Pesticides; Final Guidance and Test Method for Antimicrobial Product Efficacy Claims Against Planktonic Legionella Pneumophila in Cooling Tower Water; Notice of Availability, 68897-68898 [2024-19306]

Download as PDF khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 167 / Wednesday, August 28, 2024 / Notices Reston, Virginia. The purpose of this BPA is to secure economic and environmental assessment support for the EPA in its development, review, implementation, and defense of waterrelated initiatives for a variety of industries. To obtain assistance in responding to this BPA, ICF has entered into contracts with the following subcontractors and consultants: Cognistic LLC (located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), Dr. Dennis Guignet (located in Blowing Rock, North Carolina), Dr. Robert Johnston (located in Millville, Massachusetts), Dr. David Andrew Keiser (located in Pelham, Massachusetts), Dr. Klaus Moeltner (located in Blacksburg, Virginia), Ebony Marketing Systems (located in New York, New York), Elena Besedin Consulting (located in Middletown, Rhode Island), Great Lakes Environmental Center (located in Traverse City, Michigan), Hawk Consulting LLC (located in Oak Island, North Carolina), Hellerworx, Inc. (located in Chevy Chase, Maryland), Innovate! Inc. (located in Alexandria, Virginia), Research Triangle Institute (located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina), Resources for the Future (located in Washington, District of Columbia), Shadbegian Economic Consulting (located in Worcester, Massachusetts), Dr. Raghavan Srinivasan (located in Temple, Texas), and Texas A&M AgriLife Research (located in College Station, Texas). In addition to the BPA, the EPA is giving notice that it will be transferring CBI to ICF, located in Reston, VA, under contract number 68HERC23D0003. The purpose of this transfer is to support economic and environmental analysis support for the EPA in its development of effluent guidelines and standards for the MPP industry. To support this contract, ICF has entered into contracts with the following subcontractors and consultants: Neptune and Company (located in Lakewood, Colorado), Avanti Corporation (located in Alexandria, Virginia), Cadmus (located in Waltham, Massachusetts), Gibb Epidemiology Consulting (located in Washington, District of Columbia), Great Lakes Environmental Center (located in Traverse City, Michigan), Inotiv (located in Morrisville, North Carolina), Mote Marine Laboratory (located in Sarasota, Florida), Pradeep Rajan, LLC (located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina), Soller Environmental (located in Berkeley, California), Vireo Advisers, LLC (located in Boston, Massachusetts), Dr. Alexandria Boehm (located in Stanford, California), Dr. Erica McKenzie (located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Dr. Kara VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:13 Aug 27, 2024 Jkt 262001 Nelson (located in Berkeley, California), Dr. Ian Pepper (located in Tucson, Arizona), and Dr. Jill Stewart (located in Carrboro, North Carolina). All EPA contractor, subcontractor, and consultant personnel are bound by the requirements and sanctions contained in their contracts with the EPA and in the EPA’s confidentiality regulations found at 40 CFR part 2, subpart B. ICF will adhere to EPAapproved security plans which describe procedures to protect CBI. ICF will apply the procedures in these plans to CBI previously gathered by the EPA and to CBI that may be gathered in the future. The security plans specify that contractor personnel are required to sign non-disclosure agreements and are briefed on appropriate security procedures before they are permitted access to CBI. No person is automatically granted access to CBI: a need to know must exist. The information that will be transferred to ICF consists of information previously collected by the EPA to support the development and review of effluent limitations guidelines and standards under the CWA and that the EPA had transferred to ICF under a previous contract with them. In particular, information, including CBI, collected for the planning, development, and review of effluent limitations guidelines and standards for the following industries may be transferred to ICF under the new contract: airport deicing; aquaculture; centralized waste treatment; coal bed methane; concentrated animal feeding operations; coal mining; construction and development; drinking water treatment; industrial container and drum cleaning; industrial laundries; industrial waste combustors; iron and steel manufacturing; landfills; meat and poultry products; metal finishing; metal products and machinery; nonferrous metals manufacturing; oil and gas extraction (including coalbed methane); ore mining and dressing; organic chemicals, plastics, and synthetic fibers; pesticide chemicals; petroleum refining; pharmaceutical manufacturing; pulp, paper, and paperboard manufacturing; shale gas extraction; steam electric power generation; textile mills; timber products processing; tobacco; transportation equipment cleaning; and other industrial categories that the EPA has reviewed or may review as part of its CWA required annual review activities. The EPA also intends to transfer to ICF all information listed in this document, of the type described above (including CBI) that may be collected in the future under the authority of section PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 68897 308 of the CWA or voluntarily submitted (e.g., in comments in response to a Federal Register notice), as is necessary to enable ICF to carry out the work required by its BPA and contract to support EPA’s effluent guidelines planning and review process and the development of effluent limitations guidelines and standards. Deborah Nagle, Director, Office of Science and Technology, Office of Water. [FR Doc. 2024–19345 Filed 8–27–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OPP–2023–0430; FRL–11382–02– OCSPP] Pesticides; Final Guidance and Test Method for Antimicrobial Product Efficacy Claims Against Planktonic Legionella Pneumophila in Cooling Tower Water; Notice of Availability Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is announcing the availability of the final guidance and test method for adding efficacy claims to antimicrobial products for use in cooling tower water to reduce the level of planktonic Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila). The method and guidance describe quantitative efficacy testing of antimicrobial products to support claims for the reduction of planktonic L. pneumophila in water within cooling tower systems and how to prepare an application for registration. The guidance does not address adherent or sessile bacteria that attach to a surface (e.g., biofilm) of the cooling tower system or any other microorganism other than L. pneumophila which may be found in the water of cooling tower systems. DATES: The guidance is effective on August 28, 2024. ADDRESSES: The docket for this action, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–OPP–2023–0430, is available online at https:// www.regulations.gov. Additional information about dockets generally, along with instructions for visiting the docket in-person, is available at https:// www.epa.gov/dockets. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: About the method: Lisa S. Smith, Microbiology Laboratory Branch (7503M), Biological and Economic Analysis Division, Office of Pesticide SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\28AUN1.SGM 28AUN1 68898 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 167 / Wednesday, August 28, 2024 / Notices Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Science Center, 701 Mapes Road, Ft. Meade, MD 20755– 5350; telephone number: (410) 305– 2637; email address: smith.lisas@ epa.gov. About the guidance: César E. Cordero, Efficacy Branch (7510M), Antimicrobials Division, Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, William Jefferson Clinton East Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564– 3716; email address: cordero.cesar@ epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Executive Summary 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 efficacy 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 appropriate person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. B. What is the Agency’s authority for taking this action? EPA is issuing this guidance and test method document pursuant to its authority under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES C. What action is the Agency taking? EPA is announcing the availability of the final guidance and test method for adding efficacy claims to antimicrobial products for use in cooling tower water to reduce the level of planktonic Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila). The final method and guidance documents describe quantitative efficacy testing for antimicrobial products to support planktonic L. pneumophila reduction claims in cooling tower systems’ water and how to prepare an application for registration. The guidance and method do not address any use sites outside of water in cooling tower systems or efficacy against L. pneumophila bacteria that can be found inside cells of other organisms (e.g., protozoa), attached to a surface or associated with biofilms. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:13 Aug 27, 2024 Jkt 262001 D. Does this guidance document impose binding requirements? As guidance, these documents are not binding on the Agency or any outside parties, and the Agency may depart from these documents 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. II. Background EPA developed the guidance and test method in response to requests from stakeholders that asked EPA to develop a test method, guidance, and an associated registration process to support adding claims to antimicrobial products intended to control planktonic L. pneumophila in cooling tower water. Stakeholders and the public have significant interest in the availability of antimicrobial products with these claims, particularly industrial, institutional and health care settings where large cooling tower systems are often used. In October 2023, EPA announced the availability and sought public comments on the draft guidance and test method (88 FR 67749, October 2, 2023 (FRL–11382–01–OCSPP)). The Agency received 41 comments regarding clarifications and revisions to the draft guidance and test method. After considering the public comments, EPA is releasing the final guidance and test method documents, as well as a response to comments document. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq. Dated: August 22, 2024. Michal Freedhoff, Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. [FR Doc. 2024–19306 Filed 8–27–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OAR–2024–0014; FRL–12216–01– OAR] Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC): Notice of Meeting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of meeting. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a public meeting of the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC). The EPA renewed the CAAAC charter on October 31, 2022, to provide independent advice and counsel to EPA on economic, environmental, technical, scientific and enforcement policy issues associated with implementation of the Clean Air Act of 1990. SUMMARY: The CAAAC will hold its next hybrid (in-person and virtual) public meeting on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (EST) and Wednesday, September 18, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (EST). Members of the public may register to listen to the meeting or provide comments, by emailing caaac@epa.gov by 5:00 p.m. (EST) September 16, 2024. DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lorraine Reddick, Designated Federal Officer, Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (6103A), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202–564–1293; email address: reddick.lorraine@ epa.gov. Additional information about this meeting, the CAAAC, and its subcommittees and workgroups can be found on the CAAAC website: https:// www.epa.gov/caaac. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. App. 2 section 10(a)(2), notice is hereby given that the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee will hold its next hybrid (in-person and virtual) public meeting on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (EST) and Wednesday, September 18, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (EST). The committee agenda and any documents prepared for the meeting will be publicly available on the CAAAC website at https://www.epa.gov/ caaac prior to the meeting. Thereafter, these documents, together with CAAAC meeting minutes, will be available on the CAAAC website or by contacting the Office of Air and Radiation Docket and requesting information under docket EPA–HQ–OAR–2024–0014. The docket office can be reached by email at: a-andr-Docket@epa.gov or FAX: 202–566– 9744. For information on access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact Lorraine Reddick at reddick.lorraine@epa.gov, preferably at least 7 days prior to the meeting to give SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\28AUN1.SGM 28AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 28, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68897-68898]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-19306]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0430; FRL-11382-02-OCSPP]


Pesticides; Final Guidance and Test Method for Antimicrobial 
Product Efficacy Claims Against Planktonic Legionella Pneumophila in 
Cooling Tower Water; Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is 
announcing the availability of the final guidance and test method for 
adding efficacy claims to antimicrobial products for use in cooling 
tower water to reduce the level of planktonic Legionella pneumophila 
(L. pneumophila). The method and guidance describe quantitative 
efficacy testing of antimicrobial products to support claims for the 
reduction of planktonic L. pneumophila in water within cooling tower 
systems and how to prepare an application for registration. The 
guidance does not address adherent or sessile bacteria that attach to a 
surface (e.g., biofilm) of the cooling tower system or any other 
microorganism other than L. pneumophila which may be found in the water 
of cooling tower systems.

DATES: The guidance is effective on August 28, 2024.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this action, identified by docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0430, is available online at 
https://www.regulations.gov. Additional information about dockets 
generally, along with instructions for visiting the docket in-person, 
is available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    About the method: Lisa S. Smith, Microbiology Laboratory Branch 
(7503M), Biological and Economic Analysis Division, Office of Pesticide

[[Page 68898]]

Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Science 
Center, 701 Mapes Road, Ft. Meade, MD 20755-5350; telephone number: 
(410) 305-2637; email address: [email protected].
    About the guidance: C[eacute]sar E. Cordero, Efficacy Branch 
(7510M), Antimicrobials Division, Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, William Jefferson Clinton East 
Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone 
number: (202) 564-3716; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Executive Summary

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 efficacy 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 appropriate person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. What is the Agency's authority for taking this action?

    EPA is issuing this guidance and test method document pursuant to 
its authority under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide 
Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.

C. What action is the Agency taking?

    EPA is announcing the availability of the final guidance and test 
method for adding efficacy claims to antimicrobial products for use in 
cooling tower water to reduce the level of planktonic Legionella 
pneumophila (L. pneumophila). The final method and guidance documents 
describe quantitative efficacy testing for antimicrobial products to 
support planktonic L. pneumophila reduction claims in cooling tower 
systems' water and how to prepare an application for registration. The 
guidance and method do not address any use sites outside of water in 
cooling tower systems or efficacy against L. pneumophila bacteria that 
can be found inside cells of other organisms (e.g., protozoa), attached 
to a surface or associated with biofilms.

D. Does this guidance document impose binding requirements?

    As guidance, these documents are not binding on the Agency or any 
outside parties, and the Agency may depart from these documents 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.

II. Background

    EPA developed the guidance and test method in response to requests 
from stakeholders that asked EPA to develop a test method, guidance, 
and an associated registration process to support adding claims to 
antimicrobial products intended to control planktonic L. pneumophila in 
cooling tower water. Stakeholders and the public have significant 
interest in the availability of antimicrobial products with these 
claims, particularly industrial, institutional and health care settings 
where large cooling tower systems are often used.
    In October 2023, EPA announced the availability and sought public 
comments on the draft guidance and test method (88 FR 67749, October 2, 
2023 (FRL-11382-01-OCSPP)). The Agency received 41 comments regarding 
clarifications and revisions to the draft guidance and test method. 
After considering the public comments, EPA is releasing the final 
guidance and test method documents, as well as a response to comments 
document.
    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.

    Dated: August 22, 2024.
Michal Freedhoff,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2024-19306 Filed 8-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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