[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19539-19541]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07043]


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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY OFFICE


Request for Information: Sustainable Chemistry

AGENCY: Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).

ACTION: Notice of Request for Information (RFI) from the public on 
Federal programs and activities in support of sustainable chemistry.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) requests 
input from interested parties on sustainable chemistry to guide future 
Federal efforts. The term ``sustainable chemistry'' does not have a 
consensus definition and most uses of the term indicate that it is 
synonymous with ``green chemistry.'' Therefore, information is 
requested on the preferred definition for sustainable chemistry. OSTP 
requests comments on how the definition of sustainable chemistry could 
impact the following: The role of technology, Federal policies that may 
aid or hinder sustainable chemistry initiatives, future research to 
advance sustainable chemistry, financial and economic considerations, 
and Federal agency efforts. Comments provided in response to this RFI 
will be used to address Subtitle E--Sustainable Chemistry of the 2021 
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to identify research 
questions and priorities to promote transformational progress in 
improving the sustainability of the chemical sciences.

DATES: Interested persons and organizations are invited to submit 
comments on or before 5:00 p.m. ET on June 3, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Interested individuals and organizations should submit 
comments electronically to [email protected] and include ``Sustainable 
Chemistry RFI'' in the subject line of the email. Due to time 
constraints, mailed paper submissions will not be accepted, and 
electronic submissions received after the deadline may not be taken 
into consideration.

Instructions

    Response to this RFI is voluntary. Each responding entity 
(individual or organization) is requested to submit only one response. 
OSTP welcomes any responses to inform and guide policies and actions 
related to Sustainable Chemistry. Please feel free to respond to one or 
as many topics as you choose, while noting the number of the topic(s) 
to which you are responding. Submission must not exceed 10 pages in 12-
point or larger font, with a page number provided on each page. 
Responses should include the name of the person(s) or organization(s) 
filing the comment, as well as the respondent

[[Page 19540]]

type (e.g., academic institution, advocacy group, professional society, 
community-based organization, industry, member of the public, 
government, other). Respondent's role in the organization may also be 
provided (e.g., researcher, administrator, student, program manager, 
journalist) on a voluntary basis. Comments containing references, 
studies, research, and other empirical data that are not widely 
published should include copies or electronic links of the referenced 
materials. No business proprietary information, copyrighted 
information, or personally identifiable information should be submitted 
in response to this RFI. Please be aware that comments submitted in 
response to this RFI, including the submitter's identification (as 
noted above), may be posted on OSTP's website or otherwise released 
publicly.
    In accordance with Federal Acquisitions Regulations Systems 
15.202(3), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be 
accepted by the Federal Government to form a binding contract. 
Additionally, those submitting responses are solely responsible for all 
expenses associated with response preparation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information, please 
direct questions to Melanie Buser at [email protected] or 202-456-4444.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: The term ``sustainable chemistry'' does not have a 
consensus definition and most uses of the term indicate that it is 
synonymous with ``green chemistry.'' Publications and legislation have 
typically treated sustainable chemistry and green chemistry 
synonymously.1 2 However, green chemistry has traditionally 
focused on hazardous substances, while sustainable chemistry has been 
used in the context of both hazardous and non-hazardous substances. An 
example is the EPA definition:
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    \1\ See, for example: H. Rept 108-462, ``Green Chemistry 
Research and Development Act of 2004'' H. Rept. 108-462--GREEN 
CHEMISTRY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2004 [bond] Congress.gov 
[bond] Library of Congress.
    \2\ Public Law No: 111-358 (01/04/2011) which uses both terms 
independently and combined https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/5116/text?overview=closed&r=12.

    ``Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and 
processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of 
hazardous substances. Green chemistry applies across the life cycle 
of a chemical product, including its design, manufacture, use, and 
ultimate disposal. Green chemistry is also known as sustainable 
chemistry.'' \3\
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    \3\ https://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry/basics-green-chemistry.

    In 2017, Congress used the term ``sustainable chemistry'' and 
included expanded concepts such as pollution prevention, reducing risk, 
efficient manufacturing, and to ``promote efficient use of resources in 
developing new materials, processes, and technologies that support 
viable long-term solutions to a significant number of challenges.'' \4\
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    \4\ Public Law 114-329, SEC 114(a)(2) approved on January 6, 
2017, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-114publ329/pdf/PLAW-114publ329.pdf.
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    The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 
considers a much broader definition that incorporates efficiency in use 
of natural resources: ``Sustainable chemistry is a scientific concept 
that seeks to improve the efficiency with which natural resources are 
used to meet human needs for chemical products and services. 
Sustainable chemistry encompasses the design, manufacture and use of 
efficient, effective, safe and more environmentally benign chemical 
products and processes.'' \5\
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    \5\ https://www.oecd.org/chemicalsafety/risk-management/sustainablechemistry.htm.
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    In early 2018, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published 
GAO-18-307, titled Chemical Innovation: Technologies to Make Processes 
and Products More Sustainable, that equated ``green chemistry'' with 
``sustainable chemistry'' and found that participating stakeholders 
lacked agreement on how to define, measure, or assess the 
sustainability of chemical processes and products. The GAO did find, 
however, that there were several common themes underlying what 
sustainable chemistry strives to achieve:

--Improve the efficiency with which natural resources--including 
energy, water, and materials--are used to meet human needs for 
chemical products while avoiding environmental harm;
--reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances 
in the design, manufacture, and use of chemical products;
--protect and benefit the economy, people, and the environment using 
innovative chemical transformations;
--consider all life-cycle stages including manufacture, use, and 
disposal when evaluating the environmental impact of a product; and
--minimize the use of non-renewable resources.\6\
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    \6\ https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-18-307.pdf.

    OSTP has been tasked under Subtitle E--Sustainable Chemistry of the 
William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2021 (Pub. L. 116-283) \7\ with creating a consensus 
definition for the term ``sustainable chemistry'' to coordinate Federal 
programs and activities in support of sustainable chemistry. The 
definition, for which we are seeking comment, will inform OSTP's 
development of a framework of attributes characterizing sustainable 
chemistry as well as quantitative assessment metrics. Additionally, it 
will allow OSTP to assess the state of sustainable chemistry in the 
United States; coordinate and support Federal research, development, 
demonstration, technology transfer, commercialization, education, and 
support for public-private partnerships; identify Federal barriers and 
opportunities; identify scientific challenges; avoid duplication; and 
position Federal funding for maximal impact including through 
synergistic partnerships.
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    \7\ https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/pub[bond]283/PLAW-
116publ283.pdf.
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    Scope: OSTP invites input from any interested stakeholders, 
including industry and industry association groups; civil society and 
advocacy groups; local organizers and community groups; state, local, 
and tribal governments; academic researchers; technical practitioners 
specializing in chemistry and chemical processes; and members of the 
public, representing all backgrounds and perspectives. OSTP has great 
interest in receiving input from parties developing sustainable 
chemistry technologies, parties acquiring and using such technologies, 
and people from communities impacted by their use, including but not 
limited to environmental justice communities.
    Information Requested: OSTP has considered definitions for 
sustainable chemistry to potentially include incorporating technology, 
policy, finance/economics, energetics, national security, critical 
industries, and critical natural resources. OSTP encourages input on 
these and other considerations for a definition of sustainable 
chemistry. Respondents may provide information for one or as many 
topics below as they choose. Through this RFI, OSTP seeks information 
to develop a consensus definition for the term ``sustainable 
chemistry'' and to consider the implications of such a definition, 
including the following topics:
    1. Definition of sustainable chemistry: OSTP is mandated by the 
2021 NDAA to develop a consensus definition of sustainable chemistry. 
Comments are requested on what that definition should include. The 
definition will inform OSTP and Federal agencies for prioritizing and 
implementing research

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and development programs to advance sustainable chemistry practice in 
the United States. Comments are also requested on how the definition of 
``sustainable chemistry'' relates to the common usage of ``green 
chemistry'' and whether these terms should be synonymous, exclusive, 
complementary, or if one should be incorporated into the other.
    2. Technologies that would benefit from Federal attention to move 
society toward more sustainable chemistry: What technologies/sectors 
stand to benefit most from progress in sustainable chemistry or require 
prioritized investment? Why? What mature technology areas, if any, 
should be lower priority?
    3. Fundamental research areas: What fundamental and emerging 
research areas require increased attention, investment, and/or priority 
focus to support innovation toward sustainable chemistry (e.g., 
catalysis, separations, toxicity, biodegradation, thermodynamics, 
kinetics, life-cycle analysis, market forces, public awareness, tax 
credits, etc.). What Federal research area might you regard as mature/
robustly covered, or which Federal programs would benefit from 
increased prioritization?
    Ancillary topics regarding the definition:
    4. Potential outcome and output metrics based on the definition of 
sustainable chemistry: What outcomes and output metrics will provide 
OSTP the ability to prioritize initiatives and measure their success? 
How does one determine the effectiveness of the definition of 
sustainable chemistry? What are the quantitative features 
characteristic of sustainable chemistry?
    5. Financial and economic considerations for advancing sustainable 
chemistry: How are financial and economic factors considered (e.g., 
competitiveness, externalized costs), assessed (e.g., economic models, 
full life cycle management tools) and implemented (e.g., economic 
infrastructure).
    6. Policy considerations for advancing sustainable chemistry: What 
changes in policy could the Federal government make to improve and/or 
promote sustainable chemistry?
    7. Investment considerations when prioritizing Federal initiatives 
for study: What issues, consequences, and priorities are not 
necessarily covered under the definition of sustainable chemistry, but 
should be considered when investing in initiatives? Public Law 114-329, 
discussed in the background section above, includes the phrase: 
``support viable long-term solutions to a significant number of 
challenges''. OSTP expects the final definition of sustainable 
chemistry to strongly consider resource conservation and other 
environmentally focused issues. For example, national security, jobs, 
funding models, partnership models, critical industries, and 
environmental justice considerations may all incur consequences from 
implementation of sustainable chemistry initiatives such as 
dematerialization, or the reduction of quantities of materials needed 
to serve and economic function.

    Dated: March 30, 2022.
Stacy Murphy,
Operations Manager.
[FR Doc. 2022-07043 Filed 4-1-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3270-F2-P