[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 14, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9403-9406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02976]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2021-0320; FRL-10599-01-OCSPP]


Glycerides, Soya Mono- and Di-, Ethoxylated; Exemption From the 
Requirement of a Tolerance

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement 
of a tolerance for residues of glycerides, soya mono- and di-, 
ethoxylated (CAS Reg. No. 68553-06-0) when used as an inert ingredient 
in a pesticide chemical formulation. Spring Regulatory Sciences on 
behalf of Nouryon Chemicals LLC (USA), submitted a petition to EPA 
under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an 
exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation 
eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for 
residues of glycerides, soya mono- and di-, ethoxylated on food or feed 
commodities when used in accordance with the terms of those exemptions.

DATES: This regulation is effective February 14, 2023. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before April 17, 2023 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-2021-0320, 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 and the OPP Docket is (202) 566-1744. For the latest 
status information on EPA/DC services, docket access, visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Rosenblatt, Registration 
Division (7505T), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-
0001; main telephone number: (202) 566-2875; 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 40 CFR 
part 180 through the Office of the Federal Register's e-CFR site at 
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40.

C. Can I file an objection or hearing request?

    Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21 U.S.C. 346a(g), 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-2021-0320 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 
April 17, 2023. 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-2021-0320, 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.

[[Page 9404]]

     Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand 
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the 
instructions at https://www.epa.gov/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

    In the Federal Register of June 1, 2021, (86 FR 29231) (FRL-10023-
95), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408, 21 U.S.C. 
346a, announcing the receipt of a pesticide petition (PP IN-11514) 
filed by Spring Regulatory Sciences on behalf of Nouryon Chemicals LLC 
(USA), 131 S Dearborn, Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60603-5566. The petition 
requested that the existing exemption from the requirement of a 
tolerance for residues of polyoxyalkylated glycerol fatty acid esters 
under 40 CFR 180.960 be amended by adding glycerides, soya mono- and 
di-, ethoxylated (CAS Reg. No. 68553-06-0). That document included a 
summary of the petition prepared by the petitioner and solicited 
comments on the petitioner's request. The Agency did not receive any 
comments.
    Section 408(c)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish an 
exemption from the requirement for a tolerance (the legal limit for a 
pesticide chemical residue in or on a food) only if EPA determines that 
the exemption is ``safe.'' Section 408(c)(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 use 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 an exemption from the 
requirement of 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 . . . .'' and 
specifies factors EPA is to consider in establishing an exemption.

III. Risk Assessment and Statutory Findings

    EPA establishes exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance only 
in those cases where it can be shown that the risks from aggregate 
exposure to pesticide chemical residues under reasonably foreseeable 
circumstances will pose no appreciable risks to human health. In order 
to determine the risks from aggregate exposure to pesticide inert 
ingredients, the Agency considers the toxicity of the inert in 
conjunction with possible exposure to residues of the inert ingredient 
through food, drinking water, and through other exposures that occur as 
a result of pesticide use in residential settings. If EPA is able to 
determine that a finite tolerance is not necessary to ensure that there 
is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate 
exposure to the inert ingredient, an exemption from the requirement of 
a tolerance may be established.
    Consistent with FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has reviewed the 
available scientific data and other relevant information in support of 
this action and considered its validity, completeness and reliability 
and the relationship of this information 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. In the case of certain chemical substances that 
are defined as polymers, the Agency has established a set of criteria 
to identify categories of polymers expected to present minimal or no 
risk. The definition of a polymer is given in 40 CFR 723.250(b) and the 
exclusion criteria for identifying these low-risk polymers are 
described in 40 CFR 723.250(d). Glycerides, soya mono- and di-, 
ethoxylated (CAS Reg. No. 68553-06-0) conforms to the definition of a 
polymer given in 40 CFR 723.250(b) and meets the following criteria 
that are used to identify low-risk polymers.
    1. The polymer is not a cationic polymer nor is it reasonably 
anticipated to become a cationic polymer in a natural aquatic 
environment.
    2. The polymer does contain as an integral part of its composition 
at least two of the atomic elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, 
silicon, and sulfur.
    3. The polymer does not contain as an integral part of its 
composition, except as impurities, any element other than those listed 
in 40 CFR 723.250(d)(2)(ii).
    4. The polymer is neither designed nor can it be reasonably 
anticipated to substantially degrade, decompose, or depolymerize. An 
available biodegradation study supports that glycerides, soya mono- and 
di-, ethoxylated is not readily biodegradable (MRID: 51796501).
    5. The polymer is manufactured or imported from monomers and/or 
reactants that are already included on the TSCA Chemical Substance 
Inventory or manufactured under an applicable TSCA section 5 exemption.
    6. The polymer is not a water absorbing polymer with a number 
average molecular weight (MW) greater than or equal to 10,000 Daltons.
    7. The polymer does not contain certain perfluoroalkyl moieties 
consisting of a CF3- or longer chain length as listed in 40 
CFR 723.250(d)(6).
    Additionally, the polymer also meets as required the following 
exemption criteria: specified in 40 CFR 723.250(e):
    The polymer's number average MW of 1,500 Daltons is greater than 
1,000 and less than 10,000 Daltons. The polymer contains less than 10% 
oligomeric material below MW 500 and less than 25% oligomeric material 
below MW 1,000, and the polymer does not contain any reactive 
functional groups.
    Thus, glycerides, soya mono- and di-, ethoxylated meets the 
criteria for a polymer to be considered low risk under 40 CFR 723.250. 
Additionally, no soy protein is present as an impurity. Based on its 
conformance to the criteria in this unit, no mammalian toxicity is 
anticipated from dietary, inhalation, or dermal exposure to glycerides, 
soya mono- and di-, ethoxylated.

IV. Aggregate Exposures

    For the purposes of assessing potential exposure under this 
exemption, EPA considered that glycerides, soya mono- and di-, 
ethoxylated could be present in all raw and processed agricultural 
commodities and drinking water, and that non-occupational non-dietary 
exposure was possible. The number average MW of glycerides, soya mono- 
and di-, ethoxylated is 1,500 Daltons. Generally, a polymer of this 
size would be poorly absorbed through the intact gastrointestinal tract 
or through intact human skin. Since glycerides, soya mono- and di-, 
ethoxylated conform to the criteria that identify a low-risk polymer, 
there are no concerns for risks associated with any potential exposure 
scenarios that are reasonably foreseeable. The Agency has determined 
that a tolerance is not necessary to protect the public health.

V. Cumulative Effects From Substances With a Common Mechanism of 
Toxicity

    Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires that, when considering 
whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the Agency 
consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative effects of 
a particular

[[Page 9405]]

pesticide's residues and ``other substances that have a common 
mechanism of toxicity.''
    EPA has not found glycerides, soya mono- and di-, ethoxylated to 
share a common mechanism of toxicity with any other substances, and 
glycerides, soya mono- and di-, ethoxylated does not appear to produce 
a toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the purposes of 
this tolerance exemption, therefore, EPA has assumed that glycerides, 
soya mono- and di-, ethoxylated does not have a common mechanism of 
toxicity with other substances. For information regarding EPA's efforts 
to determine which chemicals have a common mechanism of toxicity and to 
evaluate the cumulative effects of such chemicals, see EPA's website at 
https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/cumulative-assessment-risk-pesticides.

VI. Additional Safety Factor for the Protection of Infants and Children

    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. Due to the expected low 
toxicity of glycerides, soya mono- and di-, ethoxylated, EPA has not 
used a safety factor analysis to assess the risk. For the same reasons 
no additional safety factor is needed for assessing risk to infants and 
children.

VII. Determination of Safety

    Based on the conformance to the criteria used to identify a low-
risk polymer, EPA concludes that there is a reasonable certainty of no 
harm to the U.S. population, including infants and children, from 
aggregate exposure to residues of glycerides, soya mono- and di-, 
ethoxylated.

VIII. Other Considerations

Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    An analytical method is not required for enforcement purposes since 
the Agency is establishing an exemption from the requirement of a 
tolerance without any numerical limitation.

IX. Conclusion

    Accordingly, EPA finds that exempting residues of glycerides, soya 
mono- and di-, ethoxylated from the requirement of a tolerance will be 
safe.

X. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This action establishes a tolerance exemption 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 
exemption 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).

XI. Congressional Review Act

    Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (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: February 7, 2023.
Daniel Rosenblatt,
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:

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.  180.960, amend table 1 to 180.960 by revising the entry for 
``Polyoxyalkylated glycerol fatty acid esters; the mono-, di-, or 
triglyceride mixtures of C8 through C22, 
primarily C8 through C18 saturated and 
unsaturated, fatty acids containing up to 15% water by weight reacted 
with a minimum of three moles of either ethylene oxide or propylene 
oxide; the resulting polyoxyalkylated glycerol ester polymer minimum 
number average molecular weight (in amu), 1,500'' to read as follows:


Sec.  180.960  Polymers; exemptions from the requirement of a 
tolerance.

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[[Page 9406]]



                           Table 1 to 180.960
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                     Polymer                              CAS No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
Polyoxyalkylated glycerol fatty acid esters; the  61791-23-9, 68201-46-
 mono-, di-, or triglyceride mixtures of C8        7, 68440-49-3, 68458-
 through C22, primarily C8 through C18 saturated   88-8, 68553-06-0,
 and unsaturated, fatty acids containing up to     68606-12-2, 68648-38-
 15% water by weight reacted with a minimum of     4, 70377-91-2, 70914-
 three moles of either ethylene oxide or           02-2, 72245-12-6,
 propylene oxide; the resulting polyoxyalkylated   72698-41-3, 180254-52-
 glycerol ester polymer minimum number average     8, 248273-72-5,
 molecular weight (in amu), 1,500.                 308063-50-5, 952722-
                                                   33-7.
 
                              * * * * * * *
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[FR Doc. 2023-02976 Filed 2-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P