2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is announcing the availability of the guidance entitled ``Mitigating the Risk of Cross-Contamination From Valves and Accessories Used for Irrigation Through Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopes.'' Flexible gastrointestinal endoscopes and accessories are class II devices and identified with product codes such as FDF, FDS, and OCX. When using these devices during an entire day of procedures (e.g., colonoscopies), clinicians typically use one irrigation system (i.e., one water bottle, one set of tubing and valves, etc.) without cleaning and sterilizing all the system components between patients. This guidance highlights the cross-contamination risk associated with day-use of irrigation systems used with flexible gastrointestinal endoscopes; clarifies terminology used to describe these devices; and outlines strategies to mitigate the risk of cross-contamination between patients during these procedures.

On July 29, 2016, President Obama signed into law the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA). One of the statutory amendments made by HOTMA adds an income limit to the Public Housing program. This notice informs the public of how HUD proposes to implement that income limit and solicits comments on that methodology.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the Agency, or we) is issuing a final rule/regulation to establish requirements for the electronic filing of entries of FDA-regulated products in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) or any other electronic data interchange (EDI) system authorized by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP), in order for the filing to be processed by CBP and to help FDA in determining admissibility of that product. ACE is a commercial trade processing system operated by CBP that is designed to implement the International Trade Data System (ITDS), automate import and export processing, enhance border security, and foster U.S. economic security through lawful international trade and policy. FDA is a Partner Government Agency (PGA) for purposes of submission of import data in ACE. As of July 23, 2016, ACE became the sole EDI system authorized by CBP for entry of FDA-regulated articles into the United States. We also updated certain sections of FDA regulations related to imports. This rule will facilitate effective and efficient admissibility review by the Agency and protect public health by allowing FDA to focus its limited resources on those FDA-regulated products being imported or offered for import that may be associated with a greater public health risk.

The Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness (OSP), Department of Veterans Affairs is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension without change of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information needed to determine an applicant's qualification and suitability as a VA police officer.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed revision of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. The holder of a vendee account which has been guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may request VA to repurchase a loan as provided in 38 CFR 36.

New or modified Base (1-percent annual chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, and/or regulatory floodways (hereinafter referred to as flood hazard determinations) as shown on the indicated Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) for each of the communities listed in the table below are finalized. Each LOMR revises the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and in some cases the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports, currently in effect for the listed communities. The flood hazard determinations modified by each LOMR will be used to calculate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and their contents.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016. This rule clarifies that agency acquisition personnel are permitted and encouraged to engage in responsible and constructive exchanges with industry, so long as those exchanges are consistent with existing law and regulation and do not promote an unfair competitive advantage to particular firms.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports indicating that the main landing gear (MLG) could not be extended and locked down during approach. This AD requires inspection of the restrictor check valve filter screens to detect any degraded or failed filter screens, and installation of serviceable parts. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-12-06 for certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes); and Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. AD 2014-12-06 required repetitive ultrasonic or detailed inspections of the external area of the aft cargo door sill beam for cracking, and repair if necessary, and provided an optional one-time high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection that would terminate the repetitive inspections. This new AD requires the previously optional terminating HFEC inspection, and requires that it be done repetitively. This AD was prompted by findings of multiple fatigue cracks in the aft cargo door that indicated the need for additional, repetitive, HFEC inspections. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission), and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), that a Business Meeting of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will be convened at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 2, 2016.

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (``CITA'') has determined that certain 100% rayon twill challis fabric, as specified below, is not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the territory of either the United States or Colombia. The product will be added to the list in Annex 3-B of the U.S.-Colombia TPA in unrestricted quantities.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Ventilation Plan and Main Fan Maintenance Record,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund), U.S. Department of the Treasury, is soliciting comments concerning the Certification of Material Events Form.

EPA is required under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to publish in the Federal Register a notice of receipt of a premanufacture notice (PMN); an application for a test marketing exemption (TME), both pending and/or expired; and a periodic status report on any new chemicals under EPA review and the receipt of notices of commencement (NOC) to manufacture those chemicals. This document covers the period from October 3, 2016 to October 31, 2016.

Under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), EPA is proposing a significant new use rule (SNUR) for two alkylpyrrolidones: N- ethylpyrrolidone (NEP) and N-isopropylpyrrolidone (NiPP). The proposed significant new uses are any use of NiPP and any use of NEP except for the ongoing uses as a reactant, in silicone seal remover, coatings, consumer and commercial paint primer, and adhesives. Persons subject to the SNUR would be required to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing any manufacturing or processing of the chemical substance for a significant new use. The required notification initiates EPA's evaluation of the conditions of use within the applicable review period. Manufacture and processing for the significant new use is unable to commence until EPA has conducted a review of the notice, made an appropriate determination on the notice, and taken such actions as are required in association with that determination.

Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR part 53, one new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in ambient air.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.