[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 10, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27217-27218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4353]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 721

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2005-0015; FRL-8068-8]
RIN 2070-AJ18


Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonates; Proposed Significant New Use Rule; 
Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document extends the public comment period for the 
proposed Significant New Use Rule for certain Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonates 
issued under the authority of section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances 
Control Act (TSCA) that was published in the Federal Register on March 
10, 2006 (71 FR 12311) (FRL-7740-6). On April 10, 2006 (71 FR 18055) 
(FRL-7779-7), EPA extended the end of the public comment period from 
April 10, 2006 to May 10, 2006. In this action, EPA is further 
extending the end of the comment period from May 10, 2006 to August 8, 
2006.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 8, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Follow the detailed instructions as provided under ADDRESSES 
in the Federal Register document of March 10, 2006 (71 FR 12311).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information contact: Colby 
Lintner, Regulatory Coordinator, Environmental Assistance Division 
(7408M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: (202) 554-1404; e-mail address: [email protected].
    For technical information contact: Amy Breedlove, Chemical Control 
Division (7405M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 564-9823; e-mail 
address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

    The Agency included in the proposed rule a list of those who may be 
potentially affected by this action. If you have questions regarding 
the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the 
technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

II. What Action is EPA Taking?

    This document extends the public comment period for the proposed 
SNUR for certain perfluoroalkyl sulfonates issued under the authority 
of section 5(a)(2) of TSCA that was published in the Federal Register 
on March 10, 2006 (71 FR 12311). On April 10, 2006 (71 FR 18055), EPA 
extended the end of the public comment period from April 10, 2006 to 
May 10, 2006. In today's action,

[[Page 27218]]

EPA is further extending the end of the comment period from May 10, 
2006, to August 8, 2006. The Agency is taking this action because EPA 
has received a request from certain stakeholders in the semiconductor 
industry to extend the comment period on the proposed SNUR, citing that 
90 days is the minimum extension period they would require to provide 
EPA with the necessary information it needs to finalize the SNUR. 
Without this extension, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) 
and Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) believe 
they would not have an adequate opportunity to comment on the proposed 
SNUR.

III. 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 promulgating a rule after 
considering all relevant factors, including those listed in TSCA 
section 5(a)(2). These factors include the projected production volume 
of a chemical substance; the extent to which a use changes or increases 
the type, form, magnitude, or duration of exposure to the substance; 
and the reasonably anticipated manner of producing, processing, 
distributing, or disposing of the substance. EPA construes the statute 
to allow consideration of any other relevant factors, in addition to 
those listed in section 5(a)(2). Once EPA determines that a use of a 
chemical substance is a significant new use, and promulgates a SNUR, 
section 5(a)(1)(B) of TSCA requires persons to submit a Significant New 
Use Notice (SNUN) to EPA at least 90 days before they manufacture, 
import, or process the chemical substance for that use.

IV. Do Any Statutory and Executive Order Reviews Apply to this Action?

    No. This action is not a rulemaking, it merely extends the date by 
which public comments on a proposed rule must be submitted to EPA on a 
proposed rule that previously published in the Federal Register of 
March 10, 2006 (71 FR 12311). For information about the applicability 
of the statutory and executive order reviews to the proposed rule, 
please refer to the discussion in Unit XII. of that document (71 FR 
12311).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 721

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


    Dated: May 4, 2006.
Charles M. Auer,
Director, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.

[FR Doc. 06-4353 Filed 5-5-06; 1:01 pm]
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