[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 183 (Friday, September 24, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53004-53009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20743]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2020-0009; FRL-8785-01-OCSPP]


Metalaxyl; Pesticide Tolerances

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of 
metalaxyl in or on black pepper. American Spice Trade Association 
requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 
Act (FFDCA).

DATES: This regulation is effective September 24, 2021. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before November 23, 2021, 
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-2020-0009, is available at http://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.
    Due to the public health concerns related to COVID-19, the EPA 
Docket Center (EPA/DC) and Reading Room is closed to visitors with 
limited exceptions. The staff continues to provide remote customer 
service via email, phone, and webform. For the latest status 
information on EPA/DC services and docket access, visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marietta Echeverria, 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:

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 EPA's 
tolerance regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through the Government 
Publishing Office's e-CFR site at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40tab_02.tpl.

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-2020-0009 in the subject line on the first 
page of your submission. All objections and requests for a hearing must 
be in writing and must be received by the Hearing Clerk on or before 
November 23, 2021. Addresses for mail and hand delivery of objections 
and hearing requests are provided in 40 CFR 178.25(b), although at this 
time, EPA strongly encourages those interested in submitting objections 
or a hearing request, to submit objections and hearing requests 
electronically. See Order Urging Electronic Service and Filing (April 
10, 2020), https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-05/documents/2020-04-10_-_order_urging_electronic_service_and_filing.pdf. 
At this time, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the judges and staff of 
the Office of Administrative Law Judges are working remotely and not 
able to accept filings or correspondence by courier, personal deliver, 
or commercial delivery, and the ability to receive filings or 
correspondence by U.S. Mail is similarly limited. When submitting 
documents to the U.S. EPA Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ), a 
person should utilize the OALJ e-filing system, at https://yosemite.epa.gov/OA/EAB/EAB-ALJ_upload.nsf.
    Although EPA's regulations require submission via U.S. Mail or hand 
deliver, EPA intends to treat submissions filed via electronic means as 
properly filed submissions during this time that the Agency continues 
to maximize telework due to the pandemic; therefore, EPA believes the 
preference for submission via electronic means will not be prejudicial. 
If it is impossible for a person to submit documents electronically or 
receive service electronically, e.g., the person does not have any 
access to a computer, the person shall so advise OALJ by contacting the 
Hearing Clerk at (202) 564-6281. If a person is without access to a 
computer and must file documents by U.S. Mail, the person shall notify 
the Hearing Clerk every time it files a document in such a manner. The 
address for mailing documents is U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
Office of Administrative Law Judges,

[[Page 53005]]

Mail Code 1900R, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460.
    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-2020-0009, by one of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://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 http://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html. Additional 
instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more 
information about dockets generally, is available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

II. Summary of Petitioned-For Tolerance

    In the Federal Register of May 29, 2020 (85 FR 32338) (FRL-10009-
84), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP 
9E8811) by American Spice Trade Association, 1101 17th Street NW, Suite 
700, Washington, DC 20036. The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.408 
be amended by establishing tolerances for residues of the fungicide 
metalaxyl, methyl N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-(methoxyacetyl)-DL-
alaninate, in or on pepper, black at 1 part per million (ppm). That 
document referenced a summary of the petition prepared by American 
Spice Trade Association, the registrant, which is available in the 
docket, http://www.regulations.gov. Comments were received on the 
notice of filing. EPA's response to these comments is discussed in Unit 
IV.C. Based upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA has 
modified the tolerance levels on black pepper. The reason for these 
changes is explained in Unit IV.D.

III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety

    FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) allows EPA to establish a tolerance 
(the legal limit for a pesticide chemical residue in or on a food) only 
if EPA determines that the tolerance is ``safe.'' Section 
408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA defines ``safe'' to mean that ``there is a 
reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure 
to the pesticide chemical residue, including all anticipated dietary 
exposures and all other exposures for which there is reliable 
information.'' This includes exposure through drinking water and in 
residential settings but does not include occupational exposure. 
Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to give special 
consideration to exposure of infants and children to the pesticide 
chemical residue in establishing a tolerance and to ``ensure that there 
is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to infants and 
children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue. . . 
.''
    Consistent with FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), and the factors 
specified in FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has reviewed the available 
scientific data and other relevant information in support of this 
action. EPA has sufficient data to assess the hazards of and to make a 
determination on aggregate exposure for metalaxyl including exposure 
resulting from the tolerances established by this action. EPA's 
assessment of exposures and risks associated with metalaxyl follows.

A. Toxicological Profile

    EPA has evaluated the available toxicity data and considered its 
validity, completeness, and reliability as well as the relationship of 
the results of the studies to human risk. EPA has also considered 
available information concerning the variability of the sensitivities 
of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including infants and 
children. EPA conducted a human health risk assessment to evaluate the 
safety of the requested tolerances and the assessment ``Metalaxyl Human 
Health Risk Assessment for the Proposed Tolerances in/on White and 
Black Pepper without a U.S. Registration'' is found in docket ID number 
EPA-HQ-OPP-2020-0009 at www.regulations.gov. In that document, EPA 
evaluated the available hazard and exposure data to conduct dietary, 
residential, and aggregate assessment to determine risk to human health 
and refers back to the full discussions of the hazard profile, residue 
chemistry database, and residential exposures contained in the previous 
human health risk assessment conducted for the registration review of 
metalaxyl/mefenoxam. The human health risk assessment ``Metalaxyl, 
Mefenoxam (metalaxyl-m) Human Health Draft Risk Assessment for 
Registration Review'' is located in docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0863-0023.
    The Draft Risk Assessment reflects both mefenoxam and metalaxyl. 
The Agency compared the available chemistry and toxicity data for 
mefenoxam and metalaxyl and concluded that the toxicity studies for 
both chemicals can be combined for hazard characterization and dose-
response assessment because the two chemicals have similar toxicity and 
identical chemical structures.
    In rat and dog repeat dose (i.e., subchronic and chronic) oral 
toxicity studies, there were no indications of adverse effects up to 
the highest dose tested (HDT). Adverse effects (i.e., convulsions that 
occurred minutes after dosing) were only observed from acute exposure 
to rats.
    There was no evidence of increased susceptibility following pre- or 
post-natal exposure in the prenatal developmental toxicity studies or 
the reproduction and fertility effects study in the animals treated 
with metalaxyl. In the rat developmental toxicity study of metalaxyl, 
maternal toxicity consisted of dose-related increased incidence of 
convulsions that occurred shortly after dosing, as well as other 
clinical signs. In a range-finding acute neurotoxicity study of 
mefenoxam, females showed abnormal functional observation battery 
findings at doses lower than males, but higher than in the rat 
developmental study. However, there was no indication of toxicity up to 
the HDT in the mefenoxam subchronic neurotoxicity study, which confirms 
the lack of adverse effects observed in all other repeat-dose studies.
    There was no indication of immunotoxicity in a mouse immunotoxicity 
study of mefenoxam.
    Metalaxyl is classified as ``Not Likely to be Carcinogenic to 
Humans'' based on the lack of evidence of carcinogenicity in the 
metalaxyl carcinogenicity study in mice and the combined chronic 
toxicity and carcinogenicity study in rats.

B. Toxicological Points of Departure/Levels of Concern

    Once a pesticide's toxicological profile is determined, EPA 
identifies toxicological points of departure (POD) and levels of 
concern to use in evaluating the risk posed by human exposure to the 
pesticide. For hazards

[[Page 53006]]

that have a threshold below which there is no appreciable risk, the 
toxicological POD is used as the basis for derivation of reference 
values for risk assessment. PODs are developed based on a careful 
analysis of the doses in each toxicological study to determine the dose 
at which no adverse effects are observed (the NOAEL) and the lowest 
dose at which adverse effects of concern are identified (the LOAEL). 
Uncertainty/safety factors are used in conjunction with the POD to 
calculate a safe exposure level--generally referred to as a population-
adjusted dose (PAD) or a reference dose (RfD)--and a safe margin of 
exposure (MOE). For non-threshold risks, the Agency assumes that any 
amount of exposure will lead to some degree of risk. Thus, the Agency 
estimates risk in terms of the probability of an occurrence of the 
adverse effect expected in a lifetime. For more information on the 
general principles EPA uses in risk characterization and a complete 
description of the risk assessment process, see http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/riskassess.htm.
    A summary of the toxicological endpoints for metalaxyl used for the 
human health risk assessment is shown in the Metalaxyl Human Health 
Risk Assessment for the Proposed Tolerances in/on White and Black 
Pepper without a U.S. Registration, and further explanation can be 
found in ``Metalaxyl, Mefenoxam (metalaxyl-m) Human Health Draft Risk 
Assessment for Registration Review''.

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary 
exposure to metalaxyl, EPA considered exposure under the existing 
tolerances for mefenoxam and the existing and petitioned-for tolerances 
for metalaxyl. EPA assessed dietary exposures in food as follows:
    i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute dietary exposure and risk 
assessments are performed for a food-use pesticide if a toxicological 
study has indicated the possibility of an effect of concern occurring 
as a result of a 1-day or single exposure.
    In conducting acute dietary exposure assessment, EPA used the 2003-
2008 food consumption data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, What We Eat in 
America (NHANES/WWEIA). A partially refined acute dietary exposure 
assessment was conducted for metalaxyl. The refinement was based on a 
tolerance level adjustment to account for all residues of concern and 
anticipated residues were used for livestock commodities. The analysis 
used tolerance-level residues, adjusted to include additional residues 
of concern, and 100 percent crop treated (PCT).
    ii. Chronic exposure. Because no chronic dietary endpoint was 
selected, a chronic dietary exposure assessment was not conducted. 
Nevertheless, for purposes of assessing short-term aggregate risk, EPA 
calculated average dietary exposures. In conducting the chronic dietary 
exposure assessment, EPA used tolerance level values adjusted for 
additional residues of concern and 100 PCT.
    iii. Cancer. Metalaxyl is classified as ``Not Likely to Be 
Carcinogenic to Humans'' therefore, a cancer assessment is not needed.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. Drinking water exposures 
are not impacted by the import tolerances on black pepper; therefore, 
the assessment for this tolerance action relied on the second 
refinement for the drinking water exposure assessment (DWA) for 
metalaxyl and mefenoxam, in support of the Agency human health 
assessment for Registration Review for the estimated drinking water 
concentrations (EDWCs). See ``Metalaxyl/Mefenoxam: Second Refinement 
Addendum to Drinking Water Exposure Assessment in Support of 
Registration Review'', which is located at https://www.regulations.gov 
in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0863.
    That assessment modeled drinking water exposures using the 
Pesticide Root Zone Model (PRZM, v5, November 15, 2006) and the 
Variable Volume Water Body Model (VVWM, March 6, 2014) for surface 
water and the PRZM-GW for groundwater. Using those models, EPA 
calculated the following EDWCs for use in exposure assessment: 350 ppb 
for acute exposure assessment and 135 ppb for chronic exposure 
assessment.
    3. Non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is used 
in this document to refer to non-occupational, non-dietary exposure 
(e.g., for lawn and garden pest control, indoor pest control, 
termiticides, and flea and tick control on pets).
    Mefenoxam and metalaxyl are currently registered for the following 
uses that could result in residential exposures: Lawns, ornamentals, 
gardens, and trees. EPA assessed residential exposure using the 
following assumptions: For residential handlers, all registered 
metalaxyl and mefenoxam product labels with residential use sites 
(lawns, ornamentals and garden and trees) require that handlers wear 
specific clothing (e.g., long-sleeve shirt/long pants) and chemical-
resistant gloves. Therefore, EPA has made the assumption that these 
products are not for homeowner use and has not conducted a quantitative 
residential handler assessment.
    There is potential for residential post-application exposures to 
metalaxyl. Since no dermal endpoints were identified, only incidental 
oral post-application exposures to small children ages 1 to <2 have 
been assessed. Metalaxyl and mefenoxam are registered for use on home 
lawns; therefore, there is the potential for incidental oral exposure 
(hand-to-mouth, object-to-mouth, soil ingestion and granular 
ingestion).
    The recommended residential exposure for use in the children 1 to 
<2 years old aggregate assessment reflects hand-to-mouth incidental 
oral exposures from treated turf using a liquid formulation. Ingestion 
of granules is considered an episodic event and not a routine behavior. 
Because the Agency does not believe that this would occur on a regular 
basis, the concern for human health is related to acute poisoning 
rather than short-term residue exposure. Therefore, an acute dietary 
dose is used to estimate exposure and risk resulting from episodic 
ingestion of granules. For these same reasons, the episodic ingestion 
scenario was not included in the aggregate assessment.
    A summary of the residential exposures for metalaxyl used for the 
human health risk assessment can be found in ``Metalaxyl, Mefenoxam 
(metalaxyl-m) Human Health Draft Risk Assessment for Registration 
Review'' docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0863-0023.
    Further information regarding EPA standard assumptions and generic 
inputs for residential exposures may be found at http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/standard-operating-procedures-residential-pesticide.
    4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of 
toxicity. FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) requires that, when considering 
whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the Agency 
consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative effects of 
a particular pesticide's residues and ``other substances that have a 
common mechanism of toxicity.''
    Unlike other pesticides for which EPA has followed a cumulative 
risk approach based on a common mechanism of toxicity, EPA has not made 
a common mechanism of toxicity finding as to mefenoxam and any other 
substances and mefenoxam does not appear to produce a toxic metabolite 
produced by

[[Page 53007]]

other substances. For the purposes of this action, therefore, EPA has 
not assumed that mefenoxam has a common mechanism of toxicity with 
other substances.

D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children

    1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA provides that EPA 
shall apply an additional tenfold (10X) margin of safety for infants 
and children in the case of threshold effects to account for prenatal 
and postnatal toxicity and the completeness of the database on toxicity 
and exposure unless EPA determines based on reliable data that a 
different margin of safety will be safe for infants and children. This 
additional margin of safety is commonly referred to as the FQPA Safety 
Factor (SF). In applying this provision, EPA either retains the default 
value of 10X, or uses a different additional safety factor when 
reliable data available to EPA support the choice of a different 
factor.
    2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. There was no evidence of 
increased susceptibility in offspring in the prenatal developmental or 
the 2-generation reproductive toxicity studies. In adult rats treated 
with metalaxyl or mefenoxam, clinical signs and abnormal functional 
observation battery (FOB) findings were noted after a bolus gavage dose 
but not in repeated dose studies.
    3. Conclusion. EPA has determined that reliable data show the 
safety of infants and children would be adequately protected if the 
FQPA SF were reduced to 1X. That decision is based on the following 
findings:
    i. The toxicity databases for metalaxyl and mefenoxam are adequate 
to assess the potential for prenatal and postnatal toxicity for infants 
and children.
    ii. In the rat prenatal developmental toxicity with metalaxyl, 
maternal animals exhibited clinical signs indicative of neurobehavioral 
effects as previously discussed. In the range-finding acute 
neurotoxicity study with mefenoxam, females exhibited abnormal FOB 
findings at doses lower than in males. In the subchronic neurotoxicity 
study with mefenoxam, there were no indications of neurotoxicity up to 
the HDT. In metalaxyl and mefenoxam treated adult animals, clinical 
signs and abnormal FOB findings were noted. However, a developmental 
neurotoxicity (DNT) study is not required for metalaxyl or mefenoxam 
because (1) there are no indications of increased susceptibility for 
infants or children; (2) the convulsions observed in the rat prenatal 
developmental toxicity study occurred in the maternal animals with no 
effects being observed in the young; (3) the convulsions occurred only 
after a bolus dose; (4) the available developmental and range-finding 
acute neurotoxicity studies provided clear NOAELs and LOAELs for 
evaluating effects; (5) the current POD is below the level at which any 
effects were seen in either study, and (6) there were no other 
indications of neurotoxicity in the mefenoxam or metalaxyl databases, 
which include a subchronic (adult rat) neurotoxicity study for 
mefenoxam. Therefore, there is no need for a developmental 
neurotoxicity study or additional UFs to account for neurotoxicity. See 
``Metalaxyl, Mefenoxam (metalaxyl-m) Human Health Draft Risk Assessment 
for Registration Review'' docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0863-0023.
    iii. As discussed above in Unit III.D.2., there is no evidence that 
metalaxyl results in increased susceptibility in the developmental or 
reproductive toxicity studies; and
    iv. There are no residual uncertainties in the exposure database. 
Dietary exposure analysis was performed incorporating all existing and 
proposed uses using tolerance level values to estimate residues in food 
commodities and anticipated residues in livestock commodities. Drinking 
water estimates were generated based upon conservative inputs and 
modeling. Similarly, potential residential post application exposures 
are based upon conservative, default assumptions. EPA made conservative 
(protective) assumptions in the ground and surface water modeling used 
to assess exposure to metalaxyl in drinking water. EPA used similarly 
conservative assumptions to assess post-application exposure of 
children as well as incidental oral exposure of toddlers. These 
assessments are not expected to underestimate the exposure to 
metalaxyl.

E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety

    EPA determines whether acute and chronic dietary pesticide 
exposures are safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the 
acute PAD (aPAD) and chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer risks, EPA 
calculates the lifetime probability of acquiring cancer given the 
estimated aggregate exposure. Short-, intermediate-, and chronic-term 
risks are evaluated by comparing the estimated aggregate food, water, 
and residential exposure to the appropriate PODs to ensure that an 
adequate MOE exists.
    1. Acute risk. An acute aggregate risk assessment takes into 
account acute exposure estimates from dietary consumption of food and 
drinking water. Using the exposure assumptions described in this unit 
for acute exposure, EPA has concluded that acute exposure to metalaxyl 
from food and water will utilize 52% of the aPAD for children 1 to 2 
years old, the population subgroup with the highest exposure estimate.
    2. Chronic risk. There is no increase in hazard from repeat 
exposures to metalaxyl/mefenoxam; therefore, a chronic dietary POD was 
not selected. Due to the lack of a chronic endpoint, a chronic dietary 
risk is not expected. The acute endpoint and dietary exposure 
assessment are protective of potential effects from chronic duration 
dietary exposures.
    3. Short-term risk. Short-term aggregate exposure takes into 
account short-term residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food 
and water (considered to be a background exposure level). Mefenoxam and 
metalaxyl are currently registered for uses that could result in short-
term residential exposure, and the Agency has determined that it is 
appropriate to aggregate chronic exposure through food and water with 
short-term residential exposures to mefenoxam and metalaxyl. Using the 
exposure assumptions described in this unit for short-term exposures, 
EPA has concluded the combined short-term food, water, and residential 
exposures result in an aggregate MOE of 270 for children. Because EPA's 
level of concern for mefenoxam is a MOE of 100 or below, this MOE is 
not of concern.
    4. Intermediate-term risk. Intermediate-term aggregate exposure 
takes into account intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic 
exposure to food and water (considered to be a background exposure 
level). An intermediate-term adverse effect was identified; however, 
metalaxyl and mefenoxam are not registered for any use patterns that 
would result in intermediate-term residential exposure.
    5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Metalaxyl is 
classified as ``Not Likely to Be Carcinogenic to Humans''; therefore, 
EPA does not expect metalaxyl exposures to pose an aggregate cancer 
risk.
    6. Determination of safety. Based on these risk assessments, EPA 
concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result 
to the general population, or to infants and children from aggregate 
exposure to metalaxyl residues.

[[Page 53008]]

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    There are adequate residue analytical methods for enforcing 
tolerances for metalaxyl residues of concern in/on the registered plant 
and livestock commodities. These several methods include gas 
chromatography equipped with an alkali flame ionization detector (GC/
AFID), gas chromatography equipped with a nitrogen/phosphorus detector 
(GC/NPD), the multiresidue method in PAM, Vol. I section 302 (Protocol 
D) in the nitrogen-specific mode, and gas-liquid chromatography/mass 
spectrometry in the chemical ionization mode with selected ion 
monitoring (SIM) of the M+1 ion at m/z 268 for determining residues in/
on black pepper and livestock.
    The method may be requested from: Chief, Analytical Chemistry 
Branch, Environmental Science Center, 701 Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 
20755-5350; telephone number: (410) 305-2905; email address: 
[email protected].

B. 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 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 not 
established a MRL for metalaxyl in or on black pepper.

C. Response to Comments

    Two comments were received in response to the notice of filing. One 
of the comments was not germane to the petition for metalaxyl 
tolerances.
    The second comment argued against the use metalaxyl on black pepper 
and expressed concern about the overall toxicity of pesticides. 
Although the Agency recognizes that some individuals believe that 
pesticides should be banned on agricultural crops, the existing legal 
framework provided by FFDCA section 408 authorizes EPA to establish 
tolerances when it determines that the tolerance is safe. Upon 
consideration of the validity, completeness, and reliability of the 
available data as well as other factors the FFDCA requires EPA to 
consider, EPA has determined that these metalaxyl tolerances are safe. 
The commenter has provided no information supporting a contrary 
conclusion.

D. Revisions to Petitioned-For Tolerances

    EPA is establishing the tolerance at 0.3 ppm rather than at the 
petitioned-for tolerance level of 1.0 ppm. EPA's analysis of the 
monitoring data that was submitted to support the tolerance level 
concludes that 0.3 ppm is sufficient to cover residues in imported 
black pepper.

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of metalaxyl, 
methyl N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-(methoxyacetyl)-DL-alaninate, in or on 
pepper, black at 0.3 ppm.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This action establishes a tolerance under FFDCA section 408(d) in 
response to a petition 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 tolerance 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).

VII. Congressional Review Act (CRA)

    Pursuant to the CRA (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), 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 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: September 3, 2021.
Marietta Echeverria,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

    Therefore, for the reasons stated in the preamble, EPA is amending 
40 CFR chapter I as follows:

[[Page 53009]]

PART 180--TOLERANCES AND EXEMPTIONS FOR PESTICIDE CHEMICAL RESIDUES 
IN FOOD

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.  180.408, amend the table in paragraph (a) by:
0
i. Designating the table as Table 1 to Paragraph (a).
0
ii. Adding in alphabetical order an entry for ``Pepper, black''.
0
iii. Add footnote 1.
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  180.408   Metalaxyl; tolerances for residues.

* * * * *

                        Table 1 to Paragraph (a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Parts per
                         Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
Pepper, black \1\..........................................          0.3
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ There are no U.S. registrations for use of this pesticide on this
  commodity as of September 24, 2021.

* * * * *

[FR Doc. 2021-20743 Filed 9-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P