[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 194 (Friday, October 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50366-50369]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21747]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2017-0586; FRL-9983-38]


A Working Approach for Identifying Potential Candidate Chemicals 
for Prioritization; Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This Notice announces the availability of a document: A 
Working Approach for Identifying Potential Candidate Chemicals for 
Prioritization. The document lays out EPA's near-term approach for 
identifying potential chemicals for prioritization, the initial step in 
evaluating the safety of existing chemicals under the Toxic Substances 
Control Act (TSCA). The document also includes a longer-term risk-based 
approach for considering the larger TSCA active chemical universe. EPA 
is opening a public docket to accept comments on this approach, which 
will inform a public meeting to be held in early 2019. This docket will 
remain open until November 15, 2018. In a related but separate action, 
EPA is opening 74 public dockets, one for each of the 73 remaining 
chemicals on the 2014 Update to the TSCA Work Plan for Chemical 
Assessments that have not received manufacturer requests for EPA 
evaluation and an additional general docket for chemicals not on the 
Work Plan. These dockets will be open until December 1, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    For technical information on A Working Approach for Identifying 
Potential Candidate Chemicals for Prioritization document contact: 
Susanna Blair, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: (202) 564-4371; email address: 
[email protected].
    For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 
422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202) 
554-1404; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 50367]]

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    This action is directed to the public in general, and may be of 
interest to a wide range of stakeholders including chemical 
manufacturers, processors and users, consumer product companies, non-
profit organizations in the environmental and public health sectors, 
state and local government agencies, and members of the public 
interested in the environmental and human health assessment and 
regulation of chemical substances. Since others also may be interested, 
the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that 
may be affected by this action.

B. What action is the Agency taking?

    EPA is taking three actions: Announcing the availability of a 
document, announcing the opening of a docket to accept comments on the 
longer-term strategy described in the document, and announcing the 
opening of chemical-specific public dockets and a general docket to 
collect information on potential candidate chemicals for prioritization 
for risk evaluation under TSCA.
    This Notice announces the availability of a document: A Working 
Approach for Identifying Potential Candidate Chemicals for 
Prioritization. The document lays out EPA's near-term approach for 
identifying potential chemicals for prioritization, the initial step in 
evaluating the safety of existing chemicals under TSCA. The document 
also includes a longer-term approach for considering the larger TSCA 
active chemical universe. The document is available at EPA's website at 
https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/prioritizing-existing-chemicals-risk-evaluation.
    EPA is opening a public docket to accept comments on this longer-
term approach, which will inform a public meeting to be held in early 
2019. This docket, identified by docket ID EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0659, will 
remain open until November 15, 2018.
    In a separate but related action, EPA is opening 74 public dockets, 
one for each of the 73 remaining chemicals on the 2014 Update to the 
TSCA Work Plan for Chemical Assessments that have not received 
manufacturer requests for EPA evaluation and an additional general 
docket for chemicals not on the Work Plan. These dockets will be open 
until December 1, 2019. More details about these dockets is in Unit 
II.B.

C. What is the Agency's authority for this action?

    As amended in June 2016, TSCA requires that EPA prioritize and 
evaluate existing chemical substances and manage identified risks (15 
U.S.C. 2605). This Notice is issued pursuant to the authority in TSCA 
section 6(b), 15 U.S.C. 2605(b).

II. Background

    The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, 
amending the TSCA of 1976, was signed into law on June 22, 2016. The 
amendments required that EPA establish procedures for prioritizing and 
evaluating risks from existing chemical substances. EPA announced its 
final procedures on June 22, 2017 (see https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/federal-register-notice-procedures-prioritization), and the final procedural rule addressing the 
prioritization process published in the Federal Register on July 20, 
2017 (82 FR 33753) (FRL-9964-24).

A. A Working Approach for Identifying Potential Candidate Chemicals for 
Prioritization

    The document described in this Notice lays out EPA's near-term 
approach for identifying potential chemicals for prioritization, the 
initial step in evaluating the safety of existing chemicals under TSCA. 
Building on the Agency's commitment to work with the public to select 
the next chemicals for risk evaluation, this approach reflects public 
input received at a December 2017 meeting (82 FR 51415) (FRL-9970-34) 
and through the public docket for that meeting (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2017-0587). 
By December 2019, EPA must designate at least 20 chemical substances as 
High-Priority for risk evaluation, and 20 chemical substances as Low-
Priority for which risk evaluation is not currently warranted.
    The information set forth in the document, A Working Approach for 
Identifying Potential Candidate Chemicals for Prioritization, describes 
the general approaches EPA may consider for identifying existing 
chemicals as potential candidates for prioritization. The goal of these 
approaches is to identify potential candidates from which EPA will 
select candidates for prioritization, consistent with its regulations 
at 40 CFR 702.5.
    The document describes the near-term approach that EPA anticipates 
using to inform the identification of potential candidates for the 
initial 20 High-Priority and 20 Low-Priority chemical substances that 
must be identified pursuant to TSCA section 6(b)(2)(B). The document 
also presents a longer-term approach that EPA is considering. EPA 
encourages public comments on these approaches and has opened dockets 
to receive public comments.
    The document presents internal guidance for EPA, and neither 
constitutes rulemaking by EPA nor can be relied on to create a 
substantive or procedural right enforceable by any party in litigation 
with the United States. It provides recommendations and does not impose 
any legally binding requirements. Similarly, statements about what EPA 
expects or intends to do reflect general principles to guide EPA's 
activities and not judgments or determinations as to what EPA will do 
in any particular case.

B. Dockets To Collect Information on Potential Candidate Chemicals for 
Prioritization for Risk Evaluation

    As explained in the Procedures for Prioritization of Chemicals for 
Risk Evaluation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act Final rule 
published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2017 (82 FR 33753) (FRL-
9964-24), EPA intends to foster a dialogue with stakeholders by 
publishing a notice explaining why it chose to initiate the 
prioritization process on particular chemical substances and to seek 
relevant information from the public. In support of that intention, EPA 
is opening 74 public dockets, one for each of the 73 remaining 
chemicals on the 2014 Update to the TSCA Work Plan for Chemical 
Assessments that have not received manufacturer requests for EPA 
evaluation and an additional general docket for the public to suggest 
chemicals EPA should prioritize for risk evaluation.
    By providing the public with a venue for submitting use, hazard, 
and exposure information on these chemicals, EPA is facilitating the 
sharing of information by stakeholders and the general public that 
could update the information EPA currently has on the chemicals on the 
2014 Update to the TSCA Work Plan for Chemical Assessments. EPA will 
use this data to inform TSCA prioritization and risk evaluation for 
these chemicals.
    EPA is also opening dockets for input on chemicals not on the 2014 
Update to the TSCA Work Plan for Chemical Assessments. EPA expects that 
the dockets will increase transparency of the process.
    The list of chemical dockets is in this section. Additional 
information, such as the docket numbers for each chemical, the 
chemical's Chemical Abstract

[[Page 50368]]

Services Registry Number, and the EPA points of contact can be found at 
http://www.epa.govADDURLXXX. EPA is opening these dockets to receive 
information from the public. Information should be submitted by 
December 1, 2019. When you submit your information, please identify the 
docket identification (ID) number associated with the relevant 
chemical. Additional instructions on providing information or visiting 
the docket, along with more information about dockets generally, is 
available in each docket and at http://www.epa.gov/dockets. When 
preparing and submitting your information, see the tips at http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets#tips.
    The chemicals as listed on the 2014 Update to the TSCA Work Plan 
for Chemical Assessments and the respective docket numbers are:
     Acetaldehyde (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0497).
     Acrylonitrile (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0449).
     tert-Amyl methyl ether (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0463).
     Antimony and Antimony Compounds (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0470).
     Arsenic and Arsenic Compounds (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0472).
     Barium Carbonate (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0473).
     Benzenamine (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0474).
     Benzene (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0475).
     Bisphenol A (BPA) (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0500).
     1,3-Butadiene (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0451).
     Butanamide, 2,2'-[(3,3'- dichloro[1,1'- biphenyl]- 4,4'-
diyl)bis(azo)]bis[N- (4-chloro-2,5 dimethoxyphenyl)-3-oxo- (Pigment 
Yellow 83) (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0477).
     Butanamide, 2-[(4- methoxy-2-nitrophenyl) azo]-N-(2- 
methoxyphenyl)-3-oxo- (Pigment Yellow 65) (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0478).
     Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) 1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic 
acid, 1- butyl 2(phenylmethyl) ester (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0501).
     4-sec-Butyl-2,6-di-tert- butylphenol (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-
0495).
     Cadmium and Cadmium Compounds (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0479).
     Chromium and Chromium Compounds (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0480).
     Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0481).
     Creosotes (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0502).
     Cyanide Compounds (Limited to dissociable compounds) (EPA-
HQ-OPPT-2018-0482).
     Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic acid, 
1,2- dibutyl ester) (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0503).
     o-Dichlorobenzene (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0444).
     p-Dichlorobenzene (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0446).
     3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0494).
     3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine dihydrochloride (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-
0493).
     1,1-Dichloroethane (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0426).
     1,2-Dichloroethane (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0427).
     trans-1,2- Dichloroethylene (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0465).
     1,2-Dichloropropane (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0428).
     Dicyclohexyl phthalate (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0504).
     Di-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) (1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic 
acid, 1,2- bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0433).
     Di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP) (1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic 
acid, 1,2- bis-(2methylpropyl) ester) (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0434).
     Di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP) (1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic 
acid, 1,2- diisodecyl ester) (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0435).
     Di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) (1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic 
acid, 1,2- diisononyl ester) (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0436).
     1,2-Dimethoxyethane (Monoglyme) (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0429).
     2-Dimethylaminoethanol (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0489).
     Di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) (1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic 
acid, 1,2- dioctyl ester) (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0437).
     Ethanone, 1- (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8- octahydro-2,3,5,5- 
tetramethyl-2- naphthalenyl)- (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0483).
     Ethanone, 1- (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8- octahydro-2,3,8,8- 
tetramethyl-2- naphthalenyl)- (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0484).
     Ethanone, 1- (1,2,3,4,6,7,8,8a-octahydro- 2,3,8,8- 
tetramethyl-2- naphthalenyl)- (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0485).
     Ethanone, 1- (1,2,3,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro- 2,3,8,8- 
tetramethyl-2- naphthalenyl)- (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0486).
     Ethylbenzene (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0487).
     Ethylene dibromide (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0488).
     bis(2-Ethylhexyl) adipate (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0499).
     2-Ethylhexyl 2,3,4,5- tetrabromobenzoate (TBB) (EPA-HQ-
OPPT-2018-0491).
     bis(2-Ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromophthalate (TBPH) (EPA-
HQ-OPPT-2018-0498).
     Formaldehyde (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0438).
     2,5-Furandione (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0471).
     1-Hexadecanol (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0469).
     1,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8- hexamethylcyclopenta 
[g]-2-benzopyran (HHCB) (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0430).
     2-Hydroxy-4-(octyloxy) benzophenone (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-
0492).
     Lead and Lead Compounds (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0452).
     Long-chain chlorinated paraffins (C18-20) (EPA-HQ-OPPT-
2018-0439).
     Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (C14-17) (EPA-HQ-OPPT-
2018-0440).
     4,4'-Methylene bis(2- chloroaniline) (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-
0464).
     4,4'-(1-Methylethylidene)bis[2, 6-dibromophenol] (TBBPA) 
(EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0462).
     Molybdenum and Molybdenum Compounds (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-
0453).
     Naphthalene (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0454).
     2- Naphthalenecarboxylic acid, 4-[(4-chloro-5- methyl-2-
sulfophenyl) azo]-3-hydroxy-, calcium salt (1:1) (Pigment Red 52) (EPA-
HQ-OPPT-2018-0460).
     Nickel and Nickel Compounds (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0455).
     N-Nitroso- diphenylamine (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0456).
     Nonylphenol and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NP/NPEs) (EPA-HQ-
OPPT-2018-0442).
     Octamethylcyclotetra- siloxane (D4) (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-
0443).
     4-tert-Octylphenol (4-(1,1,3,3-Tetramethylbutyl)- phenol) 
(EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0496).
     p,p'- Oxybis(benzenesulfonyl hydrazide) (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-
0457).
     Phosphoric acid, triphenyl ester (TPP) (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-
0458).
     Phthalic anhydride (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0459).
     Styrene (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0461).
     Tribromomethane (Bromoform) (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0466).
     1,1,2-Trichloroethane (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0421).
     Triglycidyl isocyanurate (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0467).
     Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-
0476).

[[Page 50369]]

     Vinyl chloride (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0448).
     m-Xylene (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0441).
     o-Xylene (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0445).
     p-Xylene (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0447).
    In addition, EPA is interested in the public's input on chemicals 
not on the 2014 Update to the TSCA Work Plan for Chemical Assessments 
for consideration as potential candidates for prioritization under 
TSCA. EPA welcomes the submittal of information to the docket that 
would support the consideration of the chemicals suggested, such as 
information on use, hazard, and exposure. EPA is opening docket number 
EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0592 for this purpose.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.

    Dated: September 27, 2018.
Jeffery T. Morris,
Director, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.
[FR Doc. 2018-21747 Filed 10-4-18; 8:45 am]
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