Pesticides; Draft Guidance; Evaluating the Efficacy of Pre-Saturated/Impregnated Antimicrobial Towelettes for Disinfection Claims; Notice of Availability and Request for Comment, 91741-91742 [2024-27058]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 20, 2024 / Notices required to be permitted under EPA’s stormwater regulations. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ryan Karcher, 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) 305–2860; email address: karcher.ryan.s@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: C. How can I get copies of this document and other related information? Details of EPA’s Final Designation, Response to Public Comments and ancillary materials may be viewed on EPA Region 9’s website at: https:// www.epa.gov/npdes-permits/residualdesignation-authority-addressstormwater-quality-problems-epaspacific. I. Executive Summary A. Does this action apply to me? Dated: November 13, 2024. Martha Guzman Aceves, Regional Administrator, EPA Region 9. [FR Doc. 2024–27128 Filed 11–19–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OPP–2024–0414; FRL–12308–01– OCSPP] Pesticides; Draft Guidance; Evaluating the Efficacy of Pre-Saturated/ Impregnated Antimicrobial Towelettes for Disinfection Claims; Notice of Availability and Request for Comment The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is announcing the availability of and soliciting comment on its draft guidance for adding disinfectant efficacy claims against bacteria to antimicrobial towelettes for use on hard non-porous surfaces. Specifically, the guidance document describes a pathway for efficacy testing using a new standardized method designed specifically for antimicrobial towelettes, how to prepare an application for registration, and regulatory guidance for pesticidal claims for those products. DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 21, 2025. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–OPP–2024–0414, at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more information about dockets generally, is available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets. khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with NOTICES VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:39 Nov 19, 2024 Jkt 265001 B. What is the Agency’s authority for taking this action? This guidance is issued under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: 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. C. What action is the Agency taking? EPA is announcing the availability of and soliciting comment on a draft guidance document that describes a pathway for efficacy testing using a new standardized method designed specifically for antimicrobial towelettes, how to prepare an application for registration, and regulatory guidance for pesticidal claims for those products. Specifically, the guidance describes the use of a standard test method, ASTM E3363, for adding for adding efficacy claims to pre-saturated antimicrobial towelettes for use on hard, non-porous surfaces against bacteria. D. What are the incremental economic impacts of this action? This action has no substantive economic impacts because the draft guidance will not affect the regulatory status of any registration or application for registration of any pesticide product. Applicants are already required to conduct testing, and the adoption of this new testing method does not alter those requirements. The agency believes, however, that the draft guidance has the potential to reduce the regulatory burden by providing a more streamlined process for antimicrobial products PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 91741 intended to treat bacterial public health pathogens with pre-saturated/ impregnated towelettes on hard, nonporous surfaces. E. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA? 1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit CBI to EPA through email or https://www.regulations.gov. If you wish to include CBI in your comment, please follow the applicable instructions at https://www.epa.gov/ dockets/commenting-epa-dockets#rules and clearly mark the information that you claim to be CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR parts 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. Background Towelettes are a unique combination of antimicrobial chemical and towelette substrate pre-packaged as a unit in fixed proportions for application. Previous test methods used to evaluate the efficacy of antimicrobial towelettes were originally designed to test liquid formulations and had to be modified to accommodate towelettes. EPA received requests from registrants and stakeholders to implement use of the recently standardized efficacy method for assessing antimicrobial towelettes identified as ASTM E3363. Test method ASTM E3363 provides a specific and consistent means to assess the efficacy of towelettes through the combination of chemical inactivation of the test microbe and mechanical removal of inoculum from a surface. EPA received requests from registrants and stakeholders to implement use of the recently standardized efficacy method for assessing antimicrobial towelettes (ASTM E3363). EPA worked closely with stakeholders during the development of this test method. There is significant interest from stakeholders and the public in the availability of antimicrobial towelettes with these public health claims, particularly in institutional, clinical, and health-care settings. 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 E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1 91742 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 20, 2024 / Notices 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: November 14, 2024. Michal Freedhoff, Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. [FR Doc. 2024–27058 Filed 11–19–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–12375–01–OMS] National and Governmental Advisory Committees to the U.S. Representative to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of meeting. AGENCY: Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the EPA gives notice of a public meeting of the National Advisory Committee (NAC) and the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC). The NAC and GAC provide advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of environmental policy, technology, and management issues. NAC and GAC members represent academia, business/industry, nongovernmental organizations, and state, local, and Tribal governments. The purpose of this meeting is to provide advice to the EPA Administrator on the 2026–2030 Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) Strategic Plan, and other matters related to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation. Due to unforeseen administrative circumstances, it is possible that EPA may announce this meeting with less than 15 calendar days’ notice. DATES: The meeting will be held December 5, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (MST). The registration deadline is November 29, 2024. Requests to make oral comments or submit written public comments must be received by November 29, 2024. Requests for accessibility and/or accommodations for individuals with disabilities must be received by December 3, 2024. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held virtually and in-person at San Xavier khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:39 Nov 19, 2024 Jkt 265001 District Community Center, 2018 West San Xavier Road, Tucson, Arizona 85746. A copy of the agenda will be posted at https://www.epa.gov/faca/nacgac. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Oscar Carrillo at (202) 564–0347 or via email at carrillo.oscar@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NAC and GAC are Presidential Federal advisory committees that advise the U.S. Government via the EPA Administrator on trade and environmental matters related to the Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA), which entered into force at the same time as the United States-Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA). The NAC and GAC were created in 1994 and operate in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Establishment of the committees is authorized under Article 11 of the ECA. The meeting will be held virtually and in-person in Tucson, Arizona at 2018 West San Xavier Road, Tucson, Arizona 85746. The meeting is open to the public with limited seating available for in-person attendance and on a first come, first served basis. Members of the public wishing to participate or attend inperson must contact Oscar Carrillo at carrillo.oscar@epa.gov or 202–564–0347 by November 29, 2024, to register. Members of the public wishing to attend or participate virtually must contact Oscar Carrillo using the information above by November 29, 2024, to receive a link to the meeting. Requests to make oral comments or submit written public comments to the committees, also should be directed to Oscar Carrillo at least four business days prior to the meeting (November 29, 2024). Requests for accessibility and/or accommodations for individuals with disabilities should be directed to Oscar Carrillo at the phone number or email address listed above. To ensure adequate time for processing, please make requests for accommodations by December 3, 2024. Robersena Young-Mackall, Director. [FR Doc. 2024–26997 Filed 11–19–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P FEDERAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ADVISORY BOARD Notice of Request for Comment on the Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2024 and Three-Year Plan Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ACTION: Notice. Notice is hereby given that the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) has issued its ‘‘Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2024 and Three-Year Plan’’. Respondents are encouraged to comment on the content of the annual report and FASAB’s project priorities for the next three years. SUMMARY: Written comments are requested by January 17, 2025. ADDRESSES: The ‘‘Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2024 and Three-Year Plan’’ is available on the FASAB website at https://www.fasab.gov/documents-forcomment/. Copies can be obtained by contacting FASAB at (202) 512–7350. Comments should be sent to fasab@ fasab.gov. DATES: Ms. Monica R. Valentine, Executive Director, 441 G Street NW, Suite 1155, Washington, DC 20548, or call (202) 512–7350. Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3511(d); Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. 1001–1014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dated: November 15, 2024. Monica R. Valentine, Executive Director. [FR Doc. 2024–27081 Filed 11–19–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1610–02–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [OMB 3060–0010; FR ID 262374] Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission’s burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1

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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 20, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 91741-91742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27058]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2024-0414; FRL-12308-01-OCSPP]


Pesticides; Draft Guidance; Evaluating the Efficacy of Pre-
Saturated/Impregnated Antimicrobial Towelettes for Disinfection Claims; 
Notice of Availability and Request for Comment

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is 
announcing the availability of and soliciting comment on its draft 
guidance for adding disinfectant efficacy claims against bacteria to 
antimicrobial towelettes for use on hard non-porous surfaces. 
Specifically, the guidance document describes a pathway for efficacy 
testing using a new standardized method designed specifically for 
antimicrobial towelettes, how to prepare an application for 
registration, and regulatory guidance for pesticidal claims for those 
products.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 21, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2024-0414, at https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit 
electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business 
Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted 
by statute. Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the 
docket, along with more information about dockets generally, is 
available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ryan Karcher, 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) 305-2860; 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 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. What is the Agency's authority for taking this action?

    This guidance is issued under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, 
and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.

C. What action is the Agency taking?

    EPA is announcing the availability of and soliciting comment on a 
draft guidance document that describes a pathway for efficacy testing 
using a new standardized method designed specifically for antimicrobial 
towelettes, how to prepare an application for registration, and 
regulatory guidance for pesticidal claims for those products. 
Specifically, the guidance describes the use of a standard test method, 
ASTM E3363, for adding for adding efficacy claims to pre-saturated 
antimicrobial towelettes for use on hard, non-porous surfaces against 
bacteria.

D. What are the incremental economic impacts of this action?

    This action has no substantive economic impacts because the draft 
guidance will not affect the regulatory status of any registration or 
application for registration of any pesticide product. Applicants are 
already required to conduct testing, and the adoption of this new 
testing method does not alter those requirements. The agency believes, 
however, that the draft guidance has the potential to reduce the 
regulatory burden by providing a more streamlined process for 
antimicrobial products intended to treat bacterial public health 
pathogens with pre-saturated/impregnated towelettes on hard, non-porous 
surfaces.

E. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?

    1. Submitting CBI.
    Do not submit CBI to EPA through email or https://www.regulations.gov. If you wish to include CBI in your comment, please 
follow the applicable instructions at https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets#rules and clearly mark the information that you 
claim to be CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in 
accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR parts 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. Background

    Towelettes are a unique combination of antimicrobial chemical and 
towelette substrate pre-packaged as a unit in fixed proportions for 
application. Previous test methods used to evaluate the efficacy of 
antimicrobial towelettes were originally designed to test liquid 
formulations and had to be modified to accommodate towelettes. EPA 
received requests from registrants and stakeholders to implement use of 
the recently standardized efficacy method for assessing antimicrobial 
towelettes identified as ASTM E3363. Test method ASTM E3363 provides a 
specific and consistent means to assess the efficacy of towelettes 
through the combination of chemical inactivation of the test microbe 
and mechanical removal of inoculum from a surface.
    EPA received requests from registrants and stakeholders to 
implement use of the recently standardized efficacy method for 
assessing antimicrobial towelettes (ASTM E3363). EPA worked closely 
with stakeholders during the development of this test method. There is 
significant interest from stakeholders and the public in the 
availability of antimicrobial towelettes with these public health 
claims, particularly in institutional, clinical, and health-care 
settings.

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

[[Page 91742]]

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: November 14, 2024.
Michal Freedhoff,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2024-27058 Filed 11-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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