Bacillus subtilis Strain BU1814; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance, 57872-57874 [2017-26518]
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57872
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
§ 180.665 Sedaxane; tolerances for
residues.
(a) * * *
Parts per
million
Commodity
Beet, sugar, roots .......................
Canola, seed ..............................
Cotton, gin byproducts ...............
Cotton, undelinted seed .............
Grain, cereal, forage, fodder and
straw, group 16 .......................
Grain, cereal, group 15 ..............
Pea and bean, dried shelled, except soybean, subgroup 6C ....
Peanut ........................................
Peanut, hay ................................
Potato .........................................
Potato, wet peel ..........................
Rapeseed, subgroup 20A ...........
Soybean, forage .........................
Soybean, hay ..............................
Soybean, seed ............................
Vegetable, foliage of legume, except soybean, subgroup 7A ....
*
*
*
*
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.10
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.08
0.02
0.075
0.01
0.05
0.04
0.01
0.01
*
[FR Doc. 2017–26519 Filed 12–7–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
I. General Information
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0687; FRL–9969–96]
Bacillus subtilis Strain BU1814;
Exemption From the Requirement of a
Tolerance
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This regulation establishes an
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance for residues of Bacillus subtilis
strain BU1814 in or on all food
commodities when used in accordance
with label directions and good
agricultural practices. BASF
Corporation submitted a petition to EPA
under the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance. This regulation eliminates the
need to establish a maximum
permissible level for residues of Bacillus
subtilis strain BU1814 under FFDCA.
DATES: This regulation is effective
December 8, 2017. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before February 6, 2018, and must
be filed in accordance with the
instructions provided in 40 CFR part
178 (see also Unit I.C. of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
ADDRESSES: The docket for this action,
identified by docket identification (ID)
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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Jkt 244001
number EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0687, is
available at https://www.regulations.gov
or at the Office of Pesticide Programs
Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)
in the Environmental Protection Agency
Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William
Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001. 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 OPP Docket is (703) 305–5805.
Please review the visitor instructions
and additional information about the
docket available at https://www.epa.gov/
dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert McNally, Biopesticides and
Pollution Prevention Division (7511P),
Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; main telephone
number: (703) 305–7090; email address:
BPPDFRNotices@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Does this action apply to me?
You may be potentially affected by
this action if you are an agricultural
producer, food manufacturer, or
pesticide manufacturer. 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:
• Crop production (NAICS code 111).
• Animal production (NAICS code
112).
• Food manufacturing (NAICS code
311).
• Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
code 32532).
B. How can I get electronic access to
other related information?
You may access a frequently updated
electronic version of 40 CFR part 180
through the Government Printing
Office’s e-CFR site at https://www.
ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/
ecfrbrowse/Title40/40tab_02.tpl.
C. How can I file an objection or hearing
request?
Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21
U.S.C. 346a(g), any person may file an
objection to any aspect of this regulation
and may also request a hearing on those
objections. You must file your objection
or request a hearing on this regulation
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in accordance with the instructions
provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure
proper receipt by EPA, you must
identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2016–0687 in the subject line on
the first page of your submission. All
objections and requests for a hearing
must be in writing, and must be
received by the Hearing Clerk on or
before February 6, 2018. Addresses for
mail and hand delivery of objections
and hearing requests are provided in 40
CFR 178.25(b).
In addition to filing an objection or
hearing request with the Hearing Clerk
as described in 40 CFR part 178, please
submit a copy of the filing (excluding
any Confidential Business Information
(CBI)) for inclusion in the public docket.
Information not marked confidential
pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be
disclosed publicly by EPA without prior
notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your
objection or hearing request, identified
by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–
2016–0687, by one of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
Do not submit electronically any
information you consider to be CBI or
other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute.
• Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental
Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/
DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.,
NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001.
• Hand Delivery: To make special
arrangements for hand delivery or
delivery of boxed information, please
follow the instructions at https://
www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
Additional instructions on commenting
or visiting the docket, along with more
information about dockets generally, is
available at https://www.epa.gov/
dockets.
II. Background
In the Federal Register of February 7,
2017 (82 FR 9555) (FRL–9956–86), EPA
issued a document pursuant to FFDCA
section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C. 346a(d)(3),
announcing the filing of a pesticide
tolerance petition (PP 6F8490) by BASF
Corporation, 26 Davis Dr., P.O. Box
13528, Research Triangle Park, NC
27709. The petition requested that 40
CFR part 180 be amended by
establishing an exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance for residues
of the fungicide Bacillus subtilis strain
BU1814 in or on all food commodities.
That document referenced a summary of
the petition prepared by the petitioner
BASF Corporation, which is available in
the docket via https://
www.regulations.gov. There were no
E:\FR\FM\08DER1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
comments received in response to the
notice of filing.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES
III. Final Rule
A. EPA’s Safety Determination
Section 408(c)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA
allows EPA to establish an exemption
from the requirement for a tolerance (the
legal limit for a pesticide chemical
residue in or on a food) only if EPA
determines that the exemption is ‘‘safe.’’
Section 408(c)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA
defines ‘‘safe’’ to mean that ‘‘there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm will
result from aggregate exposure to the
pesticide chemical residue, including
all anticipated dietary exposures and all
other exposures for which there is
reliable information.’’ This includes
exposure through drinking water and in
residential settings but does not include
occupational exposure. Pursuant to
FFDCA section 408(c)(2)(B), in
establishing or maintaining in effect an
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance, EPA must take into account
the factors set forth in FFDCA section
408(b)(2)(C), which require EPA to give
special consideration to exposure of
infants and children to the pesticide
chemical residue in establishing a
tolerance or tolerance exemption and to
‘‘ensure that there is a reasonable
certainty that no harm will result to
infants and children from aggregate
exposure to the pesticide chemical
residue . . . .’’ Additionally, FFDCA
section 408(b)(2)(D) requires that EPA
consider ‘‘available information
concerning the cumulative effects of [a
particular pesticide’s] . . . residues and
other substances that have a common
mechanism of toxicity.’’
EPA evaluated the available toxicity
and exposure data on Bacillus subtilis
strain BU1814 and considered its
validity, completeness, and reliability,
as well as the relationship of this
information to human risk. A full
explanation of the data upon which EPA
relied and its risk assessment based on
those data can be found within the
document entitled ‘‘Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)
Considerations for Bacillus subtilis
strain BU1814.’’ This document, as well
as other relevant information, is
available in the docket for this action as
described under ADDRESSES. The
available data indicate that Bacillus
subtilis strain BU1814 showed no
toxicity, no pathogenicity, and no
infectivity via the acute oral,
pulmonary, and intravenous routes of
exposure. Based upon its evaluation,
EPA concludes that there is a reasonable
certainty that no harm will result to the
U.S. population, including infants and
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16:24 Dec 07, 2017
Jkt 244001
children, from aggregate exposure to
residues of Bacillus subtilis strain
BU1814. Therefore, an exemption from
the requirement of a tolerance is
established for residues of Bacillus
subtilis strain BU1814 in or on all food
commodities when used in accordance
with label directions and good
agricultural practices.
B. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
An analytical method is not required
because EPA is establishing an
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance without any numerical
limitation.
IV. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
This action establishes a tolerance
exemption under FFDCA section 408(d)
in response to a petition submitted to
EPA. 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). Because this action
has been exempted from review under
Executive Order 12866, 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), or Executive
Order 13045, entitled ‘‘Protection of
Children from Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885,
April 23, 1997). This action does not
contain any information collections
subject to OMB approval under the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq., nor does it require
any special considerations under
Executive Order 12898, entitled
‘‘Federal Actions to Address
Environmental Justice in Minority
Populations and Low-Income
Populations’’ (59 FR 7629, February 16,
1994).
Since tolerances and exemptions that
are established on the basis of a petition
under FFDCA section 408(d), such as
the tolerance exemption in this action,
do not require the issuance of a
proposed rule, the requirements of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do not apply.
This action directly regulates growers,
food processors, food handlers, and food
retailers, not States or tribes. As a result,
this action does not alter the
relationships or distribution of power
and responsibilities established by
Congress in the preemption provisions
of FFDCA section 408(n)(4). As such,
EPA has determined that this action will
not have a substantial direct effect on
States or tribal governments, on the
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57873
relationship between the national
government and the States or tribal
governments, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government or between
the Federal Government and Indian
tribes. Thus, EPA has determined that
Executive Order 13132, entitled
‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999), and Executive Order 13175,
entitled ‘‘Consultation and Coordination
with Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR
67249, November 9, 2000), do not apply
to this action. In addition, this action
does not impose any enforceable duty or
contain any unfunded mandate as
described under Title II of the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) (2 U.S.C.
1501 et seq.).
This action does not involve any
technical standards that would require
EPA’s consideration of voluntary
consensus standards pursuant to section
12(d) of the National Technology
Transfer and Advancement Act
(NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).
V. Congressional Review Act
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 in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Dated: November 27, 2017.
Richard P. Keigwin, Jr.,
Director, Office of Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
amended as follows:
PART 180—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 180
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
2. Add § 180.1348 to subpart D to read
as follows:
■
§ 180.1348 Bacillus subtilis strain BU1814;
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance.
An exemption from the requirement
of a tolerance is established for residues
of Bacillus subtilis strain BU1814 in or
on all food commodities when used in
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57874
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
6450; email address: winchester.erik@
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:
accordance with label directions and
good agricultural practices.
[FR Doc. 2017–26518 Filed 12–7–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 770
[EPA–HQ–OPPT–2017–0245; FRL–9971–38]
RIN 2070–AK36
Voluntary Consensus Standards
Update; Formaldehyde Emission
Standards for Composite Wood
Products; Withdrawal of Direct Final
Rule
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Direct final rule; withdrawal.
AGENCY:
In the Federal Register of
October 25, 2017, EPA published both a
direct final rule and proposed rule to
update the voluntary consensus
standards that originally published in
the Toxics Substances Control Act
(TSCA) Title VI formaldehyde emission
standards for composite wood products
final rule on December 12, 2016. In
addition, in the direct final rule and
proposed rule the EPA amended the
testing requirements for panel producers
and third-party certifiers establishing
correlation between approved quality
control test methods and either the
ASTM E1333–14 test chamber, or, upon
showing equivalence, the ASTM
D6007–14 test chamber. As noted in the
direct final rule, if EPA received adverse
comment on the proposed amendments,
the Agency would publish a timely
withdrawal of the direct final rule in the
Federal Register informing the public
that the direct final action will not take
effect. The Agency did receive adverse
comment on the proposed rule
amendments, and is therefore
withdrawing the direct final rule and
will instead proceed with a final rule
based on the proposed rule after
considering all public comments.
DATES: Effective December 8, 2017, the
direct final rule published in the
Federal Register of October 25, 2017 (82
FR 49287) (FRL–9962–84), is
withdrawn.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
For
technical information contact: Erik
Winchester, National Program
Chemicals Division, Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics, Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460–
0001; telephone number: (202) 564–
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:24 Dec 07, 2017
Jkt 244001
I. Does this action apply to me?
A list of potentially affected entities is
provided in the Federal Register of
October 25, 2017 (82 FR 49287). If you
have questions regarding the
applicability of this action to a
particular entity, consult the technical
person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
II. What rule is being withdrawn?
In the October 25, 2017 Federal
Register, EPA published both a direct
final rule (see 82 FR 49287) and
proposed rule (see 82 FR 49302) (FRL–
9962–80) pursuant to section 601 of
TSCA that would have updated several
of the voluntary consensus standards
incorporated by reference at § 770.99 as
published on December 12, 2016 (see 81
FR 89674) (FRL–9949–90). These
voluntary consensus standards have
been updated, withdrawn, or
superseded since publication of the
original final rule in 2016. Additionally,
the direct final rule would have
amended testing requirements for
demonstration of equivalence and
correlation between approved quality
control test methods and either the
ASTM E1333–14 test chamber, or, upon
showing equivalence in accordance
with § 770.20(d), the ASTM D6007–14
test chamber under § 770.20(d)(2)(i).
Since the direct final rule and
proposed rule’s publication, EPA has
received a comment on the proposed
amendments to the voluntary consensus
standard updating action that the
Agency considers to be adverse. As a
result of receiving an adverse comment,
EPA is withdrawing the direct final rule
published in the Federal Register on
October 25, 2017. All comments are
available for review in the public
docket. EPA will address the public
comments received on this action in a
subsequent final rule.
III. How do I access the docket?
To access the docket, please go to
https://www.regulations.gov and follow
the online instructions using the docket
ID number EPA–HQ–OPPT–2017–0245.
Additional information about the
Docket Facility is also provided under
ADDRESSES in the October 25, 2017 (82
FR 49287) Federal Register document. If
you have questions, consult the
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technical person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
IV. Good Cause Finding
EPA finds that there is ‘‘good cause’’
under the Administrative Procedure Act
(5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B)) to withdraw the
direct final rule discussed in this
document without prior notice and
comment. For this document, notice and
comment is impracticable and
unnecessary because EPA is under a
time limit to publish this withdrawal. It
was determined that this document is
not subject to the 30-day delay of
effective date generally required by 5
U.S.C. 553(d) as there is good cause for
the withdrawal to be effective
immediately. This withdrawal must
become effective prior to the effective
date of the direct final rule being
withdrawn, as EPA explained in the
direct final rule itself.
V. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
This document withdraws regulatory
requirements that have not gone into
effect. As such, the Agency has
determined that this withdrawal will
not have any adverse impacts, economic
or otherwise. The statutory and
Executive Order review requirements
applicable to the direct final rule being
withdrawn were discussed in the
October 25, 2017 (82 FR 49287) Federal
Register document. Those review
requirements do not apply to this action
because it is a withdrawal and does not
contain any new or amended
requirements.
VI. Congressional Review Act (CRA)
Pursuant to the CRA (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). Section 808 of the CRA allows
the issuing agency to make a rule
effective sooner than otherwise
provided by CRA if the agency makes a
good cause finding that notice and
public procedure is impracticable,
unnecessary, or contrary to the public
interest. As required by 5 U.S.C. 808(2),
this determination is supported by a
brief statement in Unit IV.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 770
Environmental protection,
Formaldehyde, Incorporation by
reference, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Third-party certification,
Toxic substances, Wood.
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 235 (Friday, December 8, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57872-57874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26518]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0687; FRL-9969-96]
Bacillus subtilis Strain BU1814; Exemption From the Requirement
of a Tolerance
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement
of a tolerance for residues of Bacillus subtilis strain BU1814 in or on
all food commodities when used in accordance with label directions and
good agricultural practices. BASF Corporation submitted a petition to
EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting
an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation
eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for
residues of Bacillus subtilis strain BU1814 under FFDCA.
DATES: This regulation is effective December 8, 2017. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before February 6, 2018,
and must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40
CFR part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
ADDRESSES: The docket for this action, identified by docket
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0687, is available at https://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pesticide Programs Regulatory
Public Docket (OPP Docket) in the Environmental Protection Agency
Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334,
1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001. 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 OPP
Docket is (703) 305-5805. Please review the visitor instructions and
additional information about the docket available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert McNally, Biopesticides and
Pollution Prevention Division (7511P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,
Washington, DC 20460-0001; main telephone number: (703) 305-7090; email
address: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. Does this action apply to me?
You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an
agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer.
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:
Crop production (NAICS code 111).
Animal production (NAICS code 112).
Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).
Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).
B. How can I get electronic access to other related information?
You may access a frequently updated electronic version of 40 CFR
part 180 through the Government Printing Office's e-CFR site at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40tab_02.tpl.
C. How can I file an objection or hearing request?
Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21 U.S.C. 346a(g), any person may file
an objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request a
hearing on those objections. You must file your objection or request a
hearing on this regulation in accordance with the instructions provided
in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify
docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0687 in the subject line on the first
page of your submission. All objections and requests for a hearing must
be in writing, and must be received by the Hearing Clerk on or before
February 6, 2018. Addresses for mail and hand delivery of objections
and hearing requests are provided in 40 CFR 178.25(b).
In addition to filing an objection or hearing request with the
Hearing Clerk as described in 40 CFR part 178, please submit a copy of
the filing (excluding any Confidential Business Information (CBI)) for
inclusion in the public docket. Information not marked confidential
pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA without
prior notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your objection or hearing
request, identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0687, by one of
the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit
electronically any information you consider to be CBI or other
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket
Center (EPA/DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC
20460-0001.
Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the
instructions at https://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html. Additional
instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more
information about dockets generally, is available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.
II. Background
In the Federal Register of February 7, 2017 (82 FR 9555) (FRL-9956-
86), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide tolerance
petition (PP 6F8490) by BASF Corporation, 26 Davis Dr., P.O. Box 13528,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. The petition requested that 40 CFR
part 180 be amended by establishing an exemption from the requirement
of a tolerance for residues of the fungicide Bacillus subtilis strain
BU1814 in or on all food commodities. That document referenced a
summary of the petition prepared by the petitioner BASF Corporation,
which is available in the docket via https://www.regulations.gov. There
were no
[[Page 57873]]
comments received in response to the notice of filing.
III. Final Rule
A. EPA's Safety Determination
Section 408(c)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish an
exemption from the requirement for a tolerance (the legal limit for a
pesticide chemical residue in or on a food) only if EPA determines that
the exemption is ``safe.'' Section 408(c)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA defines
``safe'' to mean that ``there is a reasonable certainty that no harm
will result from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue,
including all anticipated dietary exposures and all other exposures for
which there is reliable information.'' This includes exposure through
drinking water and in residential settings but does not include
occupational exposure. Pursuant to FFDCA section 408(c)(2)(B), in
establishing or maintaining in effect an exemption from the requirement
of a tolerance, EPA must take into account the factors set forth in
FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(C), which require EPA to give special
consideration to exposure of infants and children to the pesticide
chemical residue in establishing a tolerance or tolerance exemption and
to ``ensure that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will
result to infants and children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide
chemical residue . . . .'' Additionally, FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D)
requires that EPA consider ``available information concerning the
cumulative effects of [a particular pesticide's] . . . residues and
other substances that have a common mechanism of toxicity.''
EPA evaluated the available toxicity and exposure data on Bacillus
subtilis strain BU1814 and considered its validity, completeness, and
reliability, as well as the relationship of this information to human
risk. A full explanation of the data upon which EPA relied and its risk
assessment based on those data can be found within the document
entitled ``Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) Considerations
for Bacillus subtilis strain BU1814.'' This document, as well as other
relevant information, is available in the docket for this action as
described under ADDRESSES. The available data indicate that Bacillus
subtilis strain BU1814 showed no toxicity, no pathogenicity, and no
infectivity via the acute oral, pulmonary, and intravenous routes of
exposure. Based upon its evaluation, EPA concludes that there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm will result to the U.S. population,
including infants and children, from aggregate exposure to residues of
Bacillus subtilis strain BU1814. Therefore, an exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance is established for residues of Bacillus
subtilis strain BU1814 in or on all food commodities when used in
accordance with label directions and good agricultural practices.
B. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
An analytical method is not required because EPA is establishing an
exemption from the requirement of a tolerance without any numerical
limitation.
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
This action establishes a tolerance exemption under FFDCA section
408(d) in response to a petition submitted to EPA. 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). Because this action has been
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, 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), or Executive Order 13045, entitled
``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997). This action does not contain any
information collections subject to OMB approval under the Paperwork
Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., nor does it require any
special considerations under Executive Order 12898, entitled ``Federal
Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations'' (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
Since tolerances and exemptions that are established on the basis
of a petition under FFDCA section 408(d), such as the tolerance
exemption in this action, do not require the issuance of a proposed
rule, the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do not apply.
This action directly regulates growers, food processors, food
handlers, and food retailers, not States or tribes. As a result, this
action does not alter the relationships or distribution of power and
responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions
of FFDCA section 408(n)(4). As such, EPA has determined that this
action will not have a substantial direct effect on States or tribal
governments, on the relationship between the national government and
the States or tribal governments, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government or between the
Federal Government and Indian tribes. Thus, EPA has determined that
Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999), and Executive Order 13175, entitled ``Consultation and
Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 67249, November 9,
2000), do not apply to this action. In addition, this action does not
impose any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded mandate as
described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) (2
U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
This action does not involve any technical standards that would
require EPA's consideration of voluntary consensus standards pursuant
to section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).
V. Congressional Review Act
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 in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: November 27, 2017.
Richard P. Keigwin, Jr.,
Director, Office of Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:
PART 180--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
0
2. Add Sec. 180.1348 to subpart D to read as follows:
Sec. 180.1348 Bacillus subtilis strain BU1814; exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance.
An exemption from the requirement of a tolerance is established for
residues of Bacillus subtilis strain BU1814 in or on all food
commodities when used in
[[Page 57874]]
accordance with label directions and good agricultural practices.
[FR Doc. 2017-26518 Filed 12-7-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P