Florpyrauxifen-benzyl; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance, 50764-50766 [2019-20530]
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50764
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 187 / Thursday, September 26, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2018–0645; FRL–9998–67]
Florpyrauxifen-benzyl; 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 the
florpyrauxifen-benzyl on all food and
feed commodities when applied or used
as an herbicide under good agricultural
practices. This regulation eliminates the
need to establish a maximum
permissible level for residues of
florpyrauxifen-benzyl.
DATES: This regulation is effective
September 26, 2019. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before November 25, 2019, 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–2018–0645, 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:
Michael Goodis, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC
20460–0001; main telephone number:
(703) 305–7090; email address:
RDFRNotices@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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SUMMARY:
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
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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).
• Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental
Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/
DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.
NW, Washington, DC 20460–0001.
B. How can I get electronic access to
other related information?
II. Summary of Petitioned-For
Tolerance Action
You may access a frequently updated
electronic version of 40 CFR part 180
through the Government Publishing
Office’s e-CFR site at https://
www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/textidx?&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, 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–2018–0645 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
November 25, 2019. 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–
2018–0645, 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.
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• 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.
In the Federal Register of December
21, 2018 (83 FR 65660) (FRL–9985–67),
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 8F8675)
by Dow AgroSciences, 9330 Zionsville
Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268. The
petition requested that 40 CFR part 180
be amended by establishing an
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance for residues of florpyrauxifenbenzyl. That document referenced a
summary of the petition prepared by the
petitioner, Dow AgroSciences, which is
available in the docket, https://
www.regulations.gov. There were no
comments received in response to the
notice of filing.
III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and
Determination of Safety
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 requires EPA to give
special consideration to exposure of
infants and children to the pesticide
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chemical residue in establishing a
tolerance 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. . . .’’
EPA performs a number of analyses to
determine the risks from aggregate
exposure to pesticide residues. First,
EPA determines the toxicity of
pesticides. Second, EPA examines
exposure to the pesticide through food,
drinking water, and through other
exposures that occur as a result of
pesticide use in residential settings.
A. Toxicological Profile
Consistent with FFDCA section
408(b)(2)(D), EPA has reviewed the
available scientific data and other
relevant information in support of this
action and considered its validity,
completeness and reliability and the
relationship of this information to
human risk. EPA has also considered
available information concerning the
variability of the sensitivities of major
identifiable subgroups of consumers,
including infants and children. The
nature of the toxic effects caused by
florpyrauxifen-benzyl are discussed in
this unit.
Florpyrauxifen-benzyl is not
genotoxic and there were no treatment
related findings up to the limit dose
(1,000 milligrams/kilogram (mg/kg)/day)
or highest doses tested in the acute,
short-term, sub-chronic, or chronic oral
toxicity studies, 2-generation
reproduction or developmental toxicity
studies or in the neurotoxicity study.
Chronic administration of
florpyrauxifen-benzyl did not show any
carcinogenicity potential and did not
cause any adverse effects in mice, rats
or dogs even up to the highest doses
tested. Given the absence of adverse
effects or toxicity in the database, the
Agency did not establish any toxicity
endpoints or points of departure for
conducting a quantitative risk
assessment. In a qualitative assessment
of risk, the Agency does not use
uncertainty factors, which means that
the safety factor required section
408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA in the case of
threshold effects for the protection of
infants and children is not applicable.
The Agency has determined that there
are no residual uncertainties in the
toxicity or exposure databases, and
there is no evidence of increased
susceptibility of infants or children from
exposure to florpyrauxifen-benzyl.
Based on its review of the available
data, the Agency concludes that a
qualitative assessment without
uncertainty or safety factors would be
safe for infants and children.
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Specific information on the studies
received and the nature of the adverse
effects caused by florpyrauxifen-benzyl
as well as the no-observed-adverseeffect-level (NOAEL) and the lowest
observed-adverse-effect-level (LOAEL)
from the toxicity studies can be found
at https://www.regulations.gov in the
document titled ‘‘Florpyrauxifenbenzyl: New Active Ingredient, First
Food Use. Human Health Risk
Assessment for the Establishment of
Permanent Tolerances on Rice, Fish,
and Shellfish and Registration for Uses
on Rice and Freshwater Aquatic Weed
Control’’ in docket ID number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2018–0645.
B. Aggregate Exposures
In examining aggregate exposure,
FFDCA section 408 directs EPA to
consider available information
concerning exposures from the pesticide
residue in food and all other nonoccupational exposures, including
drinking water from ground water or
surface water and exposure through
pesticide use in gardens, lawns, or
buildings (residential and other indoor
uses).
There is potential for exposure to
florpyrauxifen-benzyl via food and
drinking water based on the proposed
and approved uses. In addition, there is
a potential for non-occupational, nondietary exposure to swimmers in waters
treated with florpyrauxifen-benzyl. But
because no adverse effects were
observed in the submitted toxicological
studies for florpyrauxifen-benzyl
regardless of the route of exposure, a
qualitative assessment of risk is
appropriate for this compound.
C. Cumulative Effects From Substances
With a Common Mechanism of Toxicity
Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA
requires that, when considering whether
to establish, modify, or revoke a
tolerance, the Agency consider
‘‘available information’’ concerning the
cumulative effects of a particular
pesticide’s residues and ‘‘other
substances that have a common
mechanism of toxicity.’’
EPA has not found florpyrauxifenbenzyl to share a common mechanism
of toxicity with any other substances,
and florpyrauxifen-benzyl does not
appear to produce a toxic metabolite
produced by other substances. For the
purposes of this tolerance action,
therefore, EPA has assumed that
florpyrauxifen-benzyl does not have a
common mechanism of toxicity with
other substances. For information
regarding EPA’s efforts to determine
which chemicals have a common
mechanism of toxicity and to evaluate
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the cumulative effects of such
chemicals, see EPA’s website at https://
www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-andassessing-pesticide-risks/cumulativeassessment-risk-pesticides.
D. Determination of Safety for U.S.
Population, Infants and Children
Based on the information in this
preamble and the supporting
documentation, EPA concludes that
there is a reasonable certainty of no
harm from aggregate exposure to
florpyrauxifen-benzyl residues.
Accordingly, EPA finds that exempting
florpyrauxifen-benzyl residues from the
requirement of a tolerance when applied
or used as an herbicide in accordance
with good agricultural practices will be
safe.
IV. 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 because of the lack of toxicity
concern about the presence of residues.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, an exemption is
established for residues of
florpyrauxifen-benzyl, including its
metabolites and degradates, in or on all
food commodities, when it is applied as
an herbicide according to good
agricultural practices. In addition,
although not requested in the petition,
EPA is removing from the Title 40 of the
Code of Federal Regulations section
180.695 and the established tolerances
on fish—freshwater finfish; fish—
shellfish, crustacean; fish—shellfish,
mollusc; and rice, grain. The residues
on those commodities are subsumed
within the new exemption, so the
existing numerical tolerances are
redundant and no longer necessary.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
This action establishes an exemption
from the requirement of a tolerance
under FFDCA section 408(d) in
response to a petition submitted to the
Agency. 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
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 187 / Thursday, September 26, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
Order 13045, entitled ‘‘Protection of
Children from Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885,
April 23, 1997), nor is it considered a
regulatory action under Executive Order
13771, entitled ‘‘Reducing Regulations
and Controlling Regulatory Costs’’ (82
FR 9339, February 3, 2017). 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 exemption in this final rule, 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, nor does
this action alter the relationships or
distribution of power and
responsibilities established by Congress
in the preemption provisions of FFDCA
section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency
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, the Agency 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
Agency 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).
VII. 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
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17:19 Sep 25, 2019
Jkt 247001
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: August 29, 2019.
Michael Goodis,
Director, Registration Division, 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.
§ 180.695
[Removed]
2. Remove § 180.695.
3. Add § 180.1371 to subpart D to read
as follows:
■
■
§ 180.1371 Florpyrauxifen-benzyl;
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance.
An exemption from the requirement
of a tolerance is established for residues
of florpyrauxifen-benzyl, including its
metabolites and degradates, in or on all
food and feed commodities, when it is
applied as an herbicide in accordance
with good agricultural practices.
[FR Doc. 2019–20530 Filed 9–25–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 271
[EPA–R05–RCRA–2018–0375; FRL–10000–
08–Region 5]
Ohio: Final Authorization of State
Hazardous Waste Management
Program Revisions
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final authorization.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is granting Ohio final
authorization for changes to its
hazardous waste program under the
Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (RCRA). The Agency published a
proposed rule on June 11, 2019 and
provided for public comment. No
SUMMARY:
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comments were received on the
proposed revisions. No further
opportunity for comment will be
provided.
This final authorization is
effective September 26, 2019.
ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket ID
No. EPA–R05–RCRA–2018–0375. All
documents in the docket are listed on
the https://www.regulations.gov website.
Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available,
e.g., 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 electronically through https://
www.regulations.gov.
DATES:
Jean
Gromnicki, Ohio Regulatory Specialist,
US EPA Region 5, LL–17J, 77 West
Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois
60604, (312)–886–6162, email
Gromnicki.jean@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
A. What changes to Ohio’s hazardous
waste program is EPA authorizing with
this action?
On February 19, 2019, Ohio submitted
a complete program revision application
seeking authorization of changes to its
hazardous waste program in accordance
with 40 CFR 271.21. EPA now makes a
final decision that Ohio’s hazardous
waste program revisions that are being
authorized are equivalent to, consistent
with, and no less stringent than the
Federal program, and therefore satisfy
all of the requirements necessary to
qualify for final authorization. For a list
of State rules being authorized with this
final authorization, please see the
proposed rule published in the June 11,
2019 Federal Register at 84 FR 27057.
B. What is codification and is EPA
codifying the Ohio’s hazardous waste
program as authorized in this action?
Codification is the process of placing
citations and references to the State’s
statutes and regulations that comprise
the State’s authorized hazardous waste
program into the Code of Federal
Regulations. EPA does this by adding
those citations and references to the
authorized State rules in 40 CFR part
272. EPA is not codifying the
authorization of Ohio’s revisions at this
time. However, EPA reserves the ability
to amend 40 CFR part 272, subpart KK,
for the authorization of Ohio’s program
changes at a later date.
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 187 (Thursday, September 26, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50764-50766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20530]
[[Page 50764]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2018-0645; FRL-9998-67]
Florpyrauxifen-benzyl; 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 the florpyrauxifen-benzyl on all food
and feed commodities when applied or used as an herbicide under good
agricultural practices. This regulation eliminates the need to
establish a maximum permissible level for residues of florpyrauxifen-
benzyl.
DATES: This regulation is effective September 26, 2019. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before November 25, 2019,
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-2018-0645, 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: Michael Goodis, Registration Division
(7505P), 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 Publishing 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, 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-2018-0645 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
November 25, 2019. 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-2018-0645, 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. Summary of Petitioned-For Tolerance Action
In the Federal Register of December 21, 2018 (83 FR 65660) (FRL-
9985-67), 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 8F8675) by Dow AgroSciences, 9330 Zionsville Road,
Indianapolis, IN 46268. The petition requested that 40 CFR part 180 be
amended by establishing an exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance for residues of florpyrauxifen-benzyl. That document
referenced a summary of the petition prepared by the petitioner, Dow
AgroSciences, which is available in the docket, https://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in response to the
notice of filing.
III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety
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 requires EPA to give special
consideration to exposure of infants and children to the pesticide
[[Page 50765]]
chemical residue in establishing a tolerance 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. . .
.''
EPA performs a number of analyses to determine the risks from
aggregate exposure to pesticide residues. First, EPA determines the
toxicity of pesticides. Second, EPA examines exposure to the pesticide
through food, drinking water, and through other exposures that occur as
a result of pesticide use in residential settings.
A. Toxicological Profile
Consistent with FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has reviewed the
available scientific data and other relevant information in support of
this action and considered its validity, completeness and reliability
and the relationship of this information to human risk. EPA has also
considered available information concerning the variability of the
sensitivities of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including
infants and children. The nature of the toxic effects caused by
florpyrauxifen-benzyl are discussed in this unit.
Florpyrauxifen-benzyl is not genotoxic and there were no treatment
related findings up to the limit dose (1,000 milligrams/kilogram (mg/
kg)/day) or highest doses tested in the acute, short-term, sub-chronic,
or chronic oral toxicity studies, 2-generation reproduction or
developmental toxicity studies or in the neurotoxicity study.
Chronic administration of florpyrauxifen-benzyl did not show any
carcinogenicity potential and did not cause any adverse effects in
mice, rats or dogs even up to the highest doses tested. Given the
absence of adverse effects or toxicity in the database, the Agency did
not establish any toxicity endpoints or points of departure for
conducting a quantitative risk assessment. In a qualitative assessment
of risk, the Agency does not use uncertainty factors, which means that
the safety factor required section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA in the case of
threshold effects for the protection of infants and children is not
applicable. The Agency has determined that there are no residual
uncertainties in the toxicity or exposure databases, and there is no
evidence of increased susceptibility of infants or children from
exposure to florpyrauxifen-benzyl. Based on its review of the available
data, the Agency concludes that a qualitative assessment without
uncertainty or safety factors would be safe for infants and children.
Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the
adverse effects caused by florpyrauxifen-benzyl as well as the no-
observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) and the lowest observed-adverse-
effect-level (LOAEL) from the toxicity studies can be found at https://www.regulations.gov in the document titled ``Florpyrauxifen-benzyl: New
Active Ingredient, First Food Use. Human Health Risk Assessment for the
Establishment of Permanent Tolerances on Rice, Fish, and Shellfish and
Registration for Uses on Rice and Freshwater Aquatic Weed Control'' in
docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2018-0645.
B. Aggregate Exposures
In examining aggregate exposure, FFDCA section 408 directs EPA to
consider available information concerning exposures from the pesticide
residue in food and all other non-occupational exposures, including
drinking water from ground water or surface water and exposure through
pesticide use in gardens, lawns, or buildings (residential and other
indoor uses).
There is potential for exposure to florpyrauxifen-benzyl via food
and drinking water based on the proposed and approved uses. In
addition, there is a potential for non-occupational, non-dietary
exposure to swimmers in waters treated with florpyrauxifen-benzyl. But
because no adverse effects were observed in the submitted toxicological
studies for florpyrauxifen-benzyl regardless of the route of exposure,
a qualitative assessment of risk is appropriate for this compound.
C. Cumulative Effects From Substances With a Common Mechanism of
Toxicity
Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires that, when considering
whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the Agency
consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative effects of
a particular pesticide's residues and ``other substances that have a
common mechanism of toxicity.''
EPA has not found florpyrauxifen-benzyl to share a common mechanism
of toxicity with any other substances, and florpyrauxifen-benzyl does
not appear to produce a toxic metabolite produced by other substances.
For the purposes of this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed
that florpyrauxifen-benzyl does not have a common mechanism of toxicity
with other substances. For information regarding EPA's efforts to
determine which chemicals have a common mechanism of toxicity and to
evaluate the cumulative effects of such chemicals, see EPA's website at
https://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/cumulative-assessment-risk-pesticides.
D. Determination of Safety for U.S. Population, Infants and Children
Based on the information in this preamble and the supporting
documentation, EPA concludes that there is a reasonable certainty of no
harm from aggregate exposure to florpyrauxifen-benzyl residues.
Accordingly, EPA finds that exempting florpyrauxifen-benzyl residues
from the requirement of a tolerance when applied or used as an
herbicide in accordance with good agricultural practices will be safe.
IV. 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 because of the lack of toxicity concern about the presence
of residues.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, an exemption is established for residues of
florpyrauxifen-benzyl, including its metabolites and degradates, in or
on all food commodities, when it is applied as an herbicide according
to good agricultural practices. In addition, although not requested in
the petition, EPA is removing from the Title 40 of the Code of Federal
Regulations section 180.695 and the established tolerances on fish--
freshwater finfish; fish--shellfish, crustacean; fish--shellfish,
mollusc; and rice, grain. The residues on those commodities are
subsumed within the new exemption, so the existing numerical tolerances
are redundant and no longer necessary.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
This action establishes an exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance under FFDCA section 408(d) in response to a petition
submitted to the Agency. 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
[[Page 50766]]
Order 13045, entitled ``Protection of Children from Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), nor is
it considered a regulatory action under Executive Order 13771, entitled
``Reducing Regulations and Controlling Regulatory Costs'' (82 FR 9339,
February 3, 2017). 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 exemption in this
final rule, 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, nor does this
action alter the relationships or distribution of power and
responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions
of FFDCA section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency 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, the Agency 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 Agency 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).
VII. 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: August 29, 2019.
Michael Goodis,
Director, Registration Division, 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.
Sec. 180.695 [Removed]
0
2. Remove Sec. 180.695.
0
3. Add Sec. 180.1371 to subpart D to read as follows:
Sec. 180.1371 Florpyrauxifen-benzyl; exemption from the requirement
of a tolerance.
An exemption from the requirement of a tolerance is established for
residues of florpyrauxifen-benzyl, including its metabolites and
degradates, in or on all food and feed commodities, when it is applied
as an herbicide in accordance with good agricultural practices.
[FR Doc. 2019-20530 Filed 9-25-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P