82 FR 57144 - Quinclorac; Pesticide Tolerances

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 231 (December 4, 2017)

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of quinclorac in or on the bushberry subgroup 13-07B, the caneberry subgroup 13-07A, and asparagus. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 231 (Monday, December 4, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57144-57149]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26078]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0384; FRL-9970-05]


Quinclorac; Pesticide Tolerances

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of 
quinclorac in or on the bushberry subgroup 13-07B, the caneberry 
subgroup 13-07A, and asparagus. Interregional Research Project Number 4 
(IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and 
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

DATES: This regulation is effective December 4, 2017. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before February 2, 2018, 
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-2016-0384, 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

[[Page 57145]]

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: Michael Goodis, 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 EPA's 
tolerance regulations at 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-2016-0384 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 2, 2018. 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-2016-0384, 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. Summary of Petitioned-For Tolerance

    In the Federal Register of November 30, 2016 (81 FR 86312) (FRL-
9954-06), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP 
6E8488) by IR-4 Project Headquarters, Rutgers, The State University of 
NJ, 500 College Road East, Suite 201 W, Princeton, NJ 08540. The 
petition requested that 40 CFR part 180 be amended by establishing 
tolerances for residues of the herbicide quinclorac, 3,7-dichloro-8-
quinolinecarboxylic acid in or on asparagus at 0.06 parts per million 
(ppm); the bushberry subgroup 13-07B, except lowbush blueberry at 0.6 
ppm; and the caneberry subgroup 13-07A at 0.06 ppm. That document 
referenced a summary of the petition prepared by Albaugh, the 
registrant, which is available in the docket, http://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in response to the 
notice of filing.
    Based upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA has 
modified the levels at which the tolerances are being established. The 
reason for these changes is explained in Unit IV.C.

III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety

    Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish 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. . . 
.''
    Consistent with FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), and the factors 
specified in FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), 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 quinclorac including exposure 
resulting from the tolerances established by this action. EPA's 
assessment of exposures and risks associated with quinclorac follows.

A. Toxicological Profile

    EPA has evaluated the available toxicity data and considered its 
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.
    Subchronic toxicity of quinclorac includes decreased body weight 
gains, increased water intake, increased liver enzymes (SGOT, SGPT) and 
focal chronic interstitial nephritis (rats). Chronic toxic effects of 
quinclorac include body weight decrement, increase in kidney and liver 
weights, and hydropic degeneration of the kidneys (dogs). At high 
doses, chronic

[[Page 57146]]

toxicity also includes increased incidences of pancreatic acinar cell 
hyperplasia and adenomas (rats). Neurotoxic effects were not observed 
in any of the acute, subchronic, and chronic studies with quinclorac.
    There was no increased qualitative or quantitative fetal or 
offspring susceptibility in the prenatal developmental or postnatal 
reproduction studies. Developmental toxicity in the rabbit consisted of 
increased resorptions, post-implantation loss, decreased number of live 
fetuses, and reduced fetal body weight. These effects occurred at much 
higher doses than the maternal effects of decreased food consumption 
and increased water consumption and decreased body weight gain. In the 
rat, no developmental toxicity was observed at the highest dose tested 
(438 mg/kg/day). In the 2-generation reproduction study, parental 
toxicity and offspring toxicity occurred at the same dose. Parental 
toxicity consisted of reduced body weight in both sexes during 
premating and lactation periods. Offspring toxicity consisted of 
decreased pup weight, developmental delays and possible marginal effect 
on pup viability. No reproductive toxicity occurred at the highest dose 
tested (480 mg/kg/day).
    There are no mutagenicity concerns. Quinclorac is not mutagenic in 
bacterial assays and does not cause unscheduled DNA damage in primary 
rat hepatocytes. There is also no evidence of a genotoxic response in 
whole animal test systems (in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus 
assay). Quinclorac was negative in a mammalian cell in vitro 
cytogenetic chromosomal aberration assay in Chinese hamster ovary cells 
(CHO). Quinclorac was classified by the Agency as a group D 
carcinogen--not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity. 
Quantification of cancer risk is not required because the chronic RfD 
will adequately account for all chronic effects, including 
carcinogenicity, that may result from exposure to quinclorac.
    Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the 
adverse effects caused by quinclorac 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 titled ``Quinclorac: Human Health 
Risk Assessment for New Proposed Use on Bushberry Subgroup 13-07B, 
Caneberry Subgroup 13-07A, and Asparagus'' on pages 41-46 in docket ID 
number EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0384.

B. Toxicological Points of Departure/Levels of Concern

    Once a pesticide's toxicological profile is determined, EPA 
identifies toxicological points of departure (POD) and levels of 
concern to use in evaluating the risk posed by human exposure to the 
pesticide. For hazards that have a threshold below which there is no 
appreciable risk, the toxicological POD is used as the basis for 
derivation of reference values for risk assessment. PODs are developed 
based on a careful analysis of the doses in each toxicological study to 
determine the dose at which no adverse effects are observed (the NOAEL) 
and the lowest dose at which adverse effects of concern are identified 
(the LOAEL). Uncertainty/safety factors are used in conjunction with 
the POD to calculate a safe exposure level--generally referred to as a 
population-adjusted dose (PAD) or a reference dose (RfD)--and a safe 
margin of exposure (MOE). For non-threshold risks, the Agency assumes 
that any amount of exposure will lead to some degree of risk. Thus, the 
Agency estimates risk in terms of the probability of an occurrence of 
the adverse effect expected in a lifetime. For more information on the 
general principles EPA uses in risk characterization and a complete 
description of the risk assessment process, see http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/assessing-human-health-risk-pesticides.
    A summary of the toxicological endpoints for quinclorac used for 
human risk assessment is discussed in Unit III.B. of the final rule 
published in the Federal Register of November 29, 2013 (78 FR 71523) 
(FRL-9902-15).

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary 
exposure to quinclorac, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-
for tolerances as well as all existing quinclorac tolerances in 40 CFR 
180.463. EPA assessed dietary exposures from quinclorac in food as 
follows:
    i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute dietary exposure and risk 
assessments are performed for a food-use pesticide, if a toxicological 
study has indicated the possibility of an effect of concern occurring 
as a result of a 1-day or single exposure.
    For the general population including infants and children, no such 
effects were identified in the toxicological studies for quinclorac; 
therefore, a quantitative acute dietary exposure assessment for these 
population groups is unnecessary.
    However, for females 13 to 49 years of age, such effects were 
identified for quinclorac. In estimating acute dietary exposure, EPA 
used food consumption information from the 2003-2008 United States 
Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Health and Nutrition 
Examination Survey, What We Eat in America, (NHANES/WWEIA). As to 
residue levels in food, EPA assumed tolerance-level residues and 100 
percent crop treated (PCT).
    ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure 
assessment EPA used the food consumption data from the 2003-2008 USDA's 
NHANES/WWEIA. As to residue levels in food, EPA assumed tolerance-level 
residues and 100 PCT.
    iii. Cancer. Based on the current cancer classification of 
quinclorac, quantification of cancer risk is not required and the 
chronic RfD will adequately account for all chronic effects, including 
carcinogenicity, that may result from exposure to quinclorac.
    iv. Anticipated residue and PCT information. EPA did not use 
anticipated residue or PCT information in the dietary assessment for 
quinclorac. Tolerance level residues and 100 PCT were assumed for all 
food commodities.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency used screening 
level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis and risk 
assessment for quinclorac in drinking water. These simulation models 
take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport 
characteristics of quinclorac. Further information regarding EPA 
drinking water models used in pesticide exposure assessment can be 
found at http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/about-water-exposure-models-used-pesticide.
    Based on the Tier 1 Rice Model and the Pesticide Water Calculator-
Ground Water exposure model, the estimated drinking water 
concentrations (EDWCs) of quinclorac for acute exposures are estimated 
to be 511 parts per billion (ppb) for surface water and 817 ppb for 
ground water and for chronic exposures are estimated to be 481 ppb for 
surface water and 543 ppb for ground water.
    Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly 
entered into the dietary exposure model. For the acute dietary risk 
assessment, the water concentration value of 817 ppb was used to assess 
the contribution to drinking water. For the chronic dietary risk 
assessment, the water concentration of value 543 ppb was used to assess 
the contribution to drinking water.

[[Page 57147]]

    3. From non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is 
used in this document to refer to non-occupational, non-dietary 
exposure (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control, indoor pest control, 
termiticides, and flea and tick control on pets).
    Quinclorac is currently registered for the following uses that 
could result in residential exposures: Turf grass and ornamentals. EPA 
assessed residential exposure using the following assumptions: Short-
term residential handler inhalation exposure is expected from the 
existing uses. The quantitative exposure/risk assessment developed for 
residential handlers is based on the following scenarios: Loading/
applying granules for belly grinder; loading/applying granules for push 
type rotary spreader; loading/applying granules for a spoon; loading/
applying granules for a cup and shaker can; applying granules by hand; 
mixing/loading/applying liquid and dry flowable formulations via 
manually-pressurized handwand, a hose-end sprayer, a backpack, and a 
sprinkler can; and mixing/loading/applying ready-to-use formulation via 
a trigger sprayer, and a hose-end sprayer.
    Post-application short-term dermal and incidental oral exposure is 
expected from quinclorac treated turf in residential settings (i.e., 
lawns). Dermal exposures were not quantified due to a lack of a dermal 
toxicological endpoint. Incidental oral exposure risk estimates were 
calculated for hand-to-mouth, object-to-mouth, and soil ingestion 
exposures for 1 to <2-year old children playing in the treated turf. 
Even though there is a granular product, an assessment for episodic 
granular ingestion was not done since there is no applicable endpoint 
(i.e., no acute dietary point of departure for children).
    The worst-case residential exposure scenario used in the adult 
aggregate assessment reflects inhalation exposure from residential 
handlers mixing/loading/applying water-dispersible granule/dry flowable 
formulations with a manually-pressurized handwand and/or backpack 
equipment.
    The worst-case residential exposure scenario used in the children 
1<2 years old aggregate assessment reflects hand-to-mouth exposures 
from post-application exposure to treated turf.
    Further information regarding EPA standard assumptions and generic 
inputs for residential exposures may be found at http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/standard-operating-procedures-residential-pesticide.
    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 quinclorac to share a common mechanism of 
toxicity with any other substances, and quinclorac does not appear to 
produce a toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the 
purposes of this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that 
quinclorac 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://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/cumulative-assessment-risk-pesticides.

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.
    2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. The toxicology database for 
quinclorac consists of developmental toxicity studies in rats and 
rabbits and a 2-generation reproduction study in rats. There is no 
indication of increased qualitative or quantitative susceptibility of 
rats or rabbit fetuses to in utero and/or postnatal exposure in the 
developmental and reproductive toxicity data.
    3. Conclusion. EPA has determined that reliable data show the 
safety of infants and children would be adequately protected if the 
FQPA SF were reduced to 1x. That decision is based on the following 
findings:
    i. The toxicity database for quinclorac is complete.
    ii. There is no indication that quinclorac is a neurotoxic chemical 
and there is no need for a developmental neurotoxicity study or 
additional UFs to account for neurotoxicity.
    iii. There is no evidence that quinclorac results in increased 
susceptibility in in utero rats or rabbits in the prenatal 
developmental studies or in young rats in the 2-generation reproduction 
study.
    iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure 
databases. The dietary food exposure assessments were performed based 
on 100 PCT and tolerance-level residues. EPA made conservative 
(protective) assumptions in the ground and surface water modeling used 
to assess exposure to quinclorac in drinking water. EPA used similarly 
conservative assumptions to assess post-application exposure of 
children as well as incidental oral exposure of toddlers. These 
assessments will not underestimate the exposure and risks posed by 
quinclorac.

E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety

    EPA determines whether acute and chronic dietary pesticide 
exposures are safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the 
acute PAD (aPAD) and chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer risks, EPA 
calculates the lifetime probability of acquiring cancer given the 
estimated aggregate exposure. Short-, intermediate-, and chronic-term 
risks are evaluated by comparing the estimated aggregate food, water, 
and residential exposure to the appropriate PODs to ensure that an 
adequate MOE exists.
    1. Acute risk. An acute aggregate risk assessment takes into 
account acute exposure estimates from dietary consumption of food and 
drinking water. For the general population including infants and 
children, no adverse effect resulting from a single oral exposure was 
identified and no acute dietary endpoint was selected. Therefore, 
quinclorac is not expected to pose an acute risk to these population 
groups. However, an adverse effect was identified for females 13 to 49 
years of age, and therefore an acute aggregate risk assessment was 
performed for this population group.
    Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this unit for acute 
exposure, the acute dietary exposure from food and water to quinclorac 
will occupy 2.4% of the aPAD for females 13 to 49 years old, the only 
population group of concern.
    2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this 
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to 
quinclorac from food and water will utilize 9.4% of the cPAD for all 
infants <1 year old, the

[[Page 57148]]

population group receiving the greatest exposure. Based on the 
explanation in Unit III.C.3., regarding residential use patterns, 
chronic residential exposure to residues of quinclorac is not expected.
    3. Short-term risk. Short-term aggregate exposure takes into 
account short-term residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food 
and water (considered to be a background exposure level).
    Quinclorac is currently registered for uses that could result in 
short-term residential exposure, and the Agency has determined that it 
is appropriate to aggregate chronic exposure through food and water 
with short-term residential exposures to quinclorac.
    Using the exposure assumptions described in this unit for short-
term exposures, EPA has concluded the combined short-term food, water, 
and residential exposures result in aggregate MOEs of 2,100 for adults 
and 1,500 for children 1<2 years old. Because EPA's level of concern 
for quinclorac is a MOE of 100 or below, these MOEs are not of concern.
    4. Intermediate-term risk. Intermediate-term aggregate exposure 
takes into account intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic 
exposure to food and water (considered to be a background exposure 
level).
    Intermediate-term aggregate exposure takes into account 
intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food 
and water (considered to be a background exposure level). An 
intermediate-term adverse effect was identified, however, quinclorac is 
not registered for any use patterns that would result in intermediate-
term residential exposure; therefore, an intermediate-term aggregate 
risk assessment was not performed nor required. In addition, since the 
short- and intermediate-term PODs are the same, the estimates for 
short-term duration are protective of intermediate-term duration.
    5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Based on the 
discussion in Unit III.A., EPA considers the chronic aggregate risk 
assessment to be protective of any aggregate cancer risk. As there is 
no chronic risk of concern, EPA does not expect any cancer risk to the 
U.S. population from aggregate exposure to quinclorac.
    6. Determination of safety. Based on these risk assessments, EPA 
concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result 
to the general population, or to infants and children from aggregate 
exposure to quinclorac residues.

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    Adequate analytical methods (gas chromatography/electron capture 
detector (GC/ECD)) are available for enforcing quinclorac tolerances on 
plant and livestock commodities. The methods have undergone successful 
agency method validation trials and have been submitted to the Food and 
Drug Administration (FDA) for publication in the Pesticide Analytical 
Manual (PAM) II as the tolerance enforcement methods. The Limit of 
Quantitation (LOQ) of both methods is 0.05 ppm for all matrices.
    Other adequate LC/MS/MS based analytical methods, BASF Method 
D9708/02 (for quinclorac) and BASF Method D9806/02 (for quinclorac 
methyl ester), are available for data collection and tolerance 
enforcement of residues of quinclorac and its methyl ester metabolite 
in/on plant commodities. The validated LOQ for both methods is 0.05 
ppm. Both methods monitor two ion transitions. The Agency concurred 
with BASF's proposal to designate BASF Method D9708/02 and BASF Method 
D9806/02 as the new tolerance enforcement methods for quinclorac and 
quinclorac methy ester, respectively. These LC/MS/MS enforcement 
analytical methods without the methylation step are preferable to the 
previous GC/ECD method.
    The method may be requested from: Chief, Analytical Chemistry 
Branch, Environmental Science Center, 701 Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 
20755-5350; telephone number: (410) 305-2905; email address: 
[email protected].

B. International Residue Limits

    In making its tolerance decisions, EPA seeks to harmonize U.S. 
tolerances with international standards whenever possible, consistent 
with U.S. food safety standards and agricultural practices. EPA 
considers the international maximum residue limits (MRLs) established 
by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as required by FFDCA 
section 408(b)(4). The Codex Alimentarius is a joint United Nations 
Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization food 
standards program, and it is recognized as an international food safety 
standards-setting organization in trade agreements to which the United 
States is a party. EPA may establish a tolerance that is different from 
a Codex MRL; however, FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that EPA explain 
the reasons for departing from the Codex level.
    The Codex has not established any MRLs for quinclorac on any of the 
crops covered by this document.

C. Revisions to Petitioned-For Tolerances

    Using the amended residue data in the Organization for Economic 
Cooperation and Development (OECD) tolerance calculation procedures, 
the Agency is establishing the tolerance of 0.08 ppm for combined 
residues of quinclorac and its methyl ester metabolite, in/on the 
bushberry subgroup 13-07B, the caneberry subgroup 13-07A, and 
asparagus. The tolerance of 0.08 ppm in/on the caneberry subgroup 13-
07A and asparagus is higher than the petitioned-for tolerance (0.06 
ppm) because the quinclorac residue values from the submitted field 
trial data did not include the residue values of methyl ester 
metabolite. However, the tolerance in/on the bushberry subgroup 13-07B 
is much lower than the petitioned-for tolerance (0.6 ppm). In blueberry 
trials, the petitioner included the single lowbush blueberry trial 
(ME03) in the tolerance calculation for bushberry subgroup 13-07B. 
Trial ME03 gives a quinclorac residue value (HAFT: 0.374 ppm) that is 
approximately sixteen times greater than the residue value (HAFT: 0.024 
ppm) in/on blueberries from the six highbush blueberry trials. The 
difference in residue value is largely attributed to application 
patterns. The single lowbush blueberry sample (ME03) was subjected to 
two applications--one broadcast to the ground, the other broadcast to 
the foliage, whereas samples of highbush blueberry (subgroup 13-07B) 
were conducted with banded soil application twice. After excluding ME03 
the tolerance value of blueberry from the OECD calculator (0.08 ppm) is 
significantly lower than the proposed tolerance (0.6 ppm).
    Lastly, the Agency is modifying the proposed commodity definition 
of ``Bushberry Subgroup 13-07B, except lowbush blueberry'' to 
``Bushberry Subgroup 13-07B'' because the lowbush blueberry tolerance 
is covered by the established tolerance at 1.5 ppm in/on berry, low 
growing, except strawberry, subgroup 13-07H.

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of quinclorac, 
3,7-dichloro-8-quinolinecarboxylic acid, in or on asparagus at 0.08 
ppm; the bushberry, subgroup 13-07B at 0.08 ppm; and the

[[Page 57149]]

caneberry subgroup 13-07A at 0.08 ppm.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This action establishes tolerances 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 Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or 
Use'' (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001); Executive Order 13045, entitled 
``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997); or Executive Order 13771, 
entitled ``Reducing Regulations and Controlling Regulatory Costs'' (82 
FR 9339, February 3, 2017). 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 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).

VII. 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: November 15, 2017.
Michael L. Goodis,
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.  180.463, add alphabetically the commodities ``Asparagus''; 
``Bushberry, subgroup 13-07B''; and ``Caneberry subgroup 13-07A'' to 
the table in paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  180.463  Quinclorac; tolerances for residues.

    (a)(1) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Parts per
                          Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asparagus...................................................        0.08
 
                                * * * * *
Bushberry, subgroup 13-07B..................................        0.08
Caneberry subgroup 13-07A...................................        0.08
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2017-26078 Filed 12-1-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P