Toxic substances: Preliminary assessment information and health and safety data reporting— Nonylphenol ethoxylates added, etc.,

[Federal Register: January 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 7)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 1548-1554]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr11ja00-10]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 712 and 716

[ OPPTS-82050; FRL-5777-2]

RIN-2070-AB08 and 2070-AB11

Preliminary Assessment Information and Health and Safety Data Reporting; Addition and Removal of Certain Chemicals and Removal of Stay

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This final rule addresses the recommendations of the 39th TSCA Interagency Testing Committee (ITC) Report by adding 19 of 23 recommended nonylphenol ethoxylates to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 8(a) Preliminary Assessment Information Reporting (PAIR) rule. The TSCA ITC in its 39th Report to EPA revised the TSCA section 4(e) Priority Testing List by recommending testing for 23 nonylphenol ethoxylates, 19 of which are associated with unique Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) Registry numbers. The ITC recommendations are given priority consideration by EPA in promulgating TSCA section 4 test rules. This PAIR rule will require manufacturers (including importers) of the 19 CAS-numbered substances identified in this document to report certain production, use, and exposure-related information to EPA. This action also removes a stay for TSCA section 8(a) PAIR and section 8(d) Health and Safety Data Reporting rules issued previously for 18 nonylphenol ethoxylates recommended by the TSCA ITC in its 38th Report to EPA and removes those 18 chemicals from these reporting rules.

DATES: This rule is effective on February 10, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information contact: Joseph S. Carra, Deputy Director, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (7401), Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone numbers: (202) 554-1404 and TDD: (202) 554-0551; e-mail address: TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.

For technical information contact: David R. Williams, Chemical Control Division (7405), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone numbers: (202) 260-8130; e-mail address: ccd.citb@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 1549]]

1. General Information:

   1. Does This Action Apply to Me?

      You may be affected by this action if you manufacture (defined by statute to include import) any of the chemical substances that are listed in section 712.30(e) of the regulatory text portion of this document. Entities potentially affected by this action may include, but are not limited to:

      Examples of Potentially Type of Entity

      SIC

      NAICS

      Affected Entities

      Chemical manufacturers (including 28, 2911

      325, 32411

      Persons who manufacture importers)

      (defined by statute to include import) one or more of the subject chemical substances.

      This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this action. The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes and the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining whether or not this action might apply to certain entities. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the technical person listed in the ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT'' section.

   2. How Can I Get Additional Information or Copies of This Document or Other Documents?

      1. Electronically. You may obtain electronic copies of this document and other documents from the EPA Internet EPA Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/. On the Home Page select ``Law and Regulations'' and then look up the entry for this document under ``Federal Register-- Environmental Documents.'' You can also go directly to the Federal Register listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.

      2. In person. The official record for this proposed rule, which includes the public version, has been established under docket control number OPPTS-82050. The official record consists of the documents referenced in this preamble, as well as any public comments, and other information related to this rulemaking, including information claimed as Confidential Business Information (CBI). This official record includes the documents that are physically located in the docket, as well as all documents that are referenced in those documents. The public version of the official record does not include any information claimed as CBI. The public version of the official record, which includes printed, paper versions of any electronic comments that may be submitted as described in Units I.C. and D. of this preamble, is available for inspection in the TSCA Nonconfidential Information Center, Rm. NE-B607, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC. The Center is open from noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number of the Center is (202) 260-7099.

   3. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?

      You may submit comments through the mail, in person, or electronically. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, your comments must identify docket control number OPPTS-82050 in the subject line on the first page of your response.

      1. By mail. Submit comments to: Document Control Office (7407), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., East Tower, Rm. G-099, Washington, DC 20460.

      2. In person or by courier. Deliver comments to: Document Control Office, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., East Tower, Rm. G-099, Washington, DC. The telephone number for the OPPT Document Control Office is (202) 260-7093.

      3. Electronically. Submit your comments electronically by e-mail to: oppt.ncic@epa.gov, or you may mail or deliver your computer disk to the addresses identified in Units I.C.1. or 2. of this preamble. Do not submit any information electronically that you consider to be CBI. Submit comments as an ASCII file, avoiding the use of special characters and any form of encryption. Comments will also be accepted on standard disks in WordPerfect 6.1/8.0 or ASCII file format. All copies of electronic comments must be identified by docket control number OPPTS-82050. Electronic comments may be filedonline at many Federal Depository Libraries.

   4. How Should I Handle CBI Information That I Want To Submit To The Agency?

      Do not submit any information electronically that you consider to be CBI. You may claim information that you submit in response to this document as CBI by marking any part or all of that information as CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. In addition to one complete version of the comments that include any information claimed as CBI, a copy of the comments that does not contain the information claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public version of the official record. Information not marked confidential will be included in the public version of the official record by EPA without prior notice. If you have any questions about CBI or the procedures for claiming CBI, consult the technical person identified in ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT''at the beginning of this preamble.

2. What is the Purpose of Today's Action?

   In today's action, EPA is issuing a final TSCA section 8(a) ``Preliminary Assessment Information Reporting'' (PAIR) rule for 19 of 23 nonylphenol ethoxylates recommended for testing in the 39th TSCA ITC Report to the EPA Administrator (62 FR 8578, February 25, 1997) (FRL- 5580-9). Specifically at the request of the ITC in a letter to EPA dated September 15, 1997, EPA is not issuing a final TSCA section 8(d) ``Unpublished Health and Safety Data'' reporting rule at this time for the 23 nonylphenol ethoxylates recommended for testing in the 39th ITC Report so as to give the ITC an opportunity to implement the voluntary information submission policy that was proposed in the ITC's 40th Report (62 FR 30580, June 4, 1997) (FRL-5718-3). Also in today's action, EPA is removing the ``stay'' (61 FR 65186, December 11, 1996) (FRL-5577-6) that was issued for the TSCA section 8(a) and TSCA section 8(d) rules (61 FR 55871, October 29, 1996) (FRL-5397-9) promulgated by the Agency for the 18 nonylphenol ethoxylates recommended for testing in

   [[Page 1550]]

   the ITC's 38th Report (61 FR 39832, July 30, 1996) (FRL-5379-2). Further, EPA is revoking those TSCA section 8(a) and TSCA section 8(d) rules issued on October 29, 1996.

3. What is the Basis for Today's Action?

   On May 31, 1996, EPA received the 38th Report of the TSCA Section 4 ITC. In the 38th Report, the ITC recommended 18 nonylphenol ethoxylates for testing under section 4 of TSCA (61 FR 39832, July 30, 1996). In response to the ITC's 38th Report, EPA promulgated final TSCA section 8(a) ``Preliminary Assessment Information Reporting'' (PAIR) and TSCA section 8(d) ``Unpublished Health and Safety Data'' reporting rules (61 FR 55871, October 29, 1996) (FRL-5397-9) for the 18 nonylphenol ethoxylates listed in the ITC's 38th Report. Shortly after the effective date for these TSCA rules, EPA became aware of the fact that the ITC's use of some alternate CAS numbers and several unclear chemical names in the 38th Report had resulted in confusion among U.S. producers, importers, and processors about the exact identities of the chemical substances for which TSCA section 8(a) and 8(d) reporting was being required. In order to eliminate further confusion within the regulated community about the actual identities of the subject chemicals, EPA formally ``stayed'' the TSCA section 8(a) and 8(d) rules for the 18 nonylphenol ethoxylates recommended in the ITC's 38th Report. EPA issued this stay on December 11, 1996 (61 FR 65186) and also requested the ITC to clarify the identities of the nonylphenol ethoxylates recommended in its 38th Report.

   In an attempt to eliminate the ambiguities resulting from the ITC's use of alternate CAS numbers and unclear chemical names for the 18 nonylphenol ethoxylates recommended in its 38th Report, the ITC, in its 39th Report to the EPA Administrator, recommended for testing a revised list comprised of 23 nonylphenol ethoxylates (62 FR 8578, February 25, 1997). According to the 39th Report, the ITC had re-examined its use of alternate CAS numbers for several of the 18 nonylphenol ethoxylates recommended in the 38th Report and determined that 5 of those CAS numbers were not associated with any of the 18 chemical substances. For the 23 nonylphenol ethoxylates recommended in the 39th Report, the ITC provided where possible more accurate CAS numbers and more up- to-date chemical names (using 9th Collective Index chemical nomenclature where possible). In a letter addressed to the EPA Administrator dated September 15, 1997, the ITC formally requested that EPA:

   1. Revoke the TSCA section 8(a) PAIR and TSCA section 8(d) rules issued by EPA on October 29, 1996 (61 FR 55871) for the 18 nonylphenol ethoxylates that were recommended in the ITC's 38th Report and ``stayed'' by EPA on December 11, 1996 (61 FR 65186).

   2. Issue a final TSCA section 8(a) PAIR rule for the 19 nonylphenol ethoxylates with CAS numbers of the 23 total nonylphenol ethoxylates recommended in the ITC's 39th Report.

   3. Not issue a TSCA section 8(d) rule for the 23 recommended nonylphenol ethoxylates in order to allow the ITC the opportunity to implement its voluntary information submission policy proposed in the ITC's 40th Report (62 FR 30580, June 4, 1997). EPA reserves the right to issue a TSCA section 8(d) rule for some or all of these 23 nonylphenol ethoxylates if:

   1. EPA believes that such a rulemaking is necessary to gather data to determine if testing is needed for, or otherwise support the assessment of, the subject chemical(s); or

   2. The ITC notifies EPA in writing that the ITC did not receive adequate information via its voluntary information submission activity. (The ITC's voluntary submission policy can be found on the ITC's Internet Homepage under Voluntary Information Submission Innovative Online Network or ``VISION'' (http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/itc/vision). Hard copies of the ITC's voluntary information submission policy are available from the TSCA Environmental Assistance Division at the address listed under ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.'')

4. What is the Preliminary Assessment Information Reporting (PAIR) Rule?

   EPA promulgated the PAIR rule in 40 CFR part 712 under section 8(a) of TSCA (15 U.S.C. 2607(a)). This model section 8(a) rule establishes standard reporting requirements for manufacturers (including importers) of the chemicals listed in the rule at 40 CFR 712.30. These entities are required to submit a one-time report on general production/ importation volume, end use, and exposure-related information using the Preliminary Assessment Information Manufacturer's Report (EPA Form No. 7710-35). EPA uses this model section 8(a) rule to quickly gather current information on chemicals.

   This model rule provides for the automatic addition of ITC Priority Testing List chemicals. Whenever EPA announces the receipt of an ITC report, EPA may, at the same time and without providing notice and opportunity for public comment, amend the model information-gathering rule by adding the recommended (or designated) chemicals. The amendment adding these chemicals to the PAIR rule is effective February 10, 2000.

5. Chemicals To Be Deleted

   The following 18 nonylphenol ethoxylates that were recommended in the ITC's 38th Report are being deleted as a result of today's revocation of the TSCA section 8(a) PAIR and TSCA section 8(d) rules that were issued by EPA on October 29, 1996 (61 FR 55871) and stayed by the Agency on December 11, 1996 (61 FR 65186).

   Chemical Name

   CAS Number

   Nonylphenol ethoxylates alpha-(p-Nonylphenol)-omega-

   NA hydroxypoly(oxyethylene). Decaethylene glycol, isononylphenyl ether. 65455-72-3 Ethanol, 2-[2-(p-nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]-.... 20427-84-3 Ethanol, 2-[2-[2-[2-(p-

   7311-27-5 nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]-. Nonoxynol-2............................... NA Nonoxynol-3............................... NA Nonoxynol-7............................... NA Nonylphenol hepta(oxyethylene)ethanol..... 27177-05-5 Nonylphenol octa(oxyethylene)ethanol...... 26571-11-9 Nonylphenol polyethylene glycol ether..... 9016-45-9, 20636-48-0, 26027- 38-3, 26064-02-8, 27177-01- 1, 37205-87-1, 127087-87-0

   [[Page 1551]]

   Nonylphenol polyethylene glycol ether..... 27177-08-8 Nonylphenolnona(oxyethylene) ethanol...... 27986-36-3 Nonylphenoxy ethanol...................... 27176-93-8 Nonylphenoxydiglycol...................... 68412-54-4 Nonylphenoxypolyoxyethanol................ 152143-22-1, 26027-38-3 p-Nonylphenol polyethylene glycol ether... 27986-36-3, 37205-87-1, 98113-10-1 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-

   37205-87-1 (isononylphenyl)-omega-hydroxy-. Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(2-

   51938-25-1 nonylphenyl)-omega-hydroxy-.

6. Chemicals To Be Added

   In its 39th Report to EPA, the ITC recommended a group of 23 nonylphenol ethoxylates. These chemicals can be automatically added to the PAIR and TSCA section 8(d) Health and Safety Data Reporting rules unless requested otherwise by the ITC to implement its voluntary information submission policy. In a letter dated September 15, 1997, the ITC requested that a TSCA section 8(d) Health and Safety Data Reporting rule not be promulgated for these 23 nonylphenol ethoxylates. Therefore, these substances will not be added to Sec. 716.120. The regulatory text (Sec. 712.30(e)) of this document lists the 19 nonylphenol ethoxylates that are being added to the PAIR rule as a result of today's action. The other 4 nonylphenol ethoxylates recommended in the ITC's 39th report are not being added to the PAIR rule because they are not associated with unique CAS numbers.

7. Reporting Requirements

   1. Who Must Report Under this PAIR Rule?

      All persons who manufactured (defined by statute to include import) the 19 nonylphenol ethoxylates identified in the regulatory text (Sec. 712.30(e)) of this rule during their latest complete corporate fiscal year must submit a Preliminary Assessment Information Manufacturer's Report (EPA Form No. 7710-35) for each site at which they manufactured or imported a named substance. A separate form must be completed for each substance and submitted to the Agency as specified in 40 CFR 712.28 no later than April 10, 2000. Persons who have previously and voluntarily submitted a Manufacturer's Report to the ITC or EPA may be able to submit a copy of the original Report to EPA or to notify EPA by letter of their desire to have this voluntary submission accepted in lieu of a current data submission. See Sec. 712.30(a)(3).

      Details of the PAIR reporting requirements, including the basis for exemptions, are provided in 40 CFR part 712. Copies of the form are available from the TSCA Environmental Assistance Division at the address listed under ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.'' Copies of the PAIR form are also available electronically from the Chemical Testing and Information Gathering Home Page on the Internet at http:// www.epa.gov/opptintr/chemtest/.

   2. Removal of Chemical Substances from the PAIR Rule

      Any person who believes that section 8(a) reporting required by this rule is not warranted, should promptly submit to EPA on or before January 25, 2000, detailed reasons for that belief. EPA, in its discretion, may remove the substance from this rule (40 CFR 712.30(c)). When withdrawing a chemical from the rule, EPA will publish a rule amendment in the Federal Register.

8. Public Record

   The following documents constitute the public record for this rule (docket control number OPPTS-82050). All of these documents are available to the public in the TSCA Nonconfidential Information Center (NCIC), from noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The TSCA NCIC is located at EPA Headquarters, Rm. NE-B607, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC.

   1. This final rule.

   2. The Economic Analysis for this rule, December 15, 1999.

   3. The 39th Report of the ITC, (62 FR 8578, February 25, 1997).

   4. The 38th Report of the ITC, (61 FR 39832, July 30, 1996).

   5. Stay of the TSCA section 8(a) and 8(d) rules issued in response to the 38th Report of the ITC, (61 FR 65186).

   6. Letter from the ITC to EPA, September 15, 1997.

9. Why is this Action Being Issued as a Final Rule?

   EPA is publishing this action as a final rule without prior notice and an opportunity to comment because the Agency believes that providing notice and an opportunity to comment is unnecessary. This final rule makes modifications needed to clarify the identities of certain chemicals subject to the TSCA section 8(a) PAIR regulations and removes certain chemicals from the TSCA section 8(d) regulations. EPA therefore finds that there is ``good cause'' under section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553 (b)(3)(B)) to make these amendments without prior notice and comment.

10. Economic Analysis

    The economic analysis for the addition of the 19 CAS-numbered nonylphenol ethoxylates to the TSCA section 8(a) PAIR rule is entitled Economic Analysis for the Addition of 19 CAS-Numbered Chemicals Recommended for Testing in the 39th Report of the TSCA Interagency Testing Committee to EPA's Preliminary Assessment Information Reporting (PAIR) Rule December 15, 1999 (Economic Analysis).

    EPA's 1998 Chemical Update System (CUS) was searched to identify manufacturers (including importers) of the 19 CAS-numbered nonylphenol ethoxylates recommended in the ITC's 39th report. Only 1 of the 19 chemicals was located in CUS indicating, for example, that the other chemicals are not being produced or imported in quantities large enough to be reported to EPA for 1998 under the TSCA Inventory Update Rule (IUR) (40 CFR part 710) or are not subject to reporting under the IUR. The Economic Analysis estimates governmental and industry burden and costs associated with this final rule based upon the data regarding the one chemical substance found in CUS. Five firms were identified as manufacturers of the chemical, at five sites. The costs and burden associated with this rule are estimated in the Economic Analysis to be the following: Reporting Costs (dollars) 5 sites/reports estimated at $2,057.28 per report = $10,286.38 Total Cost = $10,286.38 Mean cost per site/firm = $10,286.38/5 = $2,057.28 Reporting Burden (hours)

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    Rule familiarization: 7 hours/site x 5 sites = 35 Reporting: 21.88 hours/report x 5 reports = 109.4 Total burden hours = 144.4 Average burden per site/firm = 144.4/5 = 28.88 EPA Costs (dollars) The annual costs to the Federal Government will be approximately 0.013 FTEs (or 26.25 hours annually). At an estimated $75,306 per FTE, the total 0.013 FTEs, plus $1,020 for data processing, will cost EPA $1,999.

11. Regulatory Assessment Requirements

    1. Executive Order 12866

       The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted actions under TSCA section 8(a) related to the PAIR rule from the requirements of Executive Order 12866, entitled Regulatory Planning and Review (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993).

    2. Executive Order 12898

       This action does not involve special considerations of environmental justice-related issues pursuant to Executive Order 12898, entitled Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).

    3. Executive Order 13045

       Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), does not apply to this final rule, because it is not ``economically significant'' as defined under Executive Order 12866, and does not concern an environmental health or safety risk that may have a disproportionate effect on children. This rule requires the reporting of production, importation, use, and exposure-related information to EPA by manufacturers (including importers) of certain chemicals recommended in the 39th Report of the TSCA Interagency Testing Committee.

    4. Regulatory Flexibility Act

       Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., the Agency hereby certifies that this rule will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. The factual basis for the Agency's determination is presented in the small entity analysis prepared as a part of the Economic Analysis for this rule, and is briefly summarized here. Three of the five firms identified as manufacturers of chemicals affected by this rule met the Small Business Administration definition of a small business, (i.e., having less than 1,000 employees when combined with any corporate parents). Based on the Agency's analysis, the maximum potential impact of this action on an individual firm is estimated to be less than $2,260, regardless of the firm's size. To determine the potential significance of the estimated impact of this action on the small firms, the Agency compared the estimated maximum potential cost with the estimated annual sales revenue for these firms. Based on currently available financial information for these firms, EPA has determined that this action will not result in a significant impact on any of these firms. Information relating to this EPA determination is included in the docket for this rulemaking (OPPTS-82050). Any comments regarding the economic impacts that this action imposes on small entities should be submitted to the Agency at the address listed under ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.''

    5. Paperwork Reduction Act

       Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), an Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information that is subject to approval under the PRA unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations, after appearing in the preamble of the final rule, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, and included on the related collection instrument. The information collection activities related to this action have already been approved by OMB, under OMB control number 2070-0054 (EPA ICR No. 586) for PAIR reporting. This action does not impose any burdens requiring additional OMB approval. The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to be 144.4 hours. Of that total, an estimated 35 hours are spent in an initial review of the rule, and the remaining 109.4 hours are associated with actual reporting activities. Because this rule does not contain any new information collection activities, additional review and approval of these activities by OMB under the PRA is not necessary (1999 Economic Analysis).

    6. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and Executive Orders 13084 and 13132

       Pursuant to Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public Law 104-4, EPA has determined that this rule does not contain a Federal mandate that may result in expenditures of $100 million or more for State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or the private sector in any 1 year. In addition, EPA has determined that this rule will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Accordingly, the rule is not subject to the requirements of UMRA sections 202, 203, 204, or 205.

       Based on EPA's experience with past section 8(a) rulemakings, State, local, and tribal governments have not been impacted by these rulemakings, and EPA does not have any reasons to believe that any State, local, or tribal government will be impacted by this rulemaking. As a result, this action is not subject to the requirement for prior consultation with Indian tribal governments as specified in Executive Order 13084, entitled Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (63 FR 27655, May 19, 1998). Nor will this action have a substantial direct effect on States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132, entitled Federalism (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999).

    7. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

       This action does not involve any technical standards that would require Agency consideration of voluntary consensus standards pursuant to section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note). Section 12(d) of NTTAA directs EPA to use voluntary consensus standards in its regulatory activities unless to do so would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., materials specifications, test methods, sampling procedures, and business practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies. The NTTAA directs EPA to provide Congress, through OMB, explanations when the Agency decides not to use available and applicable voluntary consensus standards. EPA invites public comment on the Agency's determination that this regulatory action does not require the consideration of voluntary consensus standards.

    8. Congressional Review Act

       The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides

       [[Page 1553]]

       that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States. Section 808 allows the issuing agency to make a good cause finding that notice and public procedure is impracticable, unnecessary or contrary to the public interest. This determination must be supported by a brief statement. 5 U.S.C. 808(2). EPA has made such a good cause finding for this final rule, and established an effective date of February 10, 2000. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 808(2), this determination is supported by the brief statement in Unit IX. of this preamble. EPA will submit a report containing this final rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. This is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

1. Executive Order 12988

   In issuing this rule, EPA has taken the necessary steps to eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity, minimize potential litigation, and provide a clear legal standard for affected conduct, as required by section 3 of Executive Order 12988, entitled Civil Justice Reform (61 FR 4729, February 7, 1996).

   10. Executive Order 12630

   EPA has complied with Executive Order 12630, entitled Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights (53 FR 8859, March 15, 1988), by examining the takings implications of this rule in accordance with the Attorney General's Supplemental Guidelines for the Evaluation of Risk and Avoidance of Unanticipated Takings issued under the Executive Order.

   List of Subjects in 40 CFR Parts 712 and 716

   Environmental protection, Chemicals, Hazardous substances, Health and safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

   Dated: December 21, 1999. Joseph S. Carra, Acting Director, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.

   Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:

   PART 712--[AMENDED]

   1. In part 712:

      1. The authority citation for part 712 continues to read as follows:

         Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2607(a).

      2. In Sec. 712.30, the table in paragraph (e) is amended by removing the stay and revising the entire category for ``Nonylphenol ethoxylates'' to read as follows:

         Sec. 712.30 Chemical lists and reporting periods.

         * * * * *

         (e) * * *

         CAS No.

         Substance

         Effective date Reporting date

         *

         *

         *

         *

         *

         *

         * Nonylphenol ethoxylates 7311-27-5............................... Ethanol, 2-[2-[2-[2-(p-

         2/10/004/10/00 nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy]et hoxy]-. 9016-45-9............................... Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl),

         2/10/004/10/00 alpha-(nonylphenyl)-omega- hydroxy-. 20427-84-3.............................. Ethanol, 2-[2-(p-

         2/10/004/10/00 nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]-. 20636-48-0.............................. 3,6,9,12-Tetraoxatetradecan-1-

         2/10/004/10/00 ol, 14-(4-nonylphenoxy)-. 26027-38-3.............................. Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl),

         2/10/004/10/00 alpha-(4-nonylphenyl)-omega- hydroxy-. 26264-02-8.............................. 3,6,9,12-Tetraoxatetradecan-1-

         2/10/004/10/00 ol, 14-(nonylphenoxy)-. 26571-11-9.............................. 3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24-

         2/10/004/10/00 Octaoxahexacosan-1-ol, 26- (nonylphenoxy)-. 27176-93-8.............................. Ethanol, 2-[2-

         2/10/004/10/00 (nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]-. 27177-01-1.............................. 3,6,9,12,15-Pentaoxaheptadecan-

         2/10/004/10/00 1-ol, 17-(nonylphenoxy)-. 27177-05-5.............................. 3,6,9,12,15,18,21-

         2/10/004/10/00 Heptaoxatricosan-1-ol, 23- (nonylphenoxy)-. 27177-08-8.............................. 3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27-

         2/10/004/10/00 Nonaoxanonacosan-1-ol, 29- (nonylphenoxy)-. 27986-36-3.............................. Ethanol, 2-(nonylphenoxy)-....

         2/10/004/10/00 37205-87-1.............................. Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl),

         2/10/004/10/00 alpha-(isononylphenyl)-omega- hydroxy-. 51938-25-1.............................. Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl),

         2/10/004/10/00 alpha-(2-nonylphenyl)-omega- hydroxy-. 65455-72-3.............................. 3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27-

         2/10/004/10/00 Nonaoxanonacosan-1-ol, 29- (isononylphenoxy)-. 68412-54-4.............................. Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl),

         2/10/004/10/00 alpha-(nonylphenyl)-omega- hydroxy-, branched. 98113-10-1.............................. NP9...........................

         2/10/004/10/00 127087-87-0............................. Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl),

         2/10/004/10/00 alpha-(4-nonylphenyl)-omega- hydroxy-, branched. 152143-22-1............................. Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl),

         2/10/004/10/00 alpha-(4-nonylphenyl)-omega- hydroxy-, branched, phosphates.

         *

         *

         *

         *

         *

         *

         *

         [[Page 1554]]

         PART 716--[AMENDED]

   2. In part 716:

      1. The authority citation for part 716 continues to read as follows:

         Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2607(d).

         Sec. 716.120 [Amended]

      2. In Sec. 716.120, the table in paragraph (d) is amended by removing the stay, and by removing the ``Nonylphenol ethoxylates'' category name and the 18 nonylphenol ethoxylates listed thereunder.

         [FR Doc. 00-491Filed1-10-00; 8:45 am]

         BILLING CODE 6560-50-F