80_FR_79951 80 FR 79705 - Ammonium Acetate; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance

80 FR 79705 - Ammonium Acetate; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 246 (December 23, 2015)

Page Range79705-79708
FR Document2015-32170

This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of ammonium acetate (CAS No. 631-61-8) when used as an inert ingredient (buffering agent) limited to 15% in pesticide formulations applied to pre-harvested crops. Exponent Inc., 1150 Connecticut Ave., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036 on behalf of the Gowan Company LLC., 370 South Main Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting establishment of an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of ammonium acetate.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 246 (Wednesday, December 23, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 246 (Wednesday, December 23, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 79705-79708]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32170]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0700; FRL-9939-39]


Ammonium Acetate; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement 
of a tolerance for residues of ammonium acetate (CAS No. 631-61-8) when 
used as an inert ingredient (buffering agent) limited to 15% in 
pesticide formulations applied to pre-harvested crops. Exponent Inc., 
1150 Connecticut Ave., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036 on behalf of 
the Gowan Company LLC., 370 South Main Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 submitted 
a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act 
(FFDCA), requesting establishment of an exemption from the requirement 
of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a 
maximum permissible level for residues of ammonium acetate.

DATES: This regulation is effective December 23, 2015. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before February 22, 2016, 
and must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 
CFR part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).

ADDRESSES: The docket for this action, identified by docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0700, is available at http://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pesticide Programs Regulatory 
Public Docket (OPP Docket) in the Environmental Protection Agency 
Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 
1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001. The Public 
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public 
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPP 
Docket is (703) 305-5805. Please review the visitor instructions and 
additional information about the docket available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Lewis, Registration Division 
(7505P), Registration Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; main telephone number: (703) 305-7090; email 
address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an 
agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer. 
The following list of North American Industrial Classification System 
(NAICS) codes is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 
guide to help readers determine whether this document applies to them. 
Potentially affected entities may include:
     Crop production (NAICS code 111).
     Animal production (NAICS code 112).
     Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).
     Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).

B. How can I get electronic access to other related information?

    You may access a frequently updated electronic version of 40 CFR 
part 180 through the Government Printing Office's e-CFR site at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40tab_02.tpl.

C. How can I file an objection or hearing request?

    Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21 U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an 
objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request a 
hearing on those objections. You must file your objection or request a 
hearing on this regulation in accordance with the instructions provided 
in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify 
docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0700 in the subject line on the first 
page of your submission. All objections and requests for a hearing must 
be in writing, and must be received by the Hearing Clerk on or before 
February 22, 2016. Addresses for mail and hand delivery of objections 
and hearing requests are provided in 40 CFR 178.25(b).
    In addition to filing an objection or hearing request with the 
Hearing Clerk as described in 40 CFR part 178, please submit a copy of 
the filing (excluding any Confidential Business Information (CBI)) for 
inclusion in the public docket. Information not marked confidential 
pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA without 
prior notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your objection or hearing 
request, identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0700, by one of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit 
electronically any information you consider to be CBI or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
     Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket 
Center (EPA/DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 
20460-0001.
     Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand 
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the 
instructions at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html. Additional 
instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more 
information about dockets generally, is available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

II. Petition for Exemption

    In the Federal Register of December 30, 2013 (78 FR79359) (FRL-
9903-69), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408, 21 
U.S.C. 346a, announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP IN-
10604) by Exponent Inc., 1150 Connecticut Ave., Suite 1100, Washington, 
DC 20036, on behalf of the Gowan Company LLC., 370 South Main Street, 
Yuma, AZ 85364. The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.920 be amended 
by establishing an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for 
residues of ammonium acetate (CAS No. 631-61-8) when used as an inert 
ingredient in pesticide formulations applied to crops pre-harvest and 
limited to 15% in pesticide formulations. That document referenced a 
summary of the petition prepared by Exponent Inc., on behalf of the 
Gowan Company LLC, the petitioner, which is available in the docket, 
http://www.regulations.gov. No comments were received on the notice of 
filing. EPA's response to these comments is discussed in Unit V.C.

III. Inert Ingredient Definition

    Inert ingredients are all ingredients that are not active 
ingredients as defined in 40 CFR 153.125 and include, but are not 
limited to, the following types of ingredients (except when they have a 
pesticidal efficacy of their own): Solvents such as alcohols and 
hydrocarbons; surfactants such as polyoxyethylene polymers and fatty 
acids; carriers such as clay and diatomaceous earth; thickeners such as 
carrageenan and modified cellulose; wetting, spreading, and dispersing

[[Page 79706]]

agents; propellants in aerosol dispensers; microencapsulating agents; 
and emulsifiers. The term ``inert'' is not intended to imply 
nontoxicity; the ingredient may or may not be chemically active. 
Generally, EPA has exempted inert ingredients from the requirement of a 
tolerance based on the low toxicity of the individual inert 
ingredients.

IV. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety

    Section 408(c)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish an 
exemption from the requirement for a tolerance (the legal limit for a 
pesticide chemical residue in or on a food) only if EPA determines that 
the tolerance is ``safe.'' Section 408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA defines 
``safe'' to mean that ``there is a reasonable certainty that no harm 
will result from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue, 
including all anticipated dietary exposures and all other exposures for 
which there is reliable information.'' This includes exposure through 
drinking water and in residential settings, but does not include 
occupational exposure. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to 
give special consideration to exposure of infants and children to the 
pesticide chemical residue in establishing a tolerance and to ``ensure 
that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to 
infants and children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical 
residue. . . .''
    EPA establishes exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance only 
in those cases where it can be clearly demonstrated that the risks from 
aggregate exposure to pesticide chemical residues under reasonably 
foreseeable circumstances will pose no appreciable risks to human 
health. In order to determine the risks from aggregate exposure to 
pesticide inert ingredients, the Agency considers the toxicity of the 
inert in conjunction with possible exposure to residues of the inert 
ingredient through food, drinking water, and through other exposures 
that occur as a result of pesticide use in residential settings. If EPA 
is able to determine that a finite tolerance is not necessary to ensure 
that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from 
aggregate exposure to the inert ingredient, an exemption from the 
requirement of a tolerance may be established.
    Consistent with FFDCA section 408(c)(2)(A), and the factors 
specified in FFDCA section 408(c)(2)(B), EPA has reviewed the available 
scientific data and other relevant information in support of this 
action. EPA has sufficient data to assess the hazards of and to make a 
determination on aggregate exposure for ammonium acetate including 
exposure resulting from the exemption established by this action. EPA's 
assessment of exposures and risks associated with ammonium acetate 
follows.

A. Toxicological Profile

    EPA has evaluated the available toxicity data and considered their 
validity, completeness, and reliability as well as the relationship of 
the results of the studies to human risk. EPA has also considered 
available information concerning the variability of the sensitivities 
of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including infants and 
children. Specific information on the studies received and the nature 
of the adverse effects caused by ammonium acetate as well as the no-
observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-adverse-
effect-level (LOAEL) from the toxicity studies.
    Ammonium acetate is an ammonium salt of acetic acid. In aqueous 
solutions acetic acid and its salt ammonium acetate dissociate into the 
acetate anion (CH3COO-) and the respective cations (H+ and NH4+). The 
cations and ammonia (also a human metabolite) are physiological 
components of the human body. The chemical structures, physical-
chemical properties, environmental fate behavior, and aquatic and 
mammalian toxicity of ammonium acetate and acetic acid are similar. 
Since limited data are available on ammonium acetate, toxicity data on 
acetic acid were used to represent toxicity due to exposure to ammonium 
acetate.
    Acetic acid is of low acute dermal and inhalation toxicity in rats. 
It causes dermal irritation in mice and is corrosive in rabbits. It was 
also irritating in the eyes of rabbits. Although reduced body weight 
was observed at 390 mg/kg/day in a 90-day oral toxicity study in the 
rat, the reduction in weight gain was likely attributed to reduced 
appetite and food consumption observed in the study. Therefore, this is 
not considered an adverse effect. Although increased spleen weight was 
observed at 23-31 ppm (equivalent to 15-19 mg/kg/day) of acetic acid in 
a toxicity study in rats via the inhalation route of exposure, there is 
no concern for potential immunotoxicity. The Agency considers that this 
effect is due to red blood cell destruction rather than an immunotoxic 
response. Fetal susceptibility was not observed in several 
developmental studies in rats, mice and rabbits. Neither maternal nor 
developmental toxicity was not observed up to 1,600 mg/kg/day. It is 
not mutagenic in an Ames test nor is it clastogenic in a cytogenetic 
assay with Chinese hamster ovary K1 cells. It is not carcinogenic. In 
an eight month cancer study, tumors were not observed in rats at 60 mg/
kg/day. While evidence of potential neurotoxicity was observed in a 
literature study in rats conducted by Sapute et al.\1\, a second study 
in rats showed no indication of systemic toxicity, neurotoxicity, 
neuropathological or histological lesions at the same dose that was 
previously tested, 100 mg/kg/day. Since the second study (MRID 
49703201) \2\ was conducted according to the Organization for Economic 
Co-operation and Development (OECD) and good laboratory practice (GLP) 
guidelines, it was considered to accurately represent the neurotoxic 
potential for ammonium acetate.
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    \1\ Satpute, R.M., Lomash, V., Hariharakrishnan, J., Roa, P., 
Singh, P., Gujar, N., and Bhattacharya, R. (2014). Oxidative Stress 
and Tissue Pathology Caused By Subacute Exposure To Ammonium Acetate 
In Rats And Their Response To Treatments With Alpha-Ketoglutarate 
And N-Acetyl Cysteine. Toxicology and Industrial Health: 30(1) 12-
14. MRID. 49507001.
    \2\ Barnett, Jr., John F. (2015). A 28-Day Oral (Gavage) 
Repeated Dose Study of Ammonium Acetate in Adult Rats. Laboratory 
Project ID 20073669. Unpublished study prepared by Charles River 
Laboratories. MRID 49703201.
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    As noted above, acetic acid undergoes dissociation to the acetate 
anion and the H+ cations in aqueous media at pHs commonly found in the 
environment. Also, it is a naturally-occurring substance in plants and 
animals. In aerobic metabolism, acetic acid (as acetate) is a 
metabolite that combines with Co-enzyme A to form acetyl Co-A which 
subsequently enters into the Citric Acid Cycle, a common metabolic 
pathway in which food molecules are broken down to form energy. A major 
function of the Citric Acid Cycle is the oxidation of acetate. In 
animals, acetate is obtained from the breakdown of glucose molecules.
    Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the 
adverse effects caused by acetic acid as well as the no observed 
adverse effect level (NOAEL) and the lowest observed adverse effect 
level (LOAEL) from the toxicity studies can be found at http://www.regulations.gov in the document ``Ammonium Acetate; Human Health 
Risk Assessment and Ecological Effects Assessment to Support Proposed 
Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance When Used as Inert 
Ingredients in Pesticide Formulations'' in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-
2013-0700.

[[Page 79707]]

B. Toxicological Points of Departure/Levels of Concern

    In an aqueous environment, ammonium acetate dissociates to acetic 
acid and its salt. Therefore, it is appropriate to expect toxicity due 
to exposure to ammonium acetate to be similar to that of acetic acid. 
Therefore, based on the absence of a toxicological endpoint of concern 
via dietary route of exposure for acetic acid, its regulatory history, 
and no new toxicological data to indicate concern regarding previous 
decisions, a qualitative assessment was appropriate for ammonium 
acetate for all pathways of human exposure (food, drinking water, and 
residential). A potential endpoint of concern for the inhalation route 
of exposure was identified in a toxicity study. Increased spleen weight 
due to red blood cell destruction was observed at 23-31 ppm (equivalent 
to 15-19 mg/kg/day) of acetic acid in rats. However, according to the 
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygenists, Inc. (ACGIH), 
the threshold limit value (TLV) for occupational exposure to acetic 
acid is 10 ppm via inhalation. Residential exposure to the proposed use 
of ammonium acetate via inhalation is not expected to exceed the TLV 
limit of 10 ppm because the residential use pattern would result in 
drastically lower opportunities for inhalation exposure than allowed 
occupational use patterns, which are limited to 10 ppm. In addition, 
residential exposure will be much lower because exposure is expected to 
occur for shorter periods to diluted acetic acid as compared to workers 
who are exposed for 8 hours continuously, to more concentrated acetic 
acid. Therefore, a qualitative assessment was conducted with regard to 
inhalation exposure.

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary 
exposure to ammonium acetate, EPA considered exposure under the 
proposed exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. EPA assessed 
dietary exposures from ammonium acetate in food as follows:
    Under this exemption from the requirement of a tolerance, residues 
of this ammonium acetate may be found on foods from crops that were 
treated with pesticide formulations containing ammonium acetate. 
However, a quantitative dietary exposure assessment was not conducted 
since an endpoint for risk assessment was not identified.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. Since a hazard endpoint of 
concern was not identified for the acute and chronic dietary 
assessment, a quantitative dietary exposure risk assessment for 
drinking water was not conducted, although exposures may be expected 
from use on food crops.
    3. From non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is 
used in this document to refer to non-occupational, non-dietary 
exposure (e.g., textiles (clothing and diapers), carpets, swimming 
pools, and hard surface disinfection on walls, floors, tables).
    Ammonium acetate may be used in pesticide products and non-
pesticide products that may be used around the home. Based on the 
discussion in Unit IV.B., a quantitative residential exposure 
assessment for ammonium acetate was not conducted.
    4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of 
toxicity. Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires that, when 
considering whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the 
Agency consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative 
effects of a particular pesticide's residues and ``other substances 
that have a common mechanism of toxicity.''
    EPA has not found ammonium acetate to share a common mechanism of 
toxicity with any other substances, and ammonium acetate does not 
appear to produce a toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For 
the purposes of this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that 
ammonium acetate does not have a common mechanism of toxicity with 
other substances. For information regarding EPA's efforts to determine 
which chemicals have a common mechanism of toxicity and to evaluate the 
cumulative effects of such chemicals, see EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.

D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children

    1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA provides that EPA 
shall apply an additional tenfold (10X) margin of safety for infants 
and children in the case of threshold effects to account for prenatal 
and postnatal toxicity and the completeness of the database on toxicity 
and exposure unless EPA determines based on reliable data that a 
different margin of safety will be safe for infants and children. This 
additional margin of safety is commonly referred to as the FQPA Safety 
Factor (SF). In applying this provision, EPA either retains the default 
value of 10X, or uses a different additional safety factor when 
reliable data available to EPA support the choice of a different 
factor.
    As part of its qualitative assessment, the Agency did not use 
safety factors for assessing risk, and no additional safety factor is 
needed for assessing risk to infants and children. Based on an 
assessment of ammonium acetate and its chemical properties, EPA has 
concluded that there are no toxicological endpoints of concern for the 
U.S. population, including infants and children.

E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety

    Because no toxicological endpoints of concern were identified, EPA 
concludes that aggregate exposure to residues of ammonium acetate will 
not pose a risk to the U.S. population, including infants and children, 
and that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to 
the general population, or to infants and children from aggregate 
exposure to ammonium acetate residues.

V. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    An analytical method is not required for enforcement purposes since 
the Agency is establishing an exemption from the requirement of a 
tolerance. EPA is establishing a limitation on the amount of ammonium 
acetate that may be used in pesticide formulations. The limitation will 
be enforced through the pesticide registration process under the 
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S.C. 
136 et seq. EPA will not register any pesticide formulation used on 
crops for sale or distribution containing ammonium acetate at ready for 
use end-use concentrations exceeding 15%.

VI. Conclusions

    Therefore, an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance is 
established under 40 CFR 180.920 for ammonium acetate (CAS No. 631-61-
8) when used as an inert ingredient (buffering agent) in pesticide 
formulations applied to crops pre-harvest and limited to 15% in the end 
use formulation.

VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This action establishes a tolerance exemption under FFDCA section 
408(d) in response to a petition submitted to the Agency. The Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted these types of actions from 
review under Executive Order 12866, entitled ``Regulatory Planning and 
Review'' (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993). Because this action has been 
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, this action is not 
subject to Executive Order 13211, entitled ``Actions Concerning 
Regulations That

[[Page 79708]]

Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 
28355, May 22, 2001) or Executive Order 13045, entitled ``Protection of 
Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997). This action does not contain any information 
collections subject to OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
(PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), nor does it require any special 
considerations under Executive Order 12898, entitled ``Federal Actions 
to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
Populations'' (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    Since tolerances and exemptions that are established on the basis 
of a petition under FFDCA section 408(d), such as the tolerance 
exemption in this final rule, do not require the issuance of a proposed 
rule, the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.), do not apply.
    This action directly regulates growers, food processors, food 
handlers, and food retailers, not States or tribes, nor does this 
action alter the relationships or distribution of power and 
responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions 
of FFDCA section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency has determined that 
this action will not have a substantial direct effect on States or 
tribal governments, on the relationship between the national government 
and the States or tribal governments, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government or between 
the Federal Government and Indian tribes. Thus, the Agency has 
determined that Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 
43255, August 10, 1999) and Executive Order 13175, entitled 
``Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 
67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply to this action. In addition, this 
action does not impose any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded 
mandate as described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 
(UMRA) (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
    This action does not involve any technical standards that would 
require Agency consideration of voluntary consensus standards pursuant 
to section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).

VIII. Congressional Review Act

    Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), 
EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other required 
information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and 
the Comptroller General of the United States prior to publication of 
the rule in the Federal Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' 
as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: December 11, 2015.
Susan Lewis,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

    Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:

PART 180--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.


0
2. In Sec.  180.920, add alphabetically the following inert ingredient 
to the table to read as follows:


Sec.  180.920  Inert ingredients used pre-harvest; exemptions from the 
requirement of a tolerance.

* * * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Inert ingredients              Limits              Uses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
Ammonium acetate (CAS No. 631-61-              15%  Buffering Agent.
 8).
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2015-32170 Filed 12-22-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 246 / Wednesday, December 23, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                         79705

                                                  [FR Doc. 2015–32216 Filed 12–22–15; 8:45 am]            Environmental Protection Agency, 1200                 notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your
                                                  BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                  Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,                    objection or hearing request, identified
                                                                                                          DC 20460–0001; main telephone                         by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–
                                                                                                          number: (703) 305–7090; email address:                2013–0700, by one of the following
                                                  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                RDFRNotices@epa.gov.                                  methods:
                                                  AGENCY                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
                                                                                                                                                                www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
                                                  40 CFR Part 180                                         I. General Information                                instructions for submitting comments.
                                                  [EPA–HQ–OPP–2013–0700; FRL–9939–39]                     A. Does this action apply to me?                      Do not submit electronically any
                                                                                                                                                                information you consider to be CBI or
                                                                                                             You may be potentially affected by                 other information whose disclosure is
                                                  Ammonium Acetate; Exemption From
                                                                                                          this action if you are an agricultural                restricted by statute.
                                                  the Requirement of a Tolerance
                                                                                                          producer, food manufacturer, or                         • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental
                                                  AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                       pesticide manufacturer. The following                 Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/
                                                  Agency (EPA).                                           list of North American Industrial                     DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.
                                                  ACTION: Final rule.                                     Classification System (NAICS) codes is                NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001.
                                                                                                          not intended to be exhaustive, but rather               • Hand Delivery: To make special
                                                  SUMMARY:   This regulation establishes an               provides a guide to help readers                      arrangements for hand delivery or
                                                  exemption from the requirement of a                     determine whether this document                       delivery of boxed information, please
                                                  tolerance for residues of ammonium                      applies to them. Potentially affected                 follow the instructions at http://
                                                  acetate (CAS No. 631–61–8) when used                    entities may include:                                 www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
                                                  as an inert ingredient (buffering agent)                   • Crop production (NAICS code 111).                Additional instructions on commenting
                                                  limited to 15% in pesticide                                • Animal production (NAICS code                    or visiting the docket, along with more
                                                  formulations applied to pre-harvested                   112).                                                 information about dockets generally, is
                                                  crops. Exponent Inc., 1150 Connecticut                     • Food manufacturing (NAICS code                   available at http://www.epa.gov/
                                                  Ave., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036                  311).                                                 dockets.
                                                  on behalf of the Gowan Company LLC.,                       • Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
                                                                                                          code 32532).                                          II. Petition for Exemption
                                                  370 South Main Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
                                                  submitted a petition to EPA under the                                                                            In the Federal Register of December
                                                                                                          B. How can I get electronic access to                 30, 2013 (78 FR79359) (FRL–9903–69),
                                                  Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act                    other related information?
                                                  (FFDCA), requesting establishment of an                                                                       EPA issued a document pursuant to
                                                  exemption from the requirement of a                       You may access a frequently updated                 FFDCA section 408, 21 U.S.C. 346a,
                                                  tolerance. This regulation eliminates the               electronic version of 40 CFR part 180                 announcing the filing of a pesticide
                                                  need to establish a maximum                             through the Government Printing                       petition (PP IN–10604) by Exponent
                                                  permissible level for residues of                       Office’s e-CFR site at http://                        Inc., 1150 Connecticut Ave., Suite 1100,
                                                  ammonium acetate.                                       www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-                            Washington, DC 20036, on behalf of the
                                                                                                          idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/                  Gowan Company LLC., 370 South Main
                                                  DATES: This regulation is effective
                                                                                                          40tab_02.tpl.                                         Street, Yuma, AZ 85364. The petition
                                                  December 23, 2015. Objections and
                                                  requests for hearings must be received                  C. How can I file an objection or hearing             requested that 40 CFR 180.920 be
                                                  on or before February 22, 2016, and                     request?                                              amended by establishing an exemption
                                                  must be filed in accordance with the                                                                          from the requirement of a tolerance for
                                                                                                            Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21                      residues of ammonium acetate (CAS No.
                                                  instructions provided in 40 CFR part                    U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an
                                                  178 (see also Unit I.C. of the                                                                                631–61–8) when used as an inert
                                                                                                          objection to any aspect of this regulation            ingredient in pesticide formulations
                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
                                                                                                          and may also request a hearing on those               applied to crops pre-harvest and limited
                                                  ADDRESSES: The docket for this action,                  objections. You must file your objection              to 15% in pesticide formulations. That
                                                  identified by docket identification (ID)                or request a hearing on this regulation               document referenced a summary of the
                                                  number EPA–HQ–OPP–2013–0700, is                         in accordance with the instructions                   petition prepared by Exponent Inc., on
                                                  available at http://www.regulations.gov                 provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure                behalf of the Gowan Company LLC, the
                                                  or at the Office of Pesticide Programs                  proper receipt by EPA, you must                       petitioner, which is available in the
                                                  Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)                   identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–                     docket, http://www.regulations.gov. No
                                                  in the Environmental Protection Agency                  OPP–2013–0700 in the subject line on                  comments were received on the notice
                                                  Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William                    the first page of your submission. All                of filing. EPA’s response to these
                                                  Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301                 objections and requests for a hearing                 comments is discussed in Unit V.C.
                                                  Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC                   must be in writing, and must be
                                                  20460–0001. The Public Reading Room                     received by the Hearing Clerk on or                   III. Inert Ingredient Definition
                                                  is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,                    before February 22, 2016. Addresses for                  Inert ingredients are all ingredients
                                                  Monday through Friday, excluding legal                  mail and hand delivery of objections                  that are not active ingredients as defined
                                                  holidays. The telephone number for the                  and hearing requests are provided in 40               in 40 CFR 153.125 and include, but are
                                                  Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,                  CFR 178.25(b).                                        not limited to, the following types of
                                                  and the telephone number for the OPP                      In addition to filing an objection or               ingredients (except when they have a
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                                                  Docket is (703) 305–5805. Please review                 hearing request with the Hearing Clerk                pesticidal efficacy of their own):
                                                  the visitor instructions and additional                 as described in 40 CFR part 178, please               Solvents such as alcohols and
                                                  information about the docket available                  submit a copy of the filing (excluding                hydrocarbons; surfactants such as
                                                  at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.                          any Confidential Business Information                 polyoxyethylene polymers and fatty
                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        (CBI)) for inclusion in the public docket.            acids; carriers such as clay and
                                                  Susan Lewis, Registration Division                      Information not marked confidential                   diatomaceous earth; thickeners such as
                                                  (7505P), Registration Division (7505P),                 pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be                      carrageenan and modified cellulose;
                                                  Office of Pesticide Programs,                           disclosed publicly by EPA without prior               wetting, spreading, and dispersing


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                                                  79706        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 246 / Wednesday, December 23, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  agents; propellants in aerosol                          sufficient data to assess the hazards of              nor is it clastogenic in a cytogenetic
                                                  dispensers; microencapsulating agents;                  and to make a determination on                        assay with Chinese hamster ovary K1
                                                  and emulsifiers. The term ‘‘inert’’ is not              aggregate exposure for ammonium                       cells. It is not carcinogenic. In an eight
                                                  intended to imply nontoxicity; the                      acetate including exposure resulting                  month cancer study, tumors were not
                                                  ingredient may or may not be                            from the exemption established by this                observed in rats at 60 mg/kg/day. While
                                                  chemically active. Generally, EPA has                   action. EPA’s assessment of exposures                 evidence of potential neurotoxicity was
                                                  exempted inert ingredients from the                     and risks associated with ammonium                    observed in a literature study in rats
                                                  requirement of a tolerance based on the                 acetate follows.                                      conducted by Sapute et al.1, a second
                                                  low toxicity of the individual inert                                                                          study in rats showed no indication of
                                                                                                          A. Toxicological Profile
                                                  ingredients.
                                                                                                             EPA has evaluated the available                    systemic toxicity, neurotoxicity,
                                                  IV. Aggregate Risk Assessment and                       toxicity data and considered their                    neuropathological or histological lesions
                                                  Determination of Safety                                 validity, completeness, and reliability as            at the same dose that was previously
                                                     Section 408(c)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA                     well as the relationship of the results of            tested, 100 mg/kg/day. Since the second
                                                  allows EPA to establish an exemption                    the studies to human risk. EPA has also               study (MRID 49703201) 2 was conducted
                                                  from the requirement for a tolerance (the               considered available information                      according to the Organization for
                                                  legal limit for a pesticide chemical                    concerning the variability of the                     Economic Co-operation and
                                                  residue in or on a food) only if EPA                    sensitivities of major identifiable                   Development (OECD) and good
                                                  determines that the tolerance is ‘‘safe.’’              subgroups of consumers, including                     laboratory practice (GLP) guidelines, it
                                                  Section 408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA                       infants and children. Specific                        was considered to accurately represent
                                                  defines ‘‘safe’’ to mean that ‘‘there is a              information on the studies received and               the neurotoxic potential for ammonium
                                                  reasonable certainty that no harm will                  the nature of the adverse effects caused              acetate.
                                                  result from aggregate exposure to the                   by ammonium acetate as well as the no-
                                                                                                                                                                   As noted above, acetic acid undergoes
                                                  pesticide chemical residue, including                   observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL)
                                                  all anticipated dietary exposures and all               and the lowest-observed-adverse-effect-               dissociation to the acetate anion and the
                                                  other exposures for which there is                      level (LOAEL) from the toxicity studies.              H+ cations in aqueous media at pHs
                                                  reliable information.’’ This includes                      Ammonium acetate is an ammonium                    commonly found in the environment.
                                                  exposure through drinking water and in                  salt of acetic acid. In aqueous solutions             Also, it is a naturally-occurring
                                                  residential settings, but does not include              acetic acid and its salt ammonium                     substance in plants and animals. In
                                                  occupational exposure. Section                          acetate dissociate into the acetate anion             aerobic metabolism, acetic acid (as
                                                  408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to                   (CH3COO-) and the respective cations                  acetate) is a metabolite that combines
                                                  give special consideration to exposure                  (H+ and NH4+). The cations and                        with Co-enzyme A to form acetyl Co-A
                                                  of infants and children to the pesticide                ammonia (also a human metabolite) are                 which subsequently enters into the
                                                  chemical residue in establishing a                      physiological components of the human                 Citric Acid Cycle, a common metabolic
                                                  tolerance and to ‘‘ensure that there is a               body. The chemical structures, physical-              pathway in which food molecules are
                                                  reasonable certainty that no harm will                  chemical properties, environmental fate               broken down to form energy. A major
                                                  result to infants and children from                     behavior, and aquatic and mammalian                   function of the Citric Acid Cycle is the
                                                  aggregate exposure to the pesticide                     toxicity of ammonium acetate and acetic               oxidation of acetate. In animals, acetate
                                                  chemical residue. . . .’’                               acid are similar. Since limited data are              is obtained from the breakdown of
                                                     EPA establishes exemptions from the                  available on ammonium acetate, toxicity               glucose molecules.
                                                  requirement of a tolerance only in those                data on acetic acid were used to
                                                  cases where it can be clearly                           represent toxicity due to exposure to                    Specific information on the studies
                                                  demonstrated that the risks from                        ammonium acetate.                                     received and the nature of the adverse
                                                  aggregate exposure to pesticide                            Acetic acid is of low acute dermal and             effects caused by acetic acid as well as
                                                  chemical residues under reasonably                      inhalation toxicity in rats. It causes                the no observed adverse effect level
                                                  foreseeable circumstances will pose no                  dermal irritation in mice and is                      (NOAEL) and the lowest observed
                                                  appreciable risks to human health. In                   corrosive in rabbits. It was also irritating          adverse effect level (LOAEL) from the
                                                  order to determine the risks from                       in the eyes of rabbits. Although reduced              toxicity studies can be found at http://
                                                  aggregate exposure to pesticide inert                   body weight was observed at 390 mg/kg/                www.regulations.gov in the document
                                                  ingredients, the Agency considers the                   day in a 90-day oral toxicity study in the            ‘‘Ammonium Acetate; Human Health
                                                  toxicity of the inert in conjunction with               rat, the reduction in weight gain was                 Risk Assessment and Ecological Effects
                                                  possible exposure to residues of the                    likely attributed to reduced appetite and             Assessment to Support Proposed
                                                  inert ingredient through food, drinking                 food consumption observed in the                      Exemption from the Requirement of a
                                                  water, and through other exposures that                 study. Therefore, this is not considered              Tolerance When Used as Inert
                                                  occur as a result of pesticide use in                   an adverse effect. Although increased                 Ingredients in Pesticide Formulations’’
                                                  residential settings. If EPA is able to                 spleen weight was observed at 23–31                   in docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–
                                                  determine that a finite tolerance is not                ppm (equivalent to 15–19 mg/kg/day) of                2013–0700.
                                                  necessary to ensure that there is a                     acetic acid in a toxicity study in rats via
                                                  reasonable certainty that no harm will                  the inhalation route of exposure, there                 1 Satpute, R.M., Lomash, V., Hariharakrishnan, J.,

                                                  result from aggregate exposure to the                   is no concern for potential                           Roa, P., Singh, P., Gujar, N., and Bhattacharya, R.
                                                  inert ingredient, an exemption from the                 immunotoxicity. The Agency considers                  (2014). Oxidative Stress and Tissue Pathology
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                                                                                                          that this effect is due to red blood cell             Caused By Subacute Exposure To Ammonium
                                                  requirement of a tolerance may be                                                                             Acetate In Rats And Their Response To Treatments
                                                  established.                                            destruction rather than an immunotoxic                With Alpha-Ketoglutarate And N-Acetyl Cysteine.
                                                     Consistent with FFDCA section                        response. Fetal susceptibility was not                Toxicology and Industrial Health: 30(1) 12–14.
                                                  408(c)(2)(A), and the factors specified in              observed in several developmental                     MRID. 49507001.
                                                                                                                                                                  2 Barnett, Jr., John F. (2015). A 28-Day Oral
                                                  FFDCA section 408(c)(2)(B), EPA has                     studies in rats, mice and rabbits. Neither
                                                                                                                                                                (Gavage) Repeated Dose Study of Ammonium
                                                  reviewed the available scientific data                  maternal nor developmental toxicity                   Acetate in Adult Rats. Laboratory Project ID
                                                  and other relevant information in                       was not observed up to 1,600 mg/kg/                   20073669. Unpublished study prepared by Charles
                                                  support of this action. EPA has                         day. It is not mutagenic in an Ames test              River Laboratories. MRID 49703201.



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                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 246 / Wednesday, December 23, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                        79707

                                                  B. Toxicological Points of Departure/                   concern was not identified for the acute                As part of its qualitative assessment,
                                                  Levels of Concern                                       and chronic dietary assessment, a                     the Agency did not use safety factors for
                                                     In an aqueous environment,                           quantitative dietary exposure risk                    assessing risk, and no additional safety
                                                  ammonium acetate dissociates to acetic                  assessment for drinking water was not                 factor is needed for assessing risk to
                                                  acid and its salt. Therefore, it is                     conducted, although exposures may be                  infants and children. Based on an
                                                  appropriate to expect toxicity due to                   expected from use on food crops.                      assessment of ammonium acetate and its
                                                                                                             3. From non-dietary exposure. The                  chemical properties, EPA has concluded
                                                  exposure to ammonium acetate to be
                                                                                                          term ‘‘residential exposure’’ is used in              that there are no toxicological endpoints
                                                  similar to that of acetic acid. Therefore,
                                                                                                          this document to refer to non-                        of concern for the U.S. population,
                                                  based on the absence of a toxicological
                                                                                                          occupational, non-dietary exposure                    including infants and children.
                                                  endpoint of concern via dietary route of
                                                                                                          (e.g., textiles (clothing and diapers),
                                                  exposure for acetic acid, its regulatory                carpets, swimming pools, and hard                     E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of
                                                  history, and no new toxicological data                  surface disinfection on walls, floors,                Safety
                                                  to indicate concern regarding previous                  tables).                                                Because no toxicological endpoints of
                                                  decisions, a qualitative assessment was                    Ammonium acetate may be used in                    concern were identified, EPA concludes
                                                  appropriate for ammonium acetate for                    pesticide products and non-pesticide                  that aggregate exposure to residues of
                                                  all pathways of human exposure (food,                   products that may be used around the                  ammonium acetate will not pose a risk
                                                  drinking water, and residential). A                     home. Based on the discussion in Unit                 to the U.S. population, including infants
                                                  potential endpoint of concern for the                   IV.B., a quantitative residential                     and children, and that there is a
                                                  inhalation route of exposure was                        exposure assessment for ammonium                      reasonable certainty that no harm will
                                                  identified in a toxicity study. Increased               acetate was not conducted.                            result to the general population, or to
                                                  spleen weight due to red blood cell                        4. Cumulative effects from substances              infants and children from aggregate
                                                  destruction was observed at 23–31 ppm                   with a common mechanism of toxicity.                  exposure to ammonium acetate
                                                  (equivalent to 15–19 mg/kg/day) of                      Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA                      residues.
                                                  acetic acid in rats. However, according                 requires that, when considering whether
                                                  to the American Conference of                           to establish, modify, or revoke a                     V. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
                                                  Governmental Industrial Hygenists, Inc.                 tolerance, the Agency consider                           An analytical method is not required
                                                  (ACGIH), the threshold limit value                      ‘‘available information’’ concerning the              for enforcement purposes since the
                                                  (TLV) for occupational exposure to                      cumulative effects of a particular                    Agency is establishing an exemption
                                                  acetic acid is 10 ppm via inhalation.                   pesticide’s residues and ‘‘other                      from the requirement of a tolerance.
                                                  Residential exposure to the proposed                    substances that have a common                         EPA is establishing a limitation on the
                                                  use of ammonium acetate via inhalation                  mechanism of toxicity.’’                              amount of ammonium acetate that may
                                                  is not expected to exceed the TLV limit                    EPA has not found ammonium acetate                 be used in pesticide formulations. The
                                                  of 10 ppm because the residential use                   to share a common mechanism of                        limitation will be enforced through the
                                                  pattern would result in drastically lower               toxicity with any other substances, and               pesticide registration process under the
                                                  opportunities for inhalation exposure                   ammonium acetate does not appear to                   Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
                                                  than allowed occupational use patterns,                 produce a toxic metabolite produced by                Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S.C. 136
                                                  which are limited to 10 ppm. In                         other substances. For the purposes of                 et seq. EPA will not register any
                                                  addition, residential exposure will be                  this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has             pesticide formulation used on crops for
                                                  much lower because exposure is                          assumed that ammonium acetate does                    sale or distribution containing
                                                  expected to occur for shorter periods to                not have a common mechanism of                        ammonium acetate at ready for use end-
                                                  diluted acetic acid as compared to                      toxicity with other substances. For                   use concentrations exceeding 15%.
                                                  workers who are exposed for 8 hours                     information regarding EPA’s efforts to
                                                  continuously, to more concentrated                      determine which chemicals have a                      VI. Conclusions
                                                  acetic acid. Therefore, a qualitative                   common mechanism of toxicity and to                     Therefore, an exemption from the
                                                  assessment was conducted with regard                    evaluate the cumulative effects of such               requirement of a tolerance is established
                                                  to inhalation exposure.                                 chemicals, see EPA’s Web site at http://              under 40 CFR 180.920 for ammonium
                                                                                                          www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.                    acetate (CAS No. 631–61–8) when used
                                                  C. Exposure Assessment
                                                                                                                                                                as an inert ingredient (buffering agent)
                                                    1. Dietary exposure from food and                     D. Safety Factor for Infants and
                                                                                                                                                                in pesticide formulations applied to
                                                  feed uses. In evaluating dietary                        Children
                                                                                                                                                                crops pre-harvest and limited to 15% in
                                                  exposure to ammonium acetate, EPA                         1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of              the end use formulation.
                                                  considered exposure under the                           FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply
                                                  proposed exemption from the                             an additional tenfold (10X) margin of                 VII. Statutory and Executive Order
                                                  requirement of a tolerance. EPA                         safety for infants and children in the                Reviews
                                                  assessed dietary exposures from                         case of threshold effects to account for                 This action establishes a tolerance
                                                  ammonium acetate in food as follows:                    prenatal and postnatal toxicity and the               exemption under FFDCA section 408(d)
                                                    Under this exemption from the                         completeness of the database on toxicity              in response to a petition submitted to
                                                  requirement of a tolerance, residues of                 and exposure unless EPA determines                    the Agency. The Office of Management
                                                  this ammonium acetate may be found                      based on reliable data that a different               and Budget (OMB) has exempted these
                                                  on foods from crops that were treated                   margin of safety will be safe for infants             types of actions from review under
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                                                  with pesticide formulations containing                  and children. This additional margin of               Executive Order 12866, entitled
                                                  ammonium acetate. However, a                            safety is commonly referred to as the                 ‘‘Regulatory Planning and Review’’ (58
                                                  quantitative dietary exposure                           FQPA Safety Factor (SF). In applying                  FR 51735, October 4, 1993). Because
                                                  assessment was not conducted since an                   this provision, EPA either retains the                this action has been exempted from
                                                  endpoint for risk assessment was not                    default value of 10X, or uses a different             review under Executive Order 12866,
                                                  identified.                                             additional safety factor when reliable                this action is not subject to Executive
                                                    2. Dietary exposure from drinking                     data available to EPA support the choice              Order 13211, entitled ‘‘Actions
                                                  water. Since a hazard endpoint of                       of a different factor.                                Concerning Regulations That


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                                                  79708          Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 246 / Wednesday, December 23, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                  Significantly Affect Energy Supply,                         have a substantial direct effect on States                     Senate, the U.S. House of
                                                  Distribution, or Use’’ (66 FR 28355, May                    or tribal governments, on the                                  Representatives, and the Comptroller
                                                  22, 2001) or Executive Order 13045,                         relationship between the national                              General of the United States prior to
                                                  entitled ‘‘Protection of Children from                      government and the States or tribal                            publication of the rule in the Federal
                                                  Environmental Health Risks and Safety                       governments, or on the distribution of                         Register. This action is not a ‘‘major
                                                  Risks’’ (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997).                      power and responsibilities among the                           rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
                                                  This action does not contain any                            various levels of government or between
                                                                                                                                                                             List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
                                                  information collections subject to OMB                      the Federal Government and Indian
                                                  approval under the Paperwork                                tribes. Thus, the Agency has determined                          Environmental protection,
                                                  Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et                      that Executive Order 13132, entitled                           Administrative practice and procedure,
                                                  seq.), nor does it require any special                      ‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255, August 10,                        Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
                                                  considerations under Executive Order                        1999) and Executive Order 13175,                               and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
                                                  12898, entitled ‘‘Federal Actions to                        entitled ‘‘Consultation and Coordination                       requirements.
                                                  Address Environmental Justice in                            with Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR                          Dated: December 11, 2015.
                                                  Minority Populations and Low-Income                         67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply                          Susan Lewis,
                                                  Populations’’ (59 FR 7629, February 16,                     to this action. In addition, this action
                                                                                                                                                                             Director, Registration Division, Office of
                                                  1994).                                                      does not impose any enforceable duty or                        Pesticide Programs.
                                                    Since tolerances and exemptions that                      contain any unfunded mandate as
                                                  are established on the basis of a petition                  described under Title II of the Unfunded                         Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
                                                  under FFDCA section 408(d), such as                         Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) (2 U.S.C.                           amended as follows:
                                                  the tolerance exemption in this final                       1501 et seq.).
                                                  rule, do not require the issuance of a                         This action does not involve any                            PART 180—[AMENDED]
                                                  proposed rule, the requirements of the                      technical standards that would require
                                                                                                                                                                             ■ 1. The authority citation for part 180
                                                  Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5                         Agency consideration of voluntary
                                                                                                                                                                             continues to read as follows:
                                                  U.S.C. 601 et seq.), do not apply.                          consensus standards pursuant to section
                                                    This action directly regulates growers,                   12(d) of the National Technology                                   Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
                                                  food processors, food handlers, and food                    Transfer and Advancement Act                                   ■ 2. In § 180.920, add alphabetically the
                                                  retailers, not States or tribes, nor does                   (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).                                  following inert ingredient to the table to
                                                  this action alter the relationships or                                                                                     read as follows:
                                                  distribution of power and                                   VIII. Congressional Review Act
                                                  responsibilities established by Congress                      Pursuant to the Congressional Review                         § 180.920 Inert ingredients used pre-
                                                  in the preemption provisions of FFDCA                       Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), EPA will                           harvest; exemptions from the requirement
                                                  section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency                      submit a report containing this rule and                       of a tolerance.
                                                  has determined that this action will not                    other required information to the U.S.                         *      *      *       *    *

                                                                                           Inert ingredients                                                       Limits                              Uses


                                                         *                  *                        *                                 *                             *                        *                   *
                                                  Ammonium acetate (CAS No. 631–61–8) ....................................................................                  15%    Buffering Agent.

                                                             *                         *                         *                         *                         *                         *                  *



                                                  [FR Doc. 2015–32170 Filed 12–22–15; 8:45 am]                acid, homopolymer, ester with a-[2,4,6-                        on or before February 22, 2016, and
                                                  BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                      tris(1-phenylethyl)phenyl]-w-                                  must be filed in accordance with the
                                                                                                              hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl),                               instructions provided in 40 CFR part
                                                                                                              compd. with 2,2′,2″-nitrilotris[ethanol]                       178 (see also Unit I.C. of the
                                                  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                    (CAS Reg. No. 1477613–46–9) when                               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
                                                  AGENCY                                                      used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide
                                                                                                              chemical formulation. Spring Trading                           ADDRESSES:    The docket for this action,
                                                  40 CFR Part 180                                             Company on behalf of Lamberti USA,                             identified by docket identification (ID)
                                                                                                              Incorporated submitted a petition to                           number EPA–HQ–OPP–2015–0630, is
                                                  [EPA–HQ–OPP–2015–0630; FRL–9939–71]                                                                                        available at http://www.regulations.gov
                                                                                                              EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and
                                                                                                              Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an                            or at the Office of Pesticide Programs
                                                  2-Propenoic Acid, Homopolymer, Ester
                                                  With α-[2,4,6-Tris(1-                                       exemption from the requirement of a                            Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)
                                                  Phenylethyl)Phenyl]-w-                                      tolerance. This regulation eliminates the                      in the Environmental Protection Agency
                                                  Hydroxypoly(Oxy-1,2-Ethanediyl),                            need to establish a maximum                                    Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William
                                                  Compd. With 2,2′,2″-                                        permissible level for residues of 2-                           Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301
                                                  Nitrilotris[Ethanol]; Tolerance                             propenoic acid, homopolymer, ester                             Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC
                                                  Exemption                                                   with a-[2,4,6-tris(1-                                          20460–0001. The Public Reading Room
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                                                                                                              phenylethyl)phenyl]-w-                                         is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
                                                  AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                           hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl),                               Monday through Friday, excluding legal
                                                  Agency (EPA).                                               compd. with 2,2′,2″-nitrilotris[ethanol]                       holidays. The telephone number for the
                                                  ACTION: Final rule.                                         on food or feed commodities.                                   Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,
                                                                                                                                                                             and the telephone number for the OPP
                                                  SUMMARY:   This regulation establishes an                   DATES: This regulation is effective
                                                                                                                                                                             Docket is (703) 305–5805. Please review
                                                  exemption from the requirement of a                         December 23, 2015. Objections and
                                                                                                                                                                             the visitor instructions and additional
                                                  tolerance for residues of 2-propenoic                       requests for hearings must be received


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Document Created: 2018-03-02 09:20:15
Document Modified: 2018-03-02 09:20:15
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis regulation is effective December 23, 2015. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before February 22, 2016, and must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 CFR part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
ContactSusan Lewis, Registration Division (7505P), Registration Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; main telephone number: (703) 305-7090; email
FR Citation80 FR 79705 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Administrative Practice and Procedure; Agricultural Commodities; Pesticides and Pests and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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