Department of Homeland Security August 29, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard published an interim rule in the Federal Register on May 9, 2016, that prescribes when and how the loss or jettisoning of cargo at sea must be reported. That rule contained a typographical error that erroneously revised a force majeure regulation instead of a notice of hazardous conditions regulation. This document corrects that error.

The Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee and its working groups will meet to discuss matters relating to medical certification determinations for issuance of licenses, certificates of registry, merchant mariners' documents, medical standards and guidelines for the physical qualifications of operators of commercial vessels, medical examiner education, and medical research. The meetings will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a safety zone during the 2016 Fautasi Ocean Challenge canoe race in Pago Pago Harbor, American Samoa, on November 11 and 25, 2016. This action is necessary to safeguard the participants and spectators, including all crews, vessels, and persons on the water in Pago Pago Harbor during the event. This regulation will functionally close the port to vessel traffic during the race, but will not require the evacuation of any vessels from the harbor. Entry into, transiting, or anchoring in the harbor would be prohibited to all vessels not registered with the sponsor as participants or not part of the race patrol, unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Honolulu or a designated representative. Vessels who are already moored or anchored in the harbor seeking permission to remain there shall request permission from COTP unless deemed a spectator vessel that is moored to a waterfront facility within the safety zone. We invite your comments on this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

This document proposes to amend the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations regarding the requirement to file a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) certification when importing into the customs territory of the United States chemicals in bulk form or as part of mixtures and articles containing a chemical or mixture. The proposed regulations include an electronic option for filing TSCA certifications, consistent with the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006. This document also proposes to clarify and add certain definitions, and to eliminate the paper-based blanket certification process. The document was prepared in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the agency with primary responsibility for implementing TSCA.