[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 231 (Monday, December 4, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57149-57151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25826]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-0563; FRL-9969-16]


Extension of Tolerances for Emergency Exemptions (Multiple 
Chemicals)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation extends time-limited tolerances for the 
pesticides listed in this document. These actions are in response to 
EPA's granting of emergency exemptions under the Federal Insecticide, 
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) authorizing use of these 
pesticides. In addition, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act 
(FFDCA) requires EPA to establish a time-limited tolerance or exemption 
from the requirement for a tolerance for pesticide chemical residues in 
food that will result from the use of a pesticide under an emergency 
exemption granted by EPA.

DATES: This regulation is effective December 4, 2017. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before February 2, 2018, 
and must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 
CFR part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).

ADDRESSES: The docket for this action, identified by docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-0563, is available at 
https://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pesticide Programs 
Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket) in the Environmental Protection 
Agency Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., 
Rm. 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001. The 
Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public 
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPP 
Docket is (703) 305-5805. Please review the visitor instructions and 
additional information about the docket available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael L. Goodis, Registration 
Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; main telephone number: (703) 305-7090; email address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 57150]]

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an 
agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer. 
The following list of North American Industrial Classification System 
(NAICS) codes is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 
guide to help readers determine whether this document applies to them. 
Potentially affected entities may include:
     Crop production (NAICS code 111).
     Animal production (NAICS code 112).
     Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).
     Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).

B. How can I get electronic access to other related information?

    You may access a frequently updated electronic version of 40 CFR 
part 180 through the Government Printing Office's e-CFR site at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40tab_02.tpl. To access the OCSPP test guidelines referenced in this 
document electronically, please go to https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-chemical-safety-and-pollution-prevention-ocspp and select 
``Test Guidelines for Pesticides and Toxic Substances.''

C. How can I file an objection or hearing request?

    Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21 U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an 
objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request a 
hearing on those objections. You must file your objection or request a 
hearing on this regulation in accordance with the instructions provided 
in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify 
docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-0563 in the subject line on the first 
page of your submission. All requests must be in writing, and must be 
received by the Hearing Clerk on or before February 2, 2018. Addresses 
for mail and hand delivery of objections and hearing requests are 
provided in 40 CFR 178.25(b).
    In addition to filing an objection or hearing request with the 
Hearing Clerk as described in 40 CFR part 178, please submit a copy of 
the filing (excluding any Confidential Business Information (CBI)) for 
inclusion in the public docket. Information not marked confidential 
pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA without 
prior notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your objection or hearing 
request, identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-0563, by one of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit 
electronically any information you consider to be CBI or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
     Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket 
Center (EPA/DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 
20460-0001.
     Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand 
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the 
instructions at https://www.epa.gov/dockets/where-send-comments-epa-dockets.
    Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along 
with more information about dockets generally, is available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

II. Background and Statutory Findings

    EPA previously published final rules in the Federal Register for 
each chemical and commodity listed, establishing time-limited 
tolerances under FFDCA section 408, 21 U.S.C. 346a.
    EPA established the tolerances because FFDCA section 408(l)(6) 
requires EPA to establish a time-limited tolerance or exemption from 
the requirement for a tolerance for pesticide chemical residues in food 
that will result from the use of a pesticide under an emergency 
exemption granted by EPA under FIFRA section 18. Such tolerances can be 
established on EPA's own initiative and without providing notice or 
time for public comment.
    EPA received requests to extend the emergency use of these 
chemicals for this year's growing season. After having reviewed these 
submissions, EPA concurs that emergency conditions exist. EPA assessed 
the potential risks presented by residues for each chemical in the 
listed commodities. In doing so, EPA considered the safety standard in 
FFDCA section 408(b)(2), and decided that the necessary tolerance under 
FFDCA section 408(l)(6) would be consistent with the safety standard 
and with FIFRA section 18.
    The data and other relevant material have been evaluated and 
discussed in the final rules originally published to support these 
uses. Based on that data and information considered, the Agency 
reaffirms that extension of these time-limited tolerances will continue 
to meet the requirements of FFDCA section 408(l)(6). Therefore, the 
time-limited tolerances are extended until the date listed. EPA will 
publish a document in the Federal Register to remove the revoked 
tolerances from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Although these 
tolerances will expire and are revoked on the date listed, under FFDCA 
section 408(l)(5), residues of the pesticide not in excess of the 
amounts specified in the tolerance remaining in or on the commodity 
after that date will not be unlawful, provided the residue is present 
as a result of an application or use of a pesticide at a time and in a 
manner that was lawful under FIFRA, the tolerance was in effect at the 
time of the application, and the residue does not exceed the level that 
was authorized by the tolerance. EPA will take action to revoke these 
tolerances earlier if any experience with, scientific data on, or other 
relevant information on this pesticide indicate that the residues are 
not safe.
    Tolerances for the use of the following pesticide chemicals on 
specific commodities are being extended:
    A. Clothianidin. EPA has authorized under FIFRA section 18 the use 
of clothianidin on citrus for control of the Asian citrus psyllid in 
Florida and Texas. This regulation extends a time-limited tolerance for 
residues of the insecticide clothianidin and its metabolites in or on 
Fruit, citrus, group 10-10 at 0.07 ppm for an additional 3-year period. 
This tolerance will expire and is revoked on December 31, 2020. A time-
limited tolerance was originally published in the Federal Register of 
February 25, 2015 (80 FR 10003) (FRL-9919-59).
    B. Sulfoxaflor. EPA has authorized under FIFRA section 18 the use 
of sulfoxaflor on sorghum for control of the sugarcane aphid in several 
states. This regulation extends time-limited tolerances for residues of 
the insecticide sulfoxaflor and its metabolites in or on sorghum, 
forage at 0.4 ppm; sorghum, grain at 0.3 ppm; and sorghum, stover at 
0.9 ppm for an additional 3-year period. The tolerances will expire and 
are revoked on December 31, 2020. Time-limited tolerances were 
originally published in the Federal Register of January 28, 2015 (80 FR 
4512) (FRL-9920-45).

III. International Residue Limits

    In making its tolerance decisions, EPA seeks to harmonize U.S. 
tolerances with international standards whenever possible, consistent 
with U.S. food safety standards and agricultural practices. EPA 
considers the international maximum residue limits (MRLs) established 
by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as

[[Page 57151]]

required by FFDCA section 408(b)(4). The Codex Alimentarius is a joint 
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health 
Organization food standards program, and it is recognized as an 
international food safety standards-setting organization in trade 
agreements to which the United States is a party. EPA may establish a 
tolerance that is different from a Codex MRL; however, FFDCA section 
408(b)(4) requires that EPA explain the reasons for departing from the 
Codex level.
    The Codex has established MRLs for clothianidin in/on citrus fruits 
at 0.07 ppm. These MRLs are the same as the tolerance established for 
clothianidin in/on fruit, citrus, group 10-10 in the United States. The 
Codex has not established any MRLs for sulfoxaflor in/on sorghum 
commodities.

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This action establishes tolerances under FFDCA section 408(d) in 
response to petitions submitted to the Agency. 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). Because this action has been exempted from 
review under Executive Order 12866, this action 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) or Executive Order 13045, entitled ``Protection of 
Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997). This action does not contain any information 
collections subject to OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
(PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), nor does it require any special 
considerations under Executive Order 12898, entitled ``Federal Actions 
to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
Populations'' (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    Since tolerances and exemptions that are established on the basis 
of a petition under FFDCA section 408(d), such as the tolerances in 
this final rule, do not require the issuance of a proposed rule, the 
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.), do not apply.
    This action directly regulates growers, food processors, food 
handlers, and food retailers, not States or tribes, nor does this 
action alter the relationships or distribution of power and 
responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions 
of FFDCA section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency has determined that 
this action will not have a substantial direct effect on States or 
tribal governments, on the relationship between the national government 
and the States or tribal governments, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government or between 
the Federal Government and Indian tribes. Thus, the Agency has 
determined that Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 
43255, August 10, 1999) and Executive Order 13175, entitled 
``Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 
67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply to this action. In addition, this 
action does not impose any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded 
mandate as described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 
(UMRA) (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
    This action does not involve any technical standards that would 
require Agency consideration of voluntary consensus standards pursuant 
to section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).

V. Congressional Review Act

    Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), 
EPA has submitted 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 action is not a ``major rule'' 
as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: October 20, 2017.
Michael L. Goodis,

Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
    Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:

PART 180--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.

0
2. In Sec.  180.586, revise the table in paragraph (b) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  180.586  Clothianidin; tolerances for residues.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Expiration/
                   Commodity                     Parts per    revocation
                                                  million        date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fruit, citrus, group 10-10....................        0.07     12/31/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------


0
3. In Sec.  180.668, revise the table in paragraph (b) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  180. 668  Sulfoxaflor; tolerances for residues.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Expiration/
                   Commodity                      Parts per   revocation
                                                   million       date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorghum, forage................................         0.4     12/31/20
Sorghum, grain.................................         0.3     12/31/20
Sorghum, stover................................         0.9     12/31/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

[FR Doc. 2017-25826 Filed 12-1-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P