January 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is announcing the availability of a draft guidance for industry entitled ``Action Levels for Lead in Food Intended for Babies and Young Children: Draft Guidance for Industry.'' The draft guidance, when finalized, would establish the following action levels for lead in processed food intended for babies and young children: 10 parts per billion (ppb) for fruits, vegetables (excluding single-ingredient root vegetables), mixtures, yogurts, custards/puddings, and single-ingredient meats; 20 ppb for root vegetables (single ingredient); and 20 ppb for dry cereals.

By this Notice, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Department of Commerce, is informing the public that it is conducting the mandatory survey titled Quarterly Survey of Financial Services Transactions between U.S. Financial Services Providers and Foreign Persons (BE-185). The data collected on the BE-185 survey are needed to measure U.S. trade in financial services and to analyze the impact of U.S. trade on the U.S. and foreign economies. This survey is authorized by the International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act and by Section 5408 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988.

By this Notice, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Department of Commerce, is informing the public that it is conducting the mandatory survey titled Annual Survey of Foreign Ocean Carriers' Expenses in the United States (BE-29). The data collected on the BE-29 survey are needed to measure U.S. trade in transport services and to analyze the impact of U.S. trade on the U.S. and foreign economies. This survey is authorized by the International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act.

By this Notice, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Department of Commerce, is informing the public that it is conducting the mandatory survey titled Quarterly Survey of Ocean Freight Revenues and Foreign Expenses of U.S. Carriers (BE-30). The data collected on the BE-30 survey are needed to measure U.S. trade in transport services and to analyze the impact of U.S. trade on the U.S. and foreign economies. This survey is authorized by the International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act.

By this Notice, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Department of Commerce, is informing the public that it is conducting the mandatory survey titled Quarterly Survey of Transactions in Selected Services and Intellectual Property with Foreign Persons (BE- 125). The data collected on the BE-125 survey are needed to measure U.S. trade in services and to analyze the impact of U.S. trade on the U.S. and foreign economies. This survey is authorized by the International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act.

Pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is publishing this regular monthly notice. The Act requires the Commission to publish notice of any amendments issued, or proposed to be issued, and grants the Commission the authority to issue and make immediately effective any amendment to an operating license or combined license, as applicable, upon a determination by the Commission that such amendment involves no significant hazards consideration (NSHC), notwithstanding the pendency before the Commission of a request for a hearing from any person.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is confirming the effective date of October 28, 2022, for the final rule that appeared in the Federal Register of September 27, 2022, and that amended the color additive regulations to provide for the safe use of calcium carbonate in dietary supplement tablets and capsules.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-08-08, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2021-08-08 requires replacing affected bleed duct assemblies and bleed gimbals at the wing-to-pylon interface, and prohibits the installation of affected parts. This AD was prompted by a report of a welding quality issue in the gimbal joint of the air bleed duct at each wing-to-pylon interface and the consequent deformation of the gimbal inner ring, and by new findings that affected bleed gimbals were found on certain airplanes that did not have any maintenance record of affected part replacement. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2021-08-08 and, for certain airplanes, would require inspection of the bleed gimbals to determine the part number and replacement if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corporation (P&WC) PW308A and PW308C model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a manufacturer's design review which identified that the combustion chamber outer case (CCOC) to rear compressor case (RCC) flange bolt low cycle fatigue life was inadequate and that those flange bolts may develop cracks resulting in flange bolt fracture. This proposed AD would require replacing all CCOC flange bolts and modifying the CCOC and inner bypass ducts. This proposed AD would also prohibit installation of certain flange bolts on any affected engine, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) is considering updating its regulatory capital framework for the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac) to enhance safety and soundness during periods of financial and economic stress. With this Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), FCA is seeking comments from the public on whether and how to amend and strengthen the regulatory capital framework in furtherance of Farmer Mac's safe and sound operations and its role in promoting affordable and sustainable access to credit in agricultural and rural communities, which it carries out by providing liquidity and credit protection tools to rural lenders.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 15 individuals for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to drive in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 24 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') is undertaking the preliminary stages of a rulemaking to consider amendments to the test procedure for central air conditioners and heat pumps. Through this request for information (``RFI''), DOE seeks data and information regarding issues pertinent to whether amended test procedures would more accurately or fully comply with the requirement that the test procedure produces results that measure energy use during a representative average use cycle or period of use for the product without being unduly burdensome to conduct, or reduce testing burden. DOE welcomes written comments from the public on any subject within the scope of this document (including topics not raised in this RFI), as well as the submission of data and other relevant information.