[Title 40 CFR 238]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - July 1, 1996 Edition]
[Title 40 - PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT]
[Chapter I - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)]
[Subchapter H - OCEAN DUMPING]
[Part 238 - DEGRADABLE PLASTIC RING CARRIERS]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]




  40
  PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
  12
  1996-07-01
  1996-07-01
  false
  
  238
  PART 238
  
    PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
    OCEAN DUMPING
  


PART 238--DEGRADABLE PLASTIC RING CARRIERS--Table of Contents




                      Subpart A--General Provisions

Sec.
238.10  Purpose and applicability.
238.20  Definitions.

                         Subpart B--Requirement

238.30  Requirement.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6914b-1.

    Source: 59 FR 9870, Mar. 1, 1994, unless otherwise noted.

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                      Subpart A--General Provisions



Sec. 238.10  Purpose and applicability.

    The purpose of this part is to require that plastic ring carriers be 
made of degradable materials as described in Secs. 238.20 and 238.30. 
The requirements of this part apply to all processors and importers of 
plastic ring carriers in the United States as defined in Sec. 238.20.



Sec. 238.20  Definitions.

    For the purpose of this part:
    Percent elongation at break means the percent increase in length of 
the plastic material caused by a tensile load. Percent elongation at 
break shall be calculated by dividing the extension at the moment of 
rupture of the specimen by the initial gage length of the specimen and 
multiplying by 100.
    Processor means the persons or entities that produce ring carriers 
ready for use as beverage carriers.
    Ring carrier means any plastic ring carrier device that contains at 
least one hole greater than 1\3/4\ inches in diameter which is made, 
used, or designed for the purpose of packaging, transporting, or 
carrying multipackaged cans or bottles.



                         Subpart B--Requirement



Sec. 238.30  Requirement.

    (a) No processor or person shall manufacture or import, in bulk, 
ring carriers intended for use in the United States unless they are 
designed and manufactured so that the ring carriers degrade to the point 
of 5 percent elongation at break, when tested in accordance with ASTM D-
3826-91, ``Standard Practice for Determining Degradation End Point in 
Degradable Polyolefins Using a Tensile Test'', after the ring carrier is 
exposed to, either:
    (1) 250 light-hours of UV in accordance with ASTM D-5208-91,'' 
Standard Practice for Operating Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) and 
Condensation Apparatus for Exposure of Photodegradable Plastics'', using 
cycle A; or
    (2) 35 days, during June and July, to marine conditions in a 
location below the latitude 26 degrees North, in continental United 
States waters.
    (b) The incorporation by reference of ASTM D-3826-91, ``Standard 
Practice for Determining Degradation End Point in Degradable Polyolefins 
Using a Tensile Test'', and ASTM D-5208-91, ``Standard Practice for 
Operating Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) and Condensation Apparatus for 
Exposure of Photodegradable Plastics,'' was approved by the director of 
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies are available from the American Society of Testing and 
Materials, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Copies may be 
inspected at the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Docket 
Information Center, (5305), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
Headquarters, 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460 or at the Office 
of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC. These materials are incorporated as they exist on the 
date of the approval and notice of any change in these materials will be 
published in the Federal Register.

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