[Federal Register: March 5, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 44)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 11848-11849]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05mr08-16]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 158 and 161

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0010; FRL-8348-5]
RIN 2070-AD30

 
Data Requirements for Antimicrobial Pesticides and Revisions to 
Product Chemistry Data Requirements for Conventional Pesticides; 
Notification to the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human 
Services

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notification to the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and 
Human Services.

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SUMMARY: This document notifies the public that the Administrator of 
EPA has forwarded to the Secretaries of Agriculture, and Health and 
Human Services a draft proposed rule under sections 21 and 25(a) of the 
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). As 
described in the Agency's semi-annual Regulatory Agenda, the draft 
proposed rule updates the data requirements in 40 CFR part 158 for the 
registration of antimicrobial pesticide products. Besides providing the 
regulated community with clearer and more transparent information, once 
finalized the data requirements will enhance the development of health 
and environmental data to conduct scientifically sound chemical/hazard 
risk assessments to protect human health and the environment.

ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0010. To access the 
electronic docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, select ``Advanced 
Search,'' then ``Docket Search.'' Insert the docket ID number where 
indicated and select the ``Submit'' button. Follow the instructions on 
the regulations.gov web site to view the docket index or access 
available documents. All documents in the docket are listed in the 
docket index available in regulations.gov. Although listed in the 
index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted 
material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available 
only in hard copy form. 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 Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., 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 
Facility telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathryn Boyle, Field and External 
Affairs Division (7506P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: 703.305.6304; e-mail address: 
boyle.kathryn@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    This action is directed to the public in general. It simply 
announces the submission of a draft proposed rule to the United States 
Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human 
Services. It does not otherwise affect any specific entities. This 
action may, however, be of particular interest to a producer or

[[Page 11849]]

registrant of an antimicrobial pesticide product. Since other entities 
may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all 
the specific entities that may be interested in this action. If you 
have any questions regarding this action, consult the person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How Can I Access Electronic Copies of this Document and Other 
Related Information?

    In addition to using regulations.gov, you may access this Federal 
Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the 
``Federal Register'' listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr.

II. What Action is EPA Taking?

    Section 25(a)(2) of FIFRA requires the Administrator to provide the 
Secretary of Agriculture with a copy of any draft proposed rule at 
least 60 days before signing it for publication in the Federal 
Register. Similarly, section 21(b) of FIFRA requires the Administrator 
to provide the Secretary of Health and Human Services with a copy of 
any draft proposed rule pertaining to a public health pesticide at 
least 60 days before signing it for publication in the Federal 
Register. The draft proposed rule is not available to the public until 
after it has been signed by EPA. If either Secretary comments in 
writing regarding the draft proposed rule within 30 days after 
receiving it, the Administrator shall include in the proposed rule when 
published in the Federal Register the comments of the Secretary and the 
Administrator's response to those comments. If the Secretary does not 
comment in writing within 30 days after receiving the draft proposed 
rule, the Administrator may sign the proposed regulation for 
publication in the Federal Register anytime after the 30-day period.

III. Do Any Statutory and Executive Order Reviews Apply to this 
Notification?

    No. This document is not a proposed rule, it is merely a 
notification of submission to the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health 
and Human Services. As such, none of the regulatory assessment 
requirements apply to this document.

List of Subjects in Parts 158 and 161

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and record 
keeping requirements.


    Dated: February 25, 2008.
Debra Edwards,
Director, Office of Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. E8-4144 Filed 3-4-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-S