[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 26, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26192]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 26, 1994]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-00397; FRL-4903-8]

 

Statement of Policy for Minor Amendments; Notice of Availability 
and Request for Comments

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: EPA is soliciting comments on a proposed policy which 
streamlines the registration process by identifying minor registration 
amendments which may be (1) submitted as notifications, (2) not 
submitted at all (non-notifications), or (3) which can be processed 
faster if they are minor formulation changes. That policy is described 
in a draft Pesticide Regulation (PR) Notice entitled, ``Notifications, 
Non-Notifications and Minor Formulation Amendments.'' Interested 
parties may request this document as described in the ADDRESSES unit of 
this notice.

DATES: Written comments, identified by the docket number [OPP-00397], 
must be received on or before December 12, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The PR Notice is available from Sherada Hobgood, By mail: 
Registration Support Branch, Registration Division (7505W), Office of 
Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20460. Office location and telephone number: 6th Floor, 
CS-1, 2800 Crystal Drive North, Arlington, VA, (703) 308-8352.
    Submit written comments to: By mail: Public Docket and Freedom of 
Information Section, Field Operations Division (7506C), Office of 
Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20460. In person bring comments to: Rm. 1128, CM #2, 
1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.
    Information submitted and any comment(s) concerning this notice may 
be claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that information 
as ``Confidential Business Information'' (CBI). Information so marked 
will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 
40 CFR part 2. A copy of the comment(s) that does not contain CBI must 
be submitted for inclusion in the public record. Information not marked 
confidential may be disclosed publicly by EPA without prior notice to 
the submitter. Information on the proposed test and any written 
comments will be available for public inspection in Rm. 1128 at the 
Virginia address given above, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Sherada Hobgood (7505W), 
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. 
Office location and telephone number: 6th Floor, CS-1, 2800 Crystal 
Drive North, Arlington, VA, (703) 308-8352.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agency is proposing to expand the 
current list of amendment actions which may be accomplished without 
prior Agency approval. The policy will streamline the registration 
process to allow certain minor, low risk amendments to be achieved by 
notification, non-notification or by accelerated review. If adopted, 
this policy would speed the approval of such amendments and free Agency 
resources to focus on more important actions while maintaining 
protection to public health and the environment.
    This Federal Register notice announces the availability of the 
draft PR Notice and solicits comment on the proposed policy. In 
particular, the Agency invites comment on the following issues:
    1. A process for accelerating the processing of minor formulation 
amendments is being proposed to speed up the review of changes of inert 
ingredients which are believed not to change the toxicological or 
chemical properties of products. What are the strengths and weaknesses 
of this approach?
    2. A certification statement is being proposed which would be 
submitted with each notification indicating that the amendment complies 
with the PR Notice, that a product may be subject to enforcement action 
or cancellation by order without a hearing if it is not consistent with 
the PR Notice. The intent of this certification is to assure 
registrants comply with the notice and that they understand the 
consequences of not complying. What are the pros and cons of the 
certification statement?
    3. EPA proposes allowing several additional kinds of amendments to 
be accomplished by notification--addition of pests, addition of non-
food, indoor sites, and addition of directions related to packaging. 
Changes in directions for use is currently prohibited by 40 CFR 
151.46(b)(1). Does EPA have discretion to allow the proposed changes 
under 40 CFR 152.44(b)(1)?
    After reviewing public comments received, EPA may make changes to 
the Policy and revise the draft PR Notice prior to release.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests.

    Dated: October 13, 1994.
Steven L. Johnson,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 94-26192 Filed 10-25-94; 8:45 am]
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