[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 188 (Friday, September 27, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60991-60993]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-24654]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 721

[OPPT-2002-0030; FRL-7186-9]
RIN 2070-AB27


Revocation of Significant New Uses of Certain Chemical Substances

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: EPA is revoking significant new use rules (SNURs) for eight 
substances promulgated under section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances 
Control Act (TSCA) based on new data. Based on the new data the Agency 
no longer finds that activities not described in the corresponding TSCA 
section 5(e) consent orders for these chemical substances may result in 
significant changes in human or environmental exposure.

DATES: This final rule is effective on November 26, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information contact: 
Barbara Cunningham, Acting Director, Environmental Assistance Division 
(7408M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone number: (202) 554-1404; e-mail address: [email protected].
    For technical information contact: James Alwood, Chemical Control 
Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (7405M), 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564-8974; e-mail address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you manufacture, 
import, process, or use the chemical substances contained in this 
revocation. Potentially affected categories and entities may include, 
but are not limited to:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Examples of
           Categories                 NAICS codes         potentially
                                                       affected entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chemical manufacturers            325                 Manufacturers,
                                                       importers,
                                                       processors, and
                                                       users of
                                                       chemicals

[[Page 60992]]

 
Petroleum and coal product        324                 Manufacturers,
 industries                                            importers,
                                                       processors, and
                                                       users of
                                                       chemicals
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides 
a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this 
action. Other types of entities not listed in the table in this unit 
could also be affected. The North American Industrial Classification 
System (NAICS) codes have been provided to assist you and others in 
determining whether or not this action applies to certain entities. To 
determine whether you or your business is affected by this action, you 
should carefully examine the applicability provisions in title 40 of 
the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR 721.5. If you have any 
questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular 
entity, consult the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of this 
Document or Other Related Documents?

    1. Electronically. You may obtain electronic copies of this 
document, and certain other related documents that might be available 
electronically, from the EPA Internet Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/. 
To access this document, on the Home Page select ``Laws and 
Regulations,'' ``Regulations and Proposed Rules,'' and then look up the 
entry for this document under the ``Federal Register--Environmental 
Documents.'' You can also go directly to the Federal Register listings 
at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. A frequently updated electronic 
version of 40 CFR part 721 is available at http://www.access.gpo.gov/ 
nara/cfr/cfrhtml--00/Title--40/40cfr721--00.html, a beta site currently 
under development.
    2. In person. The Agency has established an official record for 
this action under docket ID number OPPT-2002-0030. The official record 
consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any 
public comments received during an applicable comment period, and other 
information related to this action, including any information claimed 
as Confidential Business Information (CBI). This official record 
includes the documents that are physically located in the docket, as 
well as the documents that are referenced in those documents. The 
public version of the official record does not include any information 
claimed as CBI. The public version of the official record, which 
includes printed, paper versions of any electronic comments submitted 
during an applicable comment period, is available for inspection in the 
EPA Docket Center, Rm. B102-Reading Room, EPA West, 1301 Constitution 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center is open from 8:30 a.m. 
to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The EPA 
Docket Center Reading Room telephone number is (202) 566-1744 and the 
telephone number for the OPPT Docket, which is located in EPA Docket 
Center, is (202) 566-0280.

II. Background

A. What Action is the Agency Taking?

    The Agency proposed the revocation of these SNURs in the Federal 
Register of March 20, 2002 (67 FR 12950) (FRL-6820-7). The background 
and reasons for the revocation of each individual SNUR are set forth in 
the preamble to the proposed revocation. The comment period closed on 
April 19, 2002. EPA received three comments supporting the revocation 
of the SNURs. Therefore, EPA is revoking these rules.

B. What is the Agency's Authority for Taking this Action?

    Section 5(a)(2) of TSCA (15 U.S.C. 2604(a)(2)) authorizes EPA to 
determine that a use of a chemical substance is a ``significant new 
use.'' EPA must make this determination by rule after considering all 
relevant factors, including those listed in section 5(a)(2) of TSCA. 
Once EPA determines that a use of a chemical substance is a significant 
new use, section 5(a)(1)(B) of TSCA requires persons to submit a notice 
to EPA at least 90 days before they manufacture, import, or process the 
substance for that use. The mechanism for reporting under this 
requirement is established under 40 CFR 721.5.
    During review of the PMNs submitted for the chemical substances 
that are the subject of this revocation, EPA concluded that regulation 
was warranted based on available information that indicated activities 
not described in the TSCA section 5(e) consent order or the PMN might 
result in significant changes in human or environmental exposure as 
described in section 5(a)(2) of TSCA. Based on these findings, SNURs 
were promulgated.
    EPA has revoked the TSCA section 5(e) consent orders that are the 
basis for these SNURs and no longer finds that activities other than 
those described in the TSCA section 5(e) consent orders may result in 
significant changes in human or environmental exposure. The revocation 
of SNUR provisions for these substances is consistent with the findings 
set forth in the preamble to the proposed revocation of each individual 
SNUR.
    Therefore, EPA is revoking the SNUR provisions for these chemical 
substances and will no longer require notice of intent to manufacture, 
import, or process these substances. In addition, export notification 
under section 12(b) of TSCA will no longer be required.

III. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This rule revokes or eliminates an existing regulatory requirement 
and does not contain any new or amended requirements. As such, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted these types of 
actions from review under Executive Order 12866, entitled Regulatory 
Planning and Review (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993).
    Since this rule does not impose any requirements, it does not 
contain any information collections subject to approval under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
    Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) 
(5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Agency has determined that SNUR 
revocations, which eliminate requirements without imposing any new ones 
have no adverse economic impacts.
    Since this rule does not impose any requirements it does not 
require any other action under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. L. 104-4).
    This action will not have a substantial direct effect on States, on 
the relationship between the national government and the States, or on 
the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels 
of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132, entitled 
Federalism (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999).
    This rule does not have tribal implications because it is not 
expected to have substantial direct effects on Indian Tribes. This does 
not significantly or uniquely affect the communities of Indian tribal 
governments, nor does it involve or impose any requirements that affect 
Indian Tribes. Accordingly, the requirements of Executive Order 13175 
entitled Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments 
(65 FR 67249, November 6, 2000), do not apply to this rule.

[[Page 60993]]

    This action is not subject to Executive Order 13045, entitled 
Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks 
(62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), because this is not an economically 
significant regulatory action as defined by Executive Order 12866, and 
this action does not address environmental health or safety risks 
disproportionately affecting children.
    This rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, entitled Actions 
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001), because this action 
is not expected to affect energy supply, distribution, or use.
    In addition, since this action does not involve any technical 
standards, section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and 
Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 
U.S.C. 272 note), does not apply to this action.
    This action does not involve special considerations of 
environmental justice related issues as required by Executive Order 
12898, entitled Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in 
Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations (59 FR 7629, February 
16, 1994).
    EPA has complied with Executive Order 12630, entitled Governmental 
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property 
Rights (53 FR 8859, March 15, 1988), by examining the takings 
implications of this rule in accordance with the ``Attorney General's 
Supplemental Guidelines for the Evaluation of Risk and Avoidance of 
Unanticipated Takings'' issued under the Executive Order.
    In issuing this rule, EPA has taken the necessary steps to 
eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity, minimize potential litigation, 
and provide a clear legal standard for affected conduct, as required by 
section 3 of Executive Order 12988, entitled Civil Justice Reform (61 
FR 4729, February 7, 1996).

IV. 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 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 721

    Environmental protection, Chemicals, Hazardous substances, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.


    Dated: September 5, 2002.
Charles M. Auer,
Director, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.

    Therefore, 40 CFR part 721 is amended as follows:

PART 721--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 721 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2604, 2607, and 2625(c).


Sec. Sec.  721.3628, 721.5300, and 721.8170  [Removed]

    2. By removing Sec. Sec.  721.3628, 721.5300, and 721.8170.

[FR Doc. 02-24654 Filed 9-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S