[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 222 (Thursday, November 20, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52252-52256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-20399]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2021-0789; FRL-12976-01]


Glufosinate; Pesticide Tolerances

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes, modifies, and revokes tolerances 
for residues of glufosinate (CASRN 77182-82-2) in or on rice and tea 
commodities. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), 
BASF Corporation submitted a petition to EPA requesting that EPA 
establish a maximum permissible level for residues of this pesticide on 
in or on the identified commodity(ies).

DATES: This rule is effective November 20, 2025. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before January 20, 2026 
and must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 
CFR part 178 (see also Unit I.D. of this document).

ADDRESSES: The docket for this action, identified by docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2021-0789, is available at 
https://www.regulations.gov. Additional information about dockets 
generally, along with instructions for visiting the docket in person, 
is available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Smith, Registration Division 
(7505T), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; main telephone 
number: (202) 566-1030; 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 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).
    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 EPA's authority for taking this action?

    EPA is issuing this rulemaking under section 408 of the Federal 
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 346a. 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.'' FFDCA section 
408(b)(2)(A)(ii) 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. FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(C) 
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 . . .''

C. How 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. If you fail to file an objection to the 
final rule within the time period specified in the final rule, you will 
have waived the right to raise any issues resolved in the final rule. 
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 the docket ID number EPA-HQ-
OPP-2021-0789 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 January 20, 2026.
    The EPA's Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ), in which the 
Hearing Clerk is housed, urges parties to file and serve documents by 
electronic means only, notwithstanding any other particular 
requirements set forth in other procedural rules governing those 
proceedings. See ``Revised Order Urging

[[Page 52253]]

Electronic Filing and Service'' dated June 22, 2023, which can be found 
at https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-06/2023-06-22%20-%20revised%20order%20urging%20electronic%20filing%20and%20service.pdf. 
Although the EPA's regulations require submission via U.S. Mail or hand 
delivery, the EPA intends to treat submissions filed via electronic 
means as properly filed submissions; therefore, the EPA believes the 
preference for submission via electronic means will not be prejudicial. 
When submitting documents to the OALJ electronically, a person should 
utilize the OALJ e-filing system at https://yosemite.epa.gov/oa/eab/eab-alj_upload.nsf. 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 at 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. 
If you wish to include CBI in your request, please follow the 
applicable instructions at https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets#rules and clearly mark the information that you claim to be 
CBI. Information not marked confidential pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may 
be disclosed publicly by EPA without prior notice.

II. Petitioned-for Tolerance

    In the Federal Registers of July 20, 2022 (87 FR 43232) (FRL-9410-
03-OCSPP) and November 12, 2024 (89 FR 88948) (FRL-11682-09-OCSPP), EPA 
issued documents pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C. 
346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of two pesticide petitions (PP 1E8939 
and PP 1E8952) by BASF Corporation, 26 Davis Drive, Research Triangle 
Park, NC 27709. The petitions requested that 40 CFR 180.473 be amended 
by establishing tolerances for residues of the herbicide glufosinate-
ammonium (butanoic acid, 2-amino-4-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl)-
monoammonium salt) and its metabolites, 2-acetamido-4-
methylphosphinico-butanoic acid and 3-methylphosphinico-propionic acid, 
expressed as 2-amino-4-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) butanoic acid 
equivalents in or on dried tea leaves at 0.50 parts per million (ppm) 
and fresh tea leaves at 0.05 ppm (PP 1E8939); by modifying the 
tolerance for residues in or on ``rice, grain'' from 1.0 ppm to 0.9 ppm 
(PP 1E8952); and by revoking the tolerance for residues in or on 
``rice, hulls'' at 2.0 ppm (PP 1E8952). The July 20, 2022, and November 
12, 2024, notices of filing referenced summaries of the petitions 
prepared by BASF Corporation, which are available in the docket at 
https://www.regulations.gov. Three comments were received on the 
notices of filing. EPA's responses to these comments are discussed in 
Unit IV.C of this document.
    Based upon review of the data supporting the petitions and in 
accordance with its authority under FFDCA section 408(d)(4)(A)(i), EPA 
is establishing tolerances that vary from what the petitioner sought, 
including by correcting the commodity definitions for the tea 
commodities and establishing a separate tolerance for instant tea. In 
addition, EPA is establishing tolerances for glufosinate rather than 
glufosinate ammonium. The reasons for these changes are explained in 
Unit IV.D of this document.

III. Final Tolerance Action

A. EPA's Safety Determination

    Consistent with FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), and the factors 
specified therein, 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 glufosinate, including exposure resulting from 
the tolerances established by this action. EPA's assessment of 
exposures and risks associated with glufosinate is as follows.
    In an effort to streamline its publications in the Federal 
Register, EPA is not reprinting sections that repeat what has been 
previously published in tolerance rulemakings for the same pesticide 
chemical. Where scientific information concerning a particular chemical 
remains unchanged, the content of those sections would not vary between 
tolerance rulemakings, and EPA considers referral back to those 
sections as sufficient to provide an explanation of the information EPA 
considered in making its safety determination for the new rulemaking.
    EPA has previously published tolerance rulemakings for glufosinate, 
most recently in the Federal Register of September 21, 2022 (87 FR 
57621) (FRL-9521-01-OCSPP) and June 20, 2023 (88 FR 39776) (FRL-11019-
01-OCSPP), in which EPA concluded, based on the available information, 
that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm would result from 
aggregate exposure to glufosinate and established tolerances for 
residues of that pesticide chemical. EPA is incorporating previously 
published sections from the September 21, 2022 and June 20, 2023 
rulemakings as described further in this rulemaking, as they remain 
unchanged.

B. Toxicological Profile

    For a discussion of the Toxicological Profile of glufosinate, see 
Unit III.A. of the September 21, 2022 rulemaking (87 FR 57621) (FRL-
9521-01-OCSPP).

C. Toxicological Points of Departure/Levels of Concern

    For a summary of the Toxicological Points of Departure/Levels of 
Concern used for the human health risk assessment, see Unit III.B. of 
the September 21, 2022 (87 FR 57621) (FRL-9521-01-OCSPP) rulemaking and 
Table 4.1 of the document titled ``Glufosinate. Human Health Risk 
Assessment for the Establishment of Permanent Tolerances without a U.S. 
Registration in/on Tea and Rice'' (hereinafter ``Glufosinate Human 
Health Risk Assessment'') in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2021-0789.

D. Exposure Assessment

    Much of the exposure assessment remains the same since the prior 
rulemakings, although updates have occurred to account for exposures 
from the petitioned-for tolerances. These updates are discussed in this 
section; for a description of the rest of the EPA approach to and 
assumptions for the exposure assessment, please reference Unit III.C. 
of the September 21, 2022 (87 FR 57621) (FRL-9521-01-OCSPP) rulemaking 
and Unit III. of the June 20, 2023 rulemaking (88 FR 39776) (FRL-11019-
01-OCSPP).
    EPA's dietary exposure assessments have been updated to include the 
additional exposures associated with the petitioned-for tolerances on 
rice and tea commodities. The acute dietary exposure assessment used 
the same assumptions as the June 20, 2023 rulemaking (88 FR 39776) 
(FRL-11019-01-OCSPP), including tolerance-level residues and 100 
percent crop treated (PCT) for all crop and livestock commodities. For 
the chronic dietary exposure assessment, the PCT estimates were updated 
to 100 PCT for all crop and livestock commodities. The other 
refinements were the same as the June 20, 2023 rulemaking (88 FR 39776) 
(FRL-11019-01-OCSPP), including anticipated residues based on average 
field trial residue levels for plant raw agricultural commodities and 
experimentally determined processing factors where available. 
Anticipated residues for livestock commodities were also calculated and 
incorporated into the assessment.

[[Page 52254]]

1. Anticipated Residue Information
    For a discussion of the FFDCA requirements regarding use of 
anticipated residue information in the chronic dietary exposure 
assessment, see Unit III.C.1.iv. of the September 21, 2022 rulemaking 
(87 FR 57621) (FRL-9521-01-OCSPP).
2. Drinking Water Exposure
    The petitioned-for tolerances for glufosinate residues on rice and 
tea commodities are not associated with registrations for use of 
glufosinate on rice and tea commodities in the United States. They 
therefore do not result in an increase in the estimated residue levels 
in drinking water, so EPA used the same estimated drinking water 
concentrations in the acute and chronic dietary exposure assessments as 
identified in Unit III.C.2. of the September 21, 2022 rulemaking (87 FR 
57621) (FRL-9521-01-OCSPP).
3. Non-Occupational Exposure
    There are no new proposed residential (non-occupational) uses for 
glufosinate at this time; however, glufosinate is currently registered 
for uses that could result in residential handler and post-application 
exposures, including use on lawn and turf as well as recreational sites 
such as golf courses. For a summary of those exposures, see Unit 
III.C.3. of the September 21, 2022 rulemaking (87 FR 57621) (FRL-9521-
01-OCSPP).
4. Cumulative Exposure
    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 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 
glufosinate and any other substances, and glufosinate does not appear 
to produce a toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For 
purposes of this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has not assumed that 
glufosinate has a common mechanism of toxicity with other substances.
5. Safety Factor for Infants and Children
    EPA continues to conclude that there are reliable data to support 
the reduction of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) safety factor 
to 1X for acute dietary exposure. For all other exposure scenarios, EPA 
is retaining a 10X FQPA safety factor. See Unit III.D. of the September 
21, 2022 (87 FR 57621) (FRL-9521-01-OCSPP) rulemaking for a discussion 
of the Agency's rationale for that determination.
6. 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 population-adjusted dose (aPAD) and the chronic population-
adjusted dose (cPAD). For linear cancer risks, EPA calculates the 
lifetime probability of acquiring cancer given the estimated aggregate 
exposure. Short-, intermediate-, and chronic term aggregate risks are 
evaluated by comparing the estimated total food, water, and residential 
exposure to the appropriate points of departure to ensure that an 
adequate margin of exposure (MOE) exists.
    Acute dietary risks are below the Agency's level of concern of 100% 
of the aPAD; they are 26% of the aPAD for females 13-49 years old, the 
only population subgroup for which an acute toxic effect was 
identified. Chronic dietary risks are below the Agency's level of 
concern of 100% of the cPAD; they are 66% of the cPAD for all infants 
(<1 year old), the most highly exposed population subgroup.
    The short-term aggregate exposure assessment includes dietary (food 
and drinking water) and dermal exposure from high contact lawn activity 
on treated lawns for adults and dermal plus incidental oral exposure 
from high contact lawn activity on treated lawns for children 1 to less 
than 2 years old. The short-term aggregate MOE for adults 20 to 49 
years old is 4,600. The short-term aggregate MOE for children 1 to less 
than 2 years old is 1,000. These short-term aggregate MOEs are not of 
concern because an MOE equal to or greater than the level of concern of 
1,000 is not of concern.
    Glufosinate is classified as ``Not Likely To Be Carcinogenic to 
Humans'' based on the lack of evidence of a treatment-related increase 
in tumors in two adequate rodent carcinogenicity studies.
    Therefore, based on the risk assessments and information described 
above, EPA concludes there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will 
result to the general population, or to infants and children, from 
aggregate exposure to glufosinate residues. More detailed information 
on this action can be found in the Glufosinate Human Health Risk 
Assessment in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2021-0789.

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    For a discussion of the available analytical enforcement method for 
various crops, see Unit IV.A. of the September 21, 2022 rulemaking (87 
FR 57621) (FRL-9521-01-OCSPP).

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 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 U.S. tolerance for ``rice, grain'' is harmonized with the Codex 
MRL of 0.9 ppm. The Codex has not established an MRL for glufosinate in 
or on tea (dried, instant, or plucked). However, there is an 
established Chinese MRL for tea at 0.5 ppm; the proposed tolerance for 
tea, dried is harmonized with this MRL.

C. Response to Comments

    EPA received one comment from American Bird Conservancy (ABC) on 
the July 20, 2022 notice of filing. The comment requested that no new 
tolerances be approved for glufosinate due to its organophosphorus 
nature and that all current uses of glufosinate be suspended until a 
full biological opinion can be performed. The Agency understands ABC's 
concerns and recognizes that some individuals and organizations believe 
that certain pesticides should be banned. However, ABC's comment is 
primarily concerned with EPA's consideration of the impacts of 
glufosinate on the environment and endangered species. Such 
consideration is not relevant to the Agency's evaluation of the safety 
of glufosinate tolerances under section 408 of the FFDCA, which 
requires the Agency to evaluate the potential harms to human health, 
not effects on the environment.
    Moreover, the existing legal framework provided by section 408 of 
the FFDCA authorizes EPA to establish tolerances when it determines 
that the

[[Page 52255]]

tolerances meet the safety standard imposed by the statute. 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 the glufosinate tolerances are safe. 
ABC has made no contention that EPA has acted in violation of the 
statutory framework or that a safety determination cannot be supported. 
Although ABC asserts that glufosinate is linked to multiple human 
health risks, EPA has reviewed the cited sources and observed that the 
hazards identified are either consistent with the toxicological 
information presented in the Glufosinate Human Health Risk Assessment 
or reflect effects after acute glufosinate poisonings resulting from 
product misuse (i.e., situations where individuals intentionally 
ingested a liquid formulated product containing glufosinate). EPA's 
human health risk assessments typically do not assess for this type of 
misuse; rather, they protect for potential health impacts from labeled 
uses.
    EPA also received two comments from private citizens on the 
November 12, 2024, notice of filing. The first comment stated that 
there should be stronger regulations surrounding the use of pesticides 
in the United States. The second comment opposed the proposed tolerance 
amendments for ``rice, grain'' and ``rice, hull'' because of health 
concerns and the lack of explanation for the amendments. As stated 
above, the existing legal framework provided by section 408 of the 
FFDCA authorizes EPA to establish tolerances when it determines that 
the tolerances meet the safety standard imposed by the statute; the 
comments made no contention that EPA has acted in violation of the 
statutory framework or that a safety determination cannot be supported. 
This action revokes the tolerance for ``rice, hull'' and lowers the 
tolerance for ``rice, grain'' imported into the United States, as 
requested, since unhulled rice is rarely imported and there are no 
registered domestic uses of glufosinate in or on rice. EPA also notes 
that lowering the tolerance for ``rice, grain'' from 1.0 ppm to 0.9 ppm 
harmonizes the U.S. tolerance with the Codex MRL, consistent with 
section 408(b)(4) of the FFDCA, and that revoking the tolerance for 
``rice, hull'' at 2.0 ppm means that any glufosinate residues on the 
commodity would be unlawful.

D. Revisions to Petitioned-for Tolerances

    The petition requested tolerances for ``tea, dried leaves (green 
and black)'' at 0.50 ppm and ``tea, fresh leaves'' at 0.05 ppm. EPA is 
correcting the commodity definitions to ``Tea, dried'' and ``Tea, 
plucked leaves'' respectively to align with the Agency's current 
preferred commodity vocabulary and is removing the trailing zero from 
the ``Tea, dried'' tolerance value for consistency with the 
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Rounding 
Class Practice. The Agency is also establishing a separate tolerance 
for the processed commodity ``Tea, instant'' at 0.09 ppm because 
residue data showed that glufosinate and its metabolite 3-
(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) propanoic acid (MPP) concentrate in instant 
tea.
    In addition, EPA is establishing tolerances for glufosinate, rather 
than glufosinate ammonium as requested. As explained in Unit III.V. of 
the September 21, 2022 rulemaking (87 FR 57621) (FRL-9521-01-OCSPP), 
EPA revised the tolerance expressions for glufosinate in 40 CFR 180.473 
to clarify that the tolerance for the active ingredient will be 
referred to as glufosinate (i.e., the racemic mixture). Glufosinate is 
a racemic mixture of the D- and L-enantiomers, with the L-enantiomer 
being responsible for its herbicidal activity. Glufosinate can exist in 
multiple forms, including the acid, ammonium, and sodium forms; other 
salt forms of glufosinate may be possible as well. While there are 
presently only registrations for the ammonium form of racemic 
glufosinate, future registration requests may be submitted for the 
acid, sodium, or other forms. The tolerances for glufosinate 
established in this action would cover all these forms.

E. International Trade Considerations

    BASF requested the existing tolerance on ``rice, grain'' be 
modified to harmonize with the existing Codex MRL to support 
glufosinate use on rice commodities imported into the United States, 
and the existing ``rice, hull'' tolerance be revoked. Therefore, in 
this rule, EPA is establishing a tolerance for glufosinate residues in 
or on ``rice, grain: at 0.9 ppm, which is lower than the existing 
tolerance for ``rice, grain'' at 1.0 ppm. The ``rice, grain'' tolerance 
of 0.9 ppm is supported by residue data provided by the petitioner for 
rice commodities imported into the Unites States.
    In accordance with the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Sanitary 
and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Agreement, EPA intends to notify the 
WTO of the changes to these tolerances in order to satisfy its 
obligations under the Agreement. In addition, the SPS Agreement 
requires that Members provide a ``reasonable interval'' between the 
publication of a regulation subject to the Agreement and its entry into 
force to allow time for producers in exporting Member countries to 
adapt to the new requirement. Accordingly, EPA is establishing an 
expiration date for the existing ``rice, grain'' tolerance of 1.0 ppm 
and ``rice, hull'' tolerance at 2.0 ppm to allow these tolerances to 
remain in effect for a period of six months after the effective date of 
this final rule. At the end of the six-month period, the ``rice, 
grain'' tolerance at 1.0 ppm and ``rice, hull'' tolerance at 2.0 ppm 
will expire, as indicated in the regulatory text, and residues on 
``rice, grain'' must conform to the new tolerance for ``rice, grain'' 
at 0.9 ppm. This reduction in tolerance level is not discriminatory; 
the same safety standard contained in the FFDCA applies equally to 
domestically produced and imported foods. The new tolerance level is 
supported by available residue data.

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of glufosinate, 
(2-amino-4-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl)butanoic acid) and its metabolites, 
2-(acetylamino)-4-(hydroxymethyl phosphinyl) butanoic acid, and 3-
(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) propanoic acid, expressed as 2-amino-4-
(hydroxymethylphosphinyl)butanoic acid equivalents, in or on tea, dried 
at 0.5 ppm; tea, instant at 0.09 ppm; tea, plucked leaves at 0.05 ppm; 
and ``rice, grain'' at 0.9 ppm. The existing ``rice, grain'' tolerance 
at 1.0 ppm and ``rice, hull'' tolerance at 2.0 ppm are amended to 
expire six months after the effective date of this final rule, as 
explained above.
    As a housekeeping measure, EPA is removing the tolerance for 
residues of glufosinate in or on banana at 0.30 ppm because it expired 
on December 20, 2023, as described in the Federal Register of June 20, 
2023 (88 FR 39776) (FRL-11019-01-OCSPP). Because the tolerance is no 
longer valid, there is no substantive impact to its removal.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Additional information about these statutes and Executive Orders 
can be found at https://www.epa.gov/regulations/and-executive-orders.

A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review

    This action is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866 (58 
FR 51735, October 4, 1993), because it establishes or modifies a 
pesticide tolerance or a tolerance exemption under FFDCA section 408 in 
response to a petition submitted to the Agency. The

[[Page 52256]]

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted these types of 
actions from review under Executive Order 12866.

B. Executive Order 14192: Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation

    Executive Order 14192 (90 FR 9065, February 6, 2025) does not apply 
because actions that establish a tolerance under FFDCA section 408 are 
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    This action does not impose an information collection burden under 
the PRA 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., because it does not contain any 
information collection activities.

D. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    This action is not subject to the RFA, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. The RFA 
applies only to rules subject to notice and comment rulemaking 
requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. 
553, or any other statute. This rule is not subject to the APA but is 
subject to FFDCA section 408(d), which does not require notice and 
comment rulemaking to take this action in response to a petition.

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

    This action does not contain an unfunded mandate of $100 million or 
more (in 1995 dollars and adjusted annually for inflation) as described 
in UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not significantly or uniquely 
affect small governments. The action imposes no enforceable duty on any 
State, local, or Tribal governments or on the private sector.

F. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    This action does not have federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999), because it will 
not have substantial direct on the states, on the relationship between 
the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

G. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    This action does not have Tribal implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), because it will 
not have substantial direct effects on Tribal governments, on the 
relationship between the Federal Government and the Indian Tribes, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal 
Government and Indian Tribes.

H. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health Risks and Safety Risks

    This action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, 
April 23, 1997) because tolerance actions like this one are exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866. However, EPA's 2021 Policy on 
Children's Health applies to this action.
    This rule finalizes tolerance actions under the FFDCA, which 
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 . . .'' (FFDCA 408(b)(2)(C)). The Agency's 
consideration is documented in the pesticide-specific registration 
review documents, located in each chemical docket at https://www.regulations.gov.

I. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution or Use

    This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355) 
(May 22, 2001) because it is not a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866.

J. National Technology Transfer Advancement Act (NTTAA)

    This action does not involve technical standards that would require 
Agency consideration under NTTAA section 12(d), 15 U.S.C. 272.

K. Congressional Review Act (CRA)

    This action is subject to the CRA, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., and EPA 
will submit a rule report to each House of the Congress and to the 
Comptroller General of the United States. 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: November 17, 2025.
Charles Smith,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

    Therefore, for the reasons stated in the preamble, EPA is amending 
40 CFR chapter I is amended 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.  180.473, amend Table 1 to Paragraph (a)(1) by: a. Removing 
the entries for ``Banana \1\'' and ``Rice, grain'';
0
b. Adding in alphabetical order the entries ``Rice, grain\1\'' and 
``Rice, grain \2\'';
0
c. Revising the entry for ``Rice, hull''; and
0
d. Adding in alphabetical order the entries ``Tea, dried'', ``Tea, 
instant'', and ``Tea, plucked leaves'' and footnotes 1 and 2 at the end 
of the table.The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  180.473  Glufosinate; tolerances for residues.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *

                       Table 1 to Paragraph (a)(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Parts per
                          Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
Rice, grain \1\..............................................        0.9
Rice, grain \2\..............................................        1.0
Rice, hull \2\...............................................        2.0
 
                                * * * * *
Tea, dried \1\...............................................        0.5
Tea, instant \1\.............................................       0.09
Tea, plucked leaves \1\......................................       0.05
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ There are no U.S. registrations as of November 20, 2025.
\2\ This tolerance expires on May 20, 2025.

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2025-20399 Filed 11-19-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P