[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 8, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52735-52736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25769]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 59

[AD-FRL-5632-3]


National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for 
Architectural Coatings

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: The EPA is reopening the public comment period for the 
proposed National Volatile Organic Emission Standards for Architectural 
Coatings. As initially published in the Federal Register on June 25, 
1996 (61 FR 32729), written comments on the proposed rule were to be 
submitted to the EPA on or before August 30, 1996 (a 60-day public 
comment period). On September 3, 1996 the EPA published a notice in the 
Federal Register (61 FR 46410) announcing an extension of the public 
comment period until September 30, 1996 (a 90-day public comment 
period). The public comment period is now being reopened and will end 
on November 4, 1996 (a 120-day public comment period).
    As initially published in the Federal Register on June 25, 1996 (61 
FR 32729), the proposed compliance date for the National Volatile 
Organic Emission Standards for Architectural Coatings was April 1, 
1997. This proposed compliance date is being delayed until January 1, 
1998 for all regulated entities.

DATES: Comments must be submitted by November 4, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments. Comments should be submitted (in duplicate) to: 
Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center (6102), Attention: 
Docket No. A-92-18, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, 
SW, Washington, DC 20460. Comments and data may also be submitted 
electronically by sending electronic mail (e-mail) to: a-and-r-
[email protected]. Electronic comments must be submitted as an 
ASCII file, avoiding the use of special characters and any form of 
encryption. Comments and data will also be accepted on diskette in 
WordPerfect 5.1 file format or ASCII file format. All comments and data 
in electronic form must be identified by the docket number A-92-18. No 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) should be submitted through e-
mail.
    Docket. The proposed regulatory text and other materials related to 
this

[[Page 52736]]

rulemaking, excepting any information claimed as CBI, are available for 
public review. This public record has been established for the 
rulemaking under Docket No. A-92-18 and contains supporting information 
used in developing the proposed rule. The docket, including paper 
versions of electronic comments, is available for public inspection and 
copying between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Air and Radiation Docket and 
Information Center (6102), Waterside Mall, Room M1500, 401 M Street, 
SW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number (202) 260-7548, FAX (202) 
260-4400. A reasonable fee may be charged for copying.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Ellen Ducey, Coatings and Consumer 
Products Group, Emission Standards Division (MD-13), U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, 
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, telephone number (919) 
541-5408.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 25, 1996, at 61 FR 32729, the EPA 
published the proposed National Volatile Organic Compound Emission 
Standards for Architectural Coatings and provided a 60-day public 
comment period. Requests were received to extend the public comment 
period beyond the 60 days originally provided. In consideration of 
these requests, some of which were from small businesses that will be 
affected by the rule, the EPA extended the comment period by 30 days 
(until September 30, 1996), in order to give all interested persons the 
opportunity to comment fully. Subsequent to this extension, the EPA 
received requests for additional time beyond the 90 days provided to 
submit comments. In response to these additional requests for a further 
extension of the comment period and because an extension of the 
compliance date is being proposed, the EPA is reopening the comment 
period until November 4, 1996.
    The EPA has received numerous comments suggesting that the proposed 
compliance date of April 1, 1997 does not provide adequate time for 
some manufacturers and importers to meet the proposed rule 
requirements. Although the EPA is proposing requirements similar to 
those which have been in place for many years in certain areas of the 
country, some manufacturers who have not marketed into these areas have 
stated that they need time to complete reformulations, conduct product 
testing, and make labeling changes. Many of these requests for more 
compliance lead time have been from small manufacturers. In 
consideration of these comments, the EPA is proposing an additional 
nine months of lead time for manufacturers and importers to meet 
requirements. The proposed compliance date is January 1, 1998. The EPA 
requests comment on this new compliance date. Comments in support of 
additional compliance time beyond this date should include detailed 
information about the types of activities and time frames involved in 
meeting requirements specific to a manufacturer's particular product 
lines. In detailing the anticipated timing for compliance with 
requirements in the proposed rule, the option to obtain a variance for 
some product lines should be addressed.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 59

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Architectural 
coatings, Ozone, Volatile organic compound.

    Dated: October 2, 1996.
Richard D. Wilson,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 96-25769 Filed 10-04-96; 8:45 am]
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