Pesticides; Antimicrobial Product Efficacy Claims on Soft Surface Textiles in Non-Residential Settings; Guidance, Methods, and Response to Comments; Notice of Availability, 59522-59523 [2023-18549]

Download as PDF 59522 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 29, 2023 / Notices will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. 2. Tips for preparing your comments. When preparing and submitting your comments, see the commenting tips at https://www.epa.gov/dockets/ commenting-epa-dockets. II. What action is the Agency taking? This notice announces receipt by the Agency of requests from Loveland to cancel certain pesticide product registrations. These affected registrations are listed in sequence by registration number in Table 1 of this Unit. Table 2 of this Unit includes the address of record for Loveland and the company number. This number corresponds to the first part of the EPA registration number of the products listed in Table 1 of this Unit. Unless the Agency determines that there are substantive comments that warrant further review of the requests or Loveland withdraws the requests, EPA intends to issue a final order in the Federal Register cancelling the affected registrations. TABLE 1—CHLORPYRIFOS PRODUCT REGISTRATIONS WITH PENDING REQUESTS FOR CANCELLATION EPA registration No. Product name Company 34704–857 ................... 34704–1077 ................. 34704–1086 ................. Warhawk .................... Warhawk Clearform ... Match-Up Insecticide .. Loveland Products, Inc Loveland Products, Inc Loveland Products, Inc Active ingredients Chlorpyrifos. Chlorpyrifos. Chlorpyrifos Bifenthrin. TABLE 2—REGISTRANT REQUESTING VOLUNTARY CANCELLATION EPA company No. Company name and address 34704 .............................................. Loveland Products, Inc., Agent name: Pyxis Regulatory Consulting, 4110 136th St. Ct. NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 III. What is the Agency’s authority for taking these actions? FIFRA section 6(f)(1) (7 U.S.C. 136d(f)(1)) provides that a registrant of a pesticide product may at any time request that any of its pesticide registrations be cancelled or amended to terminate one or more registered uses. FIFRA further provides that, before acting on the request, EPA must publish a notice of receipt of any such request in the Federal Register. FIFRA section 6(f)(1)(B) (7 U.S.C. 136d(f)(1)(B)) requires that before acting on a request for voluntary cancellation, EPA must provide a 30-day public comment period on the request for voluntary cancellation or use termination. In addition, FIFRA section 6(f)(1)(C) (7 U.S.C. 136d(f)(1)(C)) requires that EPA provide a 180-day comment period on a request for voluntary cancellation or termination of any minor agricultural use before granting the request, unless: 1. The registrant requests a waiver of the comment period, or 2. The EPA Administrator determines that continued use of the pesticide would pose an unreasonable adverse effect on the environment. Loveland has requested that EPA waive the 180-day comment period. Accordingly, EPA will provide a 30-day comment period on the proposed requests. IV. Procedures for Withdrawal of Request Registrants who choose to withdraw a request for cancellation or withdraw a VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:03 Aug 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 request for a use termination should submit such withdrawal in writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. If the products have been subject to a previous cancellation action, the effective date of cancellation and all other provisions of any earlier cancellation action are controlling. V. Provisions for Disposition of Existing Stocks Existing stocks are those stocks of registered pesticide products that are currently in the United States and that were packaged, labeled, and released for shipment prior to the effective date of the cancellation action. If the requests for voluntary cancellation are granted, the Agency intends to publish a final cancellation order in the Federal Register. In any order issued in response to these requests for cancellation of product registrations, EPA proposes to include the following provisions for the treatment of any existing stocks of the products listed in Table 1 of Unit II. All chlorpyrifos tolerances expired on February 28, 2022. See 87 FR 11222 (Feb. 28, 2022). Therefore, any food or animal feed treated with chlorpyrifos after February 28, 2022, is considered adulterated and cannot be delivered into interstate commerce. Consequently, EPA plans to prohibit existing stocks of chlorpyrifos products identified in Table 1 for food uses. Use of the products identified in Table 1 is permitted on non-food use sites, as long as such use is consistent with the label. PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 EPA proposes prohibiting all sale and distribution of existing stocks of the chlorpyrifos products identified in Table 1, except for export consistent with FIFRA section 17 (7 U.S.C. 136o) or for proper disposal in accordance with state regulations. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq. Dated: August 22, 2023. Mary Elissa Reaves, Director, Pesticide Re-Evaluation Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. [FR Doc. 2023–18544 Filed 8–28–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [Docket Id: EPA–HQ–OPP–2022–0337; FRL– 10497–03–OCSPP] Pesticides; Antimicrobial Product Efficacy Claims on Soft Surface Textiles in Non-Residential Settings; Guidance, Methods, and Response to Comments; Notice of Availability Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of revised guidance and methods for adding efficacy claims to antimicrobial products for use on soft surface textiles in non-residential settings. Revisions to the guidance document and associated methods were made based on the Agency’s consideration of public comments SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM 29AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 29, 2023 / Notices received. Specifically, EPA is announcing the availability of a guidance document that describes efficacy testing for antimicrobial products to support claims for use on soft surface textiles in clinical and institutional (non-residential) settings and how to prepare an application for registration, a quantitative method for evaluating the efficacy of antimicrobial products on soft surface textiles against viruses, and a quantitative method for evaluating the efficacy of antimicrobial products on soft surface textiles against bacteria. The guidance does not address residential use sites, clothing, frequently laundered items, untreated wood, concrete and other hard porous materials, carpet or rugs, or the backing material/stuffing under the soft surface textile (e.g., beyond what can be visibly observed). DATES: This guidance is effective on August 29, 2023. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Carpenter, Microbiology Laboratory Branch (7503M), Biological and Economic Analysis Division, Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Science Center, 701 Mapes Road, Ft. Meade, MD 20755–5350; telephone number: (410) 305–2927; email address: carpenter.marc@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. General Information ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 A. Does this action apply to me? This action is directed to the public in general; although this action may be of particular interest to those persons who are or may be required to conduct testing of chemical substances under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. soft surface textiles in non-residential settings. There is significant interest from stakeholders and the public in the availability of antimicrobial products with these public health claims, particularly in institutional, clinical, and health-care settings. EPA announced the availability and sought public comments on an interim guidance document and test methods (87 FR 78105, December 21, 2022 (FRL– 10497–01–OCSPP)). EPA received approximately 160 public comments, including comments regarding claim nomenclature, clarifications to the methods and revisions to the guidance. After considering the public comments, EPA is releasing revised test methods and guidance document, as well as a response to comments document. The final guidance document and test methods describe efficacy testing for antimicrobial products to support claims for use on soft surface textiles in clinical and institutional (nonresidential) settings and how to prepare an application for registration, a quantitative method for evaluating the efficacy of antimicrobial products on soft surface textiles against viruses, and a quantitative method for evaluating the efficacy of antimicrobial products on soft surface textiles against bacteria. This guidance does not address residential use sites, clothing, frequently laundered items, untreated wood, concrete and other hard porous materials, carpet or rugs, or the backing material/stuffing under the soft surface textile (e.g., beyond what can be visibly observed). III. Do guidance documents contain binding requirements? As guidance, these documents are not binding on the Agency or any outside parties, and the Agency may depart from it where circumstances warrant and without prior notice. While EPA has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the discussion in the guidance, the obligations of EPA and the regulated community are determined by statutes, regulations, or other legally B. How can I get copies of this document binding documents. In the event of a and other related information? conflict between the discussion in the A copy of the documents are available guidance documents and any statute, in the docket under docket regulation, or other legally binding identification (ID) number EPA–HQ– document, the guidance documents will OPP–2022–0337 at https:// not be controlling. www.regulations.gov. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq. II. Background Dated: August 23, 2023. EPA received requests to develop test Michal Freedhoff, Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical methods, guidance, and an associated Safety and Pollution Prevention. registration process for antimicrobial [FR Doc. 2023–18549 Filed 8–28–23; 8:45 am] products intended to treat bacterial and viral public health pathogens for use on BILLING CODE 6560–50–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:03 Aug 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 59523 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [FR ID: 167038] Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice of a new matching program. AGENCY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (‘‘Privacy Act’’), this document announces a new computer matching program the Federal Communications Commission (‘‘FCC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’ or ‘‘Agency’’) and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will conduct with the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers of Lifeline, and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), both of which are administered by USAC under the direction of the FCC. More information about these programs is provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. DATES: Written comments are due on or before September 28, 2023. This computer matching program will commence on September 28, 2023, and will conclude 18 months after the effective date. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Elliot S. Tarloff, FCC, 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554, or to Privacy@ fcc.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elliot S. Tarloff at 202–418–0886 or Privacy@fcc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Lifeline program provides support for discounted broadband and voice services to low-income consumers. Lifeline is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under FCC direction. Consumers qualify for Lifeline through proof of income or participation in a qualifying program, such as Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, or various Tribal-specific federal assistance programs. In the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116–260, 134 Stat. 1182, 2129–36 (2020), Congress created the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, and directed use of the National Verifier to determine eligibility based on various criteria, including the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM 29AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 29, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59522-59523]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18549]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[Docket Id: EPA-HQ-OPP-2022-0337; FRL-10497-03-OCSPP]


Pesticides; Antimicrobial Product Efficacy Claims on Soft Surface 
Textiles in Non-Residential Settings; Guidance, Methods, and Response 
to Comments; Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the 
availability of revised guidance and methods for adding efficacy claims 
to antimicrobial products for use on soft surface textiles in non-
residential settings. Revisions to the guidance document and associated 
methods were made based on the Agency's consideration of public 
comments

[[Page 59523]]

received. Specifically, EPA is announcing the availability of a 
guidance document that describes efficacy testing for antimicrobial 
products to support claims for use on soft surface textiles in clinical 
and institutional (non-residential) settings and how to prepare an 
application for registration, a quantitative method for evaluating the 
efficacy of antimicrobial products on soft surface textiles against 
viruses, and a quantitative method for evaluating the efficacy of 
antimicrobial products on soft surface textiles against bacteria. The 
guidance does not address residential use sites, clothing, frequently 
laundered items, untreated wood, concrete and other hard porous 
materials, carpet or rugs, or the backing material/stuffing under the 
soft surface textile (e.g., beyond what can be visibly observed).

DATES: This guidance is effective on August 29, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Carpenter, Microbiology 
Laboratory Branch (7503M), Biological and Economic Analysis Division, 
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
Environmental Science Center, 701 Mapes Road, Ft. Meade, MD 20755-5350; 
telephone number: (410) 305-2927; email address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    This action is directed to the public in general; although this 
action may be of particular interest to those persons who are or may be 
required to conduct testing of chemical substances under the Federal 
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Since other 
entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to 
describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. 
If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to 
a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How can I get copies of this document and other related information?

    A copy of the documents are available in the docket under docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2022-0337 at https://www.regulations.gov.

II. Background

    EPA received requests to develop test methods, guidance, and an 
associated registration process for antimicrobial products intended to 
treat bacterial and viral public health pathogens for use on soft 
surface textiles in non-residential settings. There is significant 
interest from stakeholders and the public in the availability of 
antimicrobial products with these public health claims, particularly in 
institutional, clinical, and health-care settings.
    EPA announced the availability and sought public comments on an 
interim guidance document and test methods (87 FR 78105, December 21, 
2022 (FRL-10497-01-OCSPP)). EPA received approximately 160 public 
comments, including comments regarding claim nomenclature, 
clarifications to the methods and revisions to the guidance. After 
considering the public comments, EPA is releasing revised test methods 
and guidance document, as well as a response to comments document.
    The final guidance document and test methods describe efficacy 
testing for antimicrobial products to support claims for use on soft 
surface textiles in clinical and institutional (non-residential) 
settings and how to prepare an application for registration, a 
quantitative method for evaluating the efficacy of antimicrobial 
products on soft surface textiles against viruses, and a quantitative 
method for evaluating the efficacy of antimicrobial products on soft 
surface textiles against bacteria. This guidance does not address 
residential use sites, clothing, frequently laundered items, untreated 
wood, concrete and other hard porous materials, carpet or rugs, or the 
backing material/stuffing under the soft surface textile (e.g., beyond 
what can be visibly observed).

III. Do guidance documents contain binding requirements?

    As guidance, these documents are not binding on the Agency or any 
outside parties, and the Agency may depart from it where circumstances 
warrant and without prior notice. While EPA has made every effort to 
ensure the accuracy of the discussion in the guidance, the obligations 
of EPA and the regulated community are determined by statutes, 
regulations, or other legally binding documents. In the event of a 
conflict between the discussion in the guidance documents and any 
statute, regulation, or other legally binding document, the guidance 
documents will not be controlling.
    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.

    Dated: August 23, 2023.
Michal Freedhoff,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2023-18549 Filed 8-28-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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