[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 204 (Friday, October 22, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56998-56999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27678]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 710
[OPPTS-82053A; FRL-6388-1]
RIN 2070-AC61
TSCA Inventory Update Rule Amendments; Extension of Comment
Period
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: EPA is extending the comment period for the proposed rule to
amend the TSCA Inventory Update Rule (IUR) published on August 26,
1999. In response to several requests, the comment period is being
extended by 60 days until December 24, 1999. The comment period for the
proposed rule was scheduled to close on October 25, 1999. Under section
8(a) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), EPA currently requires
manufacturers (including importers) of certain chemical substances and
mixtures on the TSCA Chemical Substances Inventory to report current
data regarding production volume, plant site information, and site-
limited status. The proposed rule requires the reporting of additional
data that would assist EPA in evaluating potential exposures and risks
resulting from industrial chemical operations and commercial and
consumer uses of chemical substances. The proposed rule also modifies
reporting and recordkeeping requirements, removes one reporting
exemption and creates others, and modifies confidential business
information (CBI) reporting and retention procedures. Information from
the proposed IUR Amendments will help both EPA and the public better
identify and mitigate potential exposures and risks associated with
TSCA chemicals.
DATES: Comments, identified by docket control number OPPTS-82053, must
be received by EPA on or before December 24, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, electronically, or in
person. Please follow the detailed instructions for each method as
provided in Unit III. of the ``SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.'' To ensure
proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket
control number OPPTS-82053 in the subject line of the first page of
your response.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information contact:
Christine M. Augustyniak, Associate Director, Environmental Assistance
Division (7408), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics,
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460;
telephone: (202) 554-1404, TDD: (202) 554-0551; e-mail: TSCA-
Hotline@epa.gov.
For technical information contact: Susan Krueger, Project Manager,
Economics, Exposure and Technology Division (7406), Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW.,
Washington, DC 20460; telephone: (202) 260-1713, fax: (202) 260-1661;
e-mail: krueger.susan@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Does this Action Apply to Me?
You may be potentially affected by this action if you manufacture
or import chemical substances and mixtures currently subject to
reporting under the Inventory Update Rule (IUR) at 40 CFR part 710 or
manufacture or import inorganic chemical substances. In the past,
processors of chemical substances have not been required to comply with
the requirements at 40 CFR part 710. The proposed amendments do not
change the status of processors under the regulations at 40 CFR part
710. Potentially affected categories and entities may include, but are
not limited to:
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Examples of
Category NAICS Potentially
Regulated Persons
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Chemical manufacturers and 325, 32411 Chemical
importers manufacturers
(including
importers)
currently subject
to IUR reporting
Chemical
manufacturers
(including
importers) of
inorganic
chemical
substances
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This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides
a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be regulated by this
action. Other types of entities not listed above could also be
affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS)
codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining
whether or not this action applies to certain entities. To determine
whether you or your business is affected by this action, you should
carefully examine the applicability provisions in 40 CFR part 710. If
you have questions regarding the applicability of this action to a
particular entity, consult the technical person listed under ``FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.''
II. How Can I Get Additional Information or Copies of this Document
or Other Documents?
1. Electronically. You may obtain electronic copies of this
document and various support documents from the EPA Internet Home Page
at http://www.epa.gov/. On the Home Page select ``Laws and
Regulations'' and then look up the entry for this document under the
``Federal Register--Environmental Documents.'' You can also go directly
to the ``Federal Register'' listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.
In addition, electronic copies of this document and various support
documents may be accessed at http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/iuramend.
2. In person. The Agency has established an official record for
this action under docket control number OPPTS-82053. The official
record consists of the documents specifically referenced in this
action, any public comments received during an applicable comment
period, and other information related to this action, including any
information claimed as CBI. This official record includes the documents
that are physically located in the docket, as well as the documents
that are referenced in those documents. The public version of the
official record does not include any information claimed as CBI. The
public version of the official record, which includes printed, paper
versions of any electronic comments submitted during an applicable
comment period, is available for inspection in the TSCA Nonconfidential
Information Center, Rm. NE-B607, Waterside Mall, 401 M St., SW.,
Washington, DC. The Center is open from noon to 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Center
is (202) 260-7099.
III. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?
As described in Unit I.C. of the proposed rule published in the
Federal
[[Page 56999]]
Register of August 26, 1999 (40 FR 46772) (FRL-6097-4), you may submit
comments through the mail, in person, or electronically. Please follow
the instructions in the proposed rule. Do not submit any information
electronically that you consider to be CBI. To ensure proper receipt by
EPA, be sure to identify docket control number OPPTS-82053 in the
subject line of the first page of your correspondence.
IV. How Should I Handle CBI Information That I Want to Submit to
the Agency?
Do not submit any information electronically that you consider to
be CBI. You may claim information that you submit in response to this
document as CBI by marking any part or all of that information as CBI.
Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with
procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. In addition to one complete
version of the comment that includes any information claimed as CBI, a
copy of the comment that does not contain CBI must be submitted for
inclusion in the public version of the official record. Information not
marked confidential will be included in the public version of the
official record without prior notice. If you have any questions about
CBI or the procedures for claiming CBI, please consult the technical
person identified under ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.''
V. What Should I Consider As I Prepare My Comments for EPA?
EPA invites you to provide your views on the various options
proposed, new approaches EPA has not considered, the potential impacts
of the various options (including possible unintended consequences),
and any data or information that you would like the Agency to consider
during the development of the final action. You may find the following
suggestions helpful for preparing your comments:
1. Explain your views as clearly as possible.
2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used
that support your views.
4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you
arrived at the estimate that you provide.
5. Tell us what you support, as well as what you disagree with.
6. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns.
7. Offer alternative ways to improve the proposed rule or
collection activity.
8. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline in this
document.
9. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to provide the docket
control number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first
page of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal
Register citation, and the appropriate EPA or OMB ICR number.
VI. What Action is EPA Taking?
EPA is extending the comment period for EPA's August 26, 1999
proposed rule (64 FR 46772) to add exposure related information
requirements, alter CBI reporting and retention procedures, revise
reporting thresholds and exemptions, and make other revisions. EPA
proposed these changes pursuant to its authority under TSCA section
8(a).
VII. Do Any Regulatory Assessment Requirements Apply to this
Action?
No. This action is not a rulemaking, it merely extends the date by
which public comments on a proposed rule must be submitted to EPA on a
proposed rule that previously published in the Federal Register of
August 26, 1999 (64 FR 46772). For information about the applicability
of the regulatory assessment requirements to the proposed rule, please
refer to the discussion in Unit XI. of that document.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 710
Environmental protection, Chemicals, Hazardous materials, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: October 7, 1999.
William H. Sanders III.
Director, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.
[FR Doc. 99-27678 Filed 10-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
