2016-19126. Access to Confidential Business Information by Battelle Memorial Institute

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

EPA has authorized its contractor, Battelle Memorial Institute (BMI) of Columbus, OH, to access information which has been submitted to EPA under sections 4, 5, 6, 8(a), 11 and 21 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Some of the information may be claimed or determined to be Confidential Business Information (CBI).

DATES:

Access to the confidential data occurred on or about July 14, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For technical information contact: Scott Sherlock, Environmental Assistance Division (7408M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: [phone]; email address: s [e-mail].

For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: [phone]; email address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

This action is directed to the public in general. This action may, however, be of interest to all who manufacture, process, or distribute industrial chemicals. Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action.

B. How can I get copies of this document and other related information?

The docket for this action, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2003-0004 is available at http://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics Docket (OPPT Docket), Environmental Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is [phone], and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket is [phone]. Please review the visitor instructions and additional information about the docket available at http://www.epa.gov/​dockets.

II. What action is the agency taking?

Under EPA contract number EP-W-16-017, contractor BMI of 505 King Avenue, Columbus, OH, is assisting the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) by providing statistical and technical support for the assessment of Toxics Substances. They are also providing statistical, mathematical, field data collection, and technical analysis support and planning for OPPT programs such as Lead Programs and other technology and exposure related studies.

In accordance with 40 CFR 2.306(j), EPA has determined that under EPA contract number EP-W-16-017, BMI required access to CBI submitted to EPA under section(s) 4, 5, 6, 8(a), 11 and 21 of TSCA to perform successfully the duties specified under the contract. BMI personnel were given access to information submitted to EPA under sections 4, 5, 6, 8(a), 11 and 21 of TSCA. Some of the information may be claimed or determined to be CBI.

EPA is issuing this notice to inform all submitters of information under sections 4, 5, 6, 8(a), 11 and 21 of TSCA that EPA has provided BMI access to these CBI materials on a need-to-know basis only. All access to TSCA CBI under this contract is taking place at EPA Headquarters and BMI's site located in Columbus, OH, in accordance with EPA's TSCA CBI Protection Manual.

Access to TSCA data, including CBI, will continue until June 12, 2021. If the contract is extended, this access will also continue for the duration of the extended contract without further notice.

BMI personnel have signed nondisclosure agreements and were briefed on appropriate security procedures before they are permitted access to TSCA CBI.

Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.

Dated: July 28, 2016.

Pamela S. Myrick,

Director, Information Management Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.