[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 19, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53579-53580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18372]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2007- 0086; FRL-8147-7]


Implementation of the Emerging Pathogens and Disinfection 
Hierarchy for Antimicrobial Products; Notice of Availability; Reopening 
of Comment Period

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: EPA is reopening the comment period for a notice of 
availability concerning implementation of the emerging pathogens and 
disinfection hierarchy guidance for antimicrobial products published in 
the Federal Register of July 25, 2007. This document reopens the 
comment period for an additional 60 days. The comment period is 
reopened because additional time has been requested by several 
pesticide entities to prepare detailed comments on the planned 
implementation.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 19, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Follow the detailed instructions provided under ADDRESSES in 
the notice of availability published in the Federal Register of July 
25, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Bailey, Antimicrobials Division, 
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 
(703) 308-6212; fax number: (703) 308-

[[Page 53580]]

6467; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    The Agency identified in the notice of availability those who may 
be potentially affected by that action. If you have questions regarding 
the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the 
person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?

    To submit comments, or access the public docket, follow the 
detailed instructions provided in the Unit entitled, ``ADDRESSES'' and 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION of the July 25, 2007 notice of 
availability.

II. What Action is EPA Taking?

    This document reopens the comment period established in a notice 
published in the Federal Register of July 25, 2007 (72 FR 40879) (FRL-
8134-2). In that document, the Agency announced the availability of and 
solicited comments on the pesticide draft science guidance document 
entitled ``Implementation of the Emerging Pathogens and Disinfection 
Hierarchy for Antimicrobial Products.'' The guidance proposes to 
utilize an organism hierarchy to identify effective products for use 
with emerging pathogens and to permit registrants, in accordance with 
EPA regulations, to make limited label statements regarding product 
efficacy against such pathogens. The guidance applies to emerging 
enveloped and non-enveloped viruses and may be implemented after the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified the taxonomic 
genera of the emerging virus. Limitations, label recommendations and 
the process for implementation are discussed in detail in the 
supporting guidance document. The supporting implementation guidance is 
available in the docket at http://www.regulations.gov, document ID No. 
EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0086. EPA is reopening the comment period, which 
expired on August 24, 2007, for an additional 60 days. The new comment 
period ends on November 19, 2007.

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

    Provisions are made in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended, to allow a public comment period. 
However, the Administrator may extend the comment period if additional 
time for comment is requested. In this case, the Innovation Reform 
Group (IRG), the American Chemistry Council Biocides Panel (Panel), and 
the Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) have requested 
additional time to develop comments. The Agency believes that an 
additional 60 days is warranted.

List of Subjects

     Environmental protection, Pesticide and pests, Disinfection 
hierarchy, Emerging pathogens, Antimicrobial products.


    Dated: September 6, 2007.
Frank Sanders,
Director, Antimicrobials Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. E7-18372 Filed 9-18-07; 8:45 am]
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