The Environmental Protection Agency is withdrawing a final rule issued in April that allowed exporters of pesticides to put required information on “collateral labeling” attached to the shipping container instead of directly on the packaging of each individual product (see 14042819). EPA says it got comments in opposition to the new regulations, which would have taken effect July 29. The agency is now issuing a proposed rule (here) containing the same provisions, with comments due Aug. 11.
The Environmental Protection Agency is promulgating significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 43 chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). As a result of the SNURs, persons planning to manufacture, import, or process any of these 43 chemicals for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this rule are to notify EPA at least 90 days in advance. The final rule is effective Sept. 8.
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to allow the use of five new refrigerants in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. The proposed rule would add HFC-32, ethane, isobutene, propane and R-441A to its list of approved refrigerants under the Significant New Alternatives Policy regulations. If the move is finalized, importers and manufacturers would be able to introduce these substances into commerce, as long as they meet certain marking and use requirements, and are only used for approved uses. Comments are due Sept. 8.
The Environmental Protection Agency is promulgating significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 13 chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs), including certain single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. As a result of the SNURs, persons planning to manufacture, import, or process any of these 13 chemicals for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this rule are to notify EPA at least 90 days in advance. The final rule is effective Sept 8.
The Environmental Protection Agency is finalizing changes to its regulations on the export of cathode ray tubes (CRTs) for reuse and recycling. The changes include, among other things: (1) a definition for CRT exporter; (2) more detailed notification instructions for both broken (for recycling) and intact (for reuse) used CRTs; and (3) an annual reporting requirement for exporters of broken used CRTs for recycling. The final rule adopts a March 2012 rule mostly unchanged (see 12031611). The new regulations take effect Dec. 26, 2014. Highlights of the final rule are as follows:
The Environmental Protection Agency is exempting several chemicals from reporting requirements under its Chemical Data Reporting rule. Effective Aug. 18, manufacturers and importers of 1,3-Propanediol, palm kernel oils, and acid-leached bentonite will no longer have to report processing and use data to EPA, the agency said. Chemical data collected under the rule is available in a database (here).
The Environmental Protection Agency on May 27 announced the first-ever Energy Star labels for clothes dryers. The new specifications will recognize “a selection of highly efficient electric, gas, and compact dryers” that use 20 percent less energy than what is required by minimum standards. It also establishes an optional “connected” criteria for residential clothes dryers that give feedback to users on performance issues and the energy efficiency of different cycle selections.
The Environmental Protection Agency is issuing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking asking for input on potential reporting requirements for chemicals used for hydraulic fracking, a method of extracting oil and gas from rock. EPA says it is thinking about setting rules under Toxic Substances Control Act Section 8(a) and 8(d) that would require manufacturers and importers of these chemicals to maintain records and submit information to EPA, including health and safety studies. Before it proposes any regulations, EPA is asking for comments on issues including what information should be reported; how much reporting should be voluntary; and who should have to report. Comments are due Aug. 18.
The Environmental Protection Agency is again extending the comment period until May 26 on its proposed Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) standards for formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products. The June 2013 proposed rule would impose recordkeeping requirements on importers of subject products, and would require TSCA import certifications for all subject products, including those defined in the Customs regulations as “articles” (see 13060715). EPA already extended the comment period once in April after getting comments related to treatment of laminated products (see 14040714).
The Environmental Protection Agency said it is restoring the ability of exporters to meet pesticide labeling requirements by putting required information on “collateral labeling” attached to the shipping container instead of directly on the packaging of each individual product. EPA’s final rule corrects an error made in an earlier change to its regulations that inadvertently required direct labeling on each product by removing a provision allowing for “supplemental labeling.” Subsequent comments from exporters said the change would have increased costs and added trade barriers. Rather than again allowing for “supplemental labeling,” EPA will instead call it “collateral labeling,” defined in EPA policy guidance as “bulletins, leaflets, circulars, brochures, data sheets, flyers or other written, printed or graphic matter which are referred to on the label or which are to accompany the product.” The change takes effect July 29. Any adverse comments on the direct final rule are due to EPA by May 30.