[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 200 (Friday, October 16, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55547-55548]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27840]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 745

[OPPTS-62158B; FRL-6040-1]
RIN 2070-AD11


Lead; Fees for Accreditation of Training Programs and 
Certification of Lead-based Paint Activities Contractors; Withdrawal of 
Final Rule

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: Due to receipt of adverse comments, EPA is withdrawing a final 
rule published in the Federal Register of September 2, 1998, that would 
have established fees for accreditation of training programs and 
certification of lead-based paint activities contractors under the 
authority of section 402(a)(3) of the Toxics Substances Control Act.

DATES: The final rule published September 2, 1998 (63 FR 46668) is 
withdrawn as of October 16, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Wilson, National Program 
Chemicals Division (Mail Code 7404), Environmental Protection Agency, 
401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 260-4664; 
fax number: (202) 260-0770 or by e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    In the Federal Register of September 2, 1998 (63 FR 46668) (FRL-
6017-8), EPA issued a final rule under Title IV of the Toxic Substances 
Control Act (TSCA) (15 U.S.C. 2683, 2682, and 2684). Section 402(a)(3) 
of TSCA directs EPA to promulgate regulations which establish fees to 
recover for the U.S. Treasury the Agency's cost of administering and 
enforcing the standards and requirements applicable to lead-based paint 
training programs and contractors engaged in lead-based paint 
activities.
    EPA published the action as a final rule without prior notice and

[[Page 55548]]

opportunity to comment because the Agency believed that providing 
notice and an opportunity to comment was unnecessary and contrary to 
the public interest. Therefore, the Agency applied the ``good cause'' 
exemption in the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(3)(B) that allows agencies in limited circumstances to issue 
final rules without first providing notice and an opportunity for 
comment. While not required to do so under the APA, EPA delayed the 
effective date until October 19, 1998, providing a 30-day public 
comment period. EPA stated that if significant adverse comment was 
received, the Agency would withdraw the rule prior to the effective 
date and the comments would be addressed in a subsequent final rule. 
EPA simultaneously issued a companion proposed rule in the Federal 
Register (63 FR 46734) (FRL-6017-7) to ensure that the public was aware 
of its opportunity to comment, and to provide the APA-required proposal 
in the event that significant adverse comment was received and issuance 
of a subsequent final rule was necessary.
    The comment period ended on October 2, 1998. The Agency has 
determined that significant adverse comments were received and is today 
issuing a withdrawal of the final rule. A subsequent final rule will be 
issued prior to February 28, 1999, which will address comments received 
during the comment period. EPA will not institute a second comment 
period for this action.

II. Regulatory Assessment Requirements

A. Certain Acts and Executive Orders

    This action does not impose any requirements. As such, this action 
does not require review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
under Executive Order 12866, entitled ``Regulatory Planning and 
Review'' (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), the Paperwork Reduction Act 
(PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., or Executive Order 13045, entitled 
``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997). For the same reason, it does not 
require any action under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 
of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. L. 104-4), or Executive Order 12898, entitled 
``Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority 
Populations and Low-Income Populations'' (59 FR 7629, February 16, 
1994). In addition, since this type of action does not require any 
proposal, no action is needed under the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
(RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).

B. Executive Order 12875

    Under Executive Order 12875, entitled ``Enhancing Intergovernmental 
Partnerships'' (58 FR 58093, October 28, 1993), EPA may not issue a 
regulation that is not required by statute and that creates a mandate 
upon a State, local or tribal government, unless the Federal government 
provides the funds necessary to pay the direct compliance costs 
incurred by those governments. If the mandate is unfunded, EPA must 
provide to OMB a description of the extent of EPA's prior consultation 
with representatives of affected State, local and Tribal governments, 
the nature of their concerns, copies of any written communications from 
the governments, and a statement supporting the need to issue the 
regulation. In addition, Executive Order 12875 requires EPA to develop 
an effective process permitting elected officials and other 
representatives of State, local and Tribal governments ``to provide 
meaningful and timely input in the development of regulatory proposals 
containing significant unfunded mandates.''
    Today's action does not create an unfunded Federal mandate on 
State, local or Tribal governments. The action does not impose any 
enforceable duties on these entities. Accordingly, the requirements of 
section 1(a) of Executive Order 12875 do not apply to this action.

C. Executive Order 13084

    Under Executive Order 13084, entitled ``Consultation and 
Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' (63 FR 27655, May 19, 
1998), EPA may not issue a regulation that is not required by statute, 
that significantly or uniquely affects the communities of Indian tribal 
governments, and that imposes substantial direct compliance costs on 
those communities, unless the Federal government provides the funds 
necessary to pay the direct compliance costs incurred by the Tribal 
governments. If the mandate is unfunded, EPA must provide OMB, in a 
separately identified section of the preamble to the rule, a 
description of the extent of EPA's prior consultation with 
representatives of affected Tribal governments, a summary of the nature 
of their concerns, and a statement supporting the need to issue the 
regulation. In addition, Executive Order 13084 requires EPA to develop 
an effective process permitting elected and other representatives of 
Indian tribal governments ``to provide meaningful and timely input in 
the development of regulatory policies on matters that significantly or 
uniquely affect their communities.''
    Today's action does not significantly or uniquely affect the 
communities of Indian tribal governments. This action does not involve 
or impose any requirements that affect Indian Tribes. Accordingly, the 
requirements of section 3(b) of Executive Order 13084 do not apply to 
this action.

III. Submission to Congress and the Comptroller General

    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other 
required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. This rule is not a 
``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 745

    Environmental protection, Hazardous substances, Lead-based paint, 
Lead poisoning, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: October 13, 1998.
Susan A. Wayland,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic 
Substances.
[FR Doc. 98-27840 Filed 10-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F