Web-Distributed Labeling User Acceptance Pilot, 51058-51061 [2010-20449]
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51058
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 159 / Wednesday, August 18, 2010 / Notices
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[FRL–9190–9; Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD–
2009–0934]
The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and
Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of
the Central Appalachian Coalfields and
a Field-Based Aquatic Life Benchmark
for Conductivity in Central
Appalachian Streams
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Extension of public comment
period to September 3, 2010.
AGENCY:
EPA is announcing an
extension of the public comment period
for two related draft documents: (1)
‘‘The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and
Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of
the Central Appalachian Coalfields’’
(EPA/600/R–09/138A) and (2) ‘‘A Fieldbased Aquatic Life Benchmark for
Conductivity in Central Appalachian
Streams’’ (EPA/600/R–10/023A). We are
specifically extending the comment
period on these two documents to give
the public additional time to evaluate
the data used to derive a benchmark for
conductivity. The original Federal
Register notice announcing the public
comment period was published on April
12, 2010 (75 FR 18499). By following
the link below, reviewers may
download the initial data and EPA’s
derivative data sets that were used to
calculate the conductivity benchmark.
These reports were developed by the
National Center for Environmental
Assessment (NCEA) within EPA’s Office
of Research and Development as part of
a set of actions taken by EPA to further
clarify and strengthen environmental
permitting requirements for
Appalachian mountaintop removal and
other surface coal mining projects, in
coordination with Federal and State
regulatory agencies (https://
www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/guidance/
mining.html).
Both documents were reviewed by an
independent Mountaintop Mining
Advisory Panel convened by EPA’s
Science Advisory Board (SAB) on July
21—23, 2010. The public comment
period for the SAB meeting follows a
separate process and provides separate
opportunities for all interested parties to
comment on the document. EPA intends
to forward to the SAB those comments
received as of September 3, 2010, for
consideration by the SAB Panel as they
finalize their report. When finalizing the
draft documents, EPA will consider the
comments from the SAB review as well
as any significant public comments that
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SUMMARY:
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it receives in accordance with this
notice.
EPA released these draft documents
for the purpose of pre-dissemination
peer review under applicable
information quality guidelines. The
documents have not been formally
disseminated by EPA. They do not
represent and should not be construed
to represent a final Agency policy or
determination; however, the documents
reflect EPA’s best interpretation of the
available science. The draft documents
are available via the Internet on NCEA’s
home page under the Recent Additions
and Publications menus at https://
www.epa.gov/ncea.
Dated: August 12, 2010.
David A. Bussard,
Acting Director, National Center for
Environmental Assessment.
The public comment period
began on April 12, 2010, and ends on
September 3, 2010. Technical comments
should be in writing and must be
received by EPA by September 3, 2010.
SUMMARY:
DATES:
The draft reports, ‘‘The
Effects of Mountaintop Mines and
Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of
the Central Appalachian Coalfields’’ and
‘‘A Field-based Aquatic Life Benchmark
for Conductivity in Central Appalachian
Streams’’ are available primarily via the
Internet on NCEA’s home page under
the Recent Additions and Publications
menus at https://www.epa.gov/ncea. A
limited number of paper copies are
available; contact the EPA by telephone
(703–347–8629) or facsimile (703–347–
8691). If you are requesting a paper
copy, please provide your name,
mailing address, and the document
titles (1) ‘‘The Effects of Mountaintop
Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic
Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian
Coalfields’’ and (2) ‘‘A Field-based
Aquatic Life Benchmark for
Conductivity in Central Appalachian
Streams.’’
Comments may be submitted
electronically via https://
www.regulations.gov, by mail, by
facsimile, or by hand delivery/courier.
Please follow the detailed instructions
provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section of Federal Register
Notice (75 FR 30393).
ADDRESSES:
For
information on submitting comments to
the docket, please contact the Office of
Environmental Information Docket;
telephone: 202–566–1752; facsimile:
202–566–1753; or e-mail:
ORD.Docket@epa.gov. For technical
information, please leave a message at
703–347–8629 or send e-mail to MTM–
Cond@epa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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[FR Doc. 2010–20466 Filed 8–17–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2010–0632; FRL–8840–1]
Web-Distributed Labeling User
Acceptance Pilot
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
EPA’s Office of Pesticide
Programs (OPP) is exploring a new
initiative called ‘‘web-distributed
labeling’’ (web-distributed labeling) that
would make the most current version of
some pesticide labeling available to
users via the Internet. Through this
Federal Register Notice, OPP is
announcing its intention to conduct a
web-distributed labeling ‘‘User
Acceptance Pilot’’ and is soliciting
interest from entities potentially willing
to participate in this pilot program.
Through the User Acceptance Pilot, EPA
intends to demonstrate how users could
access labeling information using the
Internet, thereby helping EPA determine
whether the benefits of web-distributed
labeling would be sufficiently appealing
to users that they would be willing to
visit a website to download and use
labeling. This notice provides a brief
description of a pilot website and
invites participation in developing a
pilot web-distributed labeling website
by interested parties.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before September 17, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments
identified by the docket identification
(ID) number by one of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: Office of Pesticide Programs
(OPP) Regulatory Public Docket (7502P),
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001.
• Delivery: OPP Regulatory Public
Docket (7502P), Environmental
Protection Agency, Rm. S–4400, One
Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 2777 S.
Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. Deliveries
are only accepted during the Docket
Facility’s normal hours of operation
(8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday, excluding legal holidays).
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 159 / Wednesday, August 18, 2010 / Notices
Special arrangements should be made
for deliveries of boxed information. The
Docket Facility telephone number is
(703) 305–5805.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michelle DeVaux, Field and External
Affairs Division, Office of Pesticide
Programs, Environmental Protection
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone
number: 703-308-5891; fax number:703308-2962; e-mail address:
devaux.michelle@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
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A. Does this Action Apply to Me?
You may be potentially affected by
this action if you provide pesticide
labeling in an electronic format or are
interested in developing a website to
deliver pesticide labeling electronically.
Potentially affected entities may
include, but are not limited to:
• Data processing, hosting, and related
services (NAICS code 518210), i.e.,
establishments primarily engaged in
providing infrastructure for hosting or
data processing services.
• Web search portals (NAICS code
518112), e.g. companies or individuals
that develop or maintain web search
portals.
• Internet publishing and broadcasting
and Web search portals (NAICS code
519130), e.g., internet search portals,
Web search portals, and internet search
Web sites.
• Persons who manufacture,
distribute, sell, apply, or regulate
pesticide products, including
agricultural, commercial, and
residential products (NAICS codes
32532 and 32561).
This listing is not intended to be
exhaustive, but rather provides a guide
for readers regarding entities likely to be
affected by this action. Other types of
entities not listed in this unit could also
be affected. The North American
Industrial Classification System
(NAICS) codes have been provided to
assist you and others in determining
whether this action might apply to
certain entities. If you have any
questions regarding the applicability of
this action to a particular entity, consult
the person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
B. How Can I Get Copies of this
Document and Other Related
Information?
EPA has established a docket for this
action under docket identification (ID)
number EPA–HQ–OPP–2010–0632.
Publicly available docket materials are
available either in the electronic docket
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at https://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.
II. Background
A. What Action is the Agency Taking?
Through this Federal Register Notice,
OPP intends to identify parties
potentially interested in participating in
a web-distributed labeling User
Acceptance Pilot.
1. Overview. EPA regulates pesticide
products under the authority of the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). FIFRA
establishes a pre-market review and
approval system called ‘‘registration.’’
With limited exceptions, no pesticide
may be sold or distributed in the United
States unless EPA has first issued a
registration for the product. As part of
the registration process, EPA reviews
and approves the labeling affixed to or
accompanying the pesticide product.
Labeling describes how a pesticide may
be used safely and effectively. Federal
law prohibits the use of a pesticide in
a manner inconsistent with its approved
labeling. Many pesticide products are
registered for multiple uses, and as a
result, the labeling of the product is
often very lengthy.
Since 2007, EPA has been exploring
the possibility of making some pesticide
product labeling available via the
Internet. EPA envisions a system that
would make the most current version of
pesticide labeling available to
purchasers and users electronically
through web-distribution. For certain
segments of pesticide products, portions
of the labeling would no longer
physically accompany the pesticide
container. To obtain the pesticide
product’s full labeling, the container
label would require a user to go to an
Internet website. Users would be able to
retrieve crop-specific labeling by
entering the product registration
number, the state where the pesticide
would be applied, and use site (e.g., a
crop) on which the pesticide would be
applied. In response to this information,
the website would provide streamlined
labeling for the user to download that
would include only the information
necessary for the particular use
requested. When fully operational, a
web-distributed labeling system would
also offer alternate delivery mechanisms
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for users who cannot access the Internet.
Web-distributed labeling is being
proposed initially as a voluntary option
for registrants and would not be
appropriate for all pesticide products.
The goal of the web-distributed labeling
initiative is to provide streamlined
labeling that contains only the pertinent
label information specific to the state
where the pesticide is to be used and for
the particular intended use, thus
reducing unrelated directions by a
significant amount. EPA expects this
will improve label comprehension,
readability, and compliance.
EPA is interested in conducting a
‘‘User Acceptance Pilot’’ to research the
extent to which users would accept a
system requiring them to obtain labeling
via the Internet. The specific goal of the
pilot is to determine whether the
benefits of web-distributed labeling
would be sufficiently appealing to users
that they would be willing to visit a
website to obtain labeling for a pesticide
product. The pilot would demonstrate
how users could access labeling
information using the website and
would not involve the actual
distribution to users of actual pesticide
product labeling that would rely on the
web-distributed labeling approach.
2. Background. After receiving a
request to consider web-distributed
labeling from State officials responsible
for regulation of pesticide products,
EPA formed an internal workgroup to
discuss the possible mechanics of webdistributed labeling and how it would
complement ongoing label improvement
programs. The workgroup conducted
extensive stakeholder outreach to
individuals and associations to describe
the concept of web-distributed labeling
and to solicit stakeholder feedback.
Using the stakeholders’ input, the EPA
internal workgroup developed
discussion papers to describe some of
the details around specific elements of
web-distributed labeling.
In May 2008, EPA requested formal
feedback on web-distributed labeling
from the Pesticide Program Dialogue
Committee (PPDC), a Federal Advisory
Committee to the Office of Pesticide
Programs. In response, a PPDC
workgroup was formed to review and
respond to the discussion papers
developed by EPA. The workgroup
includes representatives from user and
grower groups; public interest groups;
trade associations; industry; State, local,
and tribal governments; educational
organizations; Federal agencies; and
others. From October 2008 through
October 2009 the PPDC web-distributed
labeling workgroup met to discuss and
provide comment on the papers. A full
listing of the meetings and papers
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considered is available at: https://
epa.gov/pesticides/ppdc/distr-labeling/
index.html.
In October 2009, the PPDC workgroup
recommended a pilot for webdistributed labeling that would allow
users to test the functionality of one or
several web-distributed labeling
websites. The proposed pilot would be
conducted with mock pesticide labeling
and would not require any changes to
actual pesticide labeling and any mock
pesticide labeling would not be used to
make an actual pesticide application.
Based on the feedback received from the
PPDC workgroup, EPA decided to focus
the pilot on soliciting user feedback on
the concept of web-distributed labeling.
The pilot is discussed further in Unit
II.A.3 and 4.
3. Pilot specifications. The EPA is
looking for entities outside of EPA to
participate in the User Acceptance Pilot.
An entity which volunteers to
participate would develop a website
from which potential pesticide users
and others can retrieve pesticide
product labeling information
appropriate to a specific state and use
site. The website(s) developed for the
User Acceptance Pilot will allow users
to do the following:
• Log onto an Internet-accessible
website.
• Enter a product registration number
or other product identifier for one of
several pre-determined products.
• Select the relevant state/county in
which the mock pesticide application
would take place.
• Select the relevant use pattern(s) for
the mock pesticide application to filter
the labeling according to use pattern(s).
• View and download from the
website the labeling appropriate for the
identified product, use pattern, and
state provided.
In addition, the pilot websites would:
• Provide web-distributed labeling for
at least three different products.
Participants may use product labels of
their choosing and/or, upon request, use
mock labels provided by EPA.
• Place a prominent statement on each
page of the downloaded labeling making
it clear that the labeling downloaded
from the website(s) was not legally valid
for purposes of making a pesticide
application.
• Offer users a mechanism for
providing feedback on the webdistributed labeling experience.
Participants are not limited to creating
a website that meets only the minimum
specifications identified above, and EPA
encourages participants to incorporate
other tools and functionality as
appropriate. Possible enhancements for
a web-distributed labeling website are
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discussed in the Website Functionality
discussion paper available at: https://
www.epa.gov/pesticides/ppdc/distrlabeling/jan09/functionality.pdf.
4. Pilot evaluation. As noted above,
the purpose of the pilot is to obtain
information about users’ reactions to a
system which requires them to obtain
labeling from the Internet. The results of
this research are important for EPA in
deciding to move ahead with further
efforts to develop such a system.
Consequently, EPA not only expects
participants in the Pilot to offer users a
mechanism for providing feedback on
the web-distributed labeling experience,
but also encourages participants to
summarize and submit to EPA the
feedback obtained through the pilot.
The following types of information
would be useful to EPA in assessing the
User Acceptance pilot.
i. Paper labels – what users like and
dislike about the current paper labeling
on or accompanying pesticide
containers.
ii. Web-distributed labeling pilot
website – the experience of using the
website
• How users would access a webdistributed labeling website, e.g.,
whether high speed, dial-up, no online
access;
• Ease of navigation (finding webdistributed labeling the user was
looking for); and
• The user’s overall experience using
the website
iii. Web-distributed labeling – The
reaction to web-distributed labeling
• Ease in understanding webdistributed labeling
• Ease in following labeling that is
partially on container and partially on
web-distributed labeling
• Paper-based format or in the
streamlined web-distributed labeling
format preference
• User’s impressions of the benefits of
web-distributed labeling
• Potential impact on the user’s
compliance with labeling
iv. Other potential features of Webdistributed labeling
• What other information, if any, the
user would like to have that was not
offered in the pilot, e.g., calibration
instructions, pest identification guides.
5. How to participate. Parties
(including but not limited to those listed
under Unit I.A.) interested in
participating in the User Acceptance
Pilot must respond in writing by
September 17, 2010 to the person
identified in the section titled FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT with an
expression of interest to participate.
EPA will schedule a meeting with all
interested parties after EPA has
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reviewed the responses to discuss the
User Acceptance Pilot and to answer
any questions from potential
participants. EPA’s goal is to have all
User Acceptance Pilot websites ready
for users to test by October 15, 2010.
Participation in the User Acceptance
Pilot is voluntary; however, those
entities who ultimately participate must
agree to certain terms and conditions in
order for EPA to evaluate the success of
the website, including the following:
• The website(s) developed for the
User Acceptance Pilot must be
accessible to all potential users and at
no charge to any potential user.
• EPA would post information
gathered as part of the User Acceptance
Pilot and provided to EPA to the public
docket or made available to EPA to post
to the public docket.
• Participation in the User Acceptance
Pilot does not guarantee future
involvement or participation in any
web-distributed labeling activity, such
as developing a structured labeling
interface.
Parties interested in learning more
about participating in the pilot can find
information at https://www.epa.gov/
pesticides/regulating/labels/
distribution/index.htm. Discussion
papers related to web-distributed
labeling are available at https://epa.gov/
pesticides/ppdc/distr-labeling/
index.html. Participants are encouraged
to review Web-Distributed Labeling of
Pesticides: Website Functionality (http:/
www./epa.gov/pesticides/ppdc/distrlabeling/jan09/functionality.pdf).
B. What is the Agency’s Authority for
Taking this Action?
EPA is taking this action under the
authority of FIFRA, section 20(a). This
section provides that ‘‘The
Administrator shall undertake research .
. . with . . . others as may be necessary
to carry out the purposes of [FIFRA].’’
Here EPA is seeking to work with
parties in the private sector to obtain
information that will help EPA assess
whether pesticides users would accept a
web-distributed labeling program. This
information is essential to
understanding whether a webdistributed labeling system would
improve users’ compliance with
pesticide labeling, thereby reducing
risks to human health and the
environment.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Internet,
labeling, pesticides.
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Dated: August 6, 2010.
Steven Bradbury,
Director, Office of Pesticide Programs.
Need and Use: This is a new
collection to ensure compliance with
the Consolidated Appropriations Act of
2010 (Pub. L. 111–117), enacted
December 16, 2009.
[FR Doc. 2010–20449 Filed 8–17–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
Sharon A. Whitt,
Agency Clearance Officer.
EXPORT–IMPORT BANK
[FR Doc. 2010–20389 Filed 8–17–10; 8:45 am]
[Public Notice 2010–0035]
BILLING CODE 6690–01–P
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Final Collection; Comment
Request
FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION
Export-Import Bank of the U.S.
ACTION: Submission for OMB Review
and Comments Request.
Joint and Several Liability Reallocation
Agreement
AGENCY:
Form Title: EIB 10–01A Long Term
Transaction Questionnaire, EIB 10–01B
Oil and Gas Company Questionnaire.
SUMMARY: The Export-Import Bank of
the United States (‘‘Ex-Im Bank’’) is the
official export credit agency of the
United States. Its mission is to create
and sustain U.S. jobs by financing U.S.
exports through direct loans, guarantees,
insurance and working capital credit.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of
2010 (Pub. L. 111–117) (‘‘the Act’’),
enacted December 16, 2009, provides for
Ex-Im Bank’s FY2010 budget
authorization. As part of the U.S.
government’s efforts to strengthen
sanctions against Iran, the Act contains
language prohibiting Ex-Im Bank from:
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Authoriz[ing] any new guarantee,
insurance, or extension of credit for any
project controlled by an energy producer or
refiner that continues to: (A) provide Iran
with significant refined petroleum resources;
(B) materially contribute to Iran’s capability
to import refined petroleum resources; or (C)
allow Iran to maintain or expand, in any
material respect, its domestic production of
refined petroleum resources, including any
assistance in refinery construction,
modernization, or repair.
See Sec. 7043 of the Act.
The Act is effectively immediately
and applies to all authorizations Ex-Im
Bank may make with FY2010 funds.
DATES: Comments should be received on
or before October 18, 2010 to be assured
of consideration.
ADRESSES: Comments maybe submitted
electronically on https://
www.regulations.gov or by mail to Faisal
Siddiqui, Export-Import Bank of the
United States, 811 Vermont Ave., NW.
Washington, DC 20571.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Titles and Form Number: EIB 10–01A
Long Term Transaction Questionnaire,
EIB 10–01B Oil and Gas Company
Questionnaire.
OMB Number: 3048–0030.
Type of Review: Regular.
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RIN 3052–AC64
Farm Credit Administration.
Notice of joint and several
liability reallocation agreement; request
for comments.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Farm Credit
Administration (FCA or we) is
publishing for comment a Joint and
Several Liability Reallocation
Agreement (Agreement) to be entered
into by all of the banks of the Farm
Credit System (Farm Credit or System)
and the Federal Farm Credit Banks
Funding Corporation (Funding
Corporation). The Agreement is
designed to establish a procedure for
nondefaulting banks to pay maturing
System-wide debt on behalf of
defaulting banks prior to a statutory
joint and several call by the FCA.
DATES: You may send comments on or
before September 17, 2010.
ADDRESSES: There are several methods
for you to submit your comments. For
accuracy and efficiency reasons,
commenters are encouraged to submit
comments by e-mail or through the
FCA’s Web site. As facsimiles (faxes) are
difficult for us to process and achieve
compliance with section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d), we
are no longer accepting comments
submitted by fax. Please do not submit
your comment multiple times via
different methods. You may submit
comments by any of the following
methods:
• E-mail: Send us an e-mail at regcomm@fca.gov.
• FCA Web site: https://www.fca.gov.
Select ‘‘Public Commenters,’’ then
‘‘Public Comments,’’ and follow the
directions for ‘‘Submitting a Comment.’’
• Federal E-Rulemaking Web site:
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: Send mail to Gary K. Van
Meter, Deputy Director, Office of
Regulatory Policy, Farm Credit
Administration, 1501 Farm Credit Drive,
McLean, VA 22102–5090.
SUMMARY:
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51061
You may review copies of comments
we receive at our office in McLean,
Virginia, or on our Web site at https://
www.fca.gov. Once you are in the Web
site, select ‘‘Public Commenters,’’ then
‘‘Public Comments,’’ and follow the
directions for ‘‘Reading Submitted
Public Comments.’’ We will show your
comments as submitted, but for
technical reasons we may omit items
such as logos and special characters.
Identifying information that you
provide, such as phone numbers and
addresses, will be publicly available.
We will attempt to remove e-mail
addresses from comments (other than
those submitted in a ‘‘.pdf’’ format) to
help reduce Internet spam.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Chris Wilson, Financial Analyst, Office
of Regulatory Policy, Farm Credit
Administration, McLean, VA 22102–
5090, (703) 883–4204, TTY (703) 883–
4434, or Rebecca S. Orlich, Senior
Counsel, Office of General Counsel,
Farm Credit Administration, McLean,
VA 22102–5090, (703) 883–4020, TTY
(703) 883–4020.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Objective
Our objective in publishing the
Agreement is to seek public comment
on the Agreement before the FCA Board
determines whether or not to approve it.
II. Background
System associations obtain funding by
means of direct loans from their
affiliated Farm Credit Banks or
Agricultural Credit Bank (collectively,
System Banks or Banks). The Banks in
turn obtain their funding primarily by
issuing System-wide obligations to
investors through the Funding
Corporation.1 The Banks’ authority to
issue System-wide obligations is
provided in section 4.2(d) of the Farm
Credit Act of 1971, as amended (Act).2
Section 4.2(c) of the Act also authorizes
the Banks to obtain funding by issuing
consolidated obligations with other
Banks operating under the same title of
the Act, but all of the System’s joint
funding at the present time is through
System-wide obligations. Consolidated
and System-wide obligations (also
referred to as insured obligations) are
insured by the Farm Credit System
Insurance Corporation (FCSIC) using
1 The Funding Corporation is the fiscal agent of
the System established under section 4.9 of the
Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended (12 U.S.C.
2160). The Farm Credit Act is set forth in 12 U.S.C.
2001–2279cc.
2 Section 4.2 of the Act is codified at 12 U.S.C.
2153.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 18, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51058-51061]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-20449]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0632; FRL-8840-1]
Web-Distributed Labeling User Acceptance Pilot
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) is exploring a new
initiative called ``web-distributed labeling'' (web-distributed
labeling) that would make the most current version of some pesticide
labeling available to users via the Internet. Through this Federal
Register Notice, OPP is announcing its intention to conduct a web-
distributed labeling ``User Acceptance Pilot'' and is soliciting
interest from entities potentially willing to participate in this pilot
program. Through the User Acceptance Pilot, EPA intends to demonstrate
how users could access labeling information using the Internet, thereby
helping EPA determine whether the benefits of web-distributed labeling
would be sufficiently appealing to users that they would be willing to
visit a website to download and use labeling. This notice provides a
brief description of a pilot website and invites participation in
developing a pilot web-distributed labeling website by interested
parties.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 17, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments identified by the docket identification
(ID) number by one of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public
Docket (7502P), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
Delivery: OPP Regulatory Public Docket (7502P),
Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South
Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. Deliveries are only
accepted during the Docket Facility's normal hours of operation (8:30
a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays).
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Special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed
information. The Docket Facility telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle DeVaux, Field and External
Affairs Division, Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: 703-308-5891; fax number:703-308-2962; e-mail
address: devaux.michelle@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. Does this Action Apply to Me?
You may be potentially affected by this action if you provide
pesticide labeling in an electronic format or are interested in
developing a website to deliver pesticide labeling electronically.
Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to:
Data processing, hosting, and related services (NAICS code
518210), i.e., establishments primarily engaged in providing
infrastructure for hosting or data processing services.
Web search portals (NAICS code 518112), e.g. companies or
individuals that develop or maintain web search portals.
Internet publishing and broadcasting and Web search
portals (NAICS code 519130), e.g., internet search portals, Web search
portals, and internet search Web sites.
Persons who manufacture, distribute, sell, apply, or
regulate pesticide products, including agricultural, commercial, and
residential products (NAICS codes 32532 and 32561).
This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides
a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this
action. Other types of entities not listed in this unit could also be
affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS)
codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining
whether this action might apply to certain entities. If you have any
questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular
entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
B. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information?
EPA has established a docket for this action under docket
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0632. Publicly available
docket materials are available either in the electronic docket at
https://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.
II. Background
A. What Action is the Agency Taking?
Through this Federal Register Notice, OPP intends to identify
parties potentially interested in participating in a web-distributed
labeling User Acceptance Pilot.
1. Overview. EPA regulates pesticide products under the authority
of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
FIFRA establishes a pre-market review and approval system called
``registration.'' With limited exceptions, no pesticide may be sold or
distributed in the United States unless EPA has first issued a
registration for the product. As part of the registration process, EPA
reviews and approves the labeling affixed to or accompanying the
pesticide product. Labeling describes how a pesticide may be used
safely and effectively. Federal law prohibits the use of a pesticide in
a manner inconsistent with its approved labeling. Many pesticide
products are registered for multiple uses, and as a result, the
labeling of the product is often very lengthy.
Since 2007, EPA has been exploring the possibility of making some
pesticide product labeling available via the Internet. EPA envisions a
system that would make the most current version of pesticide labeling
available to purchasers and users electronically through web-
distribution. For certain segments of pesticide products, portions of
the labeling would no longer physically accompany the pesticide
container. To obtain the pesticide product's full labeling, the
container label would require a user to go to an Internet website.
Users would be able to retrieve crop-specific labeling by entering the
product registration number, the state where the pesticide would be
applied, and use site (e.g., a crop) on which the pesticide would be
applied. In response to this information, the website would provide
streamlined labeling for the user to download that would include only
the information necessary for the particular use requested. When fully
operational, a web-distributed labeling system would also offer
alternate delivery mechanisms for users who cannot access the Internet.
Web-distributed labeling is being proposed initially as a voluntary
option for registrants and would not be appropriate for all pesticide
products. The goal of the web-distributed labeling initiative is to
provide streamlined labeling that contains only the pertinent label
information specific to the state where the pesticide is to be used and
for the particular intended use, thus reducing unrelated directions by
a significant amount. EPA expects this will improve label
comprehension, readability, and compliance.
EPA is interested in conducting a ``User Acceptance Pilot'' to
research the extent to which users would accept a system requiring them
to obtain labeling via the Internet. The specific goal of the pilot is
to determine whether the benefits of web-distributed labeling would be
sufficiently appealing to users that they would be willing to visit a
website to obtain labeling for a pesticide product. The pilot would
demonstrate how users could access labeling information using the
website and would not involve the actual distribution to users of
actual pesticide product labeling that would rely on the web-
distributed labeling approach.
2. Background. After receiving a request to consider web-
distributed labeling from State officials responsible for regulation of
pesticide products, EPA formed an internal workgroup to discuss the
possible mechanics of web-distributed labeling and how it would
complement ongoing label improvement programs. The workgroup conducted
extensive stakeholder outreach to individuals and associations to
describe the concept of web-distributed labeling and to solicit
stakeholder feedback. Using the stakeholders' input, the EPA internal
workgroup developed discussion papers to describe some of the details
around specific elements of web-distributed labeling.
In May 2008, EPA requested formal feedback on web-distributed
labeling from the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC), a
Federal Advisory Committee to the Office of Pesticide Programs. In
response, a PPDC workgroup was formed to review and respond to the
discussion papers developed by EPA. The workgroup includes
representatives from user and grower groups; public interest groups;
trade associations; industry; State, local, and tribal governments;
educational organizations; Federal agencies; and others. From October
2008 through October 2009 the PPDC web-distributed labeling workgroup
met to discuss and provide comment on the papers. A full listing of the
meetings and papers
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considered is available at: https://epa.gov/pesticides/ppdc/distr-labeling/.
In October 2009, the PPDC workgroup recommended a pilot for web-
distributed labeling that would allow users to test the functionality
of one or several web-distributed labeling websites. The proposed pilot
would be conducted with mock pesticide labeling and would not require
any changes to actual pesticide labeling and any mock pesticide
labeling would not be used to make an actual pesticide application.
Based on the feedback received from the PPDC workgroup, EPA decided to
focus the pilot on soliciting user feedback on the concept of web-
distributed labeling. The pilot is discussed further in Unit II.A.3 and
4.
3. Pilot specifications. The EPA is looking for entities outside of
EPA to participate in the User Acceptance Pilot. An entity which
volunteers to participate would develop a website from which potential
pesticide users and others can retrieve pesticide product labeling
information appropriate to a specific state and use site. The
website(s) developed for the User Acceptance Pilot will allow users to
do the following:
Log onto an Internet-accessible website.
Enter a product registration number or other product
identifier for one of several pre-determined products.
Select the relevant state/county in which the mock
pesticide application would take place.
Select the relevant use pattern(s) for the mock pesticide
application to filter the labeling according to use pattern(s).
View and download from the website the labeling
appropriate for the identified product, use pattern, and state
provided.
In addition, the pilot websites would:
Provide web-distributed labeling for at least three
different products. Participants may use product labels of their
choosing and/or, upon request, use mock labels provided by EPA.
Place a prominent statement on each page of the downloaded
labeling making it clear that the labeling downloaded from the
website(s) was not legally valid for purposes of making a pesticide
application.
Offer users a mechanism for providing feedback on the web-
distributed labeling experience.
Participants are not limited to creating a website that meets only
the minimum specifications identified above, and EPA encourages
participants to incorporate other tools and functionality as
appropriate. Possible enhancements for a web-distributed labeling
website are discussed in the Website Functionality discussion paper
available at: https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/ppdc/distr-labeling/jan09/functionality.pdf.
4. Pilot evaluation. As noted above, the purpose of the pilot is to
obtain information about users' reactions to a system which requires
them to obtain labeling from the Internet. The results of this research
are important for EPA in deciding to move ahead with further efforts to
develop such a system. Consequently, EPA not only expects participants
in the Pilot to offer users a mechanism for providing feedback on the
web-distributed labeling experience, but also encourages participants
to summarize and submit to EPA the feedback obtained through the pilot.
The following types of information would be useful to EPA in
assessing the User Acceptance pilot.
i. Paper labels - what users like and dislike about the current
paper labeling on or accompanying pesticide containers.
ii. Web-distributed labeling pilot website - the experience of
using the website
How users would access a web-distributed labeling website,
e.g., whether high speed, dial-up, no online access;
Ease of navigation (finding web-distributed labeling the
user was looking for); and
The user's overall experience using the website
iii. Web-distributed labeling - The reaction to web-distributed
labeling
Ease in understanding web-distributed labeling
Ease in following labeling that is partially on container
and partially on web-distributed labeling
Paper-based format or in the streamlined web-distributed
labeling format preference
User's impressions of the benefits of web-distributed
labeling
Potential impact on the user's compliance with labeling
iv. Other potential features of Web-distributed labeling
What other information, if any, the user would like to
have that was not offered in the pilot, e.g., calibration instructions,
pest identification guides.
5. How to participate. Parties (including but not limited to those
listed under Unit I.A.) interested in participating in the User
Acceptance Pilot must respond in writing by September 17, 2010 to the
person identified in the section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
with an expression of interest to participate. EPA will schedule a
meeting with all interested parties after EPA has reviewed the
responses to discuss the User Acceptance Pilot and to answer any
questions from potential participants. EPA's goal is to have all User
Acceptance Pilot websites ready for users to test by October 15, 2010.
Participation in the User Acceptance Pilot is voluntary; however,
those entities who ultimately participate must agree to certain terms
and conditions in order for EPA to evaluate the success of the website,
including the following:
The website(s) developed for the User Acceptance Pilot
must be accessible to all potential users and at no charge to any
potential user.
EPA would post information gathered as part of the User
Acceptance Pilot and provided to EPA to the public docket or made
available to EPA to post to the public docket.
Participation in the User Acceptance Pilot does not
guarantee future involvement or participation in any web-distributed
labeling activity, such as developing a structured labeling interface.
Parties interested in learning more about participating in the
pilot can find information at https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/labels/distribution/index.htm. Discussion papers related to web-
distributed labeling are available at https://epa.gov/pesticides/ppdc/distr-labeling/. Participants are encouraged to review Web-
Distributed Labeling of Pesticides: Website Functionality (http:/www./
epa.gov/pesticides/ppdc/distr-labeling/jan09/functionality.pdf).
B. What is the Agency's Authority for Taking this Action?
EPA is taking this action under the authority of FIFRA, section
20(a). This section provides that ``The Administrator shall undertake
research . . . with . . . others as may be necessary to carry out the
purposes of [FIFRA].'' Here EPA is seeking to work with parties in the
private sector to obtain information that will help EPA assess whether
pesticides users would accept a web-distributed labeling program. This
information is essential to understanding whether a web-distributed
labeling system would improve users' compliance with pesticide
labeling, thereby reducing risks to human health and the environment.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Internet, labeling, pesticides.
[[Page 51061]]
Dated: August 6, 2010.
Steven Bradbury,
Director, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 2010-20449 Filed 8-17-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S
