National Toxicology Program (NTP); NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM); Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM): Ten-Year Anniversary Symposium and Five-Year Plan, 72727-72729 [E7-24799]

Download as PDF mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 245 / Friday, December 21, 2007 / Notices Reporters: Depository institutions, Edge and agreement corporations, U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks Annual reporting hours: 1,623 hours Estimated average hours per response: 1.0 hour Number of respondents: 1,623 General description of report: This information collection is mandatory (12 U.S.C. 248(i), 248–1, and 464). The information submitted by respondents for the payments system risk reduction program may be accorded confidential treatment under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. § 552 (b)(4)). In addition, information reported in connection with the second and third resolutions may be protected under Section (b)(8) of FOIA, to the extent that such information is based on the institution’s CAMELS rating, and thus is related to examination reports prepared by, on behalf of, or for the use of an agency responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial institutions (5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(8)). Abstract: Federal Reserve Banks collect these data annually to provide information that is essential for their administration of the Federal Reserve’s Payments System Risk (PSR) policy. The reporting panel includes all financially healthy depository institutions with access to the discount window. The Report of Net Debit Cap comprises three resolutions, which are filed by a depository institution’s board of directors depending on its needs. The first resolution is used to establish a de minimis net debit cap and the second resolution is used to establish a selfassessed net debit cap. The third resolution is used to establish simultaneously a self-assessed net debit cap and maximum daylight overdraft capacity. Copies of the model resolutions are located in Appendix B, of the PSR policy, that can be found at https://www.federalreserve.gov/ paymentsystems/psr/relpol.htm. Current actions: In an effort to streamline the resolutions filed by institutions eligible for maximum daylight overdraft capacity, two former resolutions were combined into one: resolution 3a, collateralized capacity, and resolution 3b, in-transit securities. These resolutions were replaced by the maximum daylight overdraft capacity resolution that combines the board of directors’ approval of the institution’s self-assessment as well as its maximum daylight overdraft capacity level. VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:37 Dec 20, 2007 Jkt 214001 72727 Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, December 17, 2007. Jennifer J. Johnson, Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. E7–24785 Filed 12–20–07; 8:45 am] Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, December 18, 2007. Jennifer J. Johnson, Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc.E7–24832 Filed 12–20–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6210–01–S BILLING CODE 6210–01–S FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Formations of, Acquisitions by, and Mergers of Bank Holding Companies The companies listed in this notice have applied to the Board for approval, pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841 et seq.) (BHC Act), Regulation Y (12 CFR Part 225), and all other applicable statutes and regulations to become a bank holding company and/or to acquire the assets or the ownership of, control of, or the power to vote shares of a bank or bank holding company and all of the banks and nonbanking companies owned by the bank holding company, including the companies listed below. The applications listed below, as well as other related filings required by the Board, are available for immediate inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated. The application also will be available for inspection at the offices of the Board of Governors. Interested persons may express their views in writing on the standards enumerated in the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1842(c)). If the proposal also involves the acquisition of a nonbanking company, the review also includes whether the acquisition of the nonbanking company complies with the standards in section 4 of the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1843). Unless otherwise noted, nonbanking activities will be conducted throughout the United States. Additional information on all bank holding companies may be obtained from the National Information Center website at www.ffiec.gov/nic/. Unless otherwise noted, comments regarding each of these applications must be received at the Reserve Bank indicated or the offices of the Board of Governors not later than January 18, 2008. A. Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (Todd Offenbacker, Assistant Vice President) 925 Grand Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64198–0001: 1. Ambage, Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada; to become a bank holding company by acquiring 100 percent of the voting shares of First Financial Services, Inc., and thereby acquire First National Bank and Trust Company, both in Falls City, Nebraska. PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 National Toxicology Program (NTP); NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM); Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM): Ten-Year Anniversary Symposium and Five-Year Plan National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), HHS. ACTION: Announcement of public symposium and availability of document. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NICEATM invites attendance at a public symposium to mark the tenth anniversary of ICCVAM. The symposium, entitled ‘‘Celebrating Ten Years of Advancing Public Health and Animal Welfare With Sound Science: Envisioning New Directions in Toxicology’’ will be held February 5, 2008, at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Headquarters in Bethesda, MD. The NICEATM–ICCVAM Five-Year Plan (2008–2012) will also be discussed and made available on February 5. DATES: The symposium will be held on February 5, 2008. Those interested in attending the symposium are encouraged to register with NICEATM by February 1, 2008, although registration will also be available onsite. ADDRESSES: The symposium will be held in the CPSC Hearing Room, located at CPSC Headquarters, Bethesda Towers Bldg., 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD. Registration information and other details about the symposium can be found on the NICEATM-ICCVAM Web site at https://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/ meetings/10thAnnivSymp/ 10thAnnivSymp.htm or by contacting NICEATM (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT below). The NICEATM–ICCVAM Five-Year Plan will be available at the symposium and electronically on the NICEATM– ICCVAM Web site at https:// iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/docs/ 5yearplan.htm after February 5. Print copies may be obtained by contacting NICEATM. E:\FR\FM\21DEN1.SGM 21DEN1 72728 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 245 / Friday, December 21, 2007 / Notices Ms. Debbie McCarley, NICEATM, NIEHS, P.O. Box 12233, MD EC–17, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, (telephone) 919–541–2384, (fax) 919–541–0947, (email) niceatm@niehs.nih.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Background The Director of the NIEHS established an ad hoc ICCVAM in September 1994 to respond to requirements in the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 285l-1, Public Law 103–43). This Act required NIEHS to establish criteria for the validation and regulatory acceptance of alternative toxicological testing methods. NIEHS was also required to recommend a process to achieve the regulatory acceptance of scientifically valid alternative test methods. The ad hoc ICCVAM was comprised of representatives from 15 Federal agencies, which are now represented on ICCVAM. In 1997, the ad hoc ICCVAM published its final report, Validation and Regulatory Acceptance of Toxicological Test Methods. In the same year, NIEHS established a standing ICCVAM committee to implement a process by which new test methods of interagency interest could be evaluated and to coordinate cross-agency issues on development, validation, acceptance, and national and international harmonization of toxicological test methods. The ICCVAM Authorization Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 285l-3, Public Law 106–545) established ICCVAM as a permanent interagency committee of NIEHS under NICEATM. The law was enacted ‘‘To establish, wherever feasible, guidelines, recommendations, and regulations that promote the regulatory acceptance of new or revised scientifically valid toxicological tests that protect human and animal health and the environment while reducing, refining, or replacing animal tests and ensuring human safety and product effectiveness.’’ Over the last 10 years, ICCVAM, with scientific support from NICEATM, has evaluated over 185 test methods with the potential to reduce, refine or replace the use of animals in regulatory safety testing. ICCVAM has developed and transmitted recommendations to Federal agencies for alternative methods for the four most commonly used toxicity tests. These science-based technical evaluations have been used to support adoption of test methods as guidelines by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and other international organizations. NICEATM and ICCVAM have also worked with Federal agencies and other stakeholders VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:37 Dec 20, 2007 Jkt 214001 to link research and development activities to the standardization and validation of alternative test methods that may be used in regulatory testing. The symposium on February 5, 2008, will recognize the 10-year anniversary of ICCVAM and discuss future directions in toxicology testing and the NICEATM–ICCVAM Five-Year Plan. Preliminary Agenda • Welcome • ICCVAM and NICEATM: The First Ten Years • A Vision Towards the Future: The NICEATM–ICCVAM Five-Year Plan • The Evolution and Future of Toxicology: Where We’ve Come From and Future Prospects • Toxicology Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and a Strategy—A Report of the National Research Council of the National Academies • Future Directions in Test Method Development—Toxicology Research, Development, Translation, and Validation: Insights and Activities from selected ICCVAM Agencies: NIEHS/NTP, EPA, FDA • Panel Discussion—Toxicology Research, Development, Translation, and Validation: The Way Forward for ICCVAM and Its Stakeholders • Closing Remarks Symposium Attendance and Registration The symposium will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, from 1–5 p.m., in the CPSC Hearing Room, located at CPSC Headquarters, Bethesda Towers Bldg., 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD. The symposium is open to the public and there is no charge to attend; attendance is limited only by the available space. Individuals who plan to attend are encouraged to register in advance with NICEATM. Registration information is available on the NICEATM–ICCVAM Web site at https:// iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/meetings/ 10thAnnivSymp/10thAnnivSymp.htm or by contacting NICEATM (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above). Persons needing special assistance in order to attend, such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation, should contact 919– 541–2475 voice, 919–541–4644 TTY (text telephone, through the Federal TTY Relay System at 800–877–8339), or e-mail to niehsoeeo@niehs.nih.gov. Requests should be made at least seven days in advance of the event. NICEATM–ICCVAM Five-Year Plan NICEATM and ICCVAM, working in conjunction with Federal agency program offices, have prepared the PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 NICEATM–ICCVAM Five-Year Plan. The plan describes how NICEATM and ICCVAM will facilitate the research, development, translation (activities carried out to characterize if there is evidence of relevance and applicability of a test method for a specific testing purpose), validation, and regulatory acceptance of alternative test methods. Acceptance of such methods will reduce, refine, and replace the use of animals in testing, while maintaining scientific quality and the protection of human health, animal health, and the environment. Development of the plan took place over a 14-month period during which there were multiple opportunities for comment on the plan by ICCVAM stakeholders, the public, and the Scientific Advisory Committee on Alternative Toxicological Methods (see Federal Register notices: Vol. 71, No. 218, pp. 66172–73, November 13, 2006; Vol. 72, No. 83, pp. 23831–32, May 1, 2007; and Vol. 72, No. 83, pp. 23832–33, May 1, 2007). The plan addresses ICCVAM’s vision to play a leading role in fostering and promoting the development, validation, and regulatory acceptance of scientifically sound alternative test methods both within the Federal government and internationally. Implementing this plan involves four key challenges. The first challenge is to identify priority areas for the next five years and to conduct and facilitate activities in those areas. The second challenge involves identifying and promoting research initiatives that are expected to support the future development of innovative alternative test methods. The third challenge is to foster the acceptance and appropriate use of alternative test methods through outreach and communication. The last challenge is to develop partnerships and strengthen interactions with ICCVAM stakeholders in order to facilitate meaningful progress. The NICEATM–ICCVAM Five-Year Plan will be presented at the February symposium and copies will be available. The NICEATM–ICCVAM Five-Year Plan will also be available electronically after February 5 on the NICEATM–ICCVAM Web site at https://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/ docs/5yearplan.htm. Print copies may be obtained by contacting NICEATM (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above). Background Information on ICCVAM and NICEATM ICCVAM is an interagency committee composed of representatives from 15 Federal regulatory and research agencies that use or generate toxicological information. ICCVAM conducts E:\FR\FM\21DEN1.SGM 21DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 245 / Friday, December 21, 2007 / Notices technical evaluations of new, revised, and alternative methods with regulatory applicability and promotes the scientific validation and regulatory acceptance of toxicological test methods that more accurately assess the safety and hazards of chemicals and products and that refine, reduce, or replace animal use. The ICCVAM Authorization Act of 2000 (available at https:// iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/docs/about_docs/ PL106545.pdf) establishes ICCVAM as a permanent interagency committee of the NIEHS under NICEATM. NICEATM administers ICCVAM and provides scientific and operational support for ICCVAM-related activities. NICEATM and ICCVAM work collaboratively to evaluate new and improved test methods applicable to the needs of Federal agencies. Additional information about ICCVAM and NICEATM is available on the NICEATM–ICCVAM Web site at https:// iccvam.niehs.nih.gov. Dated: December 12, 2007. Samuel H. Wilson, Acting Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program. [FR Doc. E7–24799 Filed 12–20–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Privacy Act of 1974; Report of a New System of Records Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ACTION: Notice of a New System of Records (SOR). mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, we are proposing to establish a new system titled, ‘‘Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration (MFPD), System No. 09–70–0593.’’ The demonstration, created by section 6071 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109–171), provides to states a total of $1.75 billion in competitive grants. MFP demonstration grants have been awarded to 30 states and the District of Columbia. The states and the District of Columbia are using the grant funding to transition Medicaid beneficiaries who need long-term care services from institutional-based care to community-based care. The purpose of the demonstration is to help states continue their efforts to restructure their VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:37 Dec 20, 2007 Jkt 214001 long-term care systems and shift the historical emphasis from institutional care to community-based care. The demonstration is based on the premise that many Medicaid beneficiaries currently residing in institutions want to live in the community and could do so if they had the adequate support, and that it would cost less than Medicaid currently spends to care for institutional care. The purpose of this system is to collect and maintain individually identifiable information on Medicaid recipients, those who participate in the MFP demonstration and other comparable Medicaid recipients, and to collect and maintain program level information on grantee implementation of the MFP demonstration. Information retrieved from this system may be disclosed to: (1) Support regulatory, reimbursement, and policy functions performed within the agency or by a contractor, grantee, or consultant; (2) assist another Federal or state agency with information to contribute to the accuracy of CMS’s proper payment of Medicaid benefits, enable such agency to administer a Federal health benefits program, or to enable such agency to fulfill a requirement of Federal statute or regulation that implements a health benefits program funded in whole or in part with Federal funds; (3) support an individual or organization for a research project or in support of an evaluation project related to the prevention of disease or disability, the restoration or maintenance of health, or payment related projects; (4) support litigation involving the agency; and (5) combat fraud, waste, and abuse in certain Federally-funded health benefits programs. We have provided background information about the new system in the ‘‘Supplementary Information’’ section below. Although the Privacy Act requires only that CMS provide an opportunity for interested persons to comment on the proposed routine uses, CMS invites comments on all portions of this notice. See ‘‘Effective Dates’’ section for comment period. DATES: Effective Date: CMS filed a new SOR report with the Chair of the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, and the Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on December 14, 2007. To ensure that all parties have adequate time in which to comment, the new system will become effective 30 days from the publication of the notice, or 40 days from the date it PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 72729 was submitted to OMB and the Congress, whichever is later. We may defer implementation of this system or one or more of the routine use statements listed below if we receive comments that persuade us to defer implementation. The public should address comments to the CMS Privacy Officer, Division of Privacy Compliance, Enterprise Architecture and Strategy Group, Mail-stop N2–04–27, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244–1850. Comments received will be available for review at this location by appointment during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., eastern time. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Effie Shockley, Division of Advocacy and Special Initiatives, Disabled and Elderly Health Programs Group, Center for Medicaid and State Operations, Mail Stop S2–14–26, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244–1849. She can be reached by telephone at 410– 786–8639, or via e-mail at Effie.Shockley@cms.hhs.gov. ADDRESSES: The demonstration, created by section 6071 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109–171), provides states a total of $1.75 billion in competitive grants to transition Medicaid beneficiaries who need long-term care services from institutional-based care to communitybased care and to use enhanced matching funds to continue their work to restructure their long-term care systems. The purpose of the demonstration is to help states continue their efforts to restructure their longterm care systems and shift the historical emphasis from institutional care to community-based care. The demonstration is based on the premise that many Medicaid beneficiaries currently residing in institutions want to live in the community and could do so if they had adequate support, and it would cost less than Medicaid currently spends to care for institutional care. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Description of the Proposed System of Records A. Statutory and Regulatory Basis for SOR The statutory authority for this system is given under Section 6071 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. B. Collection and Maintenance of Data in the System This system will collect and maintain individually identifiable and other data collected on Medicaid recipients and E:\FR\FM\21DEN1.SGM 21DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 245 (Friday, December 21, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72727-72729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24799]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


National Toxicology Program (NTP); NTP Interagency Center for the 
Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM); Interagency 
Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods 
(ICCVAM): Ten-Year Anniversary Symposium and Five-Year Plan

AGENCY: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), 
National Institutes of Health (NIH), HHS.

ACTION: Announcement of public symposium and availability of document.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NICEATM invites attendance at a public symposium to mark the 
tenth anniversary of ICCVAM. The symposium, entitled ``Celebrating Ten 
Years of Advancing Public Health and Animal Welfare With Sound Science: 
Envisioning New Directions in Toxicology'' will be held February 5, 
2008, at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) 
Headquarters in Bethesda, MD. The NICEATM-ICCVAM Five-Year Plan (2008-
2012) will also be discussed and made available on February 5.

DATES: The symposium will be held on February 5, 2008. Those interested 
in attending the symposium are encouraged to register with NICEATM by 
February 1, 2008, although registration will also be available on-site.

ADDRESSES: The symposium will be held in the CPSC Hearing Room, located 
at CPSC Headquarters, Bethesda Towers Bldg., 4330 East West Highway, 
Bethesda, MD. Registration information and other details about the 
symposium can be found on the NICEATM-ICCVAM Web site at https://
iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/meetings/10thAnnivSymp/10thAnnivSymp.htm or by 
contacting NICEATM (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT below). The 
NICEATM-ICCVAM Five-Year Plan will be available at the symposium and 
electronically on the NICEATM-ICCVAM Web site at https://
iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/docs/5yearplan.htm after February 5. Print copies 
may be obtained by contacting NICEATM.

[[Page 72728]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Debbie McCarley, NICEATM, NIEHS, 
P.O. Box 12233, MD EC-17, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, (telephone) 
919-541-2384, (fax) 919-541-0947, (e-mail) niceatm@niehs.nih.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Director of the NIEHS established an ad hoc ICCVAM in September 
1994 to respond to requirements in the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 
(42 U.S.C. 285l-1, Public Law 103-43). This Act required NIEHS to 
establish criteria for the validation and regulatory acceptance of 
alternative toxicological testing methods. NIEHS was also required to 
recommend a process to achieve the regulatory acceptance of 
scientifically valid alternative test methods. The ad hoc ICCVAM was 
comprised of representatives from 15 Federal agencies, which are now 
represented on ICCVAM.
    In 1997, the ad hoc ICCVAM published its final report, Validation 
and Regulatory Acceptance of Toxicological Test Methods. In the same 
year, NIEHS established a standing ICCVAM committee to implement a 
process by which new test methods of interagency interest could be 
evaluated and to coordinate cross-agency issues on development, 
validation, acceptance, and national and international harmonization of 
toxicological test methods. The ICCVAM Authorization Act of 2000 (42 
U.S.C. 285l-3, Public Law 106-545) established ICCVAM as a permanent 
interagency committee of NIEHS under NICEATM. The law was enacted ``To 
establish, wherever feasible, guidelines, recommendations, and 
regulations that promote the regulatory acceptance of new or revised 
scientifically valid toxicological tests that protect human and animal 
health and the environment while reducing, refining, or replacing 
animal tests and ensuring human safety and product effectiveness.''
    Over the last 10 years, ICCVAM, with scientific support from 
NICEATM, has evaluated over 185 test methods with the potential to 
reduce, refine or replace the use of animals in regulatory safety 
testing. ICCVAM has developed and transmitted recommendations to 
Federal agencies for alternative methods for the four most commonly 
used toxicity tests. These science-based technical evaluations have 
been used to support adoption of test methods as guidelines by the 
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and other 
international organizations. NICEATM and ICCVAM have also worked with 
Federal agencies and other stakeholders to link research and 
development activities to the standardization and validation of 
alternative test methods that may be used in regulatory testing. The 
symposium on February 5, 2008, will recognize the 10-year anniversary 
of ICCVAM and discuss future directions in toxicology testing and the 
NICEATM-ICCVAM Five-Year Plan.

Preliminary Agenda

 Welcome
 ICCVAM and NICEATM: The First Ten Years
 A Vision Towards the Future: The NICEATM-ICCVAM Five-Year Plan
 The Evolution and Future of Toxicology: Where We've Come From 
and Future Prospects
 Toxicology Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and a 
Strategy--A Report of the National Research Council of the National 
Academies
 Future Directions in Test Method Development--Toxicology 
Research, Development, Translation, and Validation: Insights and 
Activities from selected ICCVAM Agencies: NIEHS/NTP, EPA, FDA
 Panel Discussion--Toxicology Research, Development, 
Translation, and Validation: The Way Forward for ICCVAM and Its 
Stakeholders
 Closing Remarks

Symposium Attendance and Registration

    The symposium will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, from 1-5 
p.m., in the CPSC Hearing Room, located at CPSC Headquarters, Bethesda 
Towers Bldg., 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD. The symposium is 
open to the public and there is no charge to attend; attendance is 
limited only by the available space. Individuals who plan to attend are 
encouraged to register in advance with NICEATM. Registration 
information is available on the NICEATM-ICCVAM Web site at https://
iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/meetings/10thAnnivSymp/10thAnnivSymp.htm or by 
contacting NICEATM (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above). Persons 
needing special assistance in order to attend, such as sign language 
interpretation or other reasonable accommodation, should contact 919-
541-2475 voice, 919-541-4644 TTY (text telephone, through the Federal 
TTY Relay System at 800-877-8339), or e-mail to 
niehsoeeo@niehs.nih.gov. Requests should be made at least seven days in 
advance of the event.

NICEATM-ICCVAM Five-Year Plan

    NICEATM and ICCVAM, working in conjunction with Federal agency 
program offices, have prepared the NICEATM-ICCVAM Five-Year Plan. The 
plan describes how NICEATM and ICCVAM will facilitate the research, 
development, translation (activities carried out to characterize if 
there is evidence of relevance and applicability of a test method for a 
specific testing purpose), validation, and regulatory acceptance of 
alternative test methods. Acceptance of such methods will reduce, 
refine, and replace the use of animals in testing, while maintaining 
scientific quality and the protection of human health, animal health, 
and the environment. Development of the plan took place over a 14-month 
period during which there were multiple opportunities for comment on 
the plan by ICCVAM stakeholders, the public, and the Scientific 
Advisory Committee on Alternative Toxicological Methods (see Federal 
Register notices: Vol. 71, No. 218, pp. 66172-73, November 13, 2006; 
Vol. 72, No. 83, pp. 23831-32, May 1, 2007; and Vol. 72, No. 83, pp. 
23832-33, May 1, 2007).
    The plan addresses ICCVAM's vision to play a leading role in 
fostering and promoting the development, validation, and regulatory 
acceptance of scientifically sound alternative test methods both within 
the Federal government and internationally. Implementing this plan 
involves four key challenges. The first challenge is to identify 
priority areas for the next five years and to conduct and facilitate 
activities in those areas. The second challenge involves identifying 
and promoting research initiatives that are expected to support the 
future development of innovative alternative test methods. The third 
challenge is to foster the acceptance and appropriate use of 
alternative test methods through outreach and communication. The last 
challenge is to develop partnerships and strengthen interactions with 
ICCVAM stakeholders in order to facilitate meaningful progress.
    The NICEATM-ICCVAM Five-Year Plan will be presented at the February 
symposium and copies will be available. The NICEATM-ICCVAM Five-Year 
Plan will also be available electronically after February 5 on the 
NICEATM-ICCVAM Web site at https://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/docs/
5yearplan.htm. Print copies may be obtained by contacting NICEATM (see 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).

Background Information on ICCVAM and NICEATM

    ICCVAM is an interagency committee composed of representatives from 
15 Federal regulatory and research agencies that use or generate 
toxicological information. ICCVAM conducts

[[Page 72729]]

technical evaluations of new, revised, and alternative methods with 
regulatory applicability and promotes the scientific validation and 
regulatory acceptance of toxicological test methods that more 
accurately assess the safety and hazards of chemicals and products and 
that refine, reduce, or replace animal use. The ICCVAM Authorization 
Act of 2000 (available at https://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/docs/about_docs/
PL106545.pdf) establishes ICCVAM as a permanent interagency committee 
of the NIEHS under NICEATM. NICEATM administers ICCVAM and provides 
scientific and operational support for ICCVAM-related activities. 
NICEATM and ICCVAM work collaboratively to evaluate new and improved 
test methods applicable to the needs of Federal agencies. Additional 
information about ICCVAM and NICEATM is available on the NICEATM-ICCVAM 
Web site at https://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov.

    Dated: December 12, 2007.
Samuel H. Wilson,
Acting Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 
and National Toxicology Program.
 [FR Doc. E7-24799 Filed 12-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P
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