Environmental Protection Agency January 12, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document announces the availability of EPA's response to a petition it received under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The TSCA section 21 petition was received from the Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group (BRAG) on October 7, 2015. The petitioner requested EPA to promulgate a rule pursuant to TSCA section 8 that would ``establish a process to amend the list of natural sources of oil and fat in the `Soap and Detergent Association' (SDA) nomenclature system by considering the chemical equivalency of additional natural sources.'' After careful consideration, EPA denied the TSCA section 21 petition for the reasons discussed in this document.

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA), Environmental Laboratory Advisory Board (ELAB), as previously announced, holds teleconference meetings the third Wednesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. ET and two face-to-face meetings each calendar year. For 2016, teleconference only meetings will be February 17, March 16, April 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, September 21, October 19, November 16, and December 21 to discuss the ideas and views presented at the previous ELAB meetings, as well as new business. Items to be discussed by ELAB over these coming meetings include: (1) Issues in continuing the expansion of national environmental accreditation; (2) ELAB's support to the Agency's on issues relating to measurement and monitoring for all programs; and (3) follow-up on some of ELAB's past recommendations and issues. In addition to these teleconferences, ELAB will be hosting their two face-to-face meetings with teleconference line also available on January 25, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma at 1:30 p.m. (CT) and on August 8, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Orange County, CA at 1:00 p.m. (PT). Written comments on laboratory accreditation issues and/or environmental monitoring or measurement issues are encouraged and should be sent to Ms. Lara P. Phelps, Designated Federal Officer, US EPA (E243-05), 109 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 or emailed to phelps.lara@epa.gov. Members of the public are invited to listen to the teleconference calls, and time permitting, will be allowed to comment on issues discussed during this and previous ELAB meetings. Those persons interested in attending should call Lara P. Phelps at (919) 541-5544 to obtain teleconference information. For information on access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact Lara P. Phelps at the number above. To request accommodation of a disability, please contact Lara P. Phelps, preferably at least 10 days prior to the meeting, to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to submit the information collection request (ICR), Hazardous Waste Specific Unit Requirements, and Special Waste Processes and Types (EPA ICR No. 1572.11, OMB Control No. 2050-0050), to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Before doing so, the EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through April 30, 2016. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.