[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 15, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78357-78358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25140]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0562; FRL-11546-01-OCSPP]


Pesticides; White Paper Describing Benefits of Structured and 
Digital Content Labels for Pesticide Products; Notice of Availability 
and Request for Comment

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the 
availability of and soliciting public comment on a white paper 
describing the benefits of the creation, submission, review, approval, 
and distribution of structured content and digital pesticide labels. 
Structured labels are information or content that is organized in a 
predictable way, and digital content is those categorized fields with 
metadata. The current process for submitting, reviewing, and approving 
labels is time-consuming for both registrants and regulators. The 
increasing complexity of pesticide labels, inconsistent label language 
across products, and inconsistent placement of information on the 
labels often creates significant challenges for pesticide users and the 
public seeking information about how to use the products. Structured 
content and digital labels could streamline and standardize the 
submission, review, and access to label content, providing benefits 
across the spectrum of stakeholders. In addition to developing a 
framework for structured content and digital labels, EPA intends to 
identify the key information needed for the structured digital label.

DATES: Submit your comments on or before March 14, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0562, through https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit 
electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business 
Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted 
by statute. Additional instructions on commenting and visiting the 
docket, along with more information about dockets generally, is 
available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christian Bongard, Information 
Technology and Resources Management Division (7602M), Office of Program 
Support, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (706) 566-2238; email 
address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Executive Summary

A. Does this action apply to me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you are a 
producer, registrant, or user of pesticide products. 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:
     Chemical Producers (NAICS 32532), e.g., pesticide 
manufacturers or formulators of pesticide products, pesticide importers 
or any person or company who seeks to register a pesticide.
     Agricultural Establishments (Crop Production) (NAICS code 
111).
     Nursery and Tree Production (NAICS code 111421).
     Agricultural Pest Control and Pesticide Handling on Farms 
(NAICS code 115112).
     Crop Advisors (NAICS codes 115112, 541690, 541712).
     Agricultural (Animal) Pest Control (Livestock Spraying) 
(NAICS code 115210).
     Forestry Pest Control (NAICS code 115310).
     Wood Preservation Pest Control (NAICS code 321114).
     Pesticide Registrants (NAICS code 325320).
     Pesticide Dealers (NAICS codes 424690, 424910, 444220).
     Research & Demonstration Pest Control, Crop Advisor (NAICS 
code 541710).
     Industrial, Institutional, Structural & Health Related 
Pest Control (NAICS code 561710).
     Ornamental & Turf, Rights-of-Way Pest Control (NAICS code 
561730).
     Environmental Protection Program Administrators (NAICS 
code 924110).
     Governmental Pest Control Programs (NAICS code 926140),
    Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not 
attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be interested 
in this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability 
of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

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

    This action is being taken under the authority of the Federal 
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 136 et 
seq.).

C. What action is the Agency taking?

    EPA is announcing the availability of and soliciting public comment 
on the document entitled ``White Paper: Benefits of the Adoption of 
Structured Content and Digital Pesticide Labels'' (also referred to as 
the White Paper), a copy of which is available in the docket. The White 
Paper describes a framework for the creation, submission, review, 
approval, and distribution of structured content and digital pesticide 
labels.

[[Page 78358]]

Structured content is information or content that is organized in a 
predictable way, and digital labels are typically classified with 
metadata. Currently, the pesticide labels are reviewed and approved 
during the registration process, which can involve time consuming 
manual reviews, approval of labeling language focused on each product, 
without considering consistency across products, and a non-digital 
label that can increase the transaction cost to both registrants and 
regulators. The increasing complexity of pesticide labels, inconsistent 
label language across products, and inconsistent placement of 
information on the labels, often creates significant challenges for 
pesticide users and the public seeking information about how to use the 
products. Structured content and digital labels could streamline and 
standardize the submission, review, and access to label content, 
providing benefits across the spectrum of stakeholders. In addition to 
developing a framework for structured content and digital labels, EPA 
intends to also identify the key information needed for the structured 
digital label during the registration process.
    EPA is requesting public comment on all aspects of the Structured 
Label Content, including but not limited to the anticipated benefits, 
risks, challenges, key fields, and proposed phases of adoption. In 
addition, the Agency is seeking specific feedback on several topics 
discussed in Unit II.

D. Why is the Agency taking this action?

    Historically, the pesticide registration process often leads to 
time consuming reviews, potential approval of inconsistent label 
language, and high cost to both registrants and regulators. The 
increasing complexity of pesticide labels and inconsistency across 
label language and placement of information on labeling are challenges 
for pesticide users and the public seeking information about how to use 
the products. Structured content digital labels would streamline and 
standardize the submission, review, and access to label content, 
providing benefits across the spectrum of stakeholders.

E. Does this document contain binding requirements?

    This document describes EPA's proposed framework for developing 
structured labels and structured digital labels. The requirements in 
the statutes are binding on EPA and registrants, respectively, but this 
document does not impose any binding requirements on EPA or outside 
parties. The strategies outlined in this document further the general 
goals of the program, and EPA may depart from the strategies where 
circumstances warrant and without prior notice. In general, however, 
EPA will continue to offer notice and comment on proposed decisions 
that implement these strategies.

F. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?

    1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit CBI to EPA through https://www.regulations.gov or email. If you wish to include CBI in your 
comment, please follow the applicable instructions at https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets#rules and clearly mark the 
part or all of the information that you claim to be CBI. In addition to 
one complete version of the comment that includes information claimed 
as CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information 
claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket. 
Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with 
procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.
    2. Tips for preparing your comments. hen preparing and submitting 
your comments, see the commenting tips and instructions at https://
www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

II. Request for Comments

    EPA is seeking comment on all aspects of the White Paper and is 
particularly interested in public comment on the following questions 
related to previous digitalization efforts referenced in the White 
Paper.
    1. Are there additional benefits to the adoption of structured 
labeling or structured digital labeling that have not been captured? If 
so, please describe.
    2. Are there additional challenges associated with the adoption of 
structured labeling or structured digital labeling that have not been 
captured? If so, please describe.
    3. Please provide feedback on the anticipated phases the Office of 
Pesticide Program's work towards structured labeling and structured 
digital labeling.
     Can any of anticipated phases be done concurrently?
     Is there a different order to the phases?
     Are any activities necessary in the development of 
structured labels and structured digital labels not accounted for in 
the anticipated phases? If so, please describe.
    4. Are there additional efforts underway around development of 
structured labels or structured digital labels that EPA should be aware 
of? If so, please provide information for EPA's consideration.
    5. Are there elements of the current ``narrative'' labels that 
could not be translated into structured labeling or structured digital 
labeling? If so, what are the elements and what are the barriers to 
their adoption?
    6. Please comment on the key fields listed in Appendix 1 in this 
document.

III. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    The strategies outlined in the White Paper describe information 
collection activities that do not create any new paperwork burdens that 
require additional approval by OMB under the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq. The information collection activities associated with pesticide 
registration are already approved by OMB under OMB Control No. 2070-
0226, entitled ``Consolidated Pesticide Registration Submission 
Portal'' (EPA ICR No. 2624.01).
    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.

    Dated: November 8, 2023.
Michal Freedhoff,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2023-25140 Filed 11-14-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P