Availability of Work Plan Chemical Problem Formulation and Initial Assessment and Data Needs Assessment Documents for Flame Retardant Clusters; Notice and Public Comment Periods

EPA is announcing the availability and opening of a 60-day public comment period for TSCA Work Plan Chemical problem formulation and initial assessment documents for three flame retardant clusters. EPA is also making available and opening a 120-day public comment period for the TSCA Work Plan Chemical data needs assessment document for the Brominated Phthalates flame retardant cluster. Based on experience in conducting TSCA Work Plan Chemical assessments and public input, starting in 2015 EPA will publish a problem formulation and initial assessment, or a data needs assessment, for each TSCA Work Plan assessment as a stand-alone document to facilitate public input prior to conducting further risk analysis. EPA believes publishing problem formulation and initial assessment documents for TSCA Work Plan assessments will increase transparency about EPA's thinking and analysis process, provide opportunity for the public to comment on EPA's approach, and give EPA the opportunity to receive additional information/data prior to EPA conducting detailed risk analysis and risk characterization. There are three clusters of flame retardant on the TSCA Work Plan for which there are problem formulation and initial assessment documents: Brominated Bisphenol A, Chlorinated Phosphate Esters, and Cyclic Aliphatic Bromides. In addition, there is a data needs assessment document for the Brominated Phthalates flame retardant cluster. There is a separate docket assigned to each TSCA Work Plan Chemical flame retardant cluster.