The Environmental Protection Agency is extending until Aug. 18 its temporary tolerances for the insecticide tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP) in several meat and poultry products, according to a Federal Register notice set for publication March 13. EPA proposed the extension March 6 (see 13030605), and set an extremely short comment period that expires March 12, but isn't waiting for the comment period to expire to begin the process of publication of it's final rule. The temporary tolerances were set to expire March 18. EPA is extending the tolerances on its own initiative, to give itself more time to review information before making a final decision on tolerances for the insecticide. Requests for a hearing on the extension are due by May 13.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to extend until Aug. 18 its temporary tolerances for the insecticide tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP) in several meat and poultry products. EPA said it’s taking this action on its own initiative. The temporary tolerances were established in 2008, and were renewed in 2011 until March 18, 2013. The agency said it needs more time to review information before making a final decision on tolerances for the insecticide. Comments are due March 12.

The Environmental Protection Agency set maximum tolerances for the pesticide fenpyrazamine in almond, almond hulls, pistachio, lettuce heads and leaves, caneberry, bushberry, the small fruit vine climbing subgroup (except kiwifuirt), grape juice, the low growing berry subgroup, and ginseng. The tolerances are effective March 6. Objections and requests for hearings are due May 6.

The Environmental Protection Agency said it received petitions to approve new uses for three pesticides containing currently registered active ingredients. Products covered by the petitions include a fungicide containing the active ingredient propiconazole; an insecticide with the active ingredient spirotetramat; an herbicide containing the active ingredient clomazone; a fungicide containing the active ingredient triflumizole; and an insecticide with the active ingredient quinoxyfen. Comments on the petitions are due April 5.

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule declaring prions (proteinaceous infectious particles) to be pests under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. EPA will require efficacy data for pesticide products with prion-related claims, it said. The final rule also announced the availability of final test guidelines on generating product performance data for prion pesticide products. The final rule is effective April 29.

The Environmental Protection Agency is issuing several final rules amending maximum tolerances allowed for pesticides in agricultural products. The rules set maximum tolerances for pyraflufen-ethyl in milk, fat, meat, meat byproducts, peanuts, and peanut hay (here); and pyroxasulfone in soybean seed, forage, and hay (here). A final rule also amends tolerances for acetochlor in crop groups 15 (cereal grains) and 16 (forage, fodder and straw of cereal grains) to drop the exceptions for rice and rice straw (here). All three rules are effective Feb. 27.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing significant new use rules (SNURs) for 37 chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices. Seventeen of the substances are subject to EPA consent orders. If finalized, the SNURs would require persons who intend to manufacture, import, or process any of these 37 substances for a new use to notify EPA at least 90 days beforehand. EPA would then have the ability to prohibit or limit the activity. Comments on the proposed rule are due by April 26.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing changes to Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) used by petroleum refiners and importers to show compliance with their renewable fuel volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program. The proposal would create a voluntary quality assurance program, and would provide for verification of all RINs for 2013. Other changes would ensure RINs for exported fuel are retired, EPA said.

The Environmental Protection Agency is holding public meetings in Arlington, Va., Chicago, and Denver on a national electronic manifest system for information on shipment of hazardous waste. EPA is looking for input on what expectations and technical requirements it should consider as it begins the planning stage of the e-Manifest system. The Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act, signed into law Oct. 5, authorizes EPA to implement an e-Manifest system by 2015, and requires that EPA issue regulations allowing electronic filing of manifests by Oct. 5, 2013. The e-Manifests will be deemed the legal equivalent to the Uniform Hazardous Waste Paper Manifest Form and Continuation Sheet (EPA Form 8700-22 and 8700-22a). Electronic filing will be optional.

The Environmental Protection Agency posted the results of 2012 Chemical Data Reporting to its website. The database contains reports on 7,674 chemicals, including 354 that were used in children’s products, 1,704 used in consumer products, and 3,073 for industrial use only. Manufacturers and importers are required to report data every four years when production or import quantity thresholds are met. The 2012 database marks the first Chemical Data Reporting period required under an August 2011 EPA final rule, and covers calendar year 2011.