E6-12463. Lindane Addendum to Reregistration Eligibility Decision; Notice of Availability

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

This notice announces the availability of an addendum to EPA's Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the pesticide lindane. The Agency's risk assessments and other related documents also are available in the lindane Docket. Lindane is a broad spectrum insecticide used as a pre-plant seed treatment on six crops. EPA has reviewed lindane through the public participation process that the Agency uses to involve the public in developing pesticide reregistration and tolerance reassessment decisions. Through these programs, EPA is ensuring that all pesticides meet current health and safety standards.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kimberly Nesci, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: [phone]; fax number: [phone]; e-mail address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

-This action is directed to the public in general, and may be of interest to a wide range of stakeholders including environmental, human health, and agricultural advocates; the chemical industry; pesticide users; and members of the public interested in the sale, distribution, or use of pesticides. Since others also may be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by 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. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information?

-1. Docket. EPA has established a docket for this action under docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2002-0202. Publicly available docket materials are available either in the electronic docket at http://www.regulations.gov, or, if only available in hard copy, at the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public Docket in Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South Building), 2777 S. Crystal Drive Arlington, VA. The hours of operation of this Docket Facility are from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Docket telephone number is [phone].

-2. Electronic access. You may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the “Federal Register” listings at http://www.epa.gov/​fedrgstr.

II. Background

A. What Action is the Agency Taking?

-Under section 4 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is reevaluating existing pesticides to ensure that they meet current scientific and regulatory standards. EPA has completed an addendum to the RED for the pesticide lindane under section 4(g)(2)(A) of FIFRA. Products containing lindane are not eligible for reregistration. The Agency has received requests from all lindane technical and end-product registrants to voluntarily cancel all registrations of lindane products. Once the cancellation process is complete, EPA will take steps to revoke the existing tolerances pursuant to section 408(l)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

B. What is the Agency's Authority for Taking this Action?

-Section 4(g)(2) of FIFRA, as amended, directs that, after submission of all data concerning a pesticide active ingredient, the Administrator shall determine whether pesticides containing such active ingredient are eligible for reregistration, before calling in product specific data on individual end-use products and either reregistering products or taking other “appropriate regulatory action.”

-Section 408(q) of FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a(q), requires EPA to review tolerances and exemptions for pesticide residues in effect as of August 2, 1996, to determine whether the tolerance or exemption meets the requirements of section 408(b)(2) or (c)(2) of FFDCA. This review is to be completed by August 3, 2006.

List of Subjects

• -Environmental protection
• Lindane
• Pesticides, and pests

Dated: July 27, 2006.

Debra Edwards,

Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.