[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 23, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33486-33487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15715]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-00607; FRL-6088-1]
Pesticides; Pesticide Registration Proposal for Isomeric Active
Ingredients; Extension of Comment Period
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: On April 28, 1999 EPA issued a Federal Register notice (64 FR
22863) (FRL-6055-1) soliciting comments on how the Agency should handle
the registration of pesticide active ingredients (AI's) that are
composed of chemical isomers. In particular the Agency intended to
clarify its approach on determining whether a particular isomeric
pesticide is a new active ingredient or not. The comment period for
this notice was scheduled to end on June 28, 1999. In response to
several requests, EPA has decided to extend the comment period 30 days.
DATES: Written comments, identified by the docket control number ``OPP-
00607,'' must be received on or before July 28, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, electronically, or in
person. Please follow the detailed instructions for each method as
provided in Unit IV. of the ``SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION'' section of
this notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Dixon, Registration Division
(7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency,
401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460, Telephone: 703-305-7237, Fax:
703-305-6920, e-mail: dixon.alan@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Does This Notice Apply to Me?
You may be potentially affected by this notice if you are applying
for a registration or amended registration of a pesticide product that
contains isomeric active ingredients and in particular a product
purified for one or more (usually more chemically active) isomers. If
you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a
particular entity, consult the technical person listed in the ``FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT'' section.
II. Why is EPA Issuing This Notice?
The Office of Pesticide Program (OPP) is soliciting comments on how
the Agency should handle the registration of pesticide active
ingredients that are composed of chemical isomers. In particular, OPP
is interested in learning the various opinions on the question of
whether an AI originally registered at a particular proportion of
isomers should be subsequently registered as a new AI when purified for
one or more (usually more chemically active) isomers.
In the past the Agency has treated some purified isomeric compounds
as new formulations and some purified isomeric compounds as new AI's.
Examples of purified isomeric compounds treated as new formulations
are: Fluazifop butyl and fluazifop-p-butyl, fenoxaprop-ethyl and
fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, 2,4-DP and 2,4-DP-p, and MCPP
[[Page 33487]]
to MCPP-p. Examples of purified isomeric compounds treated as new AI's
are: Metolachlor and alpha-metolachlor, and metalaxyl and mefenoxam.
Some recent regulatory decisions caused the Agency to re-evaluate its
policy on isomeric active ingredients.
The Agency is considering three options:
1. To continue determining case by base whether an isomeric
compound is a new AI.
2. To consider all purified isomeric compounds not as new AI's but
as new formulations.
3. To consider all purified isomeric compounds as new active
ingredients.
III. How Can I Get Additional Information or Copies of This
Document or Other Documents?
A. Electronic Availability
You may obtain electronic copies of this document 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 ``Federal Register - Environmental Documents.'' You can also go
directly to the Federal Register listings at http://www.epa.gov/
fedrgstr/.
B. In Person or By Phone
If you have any questions or need additional information about this
action, you may contact the technical person identified in the ``FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT'' section. In addition, the official record
for this notice, including the public version, has been established
under docket control number ``OPP-00607''. A public version of this
record, including printed, paper versions of any electronic comments,
which does not include any information claimed as Confidential Business
Information (CBI), is available for inspection in Rm. 119, Crystal Mall
#2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, from 8:30 a.m. to 4
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Public
Information and Records Integrity Branch telephone number is 703-305-
5805.
IV. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?
You may submit comments through the mail, in person, or
electronically. Be sure to identify the appropriate docket control
number, ``OPP-00607'', in your correspondence.
A. By Mail
Submit written comments to: Public Information and Records
Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division (7502C),
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M
St., SW., Washington, DC 20460.
B. In Person or By Courier
Deliver written comments to: Public Information and Records
Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division, Rm. 119,
Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.
C. Electronically
Submit your comments and/or data electronically by e-mail to: docket@epa.gov. Do not submit any information electronically that you
consider to be CBI. Submit electronic comments as an ASCII file,
avoiding the use of special characters and any form of encryption.
Comments and data will also be accepted on standard computer disks in
WordPerfect 5.1/6.1 or ASCII file format. All comments and data in
electronic form must be identified by the docket control number ``OPP-
00607''. Electronic comments on this notice may also be filed online at
many Federal Depository Libraries.
V. How Should I Handle CBI Information That I Want to Submit to the
Agency?
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. A copy of the comment that does
not contain CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public record.
Information not marked confidential will be included in the public
docket by EPA without prior notice. If you have any questions about CBI
or the procedures for claiming CBI, please consult with the technical
person identified in the ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT'' section.
VI. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA?
A. General Tips for Preparing Your Comments
We invite you to provide your views on the various options we
propose, new approaches we haven't 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:
Explain your views as clearly as possible.
Describe any assumptions that you used.
Provide solid technical information and/or data to support
your views.
If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you
arrived at the estimate.
Tell us what you support, as well as what you disagree
with.
Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns.
Offer alternative ways to improve the document.
Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline in this
notice.
At the beginning of your comments (e.g., as part of the
``Subject'' heading), be sure to properly identify the document you are
commenting on. You can do this by providing the docket control number
assigned to the notice, along with the name, date, and Federal Register
citation.
B. Specific Issues for Your Consideration
For a detailed description of this section please refer to the
original Federal Register notice (64 FR 22863) (FRL-6055-1) published
April 28, 1999.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Pesticides.
Dated: June 15, 1999.
James Jones,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 99-15715 Filed 6-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
