Environmental Protection Agency January 15, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), EPA is proposing a significant new use rule (SNUR) for 2,4-toluene diisocyanate, 2,6- toluene diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate unspecified isomers (these three chemical substances are hereafter referred to as toluene diisocyanates or TDI) and related compounds as identified in this proposed rule. The proposed significant new use is any use in a consumer product, with a proposed exception for use of certain chemical substances in coatings, elastomers, adhesives, binders, and sealants that results in less than or equal to 0.1 percent by weight of TDI in a consumer product. In addition, EPA is also proposing that the general SNUR article exemption for persons who import or process these chemical substances as part of an article would not apply. Persons subject to the SNUR would be required to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing any manufacturing or processing. The required notification would provide EPA with the opportunity to evaluate the intended use and, if necessary based on the information available at that time, an opportunity to protect against potential unreasonable risks, if any, from that activity before it occurs.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing that the period for providing public comments on the December 8, 2014, supplemental proposed rule titled ``National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Secondary Aluminum Production'' is being extended for 15 days.

This rule establishes air quality designations for most areas in the United States (U.S.), including areas of Indian country, for the 2012 primary annual fine particle (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Through these designations, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is identifying as ``nonattainment'' those areas that are violating the 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS based on quality-assured, certified air quality monitoring data from 2011 to 2013 or those areas that are contributing to a violation of the NAAQS in a nearby area. The EPA is initially classifying all nonattainment areas as Moderate. Also, through this final rule, the EPA is designating several areas as ``unclassifiable'' where the EPA cannot determine based on available information whether the area is meeting or not meeting the NAAQS or where the EPA has not determined whether the area contributes to a nearby violation. Additionally, the EPA is deferring initial area designations for several areas where the EPA cannot determine using available data whether the areas are meeting or are not meeting the NAAQS, but for which forthcoming data will likely result in complete and valid data needed to determine a designation. The EPA will assess these data as they become available and promulgate initial area designations for the deferred areas through a separate rulemaking action. The EPA is designating as ``unclassifiable/attainment'' all remaining areas of the country.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces a public meeting of the National Drinking Water Advisory Council's Lead and Copper Rule Working Group (LCRWG). The meeting is scheduled for February 5 and 6, 2015, in Arlington, Virginia. During this meeting, the LCRWG will focus discussions on the Lead and Copper Rule revisions and developing the first draft of the working group's report to the Council.