Significant New Use Rule on Certain Chemical Substances, 7455-7463 [2016-02952]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 29 / Friday, February 12, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
The interest assumptions are intended
to reflect current conditions in the
financial and annuity markets.
Assumptions under the benefit
payments regulation are updated
monthly. This final rule updates the
benefit payments interest assumptions
for March 2016.1
The March 2016 interest assumptions
under the benefit payments regulation
will be 1.25 percent for the period
during which a benefit is in pay status
and 4.00 percent during any years
preceding the benefit’s placement in pay
status. In comparison with the interest
assumptions in effect for February 2016,
these interest assumptions are
unchanged.
PBGC has determined that notice and
public comment on this amendment are
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. This finding is based on the
need to determine and issue new
interest assumptions promptly so that
the assumptions can reflect current
market conditions as accurately as
possible.
Because of the need to provide
immediate guidance for the payment of
benefits under plans with valuation
dates during March 2016, PBGC finds
that good cause exists for making the
assumptions set forth in this
amendment effective less than 30 days
after publication.
PBGC has determined that this action
is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’
under the criteria set forth in Executive
Order 12866.
Because no general notice of proposed
rulemaking is required for this
amendment, the Regulatory Flexibility
Act of 1980 does not apply. See 5 U.S.C.
601(2).
For plans with a valuation date
On or after
*
269 ........................
Before
*
3–1–16
*
4–1–16
3. In appendix C to part 4022, add
Rate Set 269 to the table to read as
follows:
*
For plans with a valuation date
*
Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1302, 1322, 1322b,
1341(c)(3)(D), and 1344.
2. In appendix B to part 4022, add
Rate Set 269 to the table to read as
follows:
■
Appendix B to Part 4022—Lump Sum
Interest Rates For PBGC Payments
*
*
*
*
i3
*
4.00
*
3–1–16
*
*
*
n1
*
4.00
4.00
n2
*
7
8
*
Deferred annuities
(percent)
Immediate
annuity rate
(percent)
Before
*
4–1–16
Issued in Washington, DC, on this 4th day
of February 2016.
Judith Starr,
General Counsel, Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation.
i1
i2
*
4.00
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 9 and 721
[EPA–HQ–OPPT–2013–0399; FRL–9941–56]
RIN 2070–AB27
BILLING CODE 7709–02–P
i3
*
1.25
[FR Doc. 2016–02810 Filed 2–11–16; 8:45 am]
Significant New Use Rule on Certain
Chemical Substances
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
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1. The authority citation for part 4022
continues to read as follows:
■
i2
i1
1.25
*
Rate set
*
269 ........................
PART 4022—BENEFITS PAYABLE IN
TERMINATED SINGLE-EMPLOYER
PLANS
Appendix C to Part 4022—Lump Sum
Interest Rates For Private-Sector
Payments
■
On or after
Employee benefit plans, Pension
insurance, Pensions, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
In consideration of the foregoing, 29
CFR part 4022 is amended as follows:
Deferred annuities
(percent)
Immediate
annuity rate
(percent)
Rate set
List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 4022
n1
*
4.00
4.00
n2
*
7
chemical substances that were the
subject of premanufacture notices
(PMNs). This action requires persons
who intend to manufacture (including
import) or process any of the chemical
substances for an activity that is
designated as a significant new use by
this rule to notify EPA at least 90 days
before commencing that activity. The
required notification would provide
EPA with the opportunity to evaluate
the intended use and, if necessary, to
prohibit or limit the activity before it
occurs.
EPA is finalizing significant
new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA) for three
DATES:
benefits under terminating covered single-employer
plans for purposes of allocation of assets under
ERISA section 4044. Those assumptions are
updated quarterly.
SUMMARY:
1 Appendix B to PBGC’s regulation on Allocation
of Assets in Single-Employer Plans (29 CFR part
4044) prescribes interest assumptions for valuing
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This final rule is effective April
12, 2016.
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The docket for this action,
identified by docket identification (ID)
number EPA–HQ–OPPT–2013–0399, is
available at https://www.regulations.gov
or at the Office of Pollution Prevention
and Toxics Docket (OPPT Docket),
Environmental Protection Agency
Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William
Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301
Constitution Ave. NW., Washington,
DC. The Public Reading Room is open
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, excluding legal
holidays. The telephone number for the
Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,
and the telephone number for the OPPT
Docket is (202) 566–0280. Please review
the visitor instructions and additional
information about the docket available
at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For technical information contact:
Kenneth Moss, Chemical Control
Division (7405M), Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics, Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001;
telephone number: (202) 564–9232;
email address: moss.kenneth@epa.gov.
For general information contact: The
TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 422
South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY
14620; telephone number: (202) 554–
1404; email address: TSCA-Hotline@
epa.gov.
ADDRESSES:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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I. Does this action apply to me?
You may be potentially affected by
this action if you manufacture, process,
or use the chemical substances
contained in this rule. The following list
of North American Industrial
Classification System (NAICS) codes is
not intended to be exhaustive, but rather
provides a guide to help readers
determine whether this document
applies to them. Potentially affected
entities may include:
• Manufacturers (including
importers) or processors of one or more
subject chemical substances (NAICS
codes 325 and 324110), e.g., chemical
manufacturing and petroleum refineries.
This action may also affect certain
entities through pre-existing import
certification and export notification
rules under TSCA. Chemical importers
are subject to the TSCA section 13 (15
U.S.C. 2612) import certification
requirements promulgated at 19 CFR
12.118 through 12.127 and 19 CFR
127.28. Chemical importers must certify
that the shipment of the chemical
substance complies with all applicable
rules and orders under TSCA. Importers
of chemicals subject to these SNURs
must certify their compliance with the
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SNUR requirements. The EPA policy in
support of import certification appears
at 40 CFR part 707, subpart B. In
addition, any persons who export or
intend to export a chemical substance to
a proposed or final rule are subject to
the export notification provisions of
TSCA section 12(b) (15 U.S.C. 2611(b))
(see § 721.20), and must comply with
the export notification requirements in
40 CFR part 707, subpart D.
II. Background
A. What action is the Agency taking?
EPA is finalizing SNURs, under TSCA
section 5(a)(2), for three very long chain
chlorinated paraffin (vLCCPs—alkyl
chain length of C21 and above) chemical
substances that were the subject of
PMNs P–12–539, P–13–107, and P–13–
109. This final rule requires persons
who intend to manufacture or process
any of these chemical substances for an
activity that is designated as a
significant new use to notify EPA at
least 90 days before commencing that
activity.
In the Federal Register of August 7,
2013 (78 FR 48051) (FRL–9393–4), EPA
issued direct final SNURs on these three
chemical substances in accordance with
the procedures at § 721.160(c)(3)(i). EPA
received notices of intent to submit
adverse comments on these SNURs.
Therefore, as required by
§ 721.160(c)(3)(ii), EPA removed the
direct final SNURs in a separate final
rule published in the Federal Register
of November 5, 2013 (78 FR 66279)
(FRL–9902–16), and issued a proposed
rule in the Federal Register of February
10, 2014 (79 FR 7621) (FRL–9903–43).
The record for the direct final SNURs on
these chemical substances was
established as docket EPA–HQ–OPPT–
2013–0399. That docket includes
information considered by the Agency
in developing the proposed and final
rules, including comments on the
proposed rule.
EPA received several comments on
the proposed rules for these three
chemical substances, from a single
commenter representing chlorinated
paraffin (CP) manufacturers (including
the submitter of the PMNs that are the
subject of these SNURs). A full
discussion of EPA’s response to these
comments is included in Unit V. of this
document. After consideration of these
comments, because the potential
remains for increased exposure that
formed the basis for the proposed
SNURs, EPA is issuing the final rules as
they were proposed for the chemical
substances.
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B. What is the Agency’s authority for
taking this action?
Section 5(a)(2) of TSCA (15 U.S.C.
2604(a)(2)) authorizes EPA to determine
that a use of a chemical substance is a
‘‘significant new use.’’ EPA must make
this determination by rule after
considering all relevant factors,
including the four bulleted TSCA
section 5(a)(2) factors, listed in Unit IV.
of this rule. Once EPA determines that
a use of a chemical substance is a
significant new use, TSCA section
5(a)(1)(B) requires persons to submit a
significant new use notice (SNUN) to
EPA at least 90 days before they
manufacture or process the chemical
substance for that use. Persons who
must report are described in § 721.5.
C. Applicability of General Provisions
General provisions for SNURs appear
in 40 CFR part 721, subpart A. These
provisions describe persons subject to
the rule, recordkeeping requirements,
exemptions to reporting requirements,
and applicability of the final rule to uses
occurring before the effective date of the
final rule. Provisions relating to user
fees appear at 40 CFR part 700.
According to § 721.1(c), persons subject
to these SNURs must comply with the
same SNUN requirements and EPA
regulatory procedures as submitters of
PMNs under TSCA section 5(a)(1)(A). In
particular, these requirements include
the information submission
requirements of TSCA section 5(b) and
5(d)(1), the exemptions authorized by
TSCA section 5(h)(1), (h)(2), (h)(3), and
(h)(5), and the regulations at 40 CFR
part 720. Once EPA receives a SNUN,
EPA may take regulatory action under
TSCA section 5(e), 5(f), 6, or 7 to control
the activities for which it has received
the SNUN. If EPA does not take action,
EPA is required under TSCA section
5(g) to explain in the Federal Register
its reasons for not taking action.
III. Rationale and Objectives of the
Final Rule
A. Rationale
During review of the PMNs submitted
for the three chemical substances that
are subject to these final SNURs, EPA
concluded that regulation was
warranted under TSCA section 5(e),
pending the development of information
sufficient to make reasoned evaluations
of the health and environmental effects
of the chemical substances. The basis
for these findings is outlined in Unit IV
of the proposed rule. Based on these
findings, a TSCA section 5(e) consent
order was negotiated with the PMN
submitter that required manufacture of
the substances at certain cumulative,
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aggregate volumes unless the company
has submitted the results of certain
environmental effects studies; no
manufacture of the substances with the
amount of chlorinated paraffins, with an
alkyl chain less than or equal to 20, to
exceed more than 1 percent of that PMN
substance by weight; and risk
notification. The SNUR provisions for
these chemical substances are consistent
with the provisions of the TSCA section
5(e) consent order. These final SNURs
are issued pursuant to § 721.160. See the
docket under docket ID number EPA–
HQ–OPPT–2013–0399 for the
corresponding consent order. For
additional discussion of the rationale for
the SNURs on these chemicals, see
Units II., IV, and V. of the proposed
rule.
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B. Objectives
EPA is issuing final SNURs for three
chemical substances described above to
achieve the following objectives with
regard to the significant new uses
designated in this final rule:
• EPA will receive notice of any
person’s intent to manufacture or
process a listed chemical substance for
the described significant new use before
that activity begins.
• EPA will have an opportunity to
review and evaluate data submitted in a
SNUN before the notice submitter
begins manufacturing or processing a
listed chemical substance for the
described significant new use.
• EPA will be able to regulate
prospective manufacturers or processors
of a listed chemical substance before the
described significant new use of that
chemical substance occurs, provided
that regulation is warranted pursuant to
TSCA sections 5(e), 5(f), 6, or 7.
Issuance of a SNUR for a chemical
substance does not signify that the
chemical substance is listed on the
TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory
(TSCA Inventory). Guidance on how to
determine if a chemical substance is on
the TSCA Inventory is available on the
Internet at https://www.epa.gov/tscainventory/about-tsca-chemicalsubstance-inventory.
IV. Significant New Use Determination
Section 5(a)(2) of TSCA states that
EPA’s determination that a use of a
chemical substance is a significant new
use must be made after consideration of
all relevant factors, including:
• The projected volume of
manufacturing and processing of a
chemical substance.
• The extent to which a use changes
the type or form of exposure of human
beings or the environment to a chemical
substance.
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• The extent to which a use increases
the magnitude and duration of exposure
of human beings or the environment to
a chemical substance.
• The reasonably anticipated manner
and methods of manufacturing,
processing, distribution in commerce,
and disposal of a chemical substance.
In addition to these factors
enumerated in TSCA section 5(a)(2), the
statute authorized EPA to consider any
other relevant factors.
To determine what would constitute a
significant new use for the chemical
substances listed in this final rule, EPA
considered relevant information about
the toxicity of the chemical substances,
likely human exposures and
environmental releases associated with
possible uses, and the four bulleted
TSCA section 5(a)(2) factors listed in
this unit.
V. Response to Comments on Proposed
SNUR
EPA received comments from the
Chlorinated Paraffins Industry
Association (CPIA), which represents
the CP industry, including the submitter
of the PMN substances that are the
subject of these SNURs and other
chlorinated paraffin manufacturers.
CPIA’s comments, and associated
attachments, can be found in the public
docket under ID EPA–HQ–OPPT–2013–
0399–0198.
Comment 1: Based on existing data
and recent reviews, CPIA believes long
chain chlorinated paraffin (LCCP—alkyl
chain length of C18 to C20) production
and use in the U.S. present an extremely
low risk to human health and the
environment. Given this, CPIA
questions the need for EPA to take
specific action under TSCA Section
5(a)(2) for any substances that could be
considered LCCP. CPIA then provides
information on why they believe LCCPs
and vLCCPs do not present a risk.
Response: The comments primarily
addressed the underlying risk
assessments associated with the PMNs.
EPA defers a discussion of the
commenter’s specific concerns as they
are not relevant to the basis for
determining that the uses specified in
these SNURs constitute significant new
uses. EPA is neither required to
determine that a particular new use of
any chemical substance presents, nor
even that it may present, an
unreasonable risk to human health or
the environment. Rather, EPA issues a
SNUR for a use of a substance if it is a
significant new use (e.g., EPA has
reason to anticipate that the use would
raise significant questions related to
potential exposure, so that the Agency
should have an opportunity to review
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the use before such use should occur).
EPA bases this judgment on a
consideration of all relevant factors,
including the specific factors identified
at section 5(a)(2). Pursuant to TSCA
section 5(a)(2), the PMN risk assessment
does not serve as the basis for regulation
of these SNURs, but as a valuable source
of a breadth of information related to
each substance’s potential to threaten
human health or the environment.
Nonetheless, EPA does have concern
for these chemical substances because
when released to the environment,
vLCCPs are expected to rapidly partition
to particulates and sediments where
they are anticipated to persist in the
environment with half-lives of months
or greater. If they do degrade over time,
these substances are expected to form
shorter chain chlorinated chemicals.
Based on the complex starting mixtures,
lack of data on biological and abiotic
reactions, and potential degradation
products, there is high uncertainty
regarding the fate and transport of these
substances. Nevertheless, by analogy to
medium chain chlorinated paraffins
(MCCPs—alkyl chain length of C14 to
C17) and LCCPs, EPA expects vLCCPs
and possible degradation products to be
potentially highly persistent, potentially
highly bioaccumulative, and potentially
toxic to aquatic and sediment-dwelling
organisms. Further, within the category
of vLCCPs, EPA expects the shorter
carbon chain range of these substances
(C21 to C24) and lower chlorinated
substances (degree of chlorination less
than 50%) to present the greatest
potential for risk, as they are expected
to be the most bioaccumulative, mobile
in the environment, and toxic.
Transport and magnification across
trophic levels may also result in toxicity
to higher organisms, including fish,
higher predators, and potentially
humans. EPA has concerns about the
potential for the vLCCPs to degrade to
shorter chain chlorinated compounds,
as well as concerns about potential
impurities or small fractions of MCCPs
and/or LCCPs.
MCCPs and LCCPs are expected to be
PBT chemicals based on the following
lines of evidence: (a) The available data
on MCCPs, sediment core studies,
environmental fate studies, and
associated calculations, indicate
transformation half-lives of months to
years, depending on the environmental
media. Even though there are limited
data on the LCCPs, biodegradation data
indicated increasing stability with
increasing chain length. LCCPs are also
expected to have transformation halflives comparable to, or greater than
MCCPs. Therefore, MCCPs and LCCPs
are expected to be very persistent; (b)
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The available data on MCCPs and
LCCPs indicate that these substances
have bioconcentration factors (BCFs)
and bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) that
exceed 1,000 or 5,000 liters per kilogram
wet weight of tissue (L/kg ww).
Therefore, MCCPs and LCCPs are
expected to be very bioaccumulative; (c)
The available data on MCCPs and
LCCPs indicated acute and chronic
toxicity to aquatic organism with effects
levels below 10 milligrams per liter (mg/
L) or 0.1 mg/L, depending on the
species and MCCP and LCCP congener
evaluated. Therefore, MCCPs and LCCPs
are expected to be toxic to aquatic
organisms; (d) EPA is concerned about
PBT chemicals because even small
releases may persist in environmental
media, build up in the environment and
concentrate/accumulate in organisms
over time. These properties increase the
potential for continual exposure, and
thus risk; and (e) EPA expects there to
be releases of the PMN substances to the
environment resulting from distribution
in commerce and during processing and
all the substances’ intended uses.
EPA notes that its risk assessments for
certain MCCP and LCCP PMNs have
recently been made available for public
comment in the Federal Register of
December 23, 2015 (80 FR 79886) (FRL–
9940–13).
Comment 2: CPIA questioned the
appropriateness of treating certain of the
substances in the proposed SNUR as
chemical analogs to LCCPs or vLCCPs,
because two of the three substances
covered by this SNUR are described as
being ‘‘branched and linear’’
chloroalkanes: Alkanes, C21 to C34branched and linear, chloro, CAS
Registry Number (CASRN) 1417900–96–
9 (P–12–0539), and Alkanes, C22 to C30branched and linear, chloro, CASRN
1401974–24–0 (P–13–0107). CPIA could
not find detailed compositional
information about these substances in
the rulemaking docket. Regardless, CPIA
does not expect that anyone intending
to make chlorinated paraffins would
intentionally seek to make branched
chloroalkanes. CP manufacturers have
always used either n-paraffin or alphaolefin feedstocks, both of which should
be almost exclusively linear if they are
to be used in CP manufacturing
operations. To the extent that these
hydrocarbon feedstocks contain
branched or isoparaffin content, they are
considered an impurity and something
to be minimized and closely controlled.
The Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD)
Screening Information Dataset (SIDS)
dossier and SIDS Initial Assessment
Report (SIAR) for LCCP discuss LCCP
isoparaffin content in its section on
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impurities and states that the amount
should not be more than 1–2%. This is
consistent with CPIA’s understanding of
the feedstocks used in LCCP
manufacture. Only linear chloroalkanes
are desired in commercial CP products
and any branched chloroalkane (i.e.
chlorinated isoparaffin) content is
considered an impurity and should be
kept to a minimum.
Response: EPA understands that some
CPs may contain only linear
chloroalkanes, but for these two
‘‘branched and linear’’ PMN
submissions that EPA has received, the
percent branching is greater than the 1–
2% figure mentioned in the CPIA
comments and the branching is thus
part of the specific chemical name for
TSCA Chemical Inventory purposes.
Comment 3: EPA has designated the
PMN/SNUR substances as very long
chain chlorinated paraffin (vLCCP),
with a nominal carbon chain length of
C21 to C30. EPA has designated LCCP as
C18 to C20 chloroalkanes, although in all
other venues, including EPA’s previous
CP testing program, the OECD SIDS
assessment, the European Union (EU)
Regulation on Registration, Evaluation,
Authorisation and Restriction of
Chemicals (REACH) dossier, and other
recent assessments, LCCP has been
considered as C18 to C30. Most of the
recent LCCP assessments have evaluated
LCCP as a category comprised of three
main subcategories: C18 to C20 Liquid
LCCP, C20 to C30 Liquid LCCP, and C20
to C30 Solid LCCP.
Response: EPA recognizes that CPIA
does not agree with the EPA
designations for LCCP vs. vLCCP. The
designation/cut-off for LCCPs and
vLCCPs represents the chain lengths
potentially contained in the liquid
chlorinated paraffins and waxy/solid
chlorinated paraffins. These
designations (i.e., the differentiation
between C18–20 and C20 CPs) are
consistent with those in other
jurisdictions, e.g., Environment Canada
(see Ref. 1). There are a series of
interactions that the CP industry has
had with EPA over the years, including
TSCA section 4 test rules on specific
TSCA chemicals and the Toxics Release
Inventory (TRI). In previous actions
under TSCA and TRI, the Agency has
used a different naming convention,
often based on public comment from
industry. However, in each action the
chemical substance that was the subject
of the action has been clear because
information such as chemical formula
has been part of the identification.
Previous attempts to divide chlorinated
paraffins into various categories were
based primarily on industrial usage
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patterns and industry comment, not on
toxicological information.
Regardless of the naming conventions
raised by the commenter, in reviewing
the studies submitted with the PMNs in
this SNUR and other PMNs, and the
scientific literature more broadly, EPA
has concluded that that there is a
continuum of effects linked to chain
length and degree of chlorination. On
the one end of the spectrum are SCCPs
and MCCPs; more data are available on
these chain lengths, and EPA has
concluded that sufficient data exists to
conclude that they may be PBTs. There
are also some, albeit significantly less,
data on the vLCCPs, most of which
appear to point to a lack of effects, but
the chemical composition of the test
substances was poorly characterized.
Ultimately, EPA is interested in specific
fate and toxicity tests on vLCCPs that
elucidate the relationship between
degree of chlorination and alkyl chain
length. The testing schema is designed
to minimize the burden of testing of
complex mixtures with numerous
congeners.
Comment 4: According to the
commenter, in the United States,
commercial LCCP products have
generally been in either the C20 to C30
liquid or C20 to C30 solid subcategories,
with C18 to C20 liquid LCCP products
found mostly in the European market.
Given the lack of C18 to C20 liquid LCCP
products in the U.S. market, CPIA does
not necessarily object to EPA’s division
of the existing category into LCCP and
vLCCP. However, CPIA, believes that
drawing a ‘‘bright line’’ at a carbon
length of C20 is questionable based on
the toxicology and environmental fate
data available. CPIA cites as support the
conclusion of the OECD SIDS Initial
Assessment Profile (SIAP) of LCCP, that
‘‘C20–30 liquid and solid LCCPs are of
low concern for the environment based
on their low hazard profiles. . . .
Adequate screening-level data are
available to characterize the
environmental hazard for the purposes
of the OECD HPV (High Production
Volume) Chemicals Programme.’’
Response: EPA recognizes that CPIA
does not agree with the EPA
designations for LCCP vs. vLCCP. EPA
disagrees with CPIA that linear C18 to
C20 CPs are not available within the
United States, as EPA has received one
or more PMN submissions for these
types of CPs and therefore they may be
commercially available. Further, these
designations are consistent with those
in other jurisdictions, e.g., Environment
Canada (Ref. 1). Please refer to the
response to Comment 1 for the issue of
hazard and PBT discussions pertaining
to chain length.
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Comment 5: Limited information on
EPA’s assessment of vLCCP is provided
in the proposed SNUR, associated
Consent Order, and the rulemaking
docket. Perhaps this limited information
is due to the nature of this SNUR and
the PMN review process.
Response: EPA reviewed the PMNs
based on the contents of the PMN and
information available on analogs and in
the literature. As with all PMN
submissions, EPA has followed the
processes, procedures and statutory
provisions of TSCA section 5 for the
chlorinated paraffin PMNs, including
EPA’s Policy Statement on PBT New
Chemical Substances (64 FR 60194;
November 4, 1999; FRL–6097–7). EPA’s
assessment of exposures and risks for
these three PMN substances is provided
in Unit IV of the Preamble to the section
5(e) Consent Order (available in the
public docket to the proposed rule) and
is also presented in the response to
Comment 1. Note that EPA has recently
made available assessments for certain
MCCP and LCCP PMNs, in the Federal
Register of December 23, 2015 (80 FR
79886) (FRL–9940–13).
Comment 6: EPA indicates that it was
unable to locate any chronic aquatic
toxicity data on LCCP and as a
consequence has relied solely on MCCP
data. Further, EPA claims that based on
these MCCP data there may be concerns
regarding vLCCP’s aquatic toxicity. EPA
should be aware that there are both
chronic fish and invertebrate toxicity
data on various carbon chain length and
chlorination level LCCP test materials.
These were included in all of the recent
reviews of LCCP, including the OECD
SIDS assessment, the REACH
registration dossier, and the U.K. LCCP
Environmental Risk Assessment report.
Response: As noted in the TSCA
section 5(e) Consent Order signed with
the PMN submitter and available in the
public docket, there were no valid
chronic aquatic toxicity data available
for LCCPs or vLCCPs. EPA did consider
the LCCP REACH Consortium aquatic
toxicity database (see Attachment B in
the CPIA comments), but the data were
inadequate to allow EPA to identify a
Concentration of Concern (COC). The
studies tested concentrations in excess
of the water solubility and did not
analytically measure the concentrations
that were in solution, which led to
results orders of magnitude above the
water solubility. Given the lack of
reliable test data for the PMN substances
listed in the SNUR, EPA used a readacross approach using MCCPs. The
chronic aquatic toxicity test results and
resulting COCs for MCCP data are
within the estimated water solubilities
and therefore these data are deemed
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reliable. The most reliable and
acceptable studies indicate that, for
vLCCPs, the predicted toxicity to
aquatic organisms for acute endpoints
are no effects at saturation. For the
chronic toxicity endpoint, EPA used the
aquatic invertebrate chronic value of
0.013 mg/L from the Thompson et al.
1997 study (Ref. 2) based on a MCCP
material. This value was divided by an
assessment factor of 10 to yield 0.0013
mg/L or 1.3 micrograms (mg)/L or 1.3
parts per billion (ppb).
Comment 7: CPIA readily
acknowledges that, as EPA notes,
toxicity to aquatic plant life and toxicity
to sediment organisms are data gaps for
LCCP. There have been several different
approaches used to fill these data gaps.
In the case of aquatic plant life, some
testing has been done on LCCP toxicity
to aquatic plant life though the
reliability of these data has been called
into question by reviewers and the data
were not deemed sufficiently valid to
address the endpoint. Most assessments
of LCCP have thus considered readacross data from MCCP as being
adequate to fill this data gap. The data
from MCCP indicate that neither MCCP,
nor LCCP by analogy, are toxic to
aquatic plant life. Given this, CPIA
supports the use of MCCP data in the
assessment of LCCP/vLCCP.
Response: EPA agrees that toxicity to
aquatic plant life is a data gap for LCCP/
vLCCP and that MCCP serves as an
appropriate analog in a read-across
approach.
Comment 8: For LCCP sediment
toxicity and risk, previous assessments
by the U.K. Environment Agency and
the REACH registration dossier have
extrapolated from LCCP aquatic toxicity
data to sediment toxicity using the
equilibrium partitioning method. This
approach is detailed in Attachment C of
CPIA’s comments, which is a direct
excerpt from the U.K. Environment
Agency’s (EA) LCCP assessment. Given
the very low water solubility of LCCP
and the very high predicted Kow, this
method estimates rather high predicted
no effect concentrations (PNECs) for
LCCP. A PNEC is functionally similar to
EPA’s concentration of concern (CoC) in
that both are points of departure for
environmental risk assessment. The
comparison between the sediment
PNECs derived by the EA using the
equilibrium partitioning method and the
sediment CoC derived by EPA using an
MCCP sediment toxicity study are
orders of magnitude apart. Given this
large difference and the fact that both
methods have limitations, CPIA thinks
that this may be a data gap to consider
for additional testing of vLCCP
assuming chemical analysis concerns
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can be addressed and only if exposure/
release information actually dictate a
need for this testing.
Response: EPA agrees that sediment
toxicity is a data gap for vLCCPs. The
most reliable and acceptable value for
the toxicity to sediment invertebrate
organisms is based on the MCCP
material from the Thompson et al. 2002
study (Ref. 3). For vLCCPs, EPA used
the 28-day sediment invertebrate
Geometric Mean Acceptable Toxicant
Concentration (GMATC) value of 187
mg/kg dry weight sediment as an analog
approach to assess hazard. To calculate
an acute concern concentration, this
value is first multiplied by an acute to
chronic ratio for invertebrates of 10 to
yield 1,870 mg/kg dry weight sediment,
and then this value is divided by an
assessment factor of 5 to yield 374 mg/
kg dry weight sediment. For the chronic
toxicity endpoint, EPA used the 28-day
sediment invertebrate GMATC of 187
mg/kg dry weight sediment also from
the Thompson et al. 2002 study. This
value is divided by an assessment factor
of 10 to yield 18.7 mg/kg dry weight
sediment.
Comment 9: EPA states that vLCCP by
analogy to MCCP may be ‘‘potentially
highly persistent, potentially
bioaccumulative and potentially toxic.’’
EPA further indicates that, ‘‘[t]ransport
and magnification across trophic levels
may also result in toxicity to higher
organisms, including fish, higher
predators, and potentially humans,’’
though it is not clear whether this
statement is directed at vLCCP or MCCP
as an analog. Regardless, EPA should be
aware there has been considerable
research done in recent years on the
environmental fate of MCCP, including
new research on biodegradation and the
potential for bioaccumulation, including
trophic magnification potential.
Response: EPA has reviewed all the
information cited by CPIA, including
the specific biodegradation studies
described in the comments and
biodegradation studies on LCCPs. No
persistence or bioaccumulation data
were available or submitted to EPA for
the commercial Unknown or Variable
composition, Complex reaction
products and Biological materials
(UVCB) multicomponent substances
described in the PMNs. In the absence
of data on the commercial UVCB
substances, EPA used data on their
components, analogs and used a readacross approach. EPA notes that close
analogs of MCCPs are the short chain
chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) which
have been proposed for addition to the
Stockholm Convention on Persistent
Organic Pollutants.
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Comment 10: Given the available
data, CPIA believes that any analogy to
MCCP for vLCCP must consider that
while lower chlorinated CP substances
may have somewhat greater capacity to
bioaccumulate—though
bioaccumulation will also decrease
significantly with increasing carbon
chain length—these same lower
chlorinated CPs show a greater potential
to biodegrade. In fact, MCCP
constituents up to 50% chlorination
have been found to be readily
biodegradable and therefore are not
persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic
chemicals (PBTs). Higher chlorinated
MCCP constituents also showed
significant potential to biodegrade
though the results did not reach the
‘‘ready’’ criteria. Perhaps even more
telling is the fact that field studies have
not shown MCCP to biomagnify across
trophic levels (Ref. 4). CPIA believes
that vLCCP, which is less soluble in
water and less bioavailable than MCCP,
will have even less potential to move up
through the troposphere and
biomagnify. This conclusion was
similarly reached by the U.K.
Environment Agency (Ref. 5), the OECD
(Ref. 6), and the European Chemical
Bureau (ECB) PBT Working Group (Ref.
7).
Response: EPA has reviewed all the
information cited by CPIA including the
specific bioaccumulation/
biomagnification studies described in
the comments. No persistence or
bioaccumulation data were submitted
for the commercial UVCB
multicomponent substances described
in the PMNs. In the absence of data on
the commercial UVCB multicomponent
substance, EPA used data on
components of that substance, structural
analogs and a read-across approach.
Although bioaccumulation data are
lacking with vLCCPs, there is still
concern for the presence of lower chain
length and moderately chlorinated
components in the vLCCP commercial
UVCB multicomponent substance that
have the potential to be both persistent
and bioaccumulative. EPA considered
more recent reviews of the
bioaccumulation potential of MCCPs by
Thompson and Vaughn (Ref. 4) and
Arnot (Ref. 8) in making the
determination that MCCPs may be very
bioaccumulative. The framework for
assessing bioaccumulation outlined by
Gobas et al. (Ref. 9) describes a preferred
data hierarchy that places field Trophic
Magnification Factor (TMF) studies at
the top. EPA recognizes that there are
significant uncertainties associated with
the available TMF data for MCCPs. In
the absence of such data, the framework
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outlines the use of bioconcentration
factors (BCFs), bioaccumulation factors
(BAFs), and biomagnification factors
(BMFs) to be considered with caution.
EPA believes that its review of available
data on the bioaccumulation potential of
MCCPs is consistent with the approach
described by Gobas et al. (Ref. 9) and
that the data support its finding that
MCCPs may be very bioaccumulative
and by analogy so may vLCCPs.
Comment 11: CPIA is concerned that
EPA’s proposed testing approach for
vLCCP in the proposed SNUR
(Attachment A of CPIA’s comments)
fails to consider the highly complex
nature of the LCCP/vLCCP UVCB
substances and the analytical
limitations inherent to this complex
composition. For example, even a single
carbon-chain length straight-chain
chloroalkane, will have tens of
thousands or more possible isomers.
Tomy et al. (Ref. 10) calculated that for
a C13 chloroalkane at 60% chlorination
by weight, the total number of possible
isomers is 3,549, even assuming no
more than one chlorine atom bound to
an individual carbon atom. This number
of theoretical isomers more than
doubles with each added carbon
number, suggesting that by C21, the
lowest carbon chain length that EPA has
proposed testing, this test material
could have hundreds of thousands of
possible isomers.
Response: EPA understands the
complexity of vLCCPs and therefore
stipulates under the consent order for
the PMN substances the testing of three
specific chain lengths and chlorination
levels. EPA expects that a single chain
length at a specific chlorination level
can be produced. The purpose of the
sequence of testing, i.e., biodegradation
testing and identification of degradation
products followed by bioaccumulation
testing and benthic toxicity testing, is to
use the results of the biodegradation
tests to identify biodegradation
products. The selection of three less
complex congener PMN surrogates for
testing reduces the analytical
complexities associated with
characterization of the test substance
and identification of products formed
during biodegradation testing.
Comment 12. Current guidance from
manufacturers indicates that vLCCP
substances should not be released to
surface water and/or poured down the
drain. When this guidance is applied to
exposure models, the predicted releases
levels to surface water and
corresponding concentrations in
sediment are below the levels of
concern.
Response: While the SNUR is not
based on EPA’s risk assessment, EPA
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notes that information regarding
releases of vLCCPs was submitted to
EPA by the PMN submitter of these
three SNUR substances and is used in
the risk assessment. EPA’s risk
assessment for the PMN substances
indicated that releases of the substances
may occur and that without the less
than 1 weight percent of chlorinated
paraffins with an alkyl chain ≤ 20
manufacturing restriction, those releases
may pose an unreasonable risk to the
environment. Further, apart from any
risk resulting from releases assessed for
the PMN chemical substance,
chlorinated paraffins with alkyl chain
lengths ≤ 20 are very persistent and very
bioaccumulative toxic chemical
substances. Thus a SNUR is important
because it gives EPA an opportunity to
review and evaluate data on the
significant new use before it
commences. These significant new use
may have release and exposure profiles
that are different from that considered
in the PMN.
To the extent that the commenter is
suggesting that the predicted releases to
surface water do not present a risk and
thus do not support a significant new
determination, EPA notes that a
significant new use determination is not
based on risk.
VI. Applicability of the Significant New
Use Designation
If uses begun after the proposed rule
was published were considered ongoing
rather than new, any person could
defeat the SNUR by initiating the
significant new use before the final rule
was issued. Therefore EPA has
designated the date of publication of the
proposed rule as the cutoff date for
determining whether the new use is
ongoing. Consult the Federal Register
notice of April 24, 1990 (55 FR 17376,
FRL 3658–5) for a more detailed
discussion of the cutoff date for ongoing
uses.
Any person who began commercial
manufacture or processing of the
chemical substances identified in this
rule for any of the significant new uses
designated in the proposed SNUR after
the date of publication of the proposed
SNUR, must stop that activity before the
effective date of the final rule. Persons
who ceased those activities will have to
first comply with all applicable SNUR
notification requirements and wait until
the notice review period, including any
extensions, expires, before engaging in
any activities designated as significant
new uses. If a person were to meet the
conditions of advance compliance
under 40 CFR 721.45(h), the person
would be considered to have met the
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IX. Economic Analysis
requirements of the final SNUR for
those activities.
VII. Test Data and Other Information
EPA recognizes that TSCA section 5
does not require the development of any
particular test data before submission of
a SNUN. The two exceptions are:
1. Development of test data is
required where the chemical substance
subject to the SNUR is also subject to a
test rule under TSCA section 4 (see
TSCA section 5(b)(1)).
2. Development of test data may be
necessary where the chemical substance
has been listed under TSCA section
5(b)(4) (see TSCA section 5(b)(2)).
In the absence of a TSCA section 4
test rule or a TSCA section 5(b)(4)
listing covering the chemical substance,
persons are required only to submit test
data in their possession or control and
to describe any other data known to or
reasonably ascertainable by them (see
§ 720.50). However, upon review of
PMNs and SNUNs, the Agency has the
authority to require appropriate testing.
Recommended testing that would
address the criteria of concern of
§ 721.170 can be found in Unit IV. of the
proposed rule. Descriptions of tests are
provided only for informational
purposes. EPA strongly encourages
persons, before performing any testing,
to consult with the Agency pertaining to
protocol selection.
SNUN submitters should be aware
that EPA will be better able to evaluate
SNUNs which provide detailed
information on the following:
• Human exposure and
environmental release that may result
from the significant new use of the
chemical substances.
• Potential benefits of the chemical
substances.
• Information on risks posed by the
chemical substances compared to risks
posed by potential substitutes.
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VIII. SNUN Submissions
According to 40 CFR 721.1(c), persons
submitting a SNUN must comply with
the same notice requirements and EPA
regulatory procedures as persons
submitting a PMN, including
submission of test data on health and
environmental effects as described in
§ 720.50. SNUNs must be on EPA Form
No. 7710–25, generated using e-PMN
software, and submitted to the Agency
in accordance with the procedures set
forth in §§ 721.25 and 720.40. E–PMN
software is available electronically at
https://www.epa.gov/reviewing-newchemicals-under-toxic-substancescontrol-act-tsca/how-submit-e-pmn.
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EPA evaluated the potential costs of
SNUN requirements for potential
manufacturers and processors of the
chemical substances in the rule. The
Agency’s complete Economic Analysis
is available in the docket under docket
ID number EPA–HQ–OPPT–2014–0390
X. References
The following is a listing of those
documents used to prepare the
preamble to this final rule. Additional
information for this final rule can be
located under docket ID number EPA–
HQ–OPPT–2013–0399, which is
available for inspection as specified
under ADDRESSES.
1. Environment Canada, August 2008.
Canadian Environmental Protection Act,
1999 Follow-up Report on a PSL1
Assessment for Which Data Were
Insufficient to Conclude Whether the
Substances Were ‘‘Toxic’’ to the
Environment and to the Human Health:
Chlorinated Paraffins.
2. Thompson, R.S., N.J. Williams, and E.
Gillings. 1997. Chlorinated Paraffin
(52% Chlorinated, C14-C17): Chronic
Toxicity to Daphnia Magna. AstraZeneca
Confidential Report, BL 5791/B.
3. Thompson, R.S., D.V. Smyth, and E.
Gillings. 2002. Medium-Chain
Chlorinated Paraffin (52% Chlorinated,
C14–17): Effects in Sediment on the
Survival, Growth and Sexual
Development of the Freshwater
Amphipod, Hyalella Azteca.
AstraZeneca Confidential Report
BL7469/B.
4. Thompson, Roy and Martin Vaughn. 2014.
Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins
(MCCPs): A review of bioaccumulation
potential in the aquatic environment.
Integrated Environmental Assessment
and Management. Volume 10, Issue 1,
pages 78–86, January 2014.
5. U.K. Environment Agency (EA). 2009.
Environmental Risk Evaluation Report:
Long-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins.
January 2009.
6. Organisation for Economic Cooperation
and Development (OECD). 2009. SIDS
Initial Assessment Report (SIAR) and
SIDS Initial Assessment Profile (SIAP)
for Long Chain Chlorinated Paraffins
(LCCPs). Reviewed and approved at
SIAM–29, October 20–23, 2009.
7. European Chemicals Bureau (ECB) PBT
Working Group. 2007. Results of the
Evaluation of the PBT/vPvB Properties of
Paraffin waxes and Hydrocarbon waxes,
chlor; EC number 264–150–0; CAS
number 63449–39–8. PBT List No. 110.
September 11, 2007.
8. Arnot, Jon. 2013. Comments on
Preliminary Bioaccumulation
Assessment of Medium Chain
Chlorinated Paraffins (MCCPs): Prepared
for the MCCP REACH Consortium. April
30, 2013.
9. Gobas, Frank APC; Watze de Wolf;
Lawrence P. Burkhard; Eric Verbruggen;
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Kathleen Plotzke. 2009. Revisiting
Bioaccumulation Criteria for POPs and
PBT Assessments. Integrated
Environmental Assessment and
Mangement 5(4): 624–637.
10. Tomy, Gregg T.; Gary A. Stern, Derek C.G.
Muir, Aaron T. Fisk, Chris D.
Cymbalisty, and John B. Westmore. 1997.
Quantifying C10–C13 Polychloroalkanes
in Environmental Samples by HighResolution Gas Chromatography/
Electron Capture Negative Ion HighResolution Mass Spectrometry.
Analytical Chemistry 69: 2762–2771.
XI. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866
This final rule establishes SNURs for
chemical substances that were the
subject of PMNs. The Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) has
exempted these types of actions from
review under Executive Order 12866,
entitled ‘‘Regulatory Planning and
Review’’ (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993).
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
According to PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501 et
seq.), an agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to a collection of information
that requires OMB approval under PRA,
unless it has been approved by OMB
and displays a currently valid OMB
control number. The OMB control
numbers for EPA’s regulations in title 40
of the CFR, after appearing in the
Federal Register, are listed in 40 CFR
part 9, and included on the related
collection instrument or form, if
applicable. EPA is amending the table in
40 CFR part 9 to list the OMB approval
number for the information collection
requirements contained in this final
rule. This listing of the OMB control
numbers and their subsequent
codification in the CFR satisfies the
display requirements of PRA and OMB’s
implementing regulations at 5 CFR part
1320. This Information Collection
Request (ICR) was previously subject to
public notice and comment prior to
OMB approval, and given the technical
nature of the table, EPA finds that
further notice and comment to amend it
is unnecessary. As a result, EPA finds
that there is ‘‘good cause’’ under section
553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative
Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B)) to
amend this table without further notice
and comment.
The information collection
requirements related to this action have
already been approved by OMB
pursuant to PRA under OMB control
number 2070–0012 (EPA ICR No. 574).
This action does not impose any burden
requiring additional OMB approval. If
an entity were to submit a SNUN to the
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Agency, the annual burden is estimated
to average between 30 and 170 hours
per response. This burden estimate
includes the time needed to review
instructions, search existing data
sources, gather and maintain the data
needed, and complete, review, and
submit the required SNUN.
Send any comments about the
accuracy of the burden estimate, and
any suggested methods for minimizing
respondent burden, including through
the use of automated collection
techniques, to the Director, Collection
Strategies Division, Office of
Environmental Information (2822T),
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001. Please remember to
include the OMB control number in any
correspondence, but do not submit any
completed forms to this address.
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C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
On February 18, 2012, EPA certified
pursuant to RFA section 605(b) (5 U.S.C.
601 et seq.), that promulgation of a
SNUR does not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities where the
following are true:
1. A significant number of SNUNs
would not be submitted by small
entities in response to the SNUR.
2. The SNUR submitted by any small
entity would not cost significantly more
than $8,300.
A copy of that certification is
available in the docket for this final
rule.
This final rule is within the scope of
the February 18, 2012 certification.
Based on the Economic Analysis
discussed in Unit VIII. and EPA’s
experience promulgating SNURs
(discussed in the certification), EPA
believes that the following are true:
• A significant number of SNUNs
would not be submitted by small
entities in response to the SNUR.
• Submission of the SNUN would not
cost any small entity significantly more
than $8,300.
Therefore, the promulgation of the
SNUR would not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
(UMRA)
Based on EPA’s experience with
proposing and finalizing SNURs, State,
local, and Tribal governments have not
been impacted by these rulemakings,
and EPA does not have any reasons to
believe that any State, local, or Tribal
government will be impacted by this
final rule. As such, EPA has determined
that this action does not impose any
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enforceable duty, contain any unfunded
mandate, or otherwise have any effect
on small governments subject to the
requirements of UMRA sections 202,
203, 204, or 205 (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
E. Executive Order 13132
This action will not have a substantial
direct effect on States, on the
relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government, as specified in
Executive Order 13132, entitled
‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999).
F. Executive Order 13175
This action does not have Tribal
implications because it is not expected
to have substantial direct effects on
Indian Tribes. This final rule does not
significantly nor uniquely affect the
communities of Indian Tribal
governments, nor does it involve or
impose any requirements that affect
Indian Tribes. Accordingly, the
requirements of Executive Order 13175,
entitled ‘‘Consultation and Coordination
with Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR
67249, November 9, 2000), do not apply
to this final rule.
G. Executive Order 13045
This action is not subject to Executive
Order 13045, entitled ‘‘Protection of
Children from Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885,
April 23, 1997), because this is not an
economically significant regulatory
action as defined by Executive Order
12866, and this action does not address
environmental health or safety risks
disproportionately affecting children.
H. Executive Order 13211
This action is not subject to Executive
Order 13211, entitled ‘‘Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use’’ (66 FR 28355, May
22, 2001), because this action is not
expected to affect energy supply,
distribution, or use and because this
action is not a significant regulatory
action under Executive Order 12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act (NTTAA)
In addition, since this action does not
involve any technical standards,
NTTAA section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272
note), does not apply to this action.
J. Executive Order 12898
This action does not entail special
considerations of environmental justice
related issues as delineated by
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Executive Order 12898, entitled
‘‘Federal Actions to Address
Environmental Justice in Minority
Populations and Low-Income
Populations’’ (59 FR 7629, February 16,
1994).
XII. Congressional Review Act (CRA)
Pursuant to the Congressional Review
Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), EPA will
submit a report containing this rule and
other required information to the U.S.
Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller
General of the United States prior to
publication of the rule in the Federal
Register. This action is not a ‘‘major
rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
List of Subjects
40 CFR Part 9
Environmental protection, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements.
40 CFR Part 721
Environmental protection, Chemicals,
Hazardous substances, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: February 5, 2016.
Maria J. Doa,
Director, Chemical Control Division, Office
of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.
Therefore, 40 CFR parts 9 and 721 are
amended as follows:
■
PART 9—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 9
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 135 et seq., 136–136y;
15 U.S.C. 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2601–2671;
21 U.S.C. 331j, 346a, 348; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 33
U.S.C. 1251 et seq., 1311, 1313d, 1314, 1318,
1321, 1326, 1330, 1342, 1344, 1345 (d) and
(e), 1361; E.O. 11735, 38 FR 21243, 3 CFR,
1971–1975 Comp. p. 973; 42 U.S.C. 241,
242b, 243, 246, 300f, 300g, 300g–1, 300g–2,
300g–3, 300g–4, 300g–5, 300g–6, 300j–1,
300j–2, 300j–3, 300j–4, 300j–9, 1857 et seq.,
6901–6992k, 7401–7671q, 7542, 9601–9657,
11023, 11048.
2. In § 9.1, add the following sections
in numerical order under the
undesignated center heading
‘‘Significant New Uses of Chemical
Substances’’ to read as follows:
■
§ 9.1 OMB Approvals under the Paperwork
Reduction Act.
*
*
*
*
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OMB Control
No.
40 CFR citation
*
*
*
*
Significant New Uses of Chemical
Substances
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 29 / Friday, February 12, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
OMB Control
No.
40 CFR citation
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721.10673 .............................
721.10674 .............................
721.10675 .............................
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*
*
*
*
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2070–0012
2070–0012
2070–0012
*
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*
PART 721—[AMENDED]
3. The authority citation for part 721
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2604, 2607, and
2625(c).
4. Add § 721.10673 to subpart E to
read as follows:
■
§ 721.10673 Alkanes, C21–34–branched
and linear, chloro.
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES
(a) Chemical substance and
significant new uses subject to reporting.
(1) The chemical substance identified as
alkanes, C21–34–branched and linear,
chloro (PMN P–12–539; CAS No.
1417900–96–9) is subject to reporting
under this section for the significant
new uses described in paragraph (a)(2)
of this section.
(2) The significant new uses are:
(i) Industrial, commercial, and
consumer activities. Requirements as
specified in § 721.80 (j)(manufacture of
the PMN substance with less than 1
weight percent of chlorinated paraffins
with an alkyl chain ≤ 20) and (p)
(1,200,000 kg, 14,100,000 kg, 59,100,000
kg, 78,400,000 kg, and 86,100,000 kg of
the aggregate of the PMN substances P–
12–539, P–13–107, and P–13–109, from
the March 19, 2013 effective date of the
TSCA section 5(e) consent order for P–
12–539, P–13–107, and P–13–109).).
(ii) [Reserved]
(b) Specific requirements. The
provisions of subpart A of this part
apply to this section except as modified
by this paragraph.
(1) Recordkeeping. Recordkeeping
requirements as specified in § 721.125
(a), (b), (c), and (i) are applicable to
manufacturers and processors of this
substance.
(2) Limitations or revocation of
certain notification requirements. The
provisions of § 721.185 apply to this
section.
■ 5. Add § 721.10674 to subpart E to
read as follows:
§ 721.10674 Alkanes, C22–30–branched
and linear, chloro.
(a) Chemical substance and
significant new uses subject to reporting.
(1) The chemical substance identified as
alkanes, C22–30–branched and linear,
chloro (PMN P–13–107; CAS No.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:06 Feb 11, 2016
Jkt 238001
1401947–24–0) is subject to reporting
under this section for the significant
new uses described in paragraph (a)(2)
of this section.
(2) The significant new uses are:
(i) Industrial, commercial, and
consumer activities. Requirements as
specified in § 721.80 (j)(manufacture of
the PMN substance with less than 1
weight percent of chlorinated paraffins
with an alkyl chain ≤ 20) and (p)
(1,200,000 kg, 14,100,000 kg, 59,100,000
kg, 78,400,000 kg, and 86,100,000 kg of
the aggregate of the PMN substances P–
12–539, P–13–107, and P–13–109, from
the March 19, 2013 effective date of the
TSCA section 5(e) consent order for P–
12–539, P–13–107, and P–13–109).
(ii) [Reserved]
(b) Specific requirements. The
provisions of subpart A of this part
apply to this section except as modified
by this paragraph.
(1) Recordkeeping. Recordkeeping
requirements as specified in § 721.125
(a), (b), (c), and (i) are applicable to
manufacturers and processors of this
substance.
(2) Limitations or revocation of
certain notification requirements. The
provisions of § 721.185 apply to this
section.
■ 6. Add § 721.10675 to subpart E to
read as follows:
§ 721.10675
Alkanes, C24–28, chloro.
(a) Chemical substance and
significant new uses subject to reporting.
(1) The chemical substance identified as
alkanes, C24–28, chloro (PMN P–13–
109; CAS No. 1402738–52–6) is subject
to reporting under this section for the
significant new uses described in
paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
(2) The significant new uses are:
(i) Industrial, commercial, and
consumer activities. Requirements as
specified in § 721.80 (j) (manufacture of
the PMN substance with less than 1
weight percent of chlorinated paraffins
with an alkyl chain ≤ 20) and (p)
(1,200,000 kg, 14,100,000 kg, 59,100,000
kg, 78,400,000 kg, and 86,100,000 kg of
the aggregate of the PMN substances P–
12–539, P–13–107, and P–13–109, from
the March 19, 2013 effective date of the
TSCA section 5(e) consent order for P–
12–539, P–13–107, and P–13–109).
(ii) [Reserved]
(b) Specific requirements. The
provisions of subpart A of this part
apply to this section except as modified
by this paragraph.
(1) Recordkeeping. Recordkeeping
requirements as specified in § 721.125
(a), (b), (c), and (i) are applicable to
manufacturers and processors of this
substance.
(2) Limitations or revocation of
certain notification requirements. The
PO 00000
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7463
provisions of § 721.185 apply to this
section.
[FR Doc. 2016–02952 Filed 2–11–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 70
[EPA–R03–OAR–2015–0594; FRL–9942–12–
Region 3]
Clean Air Act Title V Operating Permit
Program Revision; West Virginia
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Final rule.
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is approving a revision to
the Title V Operating Permits Program
(found in West Virginia’s regulations at
45CSR30) submitted by the State of
West Virginia. The revision increases
West Virginia’s annual emission fees for
its Title V Operating Permit Program to
$28 per ton of emissions of a regulated
pollutant from an individual source
subject to the West Virginia Title V
Operating Permit Program. EPA is
approving the revision to West
Virginia’s Title V Operating Permit
Program in accordance with the
requirements of the Clean Air Act
(CAA).
SUMMARY:
This final rule is effective on
March 14, 2016.
DATES:
EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket ID
Number EPA–R03–OAR–2015–0594. All
documents in the docket are listed in
the www.regulations.gov Web site.
Although listed in the electronic docket,
some information is not publicly
available, i.e., 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 through www.regulations.gov
or may be viewed during normal
business hours at the Air Protection
Division, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.
Copies of the State submittal are
available at the West Virginia
Department of Environmental
Protection, Division of Air Quality, 601
57th Street SE., Charleston, West
Virginia 25304.
ADDRESSES:
E:\FR\FM\12FER1.SGM
12FER1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 29 (Friday, February 12, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7455-7463]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02952]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 9 and 721
[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2013-0399; FRL-9941-56]
RIN 2070-AB27
Significant New Use Rule on Certain Chemical Substances
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EPA is finalizing significant new use rules (SNURs) under the
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for three chemical substances that
were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). This action requires
persons who intend to manufacture (including import) or process any of
the chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a
significant new use by this rule to notify EPA at least 90 days before
commencing that activity. The required notification would provide EPA
with the opportunity to evaluate the intended use and, if necessary, to
prohibit or limit the activity before it occurs.
DATES: This final rule is effective April 12, 2016.
[[Page 7456]]
ADDRESSES: The docket for this action, identified by docket
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2013-0399, is available at
https://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pollution Prevention and
Toxics Docket (OPPT Docket), Environmental Protection Agency Docket
Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301
Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is open
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal
holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202)
566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket is (202) 566-
0280. Please review the visitor instructions and additional information
about the docket available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For technical information contact: Kenneth Moss, Chemical Control
Division (7405M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 564-9232; email
address: moss.kenneth@epa.gov.
For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill,
422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202)
554-1404; email address: TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Does this action apply to me?
You may be potentially affected by this action if you manufacture,
process, or use the chemical substances contained in this rule. The
following list of North American Industrial Classification System
(NAICS) codes is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a
guide to help readers determine whether this document applies to them.
Potentially affected entities may include:
Manufacturers (including importers) or processors of one
or more subject chemical substances (NAICS codes 325 and 324110), e.g.,
chemical manufacturing and petroleum refineries.
This action may also affect certain entities through pre-existing
import certification and export notification rules under TSCA. Chemical
importers are subject to the TSCA section 13 (15 U.S.C. 2612) import
certification requirements promulgated at 19 CFR 12.118 through 12.127
and 19 CFR 127.28. Chemical importers must certify that the shipment of
the chemical substance complies with all applicable rules and orders
under TSCA. Importers of chemicals subject to these SNURs must certify
their compliance with the SNUR requirements. The EPA policy in support
of import certification appears at 40 CFR part 707, subpart B. In
addition, any persons who export or intend to export a chemical
substance to a proposed or final rule are subject to the export
notification provisions of TSCA section 12(b) (15 U.S.C. 2611(b)) (see
Sec. 721.20), and must comply with the export notification
requirements in 40 CFR part 707, subpart D.
II. Background
A. What action is the Agency taking?
EPA is finalizing SNURs, under TSCA section 5(a)(2), for three very
long chain chlorinated paraffin (vLCCPs--alkyl chain length of
C21 and above) chemical substances that were the subject of
PMNs P-12-539, P-13-107, and P-13-109. This final rule requires persons
who intend to manufacture or process any of these chemical substances
for an activity that is designated as a significant new use to notify
EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity.
In the Federal Register of August 7, 2013 (78 FR 48051) (FRL-9393-
4), EPA issued direct final SNURs on these three chemical substances in
accordance with the procedures at Sec. 721.160(c)(3)(i). EPA received
notices of intent to submit adverse comments on these SNURs. Therefore,
as required by Sec. 721.160(c)(3)(ii), EPA removed the direct final
SNURs in a separate final rule published in the Federal Register of
November 5, 2013 (78 FR 66279) (FRL-9902-16), and issued a proposed
rule in the Federal Register of February 10, 2014 (79 FR 7621) (FRL-
9903-43). The record for the direct final SNURs on these chemical
substances was established as docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2013-0399. That docket
includes information considered by the Agency in developing the
proposed and final rules, including comments on the proposed rule.
EPA received several comments on the proposed rules for these three
chemical substances, from a single commenter representing chlorinated
paraffin (CP) manufacturers (including the submitter of the PMNs that
are the subject of these SNURs). A full discussion of EPA's response to
these comments is included in Unit V. of this document. After
consideration of these comments, because the potential remains for
increased exposure that formed the basis for the proposed SNURs, EPA is
issuing the final rules as they were proposed for the chemical
substances.
B. What is the Agency's authority for taking this action?
Section 5(a)(2) of TSCA (15 U.S.C. 2604(a)(2)) authorizes EPA to
determine that a use of a chemical substance is a ``significant new
use.'' EPA must make this determination by rule after considering all
relevant factors, including the four bulleted TSCA section 5(a)(2)
factors, listed in Unit IV. of this rule. Once EPA determines that a
use of a chemical substance is a significant new use, TSCA section
5(a)(1)(B) requires persons to submit a significant new use notice
(SNUN) to EPA at least 90 days before they manufacture or process the
chemical substance for that use. Persons who must report are described
in Sec. 721.5.
C. Applicability of General Provisions
General provisions for SNURs appear in 40 CFR part 721, subpart A.
These provisions describe persons subject to the rule, recordkeeping
requirements, exemptions to reporting requirements, and applicability
of the final rule to uses occurring before the effective date of the
final rule. Provisions relating to user fees appear at 40 CFR part 700.
According to Sec. 721.1(c), persons subject to these SNURs must comply
with the same SNUN requirements and EPA regulatory procedures as
submitters of PMNs under TSCA section 5(a)(1)(A). In particular, these
requirements include the information submission requirements of TSCA
section 5(b) and 5(d)(1), the exemptions authorized by TSCA section
5(h)(1), (h)(2), (h)(3), and (h)(5), and the regulations at 40 CFR part
720. Once EPA receives a SNUN, EPA may take regulatory action under
TSCA section 5(e), 5(f), 6, or 7 to control the activities for which it
has received the SNUN. If EPA does not take action, EPA is required
under TSCA section 5(g) to explain in the Federal Register its reasons
for not taking action.
III. Rationale and Objectives of the Final Rule
A. Rationale
During review of the PMNs submitted for the three chemical
substances that are subject to these final SNURs, EPA concluded that
regulation was warranted under TSCA section 5(e), pending the
development of information sufficient to make reasoned evaluations of
the health and environmental effects of the chemical substances. The
basis for these findings is outlined in Unit IV of the proposed rule.
Based on these findings, a TSCA section 5(e) consent order was
negotiated with the PMN submitter that required manufacture of the
substances at certain cumulative,
[[Page 7457]]
aggregate volumes unless the company has submitted the results of
certain environmental effects studies; no manufacture of the substances
with the amount of chlorinated paraffins, with an alkyl chain less than
or equal to 20, to exceed more than 1 percent of that PMN substance by
weight; and risk notification. The SNUR provisions for these chemical
substances are consistent with the provisions of the TSCA section 5(e)
consent order. These final SNURs are issued pursuant to Sec. 721.160.
See the docket under docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2013-0399 for the
corresponding consent order. For additional discussion of the rationale
for the SNURs on these chemicals, see Units II., IV, and V. of the
proposed rule.
B. Objectives
EPA is issuing final SNURs for three chemical substances described
above to achieve the following objectives with regard to the
significant new uses designated in this final rule:
EPA will receive notice of any person's intent to
manufacture or process a listed chemical substance for the described
significant new use before that activity begins.
EPA will have an opportunity to review and evaluate data
submitted in a SNUN before the notice submitter begins manufacturing or
processing a listed chemical substance for the described significant
new use.
EPA will be able to regulate prospective manufacturers or
processors of a listed chemical substance before the described
significant new use of that chemical substance occurs, provided that
regulation is warranted pursuant to TSCA sections 5(e), 5(f), 6, or 7.
Issuance of a SNUR for a chemical substance does not signify that
the chemical substance is listed on the TSCA Chemical Substance
Inventory (TSCA Inventory). Guidance on how to determine if a chemical
substance is on the TSCA Inventory is available on the Internet at
https://www.epa.gov/tsca-inventory/about-tsca-chemical-substance-inventory.
IV. Significant New Use Determination
Section 5(a)(2) of TSCA states that EPA's determination that a use
of a chemical substance is a significant new use must be made after
consideration of all relevant factors, including:
The projected volume of manufacturing and processing of a
chemical substance.
The extent to which a use changes the type or form of
exposure of human beings or the environment to a chemical substance.
The extent to which a use increases the magnitude and
duration of exposure of human beings or the environment to a chemical
substance.
The reasonably anticipated manner and methods of
manufacturing, processing, distribution in commerce, and disposal of a
chemical substance.
In addition to these factors enumerated in TSCA section 5(a)(2),
the statute authorized EPA to consider any other relevant factors.
To determine what would constitute a significant new use for the
chemical substances listed in this final rule, EPA considered relevant
information about the toxicity of the chemical substances, likely human
exposures and environmental releases associated with possible uses, and
the four bulleted TSCA section 5(a)(2) factors listed in this unit.
V. Response to Comments on Proposed SNUR
EPA received comments from the Chlorinated Paraffins Industry
Association (CPIA), which represents the CP industry, including the
submitter of the PMN substances that are the subject of these SNURs and
other chlorinated paraffin manufacturers. CPIA's comments, and
associated attachments, can be found in the public docket under ID EPA-
HQ-OPPT-2013-0399-0198.
Comment 1: Based on existing data and recent reviews, CPIA believes
long chain chlorinated paraffin (LCCP--alkyl chain length of
C18 to C20) production and use in the U.S.
present an extremely low risk to human health and the environment.
Given this, CPIA questions the need for EPA to take specific action
under TSCA Section 5(a)(2) for any substances that could be considered
LCCP. CPIA then provides information on why they believe LCCPs and
vLCCPs do not present a risk.
Response: The comments primarily addressed the underlying risk
assessments associated with the PMNs. EPA defers a discussion of the
commenter's specific concerns as they are not relevant to the basis for
determining that the uses specified in these SNURs constitute
significant new uses. EPA is neither required to determine that a
particular new use of any chemical substance presents, nor even that it
may present, an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment.
Rather, EPA issues a SNUR for a use of a substance if it is a
significant new use (e.g., EPA has reason to anticipate that the use
would raise significant questions related to potential exposure, so
that the Agency should have an opportunity to review the use before
such use should occur). EPA bases this judgment on a consideration of
all relevant factors, including the specific factors identified at
section 5(a)(2). Pursuant to TSCA section 5(a)(2), the PMN risk
assessment does not serve as the basis for regulation of these SNURs,
but as a valuable source of a breadth of information related to each
substance's potential to threaten human health or the environment.
Nonetheless, EPA does have concern for these chemical substances
because when released to the environment, vLCCPs are expected to
rapidly partition to particulates and sediments where they are
anticipated to persist in the environment with half-lives of months or
greater. If they do degrade over time, these substances are expected to
form shorter chain chlorinated chemicals. Based on the complex starting
mixtures, lack of data on biological and abiotic reactions, and
potential degradation products, there is high uncertainty regarding the
fate and transport of these substances. Nevertheless, by analogy to
medium chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs--alkyl chain length of
C14 to C17) and LCCPs, EPA expects vLCCPs and
possible degradation products to be potentially highly persistent,
potentially highly bioaccumulative, and potentially toxic to aquatic
and sediment-dwelling organisms. Further, within the category of
vLCCPs, EPA expects the shorter carbon chain range of these substances
(C21 to C24) and lower chlorinated substances
(degree of chlorination less than 50%) to present the greatest
potential for risk, as they are expected to be the most
bioaccumulative, mobile in the environment, and toxic. Transport and
magnification across trophic levels may also result in toxicity to
higher organisms, including fish, higher predators, and potentially
humans. EPA has concerns about the potential for the vLCCPs to degrade
to shorter chain chlorinated compounds, as well as concerns about
potential impurities or small fractions of MCCPs and/or LCCPs.
MCCPs and LCCPs are expected to be PBT chemicals based on the
following lines of evidence: (a) The available data on MCCPs, sediment
core studies, environmental fate studies, and associated calculations,
indicate transformation half-lives of months to years, depending on the
environmental media. Even though there are limited data on the LCCPs,
biodegradation data indicated increasing stability with increasing
chain length. LCCPs are also expected to have transformation half-lives
comparable to, or greater than MCCPs. Therefore, MCCPs and LCCPs are
expected to be very persistent; (b)
[[Page 7458]]
The available data on MCCPs and LCCPs indicate that these substances
have bioconcentration factors (BCFs) and bioaccumulation factors (BAFs)
that exceed 1,000 or 5,000 liters per kilogram wet weight of tissue (L/
kg ww). Therefore, MCCPs and LCCPs are expected to be very
bioaccumulative; (c) The available data on MCCPs and LCCPs indicated
acute and chronic toxicity to aquatic organism with effects levels
below 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or 0.1 mg/L, depending on the
species and MCCP and LCCP congener evaluated. Therefore, MCCPs and
LCCPs are expected to be toxic to aquatic organisms; (d) EPA is
concerned about PBT chemicals because even small releases may persist
in environmental media, build up in the environment and concentrate/
accumulate in organisms over time. These properties increase the
potential for continual exposure, and thus risk; and (e) EPA expects
there to be releases of the PMN substances to the environment resulting
from distribution in commerce and during processing and all the
substances' intended uses.
EPA notes that its risk assessments for certain MCCP and LCCP PMNs
have recently been made available for public comment in the Federal
Register of December 23, 2015 (80 FR 79886) (FRL-9940-13).
Comment 2: CPIA questioned the appropriateness of treating certain
of the substances in the proposed SNUR as chemical analogs to LCCPs or
vLCCPs, because two of the three substances covered by this SNUR are
described as being ``branched and linear'' chloroalkanes: Alkanes,
C21 to C34-branched and linear, chloro, CAS
Registry Number (CASRN) 1417900-96-9 (P-12-0539), and Alkanes,
C22 to C30-branched and linear, chloro, CASRN
1401974-24-0 (P-13-0107). CPIA could not find detailed compositional
information about these substances in the rulemaking docket.
Regardless, CPIA does not expect that anyone intending to make
chlorinated paraffins would intentionally seek to make branched
chloroalkanes. CP manufacturers have always used either n-paraffin or
alpha-olefin feedstocks, both of which should be almost exclusively
linear if they are to be used in CP manufacturing operations. To the
extent that these hydrocarbon feedstocks contain branched or
isoparaffin content, they are considered an impurity and something to
be minimized and closely controlled. The Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) Screening Information Dataset (SIDS)
dossier and SIDS Initial Assessment Report (SIAR) for LCCP discuss LCCP
isoparaffin content in its section on impurities and states that the
amount should not be more than 1-2%. This is consistent with CPIA's
understanding of the feedstocks used in LCCP manufacture. Only linear
chloroalkanes are desired in commercial CP products and any branched
chloroalkane (i.e. chlorinated isoparaffin) content is considered an
impurity and should be kept to a minimum.
Response: EPA understands that some CPs may contain only linear
chloroalkanes, but for these two ``branched and linear'' PMN
submissions that EPA has received, the percent branching is greater
than the 1-2% figure mentioned in the CPIA comments and the branching
is thus part of the specific chemical name for TSCA Chemical Inventory
purposes.
Comment 3: EPA has designated the PMN/SNUR substances as very long
chain chlorinated paraffin (vLCCP), with a nominal carbon chain length
of C21 to C30. EPA has designated LCCP as
C18 to C20 chloroalkanes, although in all other
venues, including EPA's previous CP testing program, the OECD SIDS
assessment, the European Union (EU) Regulation on Registration,
Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) dossier,
and other recent assessments, LCCP has been considered as
C18 to C30. Most of the recent LCCP assessments
have evaluated LCCP as a category comprised of three main
subcategories: C18 to C20 Liquid LCCP,
C20 to C30 Liquid LCCP, and C20 to
C30 Solid LCCP.
Response: EPA recognizes that CPIA does not agree with the EPA
designations for LCCP vs. vLCCP. The designation/cut-off for LCCPs and
vLCCPs represents the chain lengths potentially contained in the liquid
chlorinated paraffins and waxy/solid chlorinated paraffins. These
designations (i.e., the differentiation between C18-20 and
C20 CPs) are consistent with those in other jurisdictions,
e.g., Environment Canada (see Ref. 1). There are a series of
interactions that the CP industry has had with EPA over the years,
including TSCA section 4 test rules on specific TSCA chemicals and the
Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). In previous actions under TSCA and TRI,
the Agency has used a different naming convention, often based on
public comment from industry. However, in each action the chemical
substance that was the subject of the action has been clear because
information such as chemical formula has been part of the
identification. Previous attempts to divide chlorinated paraffins into
various categories were based primarily on industrial usage patterns
and industry comment, not on toxicological information.
Regardless of the naming conventions raised by the commenter, in
reviewing the studies submitted with the PMNs in this SNUR and other
PMNs, and the scientific literature more broadly, EPA has concluded
that that there is a continuum of effects linked to chain length and
degree of chlorination. On the one end of the spectrum are SCCPs and
MCCPs; more data are available on these chain lengths, and EPA has
concluded that sufficient data exists to conclude that they may be
PBTs. There are also some, albeit significantly less, data on the
vLCCPs, most of which appear to point to a lack of effects, but the
chemical composition of the test substances was poorly characterized.
Ultimately, EPA is interested in specific fate and toxicity tests on
vLCCPs that elucidate the relationship between degree of chlorination
and alkyl chain length. The testing schema is designed to minimize the
burden of testing of complex mixtures with numerous congeners.
Comment 4: According to the commenter, in the United States,
commercial LCCP products have generally been in either the
C20 to C30 liquid or C20 to
C30 solid subcategories, with C18 to
C20 liquid LCCP products found mostly in the European
market. Given the lack of C18 to C20 liquid LCCP
products in the U.S. market, CPIA does not necessarily object to EPA's
division of the existing category into LCCP and vLCCP. However, CPIA,
believes that drawing a ``bright line'' at a carbon length of
C20 is questionable based on the toxicology and
environmental fate data available. CPIA cites as support the conclusion
of the OECD SIDS Initial Assessment Profile (SIAP) of LCCP, that ``C20-
30 liquid and solid LCCPs are of low concern for the environment based
on their low hazard profiles. . . . Adequate screening-level data are
available to characterize the environmental hazard for the purposes of
the OECD HPV (High Production Volume) Chemicals Programme.''
Response: EPA recognizes that CPIA does not agree with the EPA
designations for LCCP vs. vLCCP. EPA disagrees with CPIA that linear
C18 to C20 CPs are not available within the
United States, as EPA has received one or more PMN submissions for
these types of CPs and therefore they may be commercially available.
Further, these designations are consistent with those in other
jurisdictions, e.g., Environment Canada (Ref. 1). Please refer to the
response to Comment 1 for the issue of hazard and PBT discussions
pertaining to chain length.
[[Page 7459]]
Comment 5: Limited information on EPA's assessment of vLCCP is
provided in the proposed SNUR, associated Consent Order, and the
rulemaking docket. Perhaps this limited information is due to the
nature of this SNUR and the PMN review process.
Response: EPA reviewed the PMNs based on the contents of the PMN
and information available on analogs and in the literature. As with all
PMN submissions, EPA has followed the processes, procedures and
statutory provisions of TSCA section 5 for the chlorinated paraffin
PMNs, including EPA's Policy Statement on PBT New Chemical Substances
(64 FR 60194; November 4, 1999; FRL-6097-7). EPA's assessment of
exposures and risks for these three PMN substances is provided in Unit
IV of the Preamble to the section 5(e) Consent Order (available in the
public docket to the proposed rule) and is also presented in the
response to Comment 1. Note that EPA has recently made available
assessments for certain MCCP and LCCP PMNs, in the Federal Register of
December 23, 2015 (80 FR 79886) (FRL-9940-13).
Comment 6: EPA indicates that it was unable to locate any chronic
aquatic toxicity data on LCCP and as a consequence has relied solely on
MCCP data. Further, EPA claims that based on these MCCP data there may
be concerns regarding vLCCP's aquatic toxicity. EPA should be aware
that there are both chronic fish and invertebrate toxicity data on
various carbon chain length and chlorination level LCCP test materials.
These were included in all of the recent reviews of LCCP, including the
OECD SIDS assessment, the REACH registration dossier, and the U.K. LCCP
Environmental Risk Assessment report.
Response: As noted in the TSCA section 5(e) Consent Order signed
with the PMN submitter and available in the public docket, there were
no valid chronic aquatic toxicity data available for LCCPs or vLCCPs.
EPA did consider the LCCP REACH Consortium aquatic toxicity database
(see Attachment B in the CPIA comments), but the data were inadequate
to allow EPA to identify a Concentration of Concern (COC). The studies
tested concentrations in excess of the water solubility and did not
analytically measure the concentrations that were in solution, which
led to results orders of magnitude above the water solubility. Given
the lack of reliable test data for the PMN substances listed in the
SNUR, EPA used a read-across approach using MCCPs. The chronic aquatic
toxicity test results and resulting COCs for MCCP data are within the
estimated water solubilities and therefore these data are deemed
reliable. The most reliable and acceptable studies indicate that, for
vLCCPs, the predicted toxicity to aquatic organisms for acute endpoints
are no effects at saturation. For the chronic toxicity endpoint, EPA
used the aquatic invertebrate chronic value of 0.013 mg/L from the
Thompson et al. 1997 study (Ref. 2) based on a MCCP material. This
value was divided by an assessment factor of 10 to yield 0.0013 mg/L or
1.3 micrograms ([mu]g)/L or 1.3 parts per billion (ppb).
Comment 7: CPIA readily acknowledges that, as EPA notes, toxicity
to aquatic plant life and toxicity to sediment organisms are data gaps
for LCCP. There have been several different approaches used to fill
these data gaps. In the case of aquatic plant life, some testing has
been done on LCCP toxicity to aquatic plant life though the reliability
of these data has been called into question by reviewers and the data
were not deemed sufficiently valid to address the endpoint. Most
assessments of LCCP have thus considered read-across data from MCCP as
being adequate to fill this data gap. The data from MCCP indicate that
neither MCCP, nor LCCP by analogy, are toxic to aquatic plant life.
Given this, CPIA supports the use of MCCP data in the assessment of
LCCP/vLCCP.
Response: EPA agrees that toxicity to aquatic plant life is a data
gap for LCCP/vLCCP and that MCCP serves as an appropriate analog in a
read-across approach.
Comment 8: For LCCP sediment toxicity and risk, previous
assessments by the U.K. Environment Agency and the REACH registration
dossier have extrapolated from LCCP aquatic toxicity data to sediment
toxicity using the equilibrium partitioning method. This approach is
detailed in Attachment C of CPIA's comments, which is a direct excerpt
from the U.K. Environment Agency's (EA) LCCP assessment. Given the very
low water solubility of LCCP and the very high predicted Kow, this
method estimates rather high predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs)
for LCCP. A PNEC is functionally similar to EPA's concentration of
concern (CoC) in that both are points of departure for environmental
risk assessment. The comparison between the sediment PNECs derived by
the EA using the equilibrium partitioning method and the sediment CoC
derived by EPA using an MCCP sediment toxicity study are orders of
magnitude apart. Given this large difference and the fact that both
methods have limitations, CPIA thinks that this may be a data gap to
consider for additional testing of vLCCP assuming chemical analysis
concerns can be addressed and only if exposure/release information
actually dictate a need for this testing.
Response: EPA agrees that sediment toxicity is a data gap for
vLCCPs. The most reliable and acceptable value for the toxicity to
sediment invertebrate organisms is based on the MCCP material from the
Thompson et al. 2002 study (Ref. 3). For vLCCPs, EPA used the 28-day
sediment invertebrate Geometric Mean Acceptable Toxicant Concentration
(GMATC) value of 187 mg/kg dry weight sediment as an analog approach to
assess hazard. To calculate an acute concern concentration, this value
is first multiplied by an acute to chronic ratio for invertebrates of
10 to yield 1,870 mg/kg dry weight sediment, and then this value is
divided by an assessment factor of 5 to yield 374 mg/kg dry weight
sediment. For the chronic toxicity endpoint, EPA used the 28-day
sediment invertebrate GMATC of 187 mg/kg dry weight sediment also from
the Thompson et al. 2002 study. This value is divided by an assessment
factor of 10 to yield 18.7 mg/kg dry weight sediment.
Comment 9: EPA states that vLCCP by analogy to MCCP may be
``potentially highly persistent, potentially bioaccumulative and
potentially toxic.'' EPA further indicates that, ``[t]ransport and
magnification across trophic levels may also result in toxicity to
higher organisms, including fish, higher predators, and potentially
humans,'' though it is not clear whether this statement is directed at
vLCCP or MCCP as an analog. Regardless, EPA should be aware there has
been considerable research done in recent years on the environmental
fate of MCCP, including new research on biodegradation and the
potential for bioaccumulation, including trophic magnification
potential.
Response: EPA has reviewed all the information cited by CPIA,
including the specific biodegradation studies described in the comments
and biodegradation studies on LCCPs. No persistence or bioaccumulation
data were available or submitted to EPA for the commercial Unknown or
Variable composition, Complex reaction products and Biological
materials (UVCB) multicomponent substances described in the PMNs. In
the absence of data on the commercial UVCB substances, EPA used data on
their components, analogs and used a read-across approach. EPA notes
that close analogs of MCCPs are the short chain chlorinated paraffins
(SCCPs) which have been proposed for addition to the Stockholm
Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
[[Page 7460]]
Comment 10: Given the available data, CPIA believes that any
analogy to MCCP for vLCCP must consider that while lower chlorinated CP
substances may have somewhat greater capacity to bioaccumulate--though
bioaccumulation will also decrease significantly with increasing carbon
chain length--these same lower chlorinated CPs show a greater potential
to biodegrade. In fact, MCCP constituents up to 50% chlorination have
been found to be readily biodegradable and therefore are not
persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals (PBTs). Higher
chlorinated MCCP constituents also showed significant potential to
biodegrade though the results did not reach the ``ready'' criteria.
Perhaps even more telling is the fact that field studies have not shown
MCCP to biomagnify across trophic levels (Ref. 4). CPIA believes that
vLCCP, which is less soluble in water and less bioavailable than MCCP,
will have even less potential to move up through the troposphere and
biomagnify. This conclusion was similarly reached by the U.K.
Environment Agency (Ref. 5), the OECD (Ref. 6), and the European
Chemical Bureau (ECB) PBT Working Group (Ref. 7).
Response: EPA has reviewed all the information cited by CPIA
including the specific bioaccumulation/biomagnification studies
described in the comments. No persistence or bioaccumulation data were
submitted for the commercial UVCB multicomponent substances described
in the PMNs. In the absence of data on the commercial UVCB
multicomponent substance, EPA used data on components of that
substance, structural analogs and a read-across approach. Although
bioaccumulation data are lacking with vLCCPs, there is still concern
for the presence of lower chain length and moderately chlorinated
components in the vLCCP commercial UVCB multicomponent substance that
have the potential to be both persistent and bioaccumulative. EPA
considered more recent reviews of the bioaccumulation potential of
MCCPs by Thompson and Vaughn (Ref. 4) and Arnot (Ref. 8) in making the
determination that MCCPs may be very bioaccumulative. The framework for
assessing bioaccumulation outlined by Gobas et al. (Ref. 9) describes a
preferred data hierarchy that places field Trophic Magnification Factor
(TMF) studies at the top. EPA recognizes that there are significant
uncertainties associated with the available TMF data for MCCPs. In the
absence of such data, the framework outlines the use of
bioconcentration factors (BCFs), bioaccumulation factors (BAFs), and
biomagnification factors (BMFs) to be considered with caution. EPA
believes that its review of available data on the bioaccumulation
potential of MCCPs is consistent with the approach described by Gobas
et al. (Ref. 9) and that the data support its finding that MCCPs may be
very bioaccumulative and by analogy so may vLCCPs.
Comment 11: CPIA is concerned that EPA's proposed testing approach
for vLCCP in the proposed SNUR (Attachment A of CPIA's comments) fails
to consider the highly complex nature of the LCCP/vLCCP UVCB substances
and the analytical limitations inherent to this complex composition.
For example, even a single carbon-chain length straight-chain
chloroalkane, will have tens of thousands or more possible isomers.
Tomy et al. (Ref. 10) calculated that for a C13 chloroalkane
at 60% chlorination by weight, the total number of possible isomers is
3,549, even assuming no more than one chlorine atom bound to an
individual carbon atom. This number of theoretical isomers more than
doubles with each added carbon number, suggesting that by
C21, the lowest carbon chain length that EPA has proposed
testing, this test material could have hundreds of thousands of
possible isomers.
Response: EPA understands the complexity of vLCCPs and therefore
stipulates under the consent order for the PMN substances the testing
of three specific chain lengths and chlorination levels. EPA expects
that a single chain length at a specific chlorination level can be
produced. The purpose of the sequence of testing, i.e., biodegradation
testing and identification of degradation products followed by
bioaccumulation testing and benthic toxicity testing, is to use the
results of the biodegradation tests to identify biodegradation
products. The selection of three less complex congener PMN surrogates
for testing reduces the analytical complexities associated with
characterization of the test substance and identification of products
formed during biodegradation testing.
Comment 12. Current guidance from manufacturers indicates that
vLCCP substances should not be released to surface water and/or poured
down the drain. When this guidance is applied to exposure models, the
predicted releases levels to surface water and corresponding
concentrations in sediment are below the levels of concern.
Response: While the SNUR is not based on EPA's risk assessment, EPA
notes that information regarding releases of vLCCPs was submitted to
EPA by the PMN submitter of these three SNUR substances and is used in
the risk assessment. EPA's risk assessment for the PMN substances
indicated that releases of the substances may occur and that without
the less than 1 weight percent of chlorinated paraffins with an alkyl
chain <= 20 manufacturing restriction, those releases may pose an
unreasonable risk to the environment. Further, apart from any risk
resulting from releases assessed for the PMN chemical substance,
chlorinated paraffins with alkyl chain lengths <= 20 are very
persistent and very bioaccumulative toxic chemical substances. Thus a
SNUR is important because it gives EPA an opportunity to review and
evaluate data on the significant new use before it commences. These
significant new use may have release and exposure profiles that are
different from that considered in the PMN.
To the extent that the commenter is suggesting that the predicted
releases to surface water do not present a risk and thus do not support
a significant new determination, EPA notes that a significant new use
determination is not based on risk.
VI. Applicability of the Significant New Use Designation
If uses begun after the proposed rule was published were considered
ongoing rather than new, any person could defeat the SNUR by initiating
the significant new use before the final rule was issued. Therefore EPA
has designated the date of publication of the proposed rule as the
cutoff date for determining whether the new use is ongoing. Consult the
Federal Register notice of April 24, 1990 (55 FR 17376, FRL 3658-5) for
a more detailed discussion of the cutoff date for ongoing uses.
Any person who began commercial manufacture or processing of the
chemical substances identified in this rule for any of the significant
new uses designated in the proposed SNUR after the date of publication
of the proposed SNUR, must stop that activity before the effective date
of the final rule. Persons who ceased those activities will have to
first comply with all applicable SNUR notification requirements and
wait until the notice review period, including any extensions, expires,
before engaging in any activities designated as significant new uses.
If a person were to meet the conditions of advance compliance under 40
CFR 721.45(h), the person would be considered to have met the
[[Page 7461]]
requirements of the final SNUR for those activities.
VII. Test Data and Other Information
EPA recognizes that TSCA section 5 does not require the development
of any particular test data before submission of a SNUN. The two
exceptions are:
1. Development of test data is required where the chemical
substance subject to the SNUR is also subject to a test rule under TSCA
section 4 (see TSCA section 5(b)(1)).
2. Development of test data may be necessary where the chemical
substance has been listed under TSCA section 5(b)(4) (see TSCA section
5(b)(2)).
In the absence of a TSCA section 4 test rule or a TSCA section
5(b)(4) listing covering the chemical substance, persons are required
only to submit test data in their possession or control and to describe
any other data known to or reasonably ascertainable by them (see Sec.
720.50). However, upon review of PMNs and SNUNs, the Agency has the
authority to require appropriate testing.
Recommended testing that would address the criteria of concern of
Sec. 721.170 can be found in Unit IV. of the proposed rule.
Descriptions of tests are provided only for informational purposes. EPA
strongly encourages persons, before performing any testing, to consult
with the Agency pertaining to protocol selection.
SNUN submitters should be aware that EPA will be better able to
evaluate SNUNs which provide detailed information on the following:
Human exposure and environmental release that may result
from the significant new use of the chemical substances.
Potential benefits of the chemical substances.
Information on risks posed by the chemical substances
compared to risks posed by potential substitutes.
VIII. SNUN Submissions
According to 40 CFR 721.1(c), persons submitting a SNUN must comply
with the same notice requirements and EPA regulatory procedures as
persons submitting a PMN, including submission of test data on health
and environmental effects as described in Sec. 720.50. SNUNs must be
on EPA Form No. 7710-25, generated using e-PMN software, and submitted
to the Agency in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sec. Sec.
721.25 and 720.40. E-PMN software is available electronically at https://www.epa.gov/reviewing-new-chemicals-under-toxic-substances-control-act-tsca/how-submit-e-pmn.
IX. Economic Analysis
EPA evaluated the potential costs of SNUN requirements for
potential manufacturers and processors of the chemical substances in
the rule. The Agency's complete Economic Analysis is available in the
docket under docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2014-0390
X. References
The following is a listing of those documents used to prepare the
preamble to this final rule. Additional information for this final rule
can be located under docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2013-0399, which is
available for inspection as specified under ADDRESSES.
1. Environment Canada, August 2008. Canadian Environmental
Protection Act, 1999 Follow-up Report on a PSL1 Assessment for Which
Data Were Insufficient to Conclude Whether the Substances Were
``Toxic'' to the Environment and to the Human Health: Chlorinated
Paraffins.
2. Thompson, R.S., N.J. Williams, and E. Gillings. 1997. Chlorinated
Paraffin (52% Chlorinated, C14-C17): Chronic Toxicity to Daphnia
Magna. AstraZeneca Confidential Report, BL 5791/B.
3. Thompson, R.S., D.V. Smyth, and E. Gillings. 2002. Medium-Chain
Chlorinated Paraffin (52% Chlorinated, C14 17): Effects in Sediment
on the Survival, Growth and Sexual Development of the Freshwater
Amphipod, Hyalella Azteca. AstraZeneca Confidential Report BL7469/B.
4. Thompson, Roy and Martin Vaughn. 2014. Medium-chain chlorinated
paraffins (MCCPs): A review of bioaccumulation potential in the
aquatic environment. Integrated Environmental Assessment and
Management. Volume 10, Issue 1, pages 78-86, January 2014.
5. U.K. Environment Agency (EA). 2009. Environmental Risk Evaluation
Report: Long-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins. January 2009.
6. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
2009. SIDS Initial Assessment Report (SIAR) and SIDS Initial
Assessment Profile (SIAP) for Long Chain Chlorinated Paraffins
(LCCPs). Reviewed and approved at SIAM-29, October 20-23, 2009.
7. European Chemicals Bureau (ECB) PBT Working Group. 2007. Results
of the Evaluation of the PBT/vPvB Properties of Paraffin waxes and
Hydrocarbon waxes, chlor; EC number 264-150-0; CAS number 63449-39-
8. PBT List No. 110. September 11, 2007.
8. Arnot, Jon. 2013. Comments on Preliminary Bioaccumulation
Assessment of Medium Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (MCCPs): Prepared
for the MCCP REACH Consortium. April 30, 2013.
9. Gobas, Frank APC; Watze de Wolf; Lawrence P. Burkhard; Eric
Verbruggen; Kathleen Plotzke. 2009. Revisiting Bioaccumulation
Criteria for POPs and PBT Assessments. Integrated Environmental
Assessment and Mangement 5(4): 624-637.
10. Tomy, Gregg T.; Gary A. Stern, Derek C.G. Muir, Aaron T. Fisk,
Chris D. Cymbalisty, and John B. Westmore. 1997. Quantifying C10-C13
Polychloroalkanes in Environmental Samples by High-Resolution Gas
Chromatography/Electron Capture Negative Ion High-Resolution Mass
Spectrometry. Analytical Chemistry 69: 2762-2771.
XI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866
This final rule establishes SNURs for chemical substances that were
the subject of PMNs. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has
exempted these types of actions from review under Executive Order
12866, entitled ``Regulatory Planning and Review'' (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993).
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
According to PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), an agency may not
conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a
collection of information that requires OMB approval under PRA, unless
it has been approved by OMB and displays a currently valid OMB control
number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in title 40 of
the CFR, after appearing in the Federal Register, are listed in 40 CFR
part 9, and included on the related collection instrument or form, if
applicable. EPA is amending the table in 40 CFR part 9 to list the OMB
approval number for the information collection requirements contained
in this final rule. This listing of the OMB control numbers and their
subsequent codification in the CFR satisfies the display requirements
of PRA and OMB's implementing regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. This
Information Collection Request (ICR) was previously subject to public
notice and comment prior to OMB approval, and given the technical
nature of the table, EPA finds that further notice and comment to amend
it is unnecessary. As a result, EPA finds that there is ``good cause''
under section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5
U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B)) to amend this table without further notice and
comment.
The information collection requirements related to this action have
already been approved by OMB pursuant to PRA under OMB control number
2070-0012 (EPA ICR No. 574). This action does not impose any burden
requiring additional OMB approval. If an entity were to submit a SNUN
to the
[[Page 7462]]
Agency, the annual burden is estimated to average between 30 and 170
hours per response. This burden estimate includes the time needed to
review instructions, search existing data sources, gather and maintain
the data needed, and complete, review, and submit the required SNUN.
Send any comments about the accuracy of the burden estimate, and
any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including
through the use of automated collection techniques, to the Director,
Collection Strategies Division, Office of Environmental Information
(2822T), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,
Washington, DC 20460-0001. Please remember to include the OMB control
number in any correspondence, but do not submit any completed forms to
this address.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
On February 18, 2012, EPA certified pursuant to RFA section 605(b)
(5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), that promulgation of a SNUR does not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities
where the following are true:
1. A significant number of SNUNs would not be submitted by small
entities in response to the SNUR.
2. The SNUR submitted by any small entity would not cost
significantly more than $8,300.
A copy of that certification is available in the docket for this
final rule.
This final rule is within the scope of the February 18, 2012
certification. Based on the Economic Analysis discussed in Unit VIII.
and EPA's experience promulgating SNURs (discussed in the
certification), EPA believes that the following are true:
A significant number of SNUNs would not be submitted by
small entities in response to the SNUR.
Submission of the SNUN would not cost any small entity
significantly more than $8,300.
Therefore, the promulgation of the SNUR would not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
Based on EPA's experience with proposing and finalizing SNURs,
State, local, and Tribal governments have not been impacted by these
rulemakings, and EPA does not have any reasons to believe that any
State, local, or Tribal government will be impacted by this final rule.
As such, EPA has determined that this action does not impose any
enforceable duty, contain any unfunded mandate, or otherwise have any
effect on small governments subject to the requirements of UMRA
sections 202, 203, 204, or 205 (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
E. Executive Order 13132
This action will not have a substantial direct effect on States, on
the relationship between the national government and the States, or on
the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels
of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132, entitled
``Federalism'' (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999).
F. Executive Order 13175
This action does not have Tribal implications because it is not
expected to have substantial direct effects on Indian Tribes. This
final rule does not significantly nor uniquely affect the communities
of Indian Tribal governments, nor does it involve or impose any
requirements that affect Indian Tribes. Accordingly, the requirements
of Executive Order 13175, entitled ``Consultation and Coordination with
Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), do not
apply to this final rule.
G. Executive Order 13045
This action is not subject to Executive Order 13045, entitled
``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), because this is not an
economically significant regulatory action as defined by Executive
Order 12866, and this action does not address environmental health or
safety risks disproportionately affecting children.
H. Executive Order 13211
This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211, entitled
``Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy
Supply, Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001), because
this action is not expected to affect energy supply, distribution, or
use and because this action is not a significant regulatory action
under Executive Order 12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA)
In addition, since this action does not involve any technical
standards, NTTAA section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note), does not apply to
this action.
J. Executive Order 12898
This action does not entail special considerations of environmental
justice related issues as delineated by Executive Order 12898, entitled
``Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority
Populations and Low-Income Populations'' (59 FR 7629, February 16,
1994).
XII. Congressional Review Act (CRA)
Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.),
EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other required
information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and
the Comptroller General of the United States prior to publication of
the rule in the Federal Register. This action is not a ``major rule''
as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
List of Subjects
40 CFR Part 9
Environmental protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
40 CFR Part 721
Environmental protection, Chemicals, Hazardous substances,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: February 5, 2016.
Maria J. Doa,
Director, Chemical Control Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and
Toxics.
0
Therefore, 40 CFR parts 9 and 721 are amended as follows:
PART 9--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for part 9 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 135 et seq., 136-136y; 15 U.S.C. 2001,
2003, 2005, 2006, 2601-2671; 21 U.S.C. 331j, 346a, 348; 31 U.S.C.
9701; 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq., 1311, 1313d, 1314, 1318, 1321, 1326,
1330, 1342, 1344, 1345 (d) and (e), 1361; E.O. 11735, 38 FR 21243, 3
CFR, 1971-1975 Comp. p. 973; 42 U.S.C. 241, 242b, 243, 246, 300f,
300g, 300g-1, 300g-2, 300g-3, 300g-4, 300g-5, 300g-6, 300j-1, 300j-
2, 300j-3, 300j-4, 300j-9, 1857 et seq., 6901-6992k, 7401-7671q,
7542, 9601-9657, 11023, 11048.
0
2. In Sec. 9.1, add the following sections in numerical order under
the undesignated center heading ``Significant New Uses of Chemical
Substances'' to read as follows:
Sec. 9.1 OMB Approvals under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OMB Control
40 CFR citation No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Significant New Uses of Chemical Substances
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 7463]]
* * * * *
721.10673............................................... 2070-0012
721.10674............................................... 2070-0012
721.10675............................................... 2070-0012
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
PART 721--[AMENDED]
0
3. The authority citation for part 721 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2604, 2607, and 2625(c).
0
4. Add Sec. 721.10673 to subpart E to read as follows:
Sec. 721.10673 Alkanes, C21-34-branched and linear, chloro.
(a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to
reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as alkanes, C21-34-
branched and linear, chloro (PMN P-12-539; CAS No. 1417900-96-9) is
subject to reporting under this section for the significant new uses
described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
(2) The significant new uses are:
(i) Industrial, commercial, and consumer activities. Requirements
as specified in Sec. 721.80 (j)(manufacture of the PMN substance with
less than 1 weight percent of chlorinated paraffins with an alkyl chain
<= 20) and (p) (1,200,000 kg, 14,100,000 kg, 59,100,000 kg, 78,400,000
kg, and 86,100,000 kg of the aggregate of the PMN substances P-12-539,
P-13-107, and P-13-109, from the March 19, 2013 effective date of the
TSCA section 5(e) consent order for P-12-539, P-13-107, and P-13-
109).).
(ii) [Reserved]
(b) Specific requirements. The provisions of subpart A of this part
apply to this section except as modified by this paragraph.
(1) Recordkeeping. Recordkeeping requirements as specified in Sec.
721.125 (a), (b), (c), and (i) are applicable to manufacturers and
processors of this substance.
(2) Limitations or revocation of certain notification requirements.
The provisions of Sec. 721.185 apply to this section.
0
5. Add Sec. 721.10674 to subpart E to read as follows:
Sec. 721.10674 Alkanes, C22-30-branched and linear, chloro.
(a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to
reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as alkanes, C22-30-
branched and linear, chloro (PMN P-13-107; CAS No. 1401947-24-0) is
subject to reporting under this section for the significant new uses
described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
(2) The significant new uses are:
(i) Industrial, commercial, and consumer activities. Requirements
as specified in Sec. 721.80 (j)(manufacture of the PMN substance with
less than 1 weight percent of chlorinated paraffins with an alkyl chain
<= 20) and (p) (1,200,000 kg, 14,100,000 kg, 59,100,000 kg, 78,400,000
kg, and 86,100,000 kg of the aggregate of the PMN substances P-12-539,
P-13-107, and P-13-109, from the March 19, 2013 effective date of the
TSCA section 5(e) consent order for P-12-539, P-13-107, and P-13-109).
(ii) [Reserved]
(b) Specific requirements. The provisions of subpart A of this part
apply to this section except as modified by this paragraph.
(1) Recordkeeping. Recordkeeping requirements as specified in Sec.
721.125 (a), (b), (c), and (i) are applicable to manufacturers and
processors of this substance.
(2) Limitations or revocation of certain notification requirements.
The provisions of Sec. 721.185 apply to this section.
0
6. Add Sec. 721.10675 to subpart E to read as follows:
Sec. 721.10675 Alkanes, C24-28, chloro.
(a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to
reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as alkanes, C24-28,
chloro (PMN P-13-109; CAS No. 1402738-52-6) is subject to reporting
under this section for the significant new uses described in paragraph
(a)(2) of this section.
(2) The significant new uses are:
(i) Industrial, commercial, and consumer activities. Requirements
as specified in Sec. 721.80 (j) (manufacture of the PMN substance with
less than 1 weight percent of chlorinated paraffins with an alkyl chain
<= 20) and (p) (1,200,000 kg, 14,100,000 kg, 59,100,000 kg, 78,400,000
kg, and 86,100,000 kg of the aggregate of the PMN substances P-12-539,
P-13-107, and P-13-109, from the March 19, 2013 effective date of the
TSCA section 5(e) consent order for P-12-539, P-13-107, and P-13-109).
(ii) [Reserved]
(b) Specific requirements. The provisions of subpart A of this part
apply to this section except as modified by this paragraph.
(1) Recordkeeping. Recordkeeping requirements as specified in Sec.
721.125 (a), (b), (c), and (i) are applicable to manufacturers and
processors of this substance.
(2) Limitations or revocation of certain notification requirements.
The provisions of Sec. 721.185 apply to this section.
[FR Doc. 2016-02952 Filed 2-11-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P