[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 18, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3598-3599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-1089]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

27 CFR Part 24

[Notice No. 805; Notice No. 800]
RIN 1512-AB26


Materials and Processes Authorized for the Production of Wine and 
for the Treatment of Juice, Wine and Distilling Material; Reopening of 
Comment Period and Correction (93F-059P)

AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period and correction.

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SUMMARY: In Notice No. 800 (59 FR 49870), published in the Federal 
Register on September 30, 1994, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and 
Firearms (ATF) solicited comments from winemakers, consumers and other 
interested parties as to whether the use of certain materials and 
processes is acceptable in ``good commercial practice'' in the 
production, cellar treatment and finishing of wine. ATF is reopening 
the comment period in order to allow all interested persons more time 
to prepare and submit comments. This notice also makes editorial 
correction to the text of the proposed regulations as described in the 
supplementary information below:

DATES: Written comments must be received by March 20, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Chief, Wine, Beer and Spirits 
Regulations Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, P.O. Box 
50221, Washington, DC 20091-0221: Notice No. 800.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert White, Wine, Beer and Spirits Regulations Branch, 650 
Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226; telephone (202) 927-
8230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On September 30, 1994, ATF published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking, Notice No. 800 (59 FR 49870), in the Federal Register. In 
the notice, AFT proposed the use of three wine treating processes and 
one wine treating material in the production, cellar treatment, and/or 
finishing of wine. The processes included the spinning cone column, 
reverse osmosis and ion exchange used in combination within a closed 
system, and ultrafiltration at transmembrane pressures below 200 pounds 
per square inch (psi).
    The new wine treating material proposed was urease enzyme, derived 
from Lactobacillus fermentum. This new material was proposed to be used 
to reduce levels of naturally occurring urea in wine to help prevent 
the formation of ethyl carbamate during storage.

Reopening of Comment Period

    ATF has received a request from the Delegation of the European 
Commission (EC) to extend the comment period for 60 days. The EC stated 
that this additional time was necessary due to [[Page 3599]] the 
complicated technical issues raised in the proposed rulemaking.
    ATF agrees that the proposed rulemaking contains several wine 
treating processes that are technically complex and that may require 
more time than usual to analyze and prepare comments for submission. 
Consequently, in order to allow all interested persons to comment 
fully, ATF has decided to reopen the comment period, which originally 
closed on November 29, 1994, for 60 days from the date of publication 
of this notice in the Federal Register.
    All written comments received will be considered in the development 
of a decision on this matter. Comments that provide the factual basis 
supporting the views or suggestions presented will be particularly 
helpful in developing a reasoned regulatory decision on this matter.

Correction

    In Notice No. 800, 59 FR 49870, on page 49874, in the ``Reference 
or limitation'' column of the table for reverse osmosis, the words 
``off flavors in wine'' in the third line should be deleted. In 
addition, the word ``virous'' in the last line should be changed to 
read ``vinous.''

Drafting Information

    The principal author of this document is Robert White, Wine, Beer 
and Spirits Regulations Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and 
Firearms.

List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 24

    Administrative practice and procedure, Authority delegations, 
Claims Electronic funds transfers, Excise taxes, Exports, Food 
additives, Fruit juices, Labeling, Liquors, Packaging and containers, 
Reporting requirements, Research, Scientific equipment, Spices and 
flavorings, Surety bonds, Transportation, Warehouses, Wine and vinegar.


    Authority: This notice is issued under the authority of 26 
U.S.C. 7805.

    Approved: January 5, 1995.
Daniel R. Black,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 95-1089 Filed 1-17-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-U