Federal Register Vol. 82, No.171,

Background

STEC and Salmonella are pathogens that are associated with foodborne illness from consumption of non-intact beef products (e.g., ground beef, mechanically tenderized steaks). Although the percent positive rates of STEC and Salmonella have decreased, outbreaks and illnesses continue to occur from these products (https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2016-outbreaks.html).

Raw non-intact beef products present a significant public health risk because they are frequently consumed after preparation (e.g., cooking hamburger to a rare or medium rare state) that does not destroy STEC that has been introduced below the product's surface. Given the low infectious dose of STEC associated with foodborne disease outbreaks and the very severe consequences of an STEC infection, including serious, life-threatening human illnesses (hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome), raw non-intact beef products and those beef products intended for non-intact use are adulterated within the meaning of the Federal Meat Inspection Act when contaminated with STEC unless further processed to destroy this pathogen (64 FR 2803). Salmonella does not present the same severe health consequences as STEC, and FSIS does not have a zero tolerance for Salmonella in raw non-intact beef products. However, because STEC and Salmonella are hazards that have historically occurred in the production of non-intact beef products, establishments that produce these products or products intended for non-intact use must conduct a hazard analysis and determine if these pathogens need to be addressed by its Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system. FSIS is making available the updated compliance guideline to assist establishments that produce raw non-intact beef products in designing a HACCP system to prevent, control, and reduce STEC and Salmonella to acceptable levels in these products.

The guideline helps establishments understand the adulterant status of STEC in beef products, how the product's intended use impacts the hazard analysis, and to develop ongoing verification measures to demonstrate that the HACCP system is functioning as intended to reduce STEC to below detectable levels. In addition, the guideline provides updated information for establishments responding to STEC positive results to strengthen their food safety systems so that additional positive results do not occur in the product. While the guideline focuses primarily on STEC policy, the procedures described in this document to reduce STEC will also assist establishments in reducing Salmonella.

FSIS is also providing information in the updated guidance to assist federal establishments and retail facilities to develop and maintain grinding records as required by the final rule, Records To Be Kept By Official Establishments and Retail Stores That May Grind Raw Beef Products (80 FR 79231).

This guideline incorporates all of the above policy updates and includes the most current Agency thinking, and combines and replaces information from the following previously issued guidance documents:

(1) Draft Guidance for Small and Very Small Establishments on Sampling Beef Products for Escherichia coli O157:H7 (August 12, 2008); and

(2) Sanitation Guidance for Beef Grinders (January 2012).

The target audiences for this compliance guideline are small and very small establishments in support of the Small Business Administration's initiative to provide such establishments with compliance assistance under the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act (SBRFA). However, all FSIS regulated beef establishments may be able to apply the recommendations in this guideline.

Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy development is important. Consequently, FSIS will announce this Federal Register publication on-line through the FSIS Web page located at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.

FSIS also will make this publication available through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal Register notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information that could affect or would be of interest to our constituents and stakeholders. The Constituent Update is available on the FSIS Web page. Through the Web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a much broader, more diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an email subscription service which provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety news and information. This service is available at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. Options range from recalls to export information, regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves, and have the option to password protect their accounts.

No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to discrimination any person in the United States under any program or activity conducted by the USDA.

To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you or your authorized representative.

Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, or email:

Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, Fax: (202) 690-7442, Email: [email protected].

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

Background

The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established on January 1, 1995, as the common international institutional framework for the conduct of trade relations among its members in matters related to the Uruguay Round Trade Agreements. The WTO is the successor organization to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). United States membership in the WTO was approved and the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Uruguay Round Agreements) was signed into law by the President on December 8, 1994, Public Law 103-465, 108 Stat. 4809. The Uruguay Round Agreements became effective, with respect to the United States, on January 1, 1995. The Uruguay Round Agreements amended the Trade Agreements Act of 1979. Pursuant to section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended, the President is required to designate an agency to be “responsible for informing the public of the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standard-setting activities of each international standard-setting organization” (19 U.S.C. 2578). The main international standard-setting organizations are Codex, the World Organisation for Animal Health, and the International Plant Protection Convention. The President, pursuant to Proclamation No. 6780 of March 23, 1995, (60 FR 15845), designated the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the agency responsible for informing the public of the SPS standard-setting activities of each international standard-setting organization. The Secretary of Agriculture has delegated to the Office of Food Safety the responsibility to inform the public of the SPS standard-setting activities of Codex. The Office of Food Safety has, in turn, assigned the responsibility for informing the public of the SPS standard-setting activities of Codex to the U.S. Codex Office (USCO).

Codex was created in 1963 by two United Nations organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Codex is the principal international organization for establishing standards for food. Through adoption of food standards, codes of practice, and other guidelines developed by its committees and by promoting their adoption and implementation by governments, Codex seeks to protect the health of consumers, ensure fair practices in the food trade, and promote coordination of food standards work undertaken by international governmental and nongovernmental organizations. In the United States, U.S. Codex activities are managed and carried out by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC); and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

As the agency responsible for informing the public of the SPS standard-setting activities of Codex, the Office of Food Safety publishes this notice in the Federal Register annually. Attachment 1 (Sanitary and Phytosanitary Activities of Codex) sets forth the following information:

1. The SPS standards under consideration or planned for consideration; and

2. For each SPS standard specified:

a. A description of the consideration or planned consideration of the standard;

b. Whether the United States is participating or plans to participate in the consideration of the standard;

c. The agenda for United States participation, if any; and

d. The agency responsible for representing the United States with respect to the standard.

TO OBTAIN COPIES OF THE STANDARDS LISTED IN ATTACHMENT 1, PLEASE CONTACT THE CODEX DELEGATE, U.S. CODEX OFFICE, OR VISIT THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS WEBSITE: http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/standards/en/.

This notice also solicits public comment on standards that are currently under consideration or planned for consideration and recommendations for new standards. The delegate, in conjunction with the responsible agency, will take the comments received into account in participating in the consideration of the standards and in proposing matters to be considered by Codex.

The U.S. delegate will facilitate public participation in the United States Government's activities relating to Codex. The U.S. delegate will maintain a list of individuals, groups, and organizations that have expressed an interest in the activities of the Codex Committees and will disseminate information regarding U.S. delegation activities to interested parties. This information will include the status of each agenda item; the U.S. Government's position or preliminary position on the agenda items; and the time and place of planning meetings and debriefing meetings following the Codex committee sessions. In addition, the U.S. Codex Office makes much of the same information available through its Web page at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/international-affairs/us-codex-alimentarius. If you would like to access or receive information about specific committees, please visit the Web page or notify the appropriate U.S. delegate or the U.S. Codex Office, Room 4861, South Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-3700 ([email protected]).

The information provided in Attachment 1 describes the status of Codex standard-setting activities by the Codex Committees for the time periods from June 1, 2016, to May 31, 2017, and June 1, 2017, to May 31, 2018. Attachment 2 provides a list of U.S. Codex Officials (including U.S. delegates and alternate delegates). A list of forthcoming Codex sessions may be found at: http://www.codexalimentarius.org/meetings-reports/en/.

Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy development is important. FSIS will announce this Federal Register publication on-line through the FSIS Web page located at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.

FSIS also will make copies of this publication available through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal Register notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information that could affect or would be of interest to our constituents and stakeholders. The Update is available on the FSIS Web page. Through the Web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a much broader, more diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an email subscription service which provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety news and information. This service is available at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe.

Options range from recalls to export information, regulations, directives, and notices. Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves, and have the option to password protect their accounts.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission convened for its 40th Session July 17-July 22, 2017, in Geneva, Switzerland. At that session, the Commission adopted standards recommended by Committees at Step 8 or Step 5/8, and it advanced the work of Committees by adopting draft standards at Step 5. The Commission also considered proposals for new work as well as proposed standards, codes of practice, amendments to the Procedural Manual, and related matters forwarded to the Commission by the general subject committees, commodity committees, and regional coordinating committees. In particular, the Commission considered proposals for new work by the Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance; the Regular Review of Codex Work Management (electronic working groups); FAO/WHO Scientific Support for Codex; FAO/WHO Capacity Development and Trust Fund Activities; Relations between Codex and Other International Organizations; financial and budgetary issues; Election of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons, and Members of the Executive Committee; and designation of Countries responsible for appointing the Chairpersons of Codex Subsidiary Bodies.

Before the Commission session, the Executive Committee met at its 73rd Session, July 10-13, 2017. It was composed of the chairperson; vice-chairpersons; seven members elected from the Commission from each of the following geographic regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Near East, North America, and South-West Pacific; and regional coordinators from the six regional committees. Canada was the elected representative from North America; the United States participated as an advisor. The Executive Committee conducted a critical review of the elaboration of Codex standards and considered Revitalization of the FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating Committees; Implementation Status of the 2014-2019 Strategic Plan and Preparation of the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan; Committees Working by Correspondence; Codex and Sustainable Development Goals; FAO/WHO Scientific Support for Codex work; Relations between FAO and WHO Policies, Strategies and Guidelines and Codex Work; and financial and budgetary issues.

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.

The Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF) determines priorities for the consideration of residues of veterinary drugs in foods and recommends Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for veterinary drugs. The Committee also develops codes of practice, as may be required, and considers methods of sampling and analysis for the determination of veterinary drug residues in food. A veterinary drug is defined as any substance applied or administered to any food producing animal, such as meat or milk producing animals, poultry, fish, or bees, whether used for therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic purposes, or for modification of physiological functions or behavior.

A Codex Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) for residues of veterinary drugs is the maximum concentration of residue resulting from the use of a veterinary drug (expressed in mg/kg or ug/kg on a fresh weight basis) that is recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission to be permitted or recognized as acceptable in or on a food. Residues of a veterinary drug include the parent compounds or their metabolites in any edible portion of the animal product, and include residues of associated impurities of the veterinary drug concerned. An MRL is based on the type and amount of residue considered to be without any toxicological hazard for human health as expressed by the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) or on the basis of a temporary ADI that utilizes an additional safety factor. When establishing an MRL, consideration is also given to residues that occur in food of plant origin or the environment. Furthermore, the MRL may be reduced to be consistent with official recommended or authorized usage, approved by national authorities, of the veterinary drugs under practical conditions.

An ADI is an estimate made by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) of the amount of a veterinary drug, expressed on a body weight basis, which can be ingested daily in food over a lifetime without appreciable health risk.

The Committee convened for its 23rd Session in Houston, Texas, October 17-21, 2016. The relevant document is REP17/RVDF. The following items were considered for adoption by the 40th Session of the Commission in July 2017:

Adopted at Step 5/8:

• Proposed draft MRLs for Lasalocid sodium (chicken, turkey, quail and pheasant kidney, liver, muscle, skin+fat); ivermectin (cattle fat, kidney, liver, muscle); and teflubenzuron (salmon filet, muscle).

Adopted at Step 5:

• Proposed draft Risk Management Recommendation for gentian violet.

The Committee will continue to work on the following items:

• Proposed draft MRLs for zilpaterol hydrochloride (cattle fat, kidney, liver, muscle);

• Draft Priority List of Veterinary drugs requiring evaluation or re-evaluation by JECFA;

• Discussion paper on MRLs for groups of fish species;

• Request for scientific advice to the FAO and WHO to address the issue of unavoidable and unintended residues of approved veterinary drugs in foods resulting from carry-over of veterinary drugs in feed;

• Database of countries' needs for MRLs;

• Analysis of the results of the global survey to provide information to the CCRVDF to move compounds from the database on countries' needs for MRLs to the JECFA priority list;

• Discussion paper on the evaluation of the rationale for the decline in new compounds to be included in the CCRVDF priority list for evaluation by JECFA;

• Discussion paper on edible offal tissues (possible definition and edible offal tissues of interest in international trade); and

• Discussion paper on the revision of the criteria for the use of multi-residue analytical methods for the determination and identification of veterinary drugs in foods.

Work on the following items has been discontinued:

• Proposed draft MRL for ivermectin (cattle muscle);

• Discussion paper on unintended presence of residues of veterinary drugs in food commodities resulting from the carry-over of drug residues; and

• Discussion paper on the establishment of a rating system to establish priority for CCRVDF work.

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA/Center for Veterinary Medicine; USDA/FSIS.

The Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) establishes or endorses permitted maximum levels (MLs) or guideline levels for contaminants and naturally occurring toxicants in food and feed; prepares priority lists of contaminants and naturally occurring toxicants for risk assessment by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives; considers and elaborates methods of analysis and sampling for the determination of contaminants and naturally occurring toxicants in food and feed; considers and elaborates on standards or codes of practice for related subjects; and considers other matters assigned to it by the Commission in relation to contaminants and naturally occurring toxicants in food and feed.

The Committee convened for its 11th Session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 3-7, 2017. The relevant document is REP17/CF. The following items were considered for adoption by the 40th Session of the Commission in July 2017:

Adopted:

• MLs for lead and arsenic in fish oils (amendment-inclusion of fish oils).

Adopted at Step 5, 5/8 & 8:

• Proposed draft and draft MLs for lead in selected processed fruits and vegetables (revision of MLs, accompanied by proposed revocations of corresponding existing MLs when the Commission adopts final new MLs).

Adopted at Step 5/8:

• Proposed draft code of practice (COP) for the prevention and reduction of arsenic contamination in rice;

• Annex on ergot and ergot alkaloids in cereal grains (annex to the COP for the prevention and reduction of mycotoxin contamination in cereals); and

• Proposed draft COP for the prevention and reduction of mycotoxin contamination in spices.

The Committee will continue working on:

• MLs for total aflatoxins in ready to eat peanuts (establishment of MLs);

• MLs for lead in selected commodities in the General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed;

• MLs for cadmium in chocolate and cocoa-derived products (establishment of MLs);

• MLs for mycotoxins in spices;

• MLs for methylmercury in fish;

• Revision of the COP for the prevention and reduction of dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in food and feed;

• Code of Practice for the reduction of 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters in refined oils and products made with refined oils;

• Guidelines (best practice) for risk analysis of chemicals in advertently present in food at low levels;

• Establishment of ML for hydrocyanic acid in fermented cooked cassava-based products and occurrence of mycotoxins in these products;

• Structured approach to prioritize commodities not in the General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed for which new MLs for lead could be established;

• Aflatoxins and sterigmatocystin in cereals;

• Development of a COP for the prevention and reduction of cadmium contamination in cocoa;

• Forward work plan for CCCF; and

• Priority list of contaminants and naturally occurring toxicants proposed for evaluation by JECFA.

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS.

The Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA) establishes or endorses acceptable MLs for individual food additives; prepares a priority list of food additives for risk assessment by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA); assigns functional classes to individual food additives; recommends specifications of identity and purity for food additives for adoption by the Codex Alimentarius Commission; considers methods of analysis for the determination of additives in food; and considers and elaborates standards or codes of practice for related subjects, such as the labeling of food additives when sold as such. The 49th Session of the Committee convened in Macao SAR, China, March 20-24, 2017. The relevant document is REP17/FA. Immediately before the Plenary Session there was a two-day physical Working Group on the General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) chaired by the United States.

The following were considered by the 40th Session of the Commission in July 2017:

Adopted at Step 5/8:

• Proposed draft specifications for the identity and purity of food additives; and

• Proposed draft amendments to the Class Names and International Numbering System (INS) for Food Additives (CAC/GL 36-1989).

Adopted at Step 8 & 5/8:

• Draft and proposed draft food additive provisions of the GSFA.

Adopted:

• Amendment to the Introduction of the List of Codex Specifications for Food Additives (CAC/MISC 6);

• Revised food additive provisions of the GSFA related to the alignment of the standards for frozen fish products and of the Standards for Certain Canned Citrus Fruits (CODEX STAN 254-2007), Preserved Tomatoes (CODEX STAN 13-1981), Processed Tomato Concentrates (CODEX STAN 57-1981), and Table Olives (CODEX STAN 66-1981), and the EDTA provisions of the Standard for Canned Shrimps or Prawns (CODEX STAN 37-1981); and

• Revised food additive sections of the Standards for Preserved Tomatoes (CODEX STAN 13-1981), Processed Tomato Concentrates (CODEX STAN 57-1981), Quick Frozen Fin-Fish, Uneviscerated and Eviscerated (CODEX STAN 36-1981), Quick Frozen Shrimps or Prawns (CODEX STAN 92-1981), Quick Frozen Lobsters (CODEX STAN 95-1981), Quick Frozen Blocks of Fish Filets (CODEX STAN 190-1995), Quick Frozen Fish Fillet, Quick Frozen Fish Sticks (Fish Fingers), Fish Portions and Fish Fillets—Breaded and in Batter (CODEX STAN 166-1989), and Fresh and Quick Frozen Raw Scallop Products (CODEX STAN 315-2014).

The Committee will continue working on:

• Draft and proposed draft food additive provisions of the GSFA with an electronic working group (eWG) led by the United States);

• Proposals for additions and changes to the Priority List of Substances Proposed for Evaluation by JECFA:

○ The Committee noted that there are no specifications for sodium sorbate (INS 201). The Committee agreed that if a commitment is not made to provide sufficient data for the development of specifications at its next session (CCFA 50, 2018) sodium sorbate will be taken off of the priority list and existing adopted provisions for this additive in the GSFA and Codex Commodity Standards will be revoked.

• Alignment of the food additive provisions of commodity standards and relevant provisions of the GSFA; revised approach to listing commodity standards in Table 3 of the GSFA; and guidance for commodity committees in the alignment (eWG led by Australia and the United States);

• Revision of the Class Names and the International Numbering System for Food Additives (eWG led by Iran & Belgium);

• New or revised provisions of the GSFA with a physical working group (pWG) led by the United States;

• Discussion on the use of nitrates (INS 251, 252) and nitrites (INS 249, 250) (eWG led by the European Union and the Netherlands);

• Discussion paper on the use of the terms “unprocessed” and “plain” in the GSFA (Russian Federation); and

• Discussion paper on the “Future Strategies for CCFA” (Australia, Canada, China, Iran, and United States).

The Committee also agreed to hold a two-day physical Working Group on the GSFA immediately preceding the 50th Session of the CCFA in 2018, to be chaired by the United States. That group will discuss:

• The recommendations of the eWG on the GSFA on food additive provisions to be circulated for comment;

• New proposals and proposed revisions of food additive provisions in the GSFA; and

• Recommendations on the use of food additives in processed cheese.

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA.

The Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) is responsible for establishing maximum residue limits (MRLs)for pesticide residues in specific food items or in groups of food; establishing MRLs for pesticide residues in certain animal feeding stuffs moving in international trade where this is justified for reasons of protection of human health; preparing priority lists of pesticides for evaluation by the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR); considering methods of sampling and analysis for the determination of pesticide residues in food and feed; considering other matters in relation to the safety of food and feed containing pesticide residues; and establishing maximum limits for environmental and industrial contaminants showing chemical or other similarity to pesticides in specific food items or groups of food.

The 49th Session of the Committee met in Beijing, China, April 24-29, 2017. The relevant document is REP17/PR. The following items were considered at the 40th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in July 2017:

Adopted at Step 8 & 5/8:

• Draft and proposed draft Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides in food and feed;

• Draft and proposed draft Revision of the Classification of Food and Feed (Vegetable Commodity Groups);

• Proposed draft Table 2 with examples of representative commodities for vegetable commodity groups, for inclusion in the Principles and Guidance for the Selection of Representative Commodities for the Extrapolation of MRLs for Pesticides to Commodity Groups;

• Draft and proposed draft Revision of the Classification of Food and Feed (Grasses); and

• Proposed draft Table 3 with examples of representative commodities for grasses, for inclusion in the Principles and Guidance for the Selection of Representative Commodities for the Extrapolation of MRLs for Pesticides to Commodity Groups.

Adopted at Step 5:

• Proposed draft Revision of the Classification of Food and Feed (Seeds for Beverages and Sweets).

Adopted at Step 8:

• Draft Guidelines on Performance Criteria for Methods of Analysis for the Determination of Pesticide Residues in Food and Feed.

The Committee will continue working on:

• Draft MRLs for pesticides;

• Proposed draft MRLs for pesticides;

• Proposed draft and draft revisions of the Classification of Food and Feed for selected commodity groups, including seeds for beverages and sweets;

• Discussion paper on the possible review of the International Estimate of Short-Tern Intake (IESTI) Equations;

• Establishment Codex Schedules and Priority Lists of Pesticides;

• Information on National Registrations of Pesticides; and

• Discussion paper on the Establishment of a Codex Database of National Registrations of Pesticides.

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agencies: EPA; USDA/FSIS.

The Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) defines the criteria appropriate to Codex Methods of Analysis and Sampling; serves as a coordinating body for Codex with other international groups working on methods of analysis and sampling and quality assurance systems for laboratories; specifies, on the basis of final recommendations submitted to it by the bodies referred to above, reference methods of analysis and sampling appropriate to Codex standards which are generally applicable to a number of foods; considers, amends if necessary, and endorses as appropriate, methods of analysis and sampling proposed by Codex commodity committees, except for methods of analysis and sampling for residues of pesticides or veterinary drugs in food, the assessment of microbiological quality and safety in food, and the assessment of specifications for food additives; elaborates sampling plans and procedures, as may be required; considers specific sampling and analysis problems submitted to it by the Commission or any of its Committees; and defines procedures, protocols, guidelines or related texts for the assessment of food laboratory proficiency, as well as, quality assurance systems for laboratories.

The 38th Session of the Committee met in Budapest, Hungary, May 8-12, 2017. The relevant document is REP17/MAS. The following items were considered by the Commission at its 40th Session in July 2017:

Adopted:

• Methods of Analysis and Sampling in Codex Standards; and

• Amendment to the Procedural Manual to refer to the sum of components.

The Committee will continue working on:

• Criteria for endorsement of biological methods to detect chemicals of concern;

• Follow-up work on the review and update of Codex Stan 234-1999;

• Future Work on database for Codex Methods of Analysis and Sampling Plans;

• Information document on Practical Examples on the Selection of Appropriate Sampling Plans;

• Proposals to amend the Guidelines on Measurement Uncertainty; and

• Proposal to amend the General Guidelines on Sampling.

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.

The Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS) is responsible for developing principles and guidelines for food import and export inspection and certification systems, with a view to harmonizing methods and procedures that protect the health of consumers, ensure fair trading practices, and facilitate international trade in foodstuffs; developing principles and guidelines for the application of measures by the competent authorities of exporting and importing countries to provide assurance, where necessary, that foodstuffs comply with requirements, especially statutory health requirements; developing guidelines for the utilization, as and when appropriate, of quality assurance systems to ensure that foodstuffs conform with requirements and promote the recognition of these systems in facilitating trade in food products under bilateral/multilateral arrangements by countries; developing guidelines and criteria with respect to format, declarations, and language of such official certificates as countries may require with a view towards international harmonization; making recommendations for information exchange in relation to food import/export control; consulting as necessary with other international groups working on matters related to food inspection and certification systems; and considering other matters assigned to it by the Commission in relation to food inspection and certification systems.

The 23rd Session of the Committee convened in Mexico City, Mexico, May 1-5, 2017. The relevant document is REP17/FICS. There following items were considered by the Commission at its 40th Session in July 2017:

Adopted at Step 8:

• Draft Principles and Guidelines for Monitoring the Performance of National Food Control Systems.

The Committee will continue working on the following items:

• New work on guidance on the use of systems equivalence;

• New work on guidance on paperless use of electronic certificates (Revision of Guidelines for Design, Production, Issuance and Use of Generic Official Certificates);

• New work on guidance on regulatory approaches to third party assurance schemes in food safety and fair practices in the food trade;

• Discussion paper on food integrity and food authenticity;

• Discussion paper on consideration of emerging issues and future directions for the work of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems;

• Framework for the preliminary assessment and identification of priority areas for CCFICs; and

• Inter-sessional physical working groups: trial broadcast via Webinar.

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agencies: USDA/FSIS; HHS/FDA.

The Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL) drafts provisions on labeling applicable to all foods; considers, amends, and endorses draft specific provisions on labeling prepared by the Codex Committees drafting standards, codes of practice, guidelines; and studies specific labeling problems assigned by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The Committee also studies problems associated with the advertisement of food with particular reference to claims and misleading descriptions.

The Committee will convene its 44th Session in Asuncion, Paraguay, October 16-20, 2017. The Committee will continue to discuss the following items:

• Revision of the General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods (GSLPF): Date Marking (proposed draft);

• Guidance for the labelling of non-retail containers;

• Consumer preference claims (discussion paper);

• Front-of-pack labelling (discussion paper); and

• Future work (discussion paper).

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS.

The Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH):

• Develops basic provisions on food hygiene, applicable to all food or to specific food types;

• Considers and amends or endorses provisions on food hygiene contained in Codex commodity standards and codes of practice developed by other Codex commodity committees;

• Considers specific food hygiene problems assigned to it by the Commission;

• Suggests and prioritizes areas where there is a need for microbiological risk assessment at the international level and develops questions to be addressed by the risk assessors; and

• Considers microbiological risk management matters in relation to food hygiene and in relation to the FAO/WHO risk assessments.

The Committee convened for its 48th Session in Los Angeles, CA, November 7-11, 2016. The relevant document is REP 17/FH. The following items were considered by the 40th Session of the Commission in July 2017:

Adopted at Step 5/8:

• Proposed draft Revision of the Code of Hygienic Practice for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.

Endorsed with modifications:

• Proposed draft Regional Code of Hygienic Practice for Street-Vended Foods in Asia.

The Committee will continue working on:

• Proposed draft Revision of the General Principles of Food Hygiene and its HACCP Annex;

• Proposed draft Guidance on Histamine Control;

• New work proposals/forward work plan; and

• Discussion paper on future work on Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC).

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS.

The Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CCFFV) is responsible for elaborating worldwide standards and codes of practice, as may be appropriate for fresh fruits and vegetables; for consulting as necessary, with other international organizations in the standards development process to avoid duplication.

The Committee will convene its 20th Session in Kampala, Uganda, October 2-6, 2017.

The committee will continue to discuss the following items:

• Matters arising from the Codex Alimentarius Commission and other Committees;

• Matters arising from other international organizations on the standardization of fresh fruits and vegetables;

• Draft Standard for Aubergines;

• Draft Standard for Garlic;

• Draft Standard for Kiwifruit;

• Draft Standard for Ware Potatoes;

• Draft Standard for Fresh Dates;

• Proposals for new work on Codex standards for fresh fruits and vegetables;

• Proposed layout for Codex standard for fresh fruits and vegetables (outstanding issues);

• Discussion paper on glossary of terms used in the layout for Codex standards for fresh fruits and vegetables; and

• Other Business.

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agencies: USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS); HHS/FDA.

The Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) is responsible for studying nutrition issues referred to it by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The Committee also drafts general provisions, as appropriate, on nutritional aspects of all foods and develops standards, guidelines, or related texts for foods for special dietary uses in cooperation with other committees where necessary; considers, amends if necessary, and endorses provisions on nutritional aspects proposed for inclusion in Codex standards, guidelines, and related texts.

The Committee convened for its 38th Session in Hamburg, Germany, December 5-9, 2016. The reference document is REP 17/NFSDU. The following items were considered by the Commission at its 40th Session in July 2017:

Adopted:

• Proposed amendments to section 6, paragraph 33 of the nutritional risk analysis principles in the Codex Procedural Manual to refer to the Joint Expert Meeting on Nutrition (JEMNU) as a primary source of scientific advice to the Committee;

• Editorial amendments to the Guidelines on Nutrition Labelling;

• Editorial amendments to various CCNFSDU standards with respect to flavoring; and

• Nutrient Reference Values-Requirements (NRV-R) for Vitamins D and E and the conversion factors for Vitamin E equivalents.

The Committee will continue working on:

• NRV-R's for older infants and young children;

• Revision of the Codex Standard for Follow-Up Formula (Section A: proposed draft essential composition and quality factors; Section B: certain essential composition and quality factors—young children);

• Review of other sections of the Standard for Follow-up Formula;

• Proposed draft Definition for Bio-fortification;

• Proposed draft Nutrient Reference Values-Non-Communicable Diseases (NRV-NCD) for EPA and DHA long chain omega-3 fatty acids;

• Proposed draft Guidelines for Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods;

• Claim for “free” of trans fatty acids;

• Mechanism/framework for considering technological justification/consider or confirm technological justification for certain food additives;

• Methods of analysis for provisions in the standard for infant formula and formulas for special medical purposes intended for infants; and

• Consideration of possible Guidance on Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score for protein quality assessment.

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

The Ad hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance (TFAMR) is responsible for (1) reviewing and revising, as appropriate, the Code of Practice to Minimize and Contain Antimicrobial Resistance (CAC/RCP 61-2005) to address the entire food chain, in line with the mandate of Codex; and (2) considering the development of Guidance on Integrated Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance, taking into account the guidance developed by the WHO Advisory Group on Integrated Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (AGISAR) and relevant World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) documents. The objective of the Task Force is to develop science-based guidance on the management of foodborne antimicrobial resistance, taking full account of the WHO Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, in particular objectives 3 and 4, the work and standards of relevant international organizations, such as FAO, WHO, and OIE, and the One-Health approach, to ensure members have the necessary guidance to enable coherent management of antimicrobial resistance along the food chain. The Task Force is expected to complete its work within three (or a maximum of four) sessions.

The Task force will convene for its 1st Session in the Republic of Korea, November 27—December 1, 2017.

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agencies: FDA/USDA.

The Codex Committee on Fats and Oils (CCFO) is responsible for elaborating worldwide standards for fats and oils of animal, vegetable, and marine origin, including margarine and olive oil.

The Committee convened for its 25th Session in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, February 27-March 3, 2017. The relevant document is REP17/FO-Rev. The following items were considered by the Commission at its 40th Session in July 2017:

Adopted at Step 8:

• Draft Standard for Fish Oils.

Adopted at Step 5/8:

• Proposed draft Revision to the Standard for Olive Oils and Olive Pomace Oils (Codex Stan 210-1999): Revision of the Limits for Campesterol; and

• Proposed draft Revision to the Standard for Named Vegetable Oils: Revision of Quality Parameters for Peanut Oil.

Adopted at Step 5:

• Proposed draft Revision to the Standard for Named Vegetable Oils: Addition of Palm Oil with High Oleic Acid.

Adopted:

• Amendment to the Sections on Flavourings of Codex Standard 19-1981 (Section 3.3), Codex Stan 210-1999 (Section 4.1), and Codex Stan 256-2007; and

• Amendment to Section 2 in the Appendix of the Standard for Named Vegetable Oils: fatty acid range of crude rice bran oil.

Approved as new work:

• Revision of the Standard for Named Vegetable Oils: Essential composition of sunflower seed oils;

• Revision of the Standard for Named Vegetable Oils: Inclusion of walnut oil, almond oil, hazelnut oil, pistachio oil, flaxseed oil, and avocado oil;

• Revision of the Standard for Named Vegetable Oils: Replacement of acid value with free fatty acids for virgin palm oil and inclusion of free fatty acids for crude palm kernel oil; and

• Revision of the Standard for Olive Oils and Pomace Olive Oils (Codex Stan 33-1981).

The Committee will continue working on:

• Gathering information on technical difficulties in the implementation of the fish oil standard, specifically on monitoring its application with respect to the conformity of named fish oils with the requirements (especially the fatty acid profile) and its effect on trade;

• Alignment of food additives provisions in standards for fats and oils (except fish oils) and technological justification for use of emulsifiers;

• Considering proposals for new substances to be added to the list of acceptable previous cargoes;

• Providing relevant information (if available from Member countries) to JECFA on the 23 substances on the list of acceptable previous cargoes currently on the list; and

• Discussion paper on the applicability of the fatty acid composition of all oils listed in Table 1 in relation to the fatty acid composition of corresponding crude (unrefined) form in the Standard for Named Vegetable Oils.

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

The Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables (CCPFV) is responsible for elaborating worldwide standards and related texts for all types of processed fruits and vegetables including, but not limited to canned, dried, and frozen products, as well as fruit and vegetable juices and nectars.

The Committee convened for its 28th Session in Washington, DC, September 12-16, 2016. The relevant document is REP17/PFV. The following items were considered for adoption by the 40th Session of the Commission in July 2017:

Adopted at Step 5/8:

• Annex on Canned Pineapples, for inclusion on the Standard for Certain Canned Fruits; and

• Annexes for Certain Quick Frozen Vegetables, for inclusion in the Standard for Quick Frozen Vegetables.

Adopted:

• Amendment to the Scope of the Standard for Certain Canned Fruits;

• Amendments to the food additive provisions in Codex standards for processed fruits and vegetables (subject to endorsement by CCFA);

• Standard for Canned Chestnuts and Canned Chestnut Puree;

• Standard for Pickled Fruits and Vegetables;

• Standard for Jams, Jellies, and Marmalades;

• Standard for Canned Applesauce;

• Standard for Canned Fruit Cocktail;

• Standard for Canned Tropical Fruit Salad;

• Standard Pickled Cucumbers;

• Standard for Kimchi; and

• Standard for Canned Stone Fruits.

Proposals for new work were received by CCEXEC and approved by CAC for cashew kernels, chili sauce, mango chutney, dried sweet potato, gochujang, dried fruits, and canned mixed fruits.

The Commission authorized CCPFV to work by correspondence until CAC 41 (2018) to prioritize the proposals for new work, prepare a work plan, and prepare recommendations on the establishment of electronic working groups.

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agencies: USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service; HHS/FDA.

The Codex Committee on Sugars (CCS) elaborates worldwide standards for all types of sugars and sugar products.

The Committee has been re-activated electronically to work by correspondence on a draft Standard for Non-Centrifuged Dehydrated Sugar Cane Juice.

The following was considered by the Commission at its 40th Session in July 2017.

• Draft Standard for Non-Centrifuged Dehydrated Sugar Cane Juice (scope and definition of the product).

The Commission agreed to extend the work on development of this standard for one year.

Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA.

U.S. Participation: Yes.

The Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes (CCCPL) elaborates worldwide standards and/or codes of practice, as appropriate, for cereals pulses and legumes and their products.

The Committee has been reactivated to work by correspondence to draft an international Codex Standard for Quinoa. The following item was considered by the Commission at its 40th Session in July 2017:

Adopted at Step 5:

• Standard for Quinoa

The Commission agreed to establish an eWG chaired by the Plurinational State of Bolivia and co-chaired by the United States and to continue the work to address the outstanding issues.

The Commission also requested that the CCCF consider including quinoa in the MLs for lead and cadmium in cereals in the GSCTFF, in accordance with the recommendations of the 73rd session of CCEXEC.

No additional work is ongoing in this Committee. It will again be adjourned sine die once the work on the international Codex Standard for Quinoa is completed.

Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA.

U.S. Participation: Yes.

The Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products (CCMMP) elaborates worldwide standards, codes and related texts for milk and milk products. The Committee was reactivated to work by correspondence on a general standard for processed cheese and a Draft Standard for Dairy Permeate Powders. Consensus has not been reached on the general standard for processed cheese. In 2016, the Commission agreed to discuss this item at the Commission session in 2017, noting the offer of New Zealand as host country of CCMMP to collate any substantial new ideas provided by members in the interim. No new proposals were received, and the Commission discontinues work on this standard at its 2017 session. The draft Standard for Dairy Permeate Powders was adopted by the Commission at Step 8 at its 2017 session.

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agencies: USDA/AMS.

Several Codex Alimentarius Commodity Committees have adjourned sine die. The following Committees fall into this category:

• Cocoa Products and Chocolate—adjourned 2001

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA.

• Fish and Fishery Products—adjourned 2016

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA/NOAA.

• Meat Hygiene—adjourned 2003

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS.

• Natural Mineral Waters—adjourned 2008

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA.

• Vegetable Proteins—adjourned 1989

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agency: USDA/ARS.

The FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating Committees define the problems and needs of the regions concerning food standards and food control; promote within the Committee contacts for the mutual exchange of information on proposed regulatory initiatives and problems arising from food control and stimulate the strengthening of food control infrastructures; recommend to the Commission the development of worldwide standards for products of interest to the region, including products considered by the Committees to have an international market potential in the future; develop regional standards for food products moving exclusively or almost exclusively in intra-regional trade; draw the attention of the Commission to any aspects of the Commission's work of particular significance to the region; promote coordination of all regional food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations within each region; exercise a general coordinating role for the region and such other functions as may be entrusted to them by the Commission; and promote the use of Codex standards and related texts by members.

There are six regional coordinating committees:

The Committee (CCAFRICA) convened its 22nd Session January 16-20, 2017, in Nairobi, Kenya. The relevant document is REP 17/Africa. The following items were considered by the 40th Session of the Commission in July 2017.

Adopted at Step 5/8:

• Proposed draft Regional Standard for Unrefined Shea Butter.

Adopted at Step 5:

• Proposed draft Regional Standard for Fermented Cooked Cassava Based Products; and

• Proposed draft Regional Standard for Gnetum Spp leaves.

The Committee will continue to work on the following items:

• Proposed draft Regional Standard for Unrefined Shea Butter;

• Proposed draft Regional Standard for Fermented Cooked Cassava Based Products;

• Proposed draft Regional Standard for Gnetum Spp leaves;

• Priority Setting criteria for the establishment of work priorities as laid down in the Codex Procedural Manual;

• Comments on the preparation of the new global Codex Strategic Plan;

• Food quality and safety situation in countries of the Region (on-line platform, prioritization of needs in the region and comments for future consideration);

• Use of Codex Standards in the Region;

• Proposed draft Standard on Dried Meat;

• Discussion paper and project document on a Harmonized Food Law; and

• Discussion paper/project on a Regional Standard for a Fermented Non-Alcoholic Cereal Based Drink (Mahewu).

U.S. Participation: Yes (as observer).

Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.

The Committee (CCASIA) convened its 20th Session in New Delhi, India, September 26-30, 2016. The relevant document is REP 17/Asia. The following items were considered by the 40th Session of the Commission in July 2017.

Adopted at Step 5/8:

• Proposed draft Regional Standard for Laver Products; and

• Proposed draft Regional Code of Hygienic Practice for Street-Vended Foods in Asia.

Adopted:

• Amendments to the CCASIA Regional Standards.

The committee will continue to work on the following items:

• Report on the status of the Implementation of the Activities of the Strategic Plan Relevant to CCASIA;

• Discussion paper and project document on the Development of a Regional Standard for Rice Based Low Alcohol Beverages (cloudy types);

• Discussion paper and project document on the Development of a Regional Standard for Soybean Products Fermented with the Bacterium Bacillus Subtilis;

• Discussion paper and project document on the Development of a Regional Standard for Quick Frozen Dumpling (Jiaozi);

• Discussion paper and the project document on the Development of a Regional Standard/Code of Practice for Zongzi;

• Emerging Issues as priorities for the CCASIA region; and

• Information sharing on the Food Safety Control Systems.

U.S. Participation: Yes (as observer).

Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.

The Committee (CCEUROPE) convened its 30th Session in Astana, Kazakhstan, October 3-7, 2016. The relevant document is REP 17/EURO.

The Committee will continue to work on the following items:

• Survey on critical and emerging issues;

• On-line Platform and information sharing on the Food Safety Control Systems;

• Survey on the use of Codex Standards;

• Relevant languages of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in the work of CCEUROPE; and

• Consider funding translation and interpretation services into Russian for the effective operation of CCEUROPE.

U.S. Participation: Yes (as observer).

Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.

The Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean (CCLAC) convened its 20th Session in Vina del Mar, Chile, November 21-25, 2016. The relevant document is REP 17/LAC. The following item was considered by the 40th Session of the Commission in July 2017.

Adopted:

• Proposed draft Regional Standard for Yacon.

The Committee will continue to work on the following items:

• Monitoring of the Strategic Plan for the CCLA;

• Critical and Emerging Issues and prioritization of CCLAC issues within the framework of Codex Mandate;

• Comments on the Food Safety Control Systems Platform;

• Cross-cutting topics for the region and proposed draft standards and discussions seeking regional support; and

• Proposal for the Development of a Standard for Yams.

U.S. Participation: Yes (as observer).

Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.

The Coordinating Committee for the Near East (CCNEA) held its 9th Session at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, May 15-19, 2017. The relevant document is REP 17/NE.

The Committee forwarded the following items to the 40th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission for consideration:

• Proposed draft Regional Standard for Doogh for adoption at step 5/8 and endorsement by the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA) and the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL) of the relevant provisions within the draft standard;

• Proposed draft Regional Standard for Zaatar for adoption at step 5.

U.S. Participation: No.

Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.

The Committee (CCNASWP) convened its 14th Session in Port Vila, Vanuatu, September 19-22, 2016. The relevant document is REP 17/NASWP. The following items were considered by the 40th Session of the Commission in July 2017.

The Committee will continue to work on the following items:

• New work on the development of a Regional Standard for Kava as a beverage when mixed with cold water;

• Recommendation that Vanuatu be re-appointed as Coordinator for North America and the South West Pacific;

• Proposed draft Regional Standard for Fermented Noni-Juice;

• Development of on-line platform for information on sharing food quality and safety systems.

U.S. Participation: Yes.

Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.

Contact:

Delegate Note: A member of the Steering Committee heads the delegation to meetings of the General Principles Committee.

The Department's procedures for the conduct of Sunset Reviews are set forth in its Procedures for Conducting Five-Year (“Sunset”) Reviews of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders, 63 FR 13516 (March 20, 1998) and 70 FR 62061 (October 28, 2005). Guidance on methodological or analytical issues relevant to the Department's conduct of Sunset Reviews is set forth in Antidumping Proceedings: Calculation of the Weighted-Average Dumping Margin and Assessment Rate in Certain Antidumping Duty Proceedings; Final Modification, 77 FR 8101 (February 14, 2012).

In accordance with section 751(c) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218(c), we are initiating Sunset Reviews of the following AD and CVD order(s):

As a courtesy, we are making information related to sunset proceedings, including copies of the pertinent statute and Department's regulations, the Department's schedule for Sunset Reviews, a listing of past revocations and continuations, and current service lists, available to the public on the Department's Web site at the following address: http://enforcement.trade.gov/sunset/. All submissions in these Sunset Reviews must be filed in accordance with the Department's regulations regarding format, translation, and service of documents. These rules, including electronic filing requirements via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS), can be found at 19 CFR 351.303.1

This notice serves as a reminder that any party submitting factual information in an AD/CVD proceeding must certify to the accuracy and completeness of that information.2 Parties are hereby reminded that revised certification requirements are in effect for company/government officials as well as their representatives in these segments.3 The formats for the revised certifications are provided at the end of the Final Rule. The Department intends to reject factual submissions if the submitting party does not comply with the revised certification requirements.

On April 10, 2013, the Department modified two regulations related to AD/CVD proceedings: The definition of factual information (19 CFR 351.102(b)(21)), and the time limits for the submission of factual information (19 CFR 351.301).4 Parties are advised to review the final rule, available at http://enforcement.trade.gov/frn/2013/1304frn/2013-08227.txt, prior to submitting factual information in these segments. To the extent that other regulations govern the submission of factual information in a segment (such as 19 CFR 351.218), these time limits will continue to be applied. Parties are also advised to review the final rule concerning the extension of time limits for submissions in AD/CVD proceedings, available at http://enforcement.trade.gov/frn/2013/1309frn/2013-22853.txt, prior to submitting factual information in these segments.5

Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.103(d), the Department will maintain and make available a public service list for these proceedings. Parties wishing to participate in any of these five-year reviews must file letters of appearance as discussed at 19 CFR 351.103(d)). To facilitate the timely preparation of the public service list, it is requested that those seeking recognition as interested parties to a proceeding submit an entry of appearance within 10 days of the publication of the Notice of Initiation.

Because deadlines in Sunset Reviews can be very short, we urge interested parties who want access to proprietary information under administrative protective order (APO) to file an APO application immediately following publication in the Federal Register of this notice of initiation. The Department's regulations on submission of proprietary information and eligibility to receive access to business proprietary information under APO can be found at 19 CFR 351.304-306.

Domestic interested parties, as defined in section 771(9)(C), (D), (E), (F), and (G) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.102(b), wishing to participate in a Sunset Review must respond not later than 15 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register of this notice of initiation by filing a notice of intent to participate. The required contents of the notice of intent to participate are set forth at 19 CFR 351.218(d)(1)(ii). In accordance with the Department's regulations, if we do not receive a notice of intent to participate from at least one domestic interested party by the 15-day deadline, the Department will automatically revoke the order without further review.6

If we receive an order-specific notice of intent to participate from a domestic interested party, the Department's regulations provide that all parties wishing to participate in a Sunset Review must file complete substantive responses not later than 30 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register of this notice of initiation. The required contents of a substantive response, on an order-specific basis, are set forth at 19 CFR 351.218(d)(3). Note that certain information requirements differ for respondent and domestic parties. Also, note that the Department's information requirements are distinct from the Commission's information requirements. Consult the Department's regulations for information regarding the Department's conduct of Sunset Reviews. Consult the Department's regulations at 19 CFR part 351 for definitions of terms and for other general information concerning antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings at the Department.

This notice of initiation is being published in accordance with section 751(c) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218(c).

I. Abstract

The President's Proclamation on Steel Safeguards mandated that the Departments of Commerce and Treasury institute an import licensing system to facilitate the monitoring of certain steel imports in 2002.

Regulations were established that implemented the Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) System and expanded on the licensing system in 2006 for steel that was part of those safeguards. The import license information is necessary to assess import trends of steel products.

In order to effectively monitor steel imports, Commerce must collect and provide timely aggregated summaries about the imports. The Steel Import License is the tool used to collect the necessary information. The Census Bureau currently collects import data and disseminates aggregate information about steel imports. However, the time required to collect, process, and disseminate this information through Census can take up to 90 days after importation of the product, giving interested parties and the public far less time to respond to injurious sales.

The license application can be submitted electronically via the Commerce Web site (http://enforcement.trade.gov/steel/license/) or completed electronically and emailed or faxed to the Department.

OMB Control Number: 0625-0245.

Form Number(s): ITA-4141P.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,500.

Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 92,878.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: 0.

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Background

On March 3, 2017, the Department published the Preliminary Results of the administrative review.1 The period of review is February 1, 2015, through January 31, 2016. We invited interested parties to comment on the Preliminary Results and received case and rebuttal briefs from interested parties.2

The Department conducted this review in accordance with section 751 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act).

The products covered by the antidumping duty order are certain CTL plate. Imports of CTL plate are currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under subheadings 7208.40.30.30, 7208.40.30.60, 7208.51.00.30, 7208.51.00.45, 7208.51.00.60, 7208.52.00.00, 7208.53.00.00, 7208.90.00.00, 7210.70.30.00, 7210.90.90.00, 7211.13.00.00, 7211.14.00.30, 7211.14.00.45, 7211.90.00.00, 7212.40.10.00, 7212.40.50.00, 7212.50.00.00, 7225.40.30.50, 7225.40.70.00, 7225.50.60.00, 7225.99.00.90, 7226.91.50.00, 7226.91.70.00, 7226.91.80.00, and 7226.99.00.00. While the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description is dispositive. A full description of the scope of the order is contained in the Issues and Decision Memorandum.3

All issues raised in the case and rebuttal briefs by parties in this review are addressed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum, which is hereby adopted by this notice. A list of the issues raised is attached in the Appendix to this notice. The Issues and Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at https://access.trade.gov and to all parties in the Central Records Unit, room B-8024 of the main Department of Commerce building. In addition, a complete version of the Issues and Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at http://enforcement.trade.gov/frn/index.html.

We preliminarily found that Daewoo International Corp., GS Global Corp., Hyosung Corporation, Hyundai Glovis Co., Ltd., Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd., Samsung C&T Corporation, Samsung Heavy Industries, and SK Networks Co., Ltd. did not have any reviewable entries of subject merchandise during the POR.4 After the Preliminary Results, we received no comments or additional information with respect to these eight companies.5 Therefore, for the final results, we continue to find that these eight companies did not have any reviewable entries of subject merchandise during the POR. Consistent with our practice, we will issue appropriate instructions to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) based on our final results.

Based on our analysis of comments received, we revised the preliminary margin calculations for Dongkuk Steel Mill Co., Ltd. (DSM) and Hyundai Steel Company (Hyundai Steel). These revisions resulted in changes to the margins for DSM and the respondents not selected for individual examination, but no changes to the margin for Hyundai Steel, for the final results of this review.6

We determine that the following weighted-average dumping margins exist for the respondents for the period February 1, 2015, through January 31, 2016.

We intend to disclose the calculations performed to parties in this proceeding within five days after public announcement of the final results in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).

Pursuant to section 751(a)(2)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.212(b)(1), the Department will determine, and CBP shall assess, antidumping duties on all appropriate entries of subject merchandise in accordance with the final results of this review.

For DSM and Hyundai Steel, we calculated importer-specific assessment rates on the basis of the ratio of the total amount of antidumping duties calculated for each importer's examined sales and the total entered value of the sales in accordance with 19 CFR 351.212(b)(1).7 For entries of subject merchandise during the period of review produced by DSM or Hyundai Steel for which it did not know its merchandise was destined for the United States, we will instruct CBP to liquidate unreviewed entries at the all-others rate if there is no rate for the intermediate company(ies) involved in the transaction. For the companies which were not selected for individual examination, BDP International, Bookuk Steel Co., Ltd., Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction Group, Samsung C&T Trading and Investment Group, and Sung Jin Steel Co., Ltd., we will instruct CBP to apply the rates listed above to all entries of subject merchandise produced and/or exported by these firms. For the eight companies that we determined had no reviewable entries of the subject merchandise in this review period, we will instruct CBP to liquidate any applicable entries of subject merchandise at the all-others rate. We intend to issue liquidation instructions to CBP 15 days after publication of the final results of these reviews.

The following deposit requirements will be applicable upon publication of this notice for all shipments of CTL plate from Korea entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date of publication, as provided by section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act: (1) The cash deposit rate for the companies listed above will be equal to the weighted-average dumping margins established in the final results of this administrative review; (2) for merchandise exported by producers or exporters not covered in this review but covered in a prior completed segment of the proceeding, the cash deposit rate will continue to be the company-specific rate published for the most recent period; (3) if the exporter is not a firm covered in this review, a prior review, or the original investigation but the producer has been covered in a prior complete segment of this proceeding, the cash deposit rate will be the rate established for the most recent period for the producer of the merchandise; (4) the cash deposit rate for all other manufacturers or exporters will continue to be 0.98 percent,8 the all-others rate determined in the less-than-fair-value (LTFV) investigation, adjusted for the export-subsidy rate in the companion countervailing duty investigation. These cash deposit requirements, when imposed, shall remain in effect until further notice.

This notice serves as a final reminder to importers of their responsibility under 19 CFR 351.402(f)(2) to file a certificate regarding the reimbursement of antidumping duties prior to liquidation of the relevant entries during this review period. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in the Secretary's presumption that reimbursement of antidumping duties occurred and the subsequent assessment of double antidumping duties.

This notice also serves as a reminder to parties subject to administrative protective order (APO) of their responsibility concerning the disposition of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Timely written notification of the return or destruction of APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and the terms of an APO is a violation subject to sanction.

This notice is published in accordance with sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.221(b)(5).

Background

These preliminary results of review are made in accordance with section 733(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). On October 14, 2016, the Department published the notice of initiation for the administrative review.1 For a complete description of the events that followed the initiation of the review, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.2 A list of topics included in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum is included as Appendix II to this notice. The Preliminary Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at https://access.trade.gov and to all parties in the Central Records Unit, located in room B8094 of the main Department of Commerce building. In addition, a complete version of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at http://enforcement.trade.gov/frn/. The signed and the electronic versions of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum are identical in content.

The products covered by the scope of the order are LWRPT from Mexico. For a complete description of the scope, see Appendix I of this notice.

The Department is conducting this review in accordance with section 751(a)(1)(B) of the Act. For a full description of the methodology underlying the preliminary results, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.

We preliminarily determine that, for the period August 1, 2015, through July 31, 2016, the following weighted-average dumping margin exists: 3

The Department will disclose to parties to the proceeding any calculations performed in connection with these preliminary results of review within five days after the date of publication of this notice.4 Interested parties may submit case briefs not later than 30 days after the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register.5 Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in the case briefs, may be filed not later than five days after the date for filing case briefs.6 Parties who submit case briefs or rebuttal briefs in this proceeding are encouraged to submit with each argument: (1) A statement of the issue; (2) a brief summary of the argument; and (3) a table of authorities.7 Case and rebuttal briefs should be filed using ACCESS.8

Interested parties who wish to request a hearing must submit a written request to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice.9 Requests should contain: (1) The party's name, address and telephone number; (2) the number of participants; and (3) a list of issues parties intend to discuss. Issues raised in the hearing will be limited to those raised in the respective case and rebuttal briefs. If a request for a hearing is made, the Department intends to hold the hearing at the U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230, at a date and time to be determined.10 Parties should confirm by telephone the date, time, and location of the hearing two days before the scheduled date.

Unless extended, the Department intends to issue the final results of this administrative review, which will include the results of our analysis of all issues raised in the case briefs, within 120 days of publication of these preliminary results in the Federal Register, pursuant to section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act.

Upon issuance of the final results, the Department will determine, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shall assess, antidumping duties on all appropriate entries covered by this review.11 If a respondent's weighted-average dumping margin is not zero or de minimis in the final results of this review and the respondent reported reliable entered values, we will calculate importer-specific ad valorem assessment rates for the merchandise based on the ratio of the total amount of dumping calculated for the examined sales made during the period of review to each importer to the total entered value of those same sales in accordance with 19 CFR 351.212(b)(1). If the respondent has not reported reliable entered values, we will calculate a per-unit assessment rate for each importer by dividing the total amount of dumping for the examined sales made during the period of review to that importer by the total sales quantity associated with those transactions. Where an importer-specific ad valorem assessment rate is zero or de minimis, we will instruct CBP to liquidate the appropriate entries without regard to antidumping duties in accordance with 19 CFR 351.106(c)(2). If the respondent's weighted-average dumping margin is zero or de minimis in the final results of review, we will instruct CBP not to assess duties on any of its entries in accordance with the Final Modification for Reviews, i.e., “{w}here the weighted-average margin of dumping for the exporter is determined to be zero or de minimis, no antidumping duties will be assessed.” 12

Regarding entries of subject merchandise during the period of review that were produced by Prolamsa and for which they did not know that the merchandise was destined for the United States, we will instruct CBP to liquidate un-reviewed entries at the all-others rate of 3.76 percent, as established in the less-than-fair-value investigation of the order, if there is no rate for the intermediate company(ies) involved in the transaction.13 For a full discussion of this matter, see Assessment Policy Notice. 14

We intend to issue liquidation instructions to CBP 15 days after publication of the final results of this review.

The following cash deposit requirements will be effective upon publication of the final results of this administrative review for all shipments of the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the publication date of the final results of this administrative review, as provided by section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act: (1) The cash deposit rate for Prolamsa will be equal to the weighted-average dumping margin established in the final results of this administrative review; (2) for previously reviewed or investigated companies not listed above, the cash deposit rate will continue to be the company-specific rate published for the most recently completed segment of this proceeding in which they were reviewed; (3) if the exporter is not a firm covered in this review, a prior review, or in the investigation but the producer is, the cash deposit rate will be the rate established for the most recently completed segment of this proceeding for the producer of the merchandise; and (4) the cash deposit rate for all other producers or exporters will continue to be the all-others rate of 3.76 percent. These cash deposit requirements, when imposed, shall remain in effect until further notice.

This notice also serves as a reminder to importers of their responsibility under 19 CFR 351.402(f)(2) to file a certificate regarding the reimbursement of antidumping duties prior to liquidation of the relevant entries during this review period. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in the Department's presumption that reimbursement of antidumping duties occurred and the subsequent assessment of double antidumping duties.

We are issuing and publishing this notice in accordance with sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Spiny Dogfish Monitoring Committee will hold a public meeting to review 2018 specifications and management measures and make any appropriate recommendations. Spiny dogfish is in multi-year specifications for 2016-18 but the specifications are reviewed annually. Public comment will be taken.

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aid should be directed to M. Jan Saunders, (302) 526-5251, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

Public comment periods will be provided in the agenda. The order in which agenda items are addressed may change. The meetings will run as late as necessary to complete scheduled business.

These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Kitty M. Simonds, (808) 522-8220 (voice) or (808) 522-8226 (fax), at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., EDT 1. Adoption of Agenda 2. Overview and Discussion of Reef Fish Amendment 42 3. Referendum Eligibility Requirements 4. Other Business —Meeting Adjourns—

You may register for Ad Hoc Reef Fish Headboat Advisory Panel meeting on September 20, 2017 at: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3170928147750540802 The Agenda is subject to change, and the latest version along with other meeting materials will be posted on the Council's file server. To access the file server, the URL is https://public.gulfcouncil.org:5001/webman/index.cgi, or go to the Council's Web site and click on the FTP link in the lower left of the Council Web site (http://www.gulfcouncil.org). The username and password are both “gulfguest”. Click on the “Library Folder”, then scroll down to “AP Meeting_Ad Hoc Reef Fish Headboat-2017-09”.

The meeting will be webcast over the internet. A link to the webcast will be available on the Council's Web site, http://www.gulfcouncil.org.

Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the Advisory Panel for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Actions of the Advisory Panel will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agenda and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take action to address the emergency.

This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Kathy Pereira at the Gulf Council Office (see ADDRESSES), at least 5 working days prior to the meeting.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., EDT: 1. Adoption of Agenda 2. Summary and Discussion of Actions within Reef Fish Amendment 41 3. Referendum Eligibility Requirements Process 4. Other Business —Meeting Adjourns—

You may register for Ad Hoc Red Snapper Charter For-Hire Advisory Panel meeting on September 19, 2017 at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6575211860414571778.

The Agenda is subject to change, and the latest version along with other meeting materials will be posted on the Council's file server. To access the file server, the URL is https://public.gulfcouncil.org:5001/webman/index.cgi, or go to the Council's Web site and click on the FTP link in the lower left of the Council Web site (http://www.gulfcouncil.org). The username and password are both “gulfguest”. Click on the “Library Folder”, then scroll down to “AP Meeting_Ad Hoc Red Snapper CFH-2017-09”.

The meeting will be webcast over the Internet. A link to the webcast will be available on the Council's Web site, http://www.gulfcouncil.org.

Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the Advisory Panel for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Actions of the Advisory Panel will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agenda and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take action to address the emergency.

This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Kathy Pereira at the Gulf Council Office (see ADDRESSES), at least 5 working days prior to the meeting.

Notice is hereby given of a meeting of MAFAC's CBP Task Force. The MAFAC was established by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) and, since 1971, advises the Secretary on all living marine resource matters that are the responsibility of the Department of Commerce. The complete MAFAC charter and summaries of prior MAFAC meetings are located online at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ocs/mafac/. The CBP Task Force reports to MAFAC and is being convened to discuss and develop recommendations for long-term goals to meet Columbia Basin salmon recovery, conservation needs, and harvest opportunities. These goals will be developed in the context of habitat capacity and other factors that affect salmon mortality. More information is available at the CBP Task Force Web page: http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/columbia_river/index.html.

The meeting time and agenda are subject to change. Updated information will be available on the CBP Task Force Web page above. Meeting topics include progress reports on applying the analytical framework to example species as prototypes and updates on quantitative goal setting, guiding principles, and vision. The meeting is open to the public as observers, and public input will be accepted on September 27, 2017, from 1:00-1:30 p.m., limited to the time available.

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Katherine Cheney; 503-231-6730, by Sept. 15, 2017.

Title of Collection: Student Loan Servicing Market Monitoring.

OMB Control Number: 3170-XXXX.

Type of Review: New Collection (Request for a New OMB Control Number).

Affected Public: Businesses and other for-profit institutions.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 10.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,200.

Abstract: The Bureau will require quarterly data collection on aggregated student loan servicing metrics and borrower outcomes from student loan servicers. The order is intended to help the Bureau carry out its market monitoring goals and is pursuant to the Bureau's market monitoring authority under Section 1022(c)(4) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street and Consumer Protection Act.

Request for comments: The Bureau issued a 60-day Federal Register notice on February 23, 2017, 82 FR 11440, Docket Number: CFPB-2017-0002. Comments were solicited and continue to be invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Bureau, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) The accuracy of the Bureau's estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methods and the assumptions used; (c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be reviewed by OMB as part of its review of this request. All comments will become a matter of public record.

The following patents are available for licensing: Patent No. 9,685,231 (Navy Case No. 103033): IRREPRODUCIBLE AND RE-EMERGENT UNIQUE STRUCTURE OR PATTERN IDENTIFIER MANUFACTURING AND DETECTION METHOD, SYSTEM, AND APPARATUS//Patent No. 9,684,025 (Navy Case No. 103032): DUT CONTINUITY TEST WITH ONLY DIGITAL IO STRUCTURES APPARATUS AND METHODS ASSOCIATED THEREOF//Patent No. 9,683,514 (Navy Case No. 102781): HIGH EFFICIENCY COMBUSTOR AND CLOSED-CYCLE HEAT ENGINE INTERFACE//Patent No. 9,669,539 (Navy Case No. 103113): MAGNETIC DRILL SYSTEM//and Patent No. 9,680,561 (Navy Case No. 200235): SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AND POSITION INFORMATION FOR SATELLITE COMMUNICATION TERMINALS.

The Department's regulations for Measuring Educational Gain in the National Reporting System for Adult Education, 34 CFR part 462 (NRS regulations), include the procedures for determining the suitability of tests for use in the NRS.

There is a review process that will begin on October 1, 2017, and a separate review process that will begin on April 1, 2018. Only tests submitted by the due date will be reviewed in that review cycle. If a publisher submits a test after October 1, 2017, the test will not be reviewed until the review cycle that begins on April 1, 2018.

Criteria the Secretary Uses: In order for the Secretary to consider a test suitable for use in the NRS, the test must meet the criteria and requirements established in 34 CFR 462.13.

Submission Requirements:

(a) In preparing your application, you must comply with the requirements in 34 CFR 462.11.

(b) In accordance with 34 CFR 462.10, the deadlines for transmittal of applications in this fiscal year are October 1, 2017, and April 1, 2018.

(c) Whether you submit your application by mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier) or deliver your application by hand or by courier service, you must mail or deliver four copies of your application, on or before the deadline date, to the following address: NRS Assessment Review, c/o American Institutes for Research, 1000 Thomas Jefferson Street NW., Washington, DC 20007.

(d) If you submit your application by mail or commercial carrier, you must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:

(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.

(2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S. Postal Service.

(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier.

(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of Education.

(e) If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:

(1) A private metered postmark.

(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.

(f) We do not consider applications postmarked after the application deadline date. If an application is postmarked after the October 1, 2017, deadline date but before April 1, 2018, the application will be considered timely for the April 1 deadline date.

(g) If you submit your application by hand delivery, you (or a courier service) must deliver four copies of the application by hand, on or before 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.

Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System at: www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site.

You may also access documents of the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at: www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department.

The Department of Education (ED), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. ED is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records.

Title of Collection: Study of Weighted Student Funding and School-Based Systems (Study Instruments).

OMB Control Number: 1875-NEW.

Type of Review: A new information collection.

Respondents/Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 1,902.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 568.

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate how districts vary in their implementation of weighted student funding (WSF) and school-based budgeting (SBB); outcomes in terms of levels of principal autonomy, transparency of resource allocation, and extent to which resources are distributed based on student needs; interactions of WSF and SBB systems with school choice policies; and challenges that districts may have faced in transitioning to and implementing these systems. Data collection will include: (a) Nationally representative surveys of districts andprincipals, and (b) case studies of nine districts that are implementing WSF systems, including site visits, in-person interviews with district officials and school staff, and analysis of relevant extant data such as descriptive documents, budgets, and audited expenditure files.

Comments: Public comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The EAC issues the survey to meet its obligations under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) to serve as national clearinghouse and resource for the compilation of information with respect to the administration of Federal elections; to fulfill both the EAC and FVAP's data collection requirements under the UOCAVA; and meet its NVRA mandate to collect information from states concerning the impact of that statute on the administration of Federal Elections. HAVA requires the EAC to serve as a national clearinghouse and resource for the compilation of information and review of procedures with respect to the administration of Federal Elections. This includes the obligation to study and report on election activities, practices, policies, and procedures, such as methods of voter registration, methods of conducting provisional voting, poll worker recruitment and training, and such other matters as the Commission determines are appropriate. In addition, under the NVRA, the EAC is responsible for collecting information and reporting, biennially, to the United States Congress on the impact of that statute. The information the States are required to submit to the EAC for purposes of the NVRA report are found under Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations. States that respond to questions in this survey concerning voter registration related matters will meet their NVRA reporting requirements under 52 U.S.C. 20508 and EAC regulations. Finally, the UOCAVA mandates that the FVAP work with the EAC and State Chief Election officials to develop standards for reporting UOCAVA voting information (52 U.S.C. 20302) and that the FVAP will store the reported data and present the findings within the congressionally-mandated report to the President and Congress. Additionally, UOCAVA requires that “not later than 90 days after the date of each regularly scheduled general election for Federal office, each State and unit of local government which administered the election shall (through the State, in the case of a unit of local government) submit a report to the EAC on the combined number of absentee ballots transmitted to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters for the election and the combined number of such ballots which were returned by such voters and cast in the election, and shall make such a report available to the general public.” States that complete and timely submit the UOCAVA section of the survey to the EAC will fulfill their UOCAVA reporting requirement under 52 U.S.C. 20302. In order to fulfill the above requirements, the EAC is seeking information relating to the period from the Federal general election day 2016 +1 through the November 2018 Federal general election. The EAC will provide the data regarding UOCAVA voting to FVAP after data collection is completed. This data sharing reduces burden on local election offices because FVAP does not have to conduct its own data collection to meet its reporting requirements.

Title and OMB Number: 2018 Election Administration and Voting Survey; OMB Number Pending.

Summary of the Collection of Information: The survey requests information on a state- and county-level (or township-, independent city-, borough-level, where applicable) concerning the following categories:

(a) Total number of registered voters;

(b) Number of active and inactive registered voters;

(c) Number of persons who registered to vote on Election Day—only applicable to States with Election Day registration;

(d) Number of voter registration applications received from all sources;

(e) Number of voter registration applications that were duplicates, invalid or rejected, new, changes of name, address, party, and not categorized;

(f) Total number of removal/confirmation notices mailed to voters and the reason for removal;

(g) total number of voters removed from the registration list or moved to the inactive registration list.

(a) Total number and type of registered and eligible UOCAVA voters;

(b) Total number of Federal Post Card Applications (FPCAs) received by type of voter;

(c) Total number of FPCAs rejected by type of voter;

(d) Total number of FPCAs rejected after the absentee ballot request deadline;

(e) Total number of UOCAVA absentee ballots transmitted by type of UOCAVA voter and mode of transmission;

(f) Total number of transmitted UOCAVA ballots returned by type of UOCAVA voter and mode of transmission;

(g) Total number of transmitted UOCAVA ballots counted by type of UOCAVA voter and mode of return;

(h) Total number of transmitted UOCAVA ballots rejected by type of UOCAVA voter and reason for rejection;

(i) Total number of FWABs received by type of voter;

(j) Total number of FWABs rejected by type of voter; and

(k) Total number of FWABs rejected by reason for rejection.

(a) Total number of by-mail ballots transmitted to voters;

(b) Total number of ballots returned by voters;

(c) Total number of ballots counted; and

(d) Total number of ballots rejected, by reason for rejection.

(a) Total number of votes cast in the election, as well as in-person on Election Day and during in-person early voting;

(b) Total number of precincts in the state/jurisdiction;

(c) Number of polling places available for early and Election Day voting in the November 2018 Federal general election;

(d) Number of poll workers used during early voting and during Election Day voting;

(e) The age of poll workers who worked in the election; and

(f) Extent to which jurisdictions had enough poll workers available for the general election.

(a) Number of provisional ballots cast, counted, and rejected; and

(b) Reasons for provisional ballot rejection.

(a) Use of electronic and printed poll books during the 2018 Federal general election; and

(b) Type and number of voting equipment used for the 2018 Federal general election for precinct, absentee, early vote site, accessible to disabled voters, provisional voting.

(a) Who answers the questions in each section of the EAVS;

(b) Description of the state's voter registration database system;

(c) Description of the types of electronic data connections the state has with various other government entities;

(d) Information on whether the state has online voter registration, automatic voter registration, and same day voter registration;

(e) Type of absentee voting and early voting regime the state has;

(f) Information on whether the state has vote centers;

(g) If the state accepts provisional ballots from voters registered in a different precinct;

(h) The type of election audit regime the state has;

(i) The type of voter identification regime the state has; and

(j) The voting eligibility requirements for individuals who have been convicted of a felony.

Affected Public (Respondents): State or local governments, the District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands.

Affected Public: State or local government.

Number of Respondents: 55.

Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Burden per Response: 150 hours per collection, 75 hours annualized.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,250 hours per collection, 4,125 hours annualized.

Frequency: Biennially.

I. Chemical Substances and/or Mixtures

Information received about the following chemical substance and/or mixture is provided in Unit IV.: Ethanedioic acid (CASRN 144-62-7).

Section 4(d) of TSCA (15 U.S.C. 2603(d)) requires EPA to publish a notice in the Federal Register reporting the receipt of information submitted pursuant to a rule, order, or consent agreement promulgated under TSCA section 4 (15 U.S.C. 2603).

A docket, identified by the docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2013-0677, has been established for this Federal Register document, which announces the receipt of the information. Upon EPA's completion of its quality assurance review, the information received will be added to the docket identified in Unit IV., which represents the docket used for the TSCA section 4 rule, order, and/or consent agreement. In addition, once completed, EPA reviews of the information received will be added to the same docket. Use the docket ID number provided in Unit IV. to access the information received and any available EPA review.

EPA's dockets are available electronically at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics Docket (OPPT Docket), Environmental Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. 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 OPPT Docket is (202) 566-0280. Please review the visitor instructions and additional information about the docket available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

As specified by TSCA section 4(d), this unit identifies the information received by EPA.

1. Chemical Uses: Ethanedioic acid is used as a rust remover; in antirust metal cleaners and coatings; as a flame-proofing and cross-linking agent in cellulose fabrics; as a reducing agent in mordent wool dying; as an acid dye stabilizing agent in nylon; as a scouring agent for cotton printing; and as a dye stripper for wool. Ethanedioic acid is also used for degumming silk; for the separation and recovery of rare earth elements from ore; for bleaching leather and masonry; for cleaning aluminum and wood decks; and as a synthetic intermediate for pharmaceuticals.

2. Applicable Rule, Order, or Consent Agreement: Testing of Certain High Production Volume Chemicals; Second Group of Chemicals (HPV2), 40 CFR 799.5087.

3. Information Received: The following listing describes the nature of the information received. The information will be added to the docket for the applicable TSCA section 4 rule, order, or consent agreement and can be found by referencing the docket ID number provided. EPA reviews of information will be added to the same docket upon completion.

Application for Exemption from Testing. The docket ID number assigned to this information is EPA-HQ-OPPT-2007-0531.

This proposed administrative settlement for recovery of response costs under CERCLA Sections 122(h)(1), concerning the RBF Frozen Desserts Superfund Site in West Hartford, Connecticut, requires the settling party, H.P.D.I., LLC to pay $40,000.00, in two installments, to the Hazardous Substance Superfund.

The settlement includes a covenant not to sue pursuant to Sections 106 and 107(a) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9606 and 9607, relating to the Site, and protection from contribution actions or claims as provided by Sections 113(f)(2) and 122(h)(4) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9613(f)(2) and 9622(h)(4).

I. General Information A. Does this action apply to me?

This action is directed to the public in general. As such, the Agency has not attempted to describe the specific entities that this action may apply to. Although others may be affected, this action applies directly to the submitters of the actions addressed in this document.

1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through regulations.gov or email. Clearly mark the part or all of the information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or CD-ROM that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD-ROM as CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD-ROM the specific information that is claimed as CBI. In addition to one complete version of the comment that includes information claimed as CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.

2. Tips for preparing your comments. When preparing and submitting your comments, see the commenting tips at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/comments.html.

This document provides receipt and status reports, which cover the period from May 1, 2017 to May 31, 2017, and consists of the PMNs and TMEs both pending and/or expired, and the NOCs to manufacture a new chemical that the Agency has received under TSCA section 5 during this time period.

Under TSCA, 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq., EPA classifies a chemical substance as either an “existing” chemical or a “new” chemical. Any chemical substance that is not on EPA's TSCA Inventory is classified as a “new chemical,” while those that are on the TSCA Inventory are classified as an “existing chemical.” For more information about the TSCA Inventory, please go to: http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/newchems/pubs/inventory.htm.

Anyone who plans to manufacture or import a new chemical substance for a non-exempt commercial purpose is required by TSCA section 5 to provide EPA with a PMN, before initiating the activity. Section 5(h)(1) of TSCA authorizes EPA to allow persons, upon application, to manufacture (includes import) or process a new chemical substance, or a chemical substance subject to a significant new use rule (SNUR) issued under TSCA section 5(a), for “test marketing” purposes, which is referred to as a test marketing exemption, or TME. For more information about the requirements applicable to a new chemical go to: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/newchems.

Under TSCA sections 5(d)(2) and 5(d)(3), EPA is required to publish in the Federal Register a notice of receipt of a PMN or an application for a TME and to publish in the Federal Register periodic reports on the status of new chemicals under review and the receipt of NOCs to manufacture those chemicals.

As used in each of the tables in this unit, (S) indicates that the information in the table is the specific information provided by the submitter, and (G) indicates that the information in the table is generic information because the specific information provided by the submitter was claimed as CBI.

For the 22 PMNs received by EPA during this period, Table 1 provides the following information (to the extent that such information is not claimed as CBI): The EPA case number assigned to the PMN; The date the PMN was received by EPA; the projected end date for EPA's review of the PMN; the submitting manufacturer/importer; the potential uses identified by the manufacturer/importer in the PMN; and the chemical identity.

For the 1 TME's received by EPA during this period, EPA provides the following information (to the extent that such information is not claimed as CBI) on the TMEs received by EPA during this period: The EPA case number assigned to the TME, the date the TME was received by EPA, the projected end date for EPA's review of the TME, the submitting manufacturer/importer, the potential uses identified by the manufacturer/importer in the TME, and the chemical identity.

For the 115 NOCs received by EPA during this period, Table 2 provides the following information (to the extent that such information is not claimed as CBI): The EPA case number assigned to the NOC; the date the NOC was received by EPA; the projected date of commencement provided by the submitter in the NOC; and the chemical identity.

Supporting documents which explain in detail the information that the EPA will be collecting are available in the public docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The telephone number for the Docket Center is 202-566-1744. For additional information about EPA's public docket, visit http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments and information to enable it to: (i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (ii) evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (iii) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (iv) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for review and approval. At that time, EPA will issue another Federal Register notice to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB.

Abstract: To determine compliance with the NAAQS, State air monitoring agencies are required to use, in their air quality monitoring networks, air monitoring methods that have been formally designated by the EPA as either reference or equivalent methods under EPA regulations at 40 CFR part 53. A manufacturer or seller of an air monitoring method (e.g. an air monitoring sampler or analyzer) that seeks to obtain such EPA designation of one of its products must carry out prescribed tests of the method. The test results and other information must then be submitted to the EPA in the form of an application for a reference or equivalent method determination in accordance with 40 CFR part 53. The EPA uses this information, under the provisions of Part 53, to determine whether the particular method should be designated as either a reference or equivalent method. After a method is designated, the applicant must also maintain records of the names and mailing addresses of all ultimate purchasers of all analyzers or samplers sold as designated methods under the method designation. If the method designated is a method for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and coarse particulate matter (PM10-2.5), the applicant must also submit a checklist signed by an ISO-certified auditor to indicate that the samplers or analyzers sold as part of the designated method are manufactured in an ISO 9001-registered facility. Also, an applicant must submit a minor application to seek approval for any proposed modifications to previously designated methods.

Form Numbers: None.

Respondents/affected entities: Private manufacturers, states.

Respondent's obligation to respond: Required to obtain the benefit of EPA designation under 40 CFR part 53. Submission of some information that is claimed by the applicant to be confidential business information may be necessary to make a reference or equivalent method determination. The confidentiality of any submitted information identified as confidential business information by the applicant will be protected in full accordance with 40 CFR part 53.15 and all applicable provisions of 40 CFR part 2.

Estimated number of respondents: 22 (total).