AD/CVD case. Section 301 List 3 25% additional duty applies. NO active TSCA Section 6 risk evaluation. Major US producers: BP / INEOS, ExxonMobil, Chevron Phillips, LyondellBasell, Shell Chemicals. US is comparatively self-sufficient. BTX chain economics couple benzene + toluene + xylene markets. **Benzene distinguishing pattern in US lane**: heaviest workplace + downstream + upstream compliance overhead in BTX trio (and second-heaviest in dataset alongside formaldehyde batch 18) with OSHA benzene-specific standard + Cal Prop 65 + TRI + EPA Mobile Source Air Toxics layered regulation.

Listing and threshold

Substance Benzene (CAS 71-43-2), C6H6
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 / H319 / H340 / H350 / H372
  • **OSHA Benzene Standard 29 CFR 1910.1028** (specific carcinogen standard): PEL 1 ppm 8-hr TWA, STEL 5 ppm, Action Level 0.5 ppm (per https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1028)
  • NIOSH REL: 0.1 ppm 8-hr TWA, 1 ppm STEL (considered occupational carcinogen)
  • 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 as carcinogen since 27 February 1987 and as reproductive toxicant on a separate date** (verify exact listing dates for each endpoint against OEHHA https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/proposition-65-list)
  • **TRI Section 313 listed**: Form R annual reporting required for facilities above thresholds
  • DOT hazardous materials regulation (49 CFR 172.101): UN 1114, Class 3, PG II
  • **IARC: Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans) since the late 1970s** (verify the original Monograph volume and reaffirmation against https://monographs.iarc.who.int/list-of-classifications)
  • **EPA Mobile Source Air Toxics rule (40 CFR Part 80 Subpart L)**: gasoline benzene annual average cap (verify the current vol percent value and effective date against https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/part-80; prior dataset cited 0.62 vol percent effective 2011)
  • EPA NESHAP (40 CFR 61 Subpart J + V): benzene emission standards for refining + storage + waste operations

Restrictions and conditions of use

  • No TSCA Section 6 use restrictions currently
  • **OSHA Benzene-specific 29 CFR 1910.1028 PEL compliance** is dominant workplace overhead (regulated areas, exposure monitoring, medical surveillance, training, recordkeeping)
  • **Cal Prop 65 listing requires "WARNING"** on consumer products containing benzene above No-Significant-Risk-Level
  • NO active US AD/CVD case on Chinese-origin benzene currently
  • Section 301 List 3 25% additional duty applies on Chinese-origin benzene (HS 290220)
  • NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code applies for storage
  • **EPA Mobile Source Air Toxics rule (40 CFR Part 80)**: gasoline benzene cap 0.62 vol%
  • EPA NESHAP refinery + storage + waste benzene emission standards
  • 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 benzene is **OSHA Benzene-specific 29 CFR 1910.1028 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. **EPA Mobile Source Air Toxics rule (40 CFR Part 80)** caps gasoline benzene content at 0.62 vol% which drives upstream benzene-extraction-from-gasoline economics. Major US domestic producers: BP / INEOS Texas City + Whiting + Decatur + Alvin, ExxonMobil Beaumont + Baytown + Baton Rouge, Chevron Phillips Cedar Bayou + Pasadena + Sweeny, LyondellBasell Channelview + Houston + Sweeny, Shell Chemicals Norco + Geismar + Deer Park.

Required documents

  • TSCA Section 13 Import Certification statement on customs entry
  • OSHA-compliant SDS reflecting H225 / H304 / H315 / H319 / H340 / H350 / H372 classification
  • **OSHA Benzene Standard 29 CFR 1910.1028 workplace compliance documentation** (regulated areas, exposure monitoring, medical surveillance, training, 30-year recordkeeping)
  • Customs entry CBP Form 7501 with HS code 290220 (benzene) 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
  • EPA Mobile Source Air Toxics rule compliance documentation for gasoline-blending downstream

Common compliance traps

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

  • **OSHA Benzene-specific 29 CFR 1910.1028 PEL** compliance is dominant workplace overhead: regulated areas, exposure monitoring, medical surveillance, training, 30-year recordkeeping
  • **Cal Prop 65 listing applies to all finished-product distribution to California**
  • **TRI Form R annual reporting**
  • **EPA Mobile Source Air Toxics rule 0.62 vol% gasoline benzene cap** drives upstream benzene-extraction-from-gasoline economics
  • NO active TSCA Section 6 risk evaluation currently
  • NO active US AD/CVD case on Chinese benzene 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, ExxonMobil, Chevron Phillips, LyondellBasell, Shell Chemicals. US is comparatively self-sufficient through domestic supply
  • BTX chain economics: benzene + toluene + xylene markets coupled via naphtha reformer + steam-cracker pyrolysis-gasoline integrated US producer economics
  • Downstream feedstock chain dominates US benzene consumption: styrene chain (~50%), cumene → phenol + acetone (~20%), cyclohexane → nylon (~12%), nitrobenzene → aniline → MDI / TDI (~10%)

Where to read next

For substance-level identifiers (formula, molecular weight, SMILES, InChIKey), GHS hazard profile, IMDG transport class, and full sourcing reference for benzene, see the CAS 71-43-2 sourcing reference.

For grade-by-grade buying notes, freight maths, supplier-tier pricing, and a worked landed-cost example, the benzene 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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