[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