[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 95 (Monday, May 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27280-27281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13211]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-00530A; FRL-5791-8]


Clarification of Treated Articles Exemption; Availability of 
Draft PR Notice; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability; Extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On April 17, 1998, EPA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of availability of proposed guidance clarifying the criteria 
that pesticide products must meet to be eligible for the ``treated 
articles exemption.'' This guidance was identified as draft Pesticide 
Registration (PR-X) notice entitled ``Eligibility of Pesticide Products 
For Exemption From Registration as Treated Articles Pursuant to 40 CFR 
152.25(a)'' and is available upon request as indicated below. This 
notice extends to June 30, 1998 the time period in which interested 
parties may submit comments on the proposed guidance. This extension is 
being granted to give all parties an opportunity to respond more fully 
to the proposed clarification of the criteria for exemption.

DATES: Written comments on the proposed PR notice, identified by the 
docket number [OPP-00530], must be received on or before June 30, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments identified by the docket control 
number OPP-00530 by mail to: Public Information and Records Integrity 
Branch, Information Resources and Services Division (7502C), Office of 
Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St. SW., 
Washington, DC 20460. In person, bring comments directly to the OPP 
Docket Office, which is located in Room 119 of Crystal Mall #2, 1921 
Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA. Comments may also be submitted 
electronically by sending electronic mail (e-mail) to: opp-
[email protected]. Follow the instructions as noted below in this 
document. No Confidential Business Information (CBI) should be 
submitted through e-mail.
    Information submitted as a comment concerning this document may be 
claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that information as 
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 that 
does not contain CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public 
record.

[[Page 27281]]

 Information not marked confidential may be disclosed publicly by EPA 
without prior notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Walter Francis, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. Office 
location, telephone number, and e-mail adress: 6E, Crystal Station #1, 
2800 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA, (703) 308-6419, fax: 703-308-4687, 
e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Electronic Availability: Electronic copies of this document and the 
draft PR Notice also are available from the EPA Home page at the 
Federal Register - Environmental Documents entry for this document 
under ``Laws and Regulations'' (http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/).
    For Fax on Demand, use a faxphone to call 202-401-0527 and select 
item (6110) for a copy of this document and the PR Notice.

I. Background

    In the Federal Register of April 17, 1998 (63 FR 19256) (FRL-5780-
7), EPA published a notice of availability of the draft PR Notice 
identified above. The Agency solicited comments on proposed guidance 
clarifying the criteria that pesticide products must meet to be 
eligible for the ``treated articles exemption'' pursuant to 40 CFR 
152.25(a). If, after reviewing any comments, EPA determines that 
changes to the Notice are warranted, the Agency will revise the draft 
PR Notice prior to release.
    Following publication of the April 17, 1998 notice, the National 
Paint and Coatings Association and the Treated Articles Coalition 
requested that EPA extend the comment period on the proposed PR Notice 
to enable these and other groups to more fully discuss these provisions 
and to coordinate data and information solicited from their member 
constituencies. In this fashion, a more comprehensive assessment of the 
potential impacts of this proposal could be determined.
    In order to give all parties an opportunity to respond more fully 
to the proposed PR notice, this notice announces that EPA is extending 
the comment period. The new deadline for receipt of comments is June 
30, 1998. Submit written comments to the address given earlier in this 
document. Submit electronic comments as noted in Unit II. of this 
document.

II. Public Record and Electronic Submissions

    A record has been established for this action under docket number 
``OPP-00530'' (including comments and data submitted electronically as 
described below). A public version of this record, including printed, 
paper versions of electronic comments, which does not include any 
information claimed as CBI, is available for inspection from 8:30 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The public 
record is located in Rm. 119 of the Public Information and Records 
Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division, Office 
of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, Crystal Mall 
#2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA.
    The official record for this action, as well as the public version, 
as described above will be kept in paper form. Accordingly, EPA will 
transfer all comments received electronically into printed, paper form 
as they are received and will place the paper copies in the official 
record which will also include all comments submitted in writing. The 
official record is the paper record maintained at the Virginia address 
in ``ADDRESSES'' at the beginning of this document.
    Electronic comments can be sent directly to EPA at:
    [email protected]


    Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the 
use of special characters and any form or encryption. Comments will 
also be accepted on disks in WordPerfect in 5.1/6.1 file format or 
ASCII file format. All comments and data in electronic form must be 
identified by the docket number ``OPP-00530.'' Electronic comments on 
this document may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Antimicrobial pesticides, Treated 
articles exemption.

    Dated: May 13, 1998.

Stephen L. Johnson,
Acting Director, Office of Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 98-13211 Filed 5-15-98; 8:45 am]
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