

[Federal Register: September 12, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 176)]
[Notices]               
[Page 52108]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12se07-83]                         


[[Page 52108]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2004-0109; FRL-8146-3]

 
Draft List of Initial Pesticide Active Ingredients and Pesticide 
Inerts to be Considered for Screening under the Federal Food, Drug, and 
Cosmetic Act; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY:  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:  Notice; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY:  EPA issued a notice in the Federal Register of June 18, 2007, 
concerning the draft list of the first group of chemicals that will be 
screened in the Agency's Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP). 
The draft list was produced using the approach described in the 
September 2005 notice, and includes chemicals that the Agency, in its 
discretion, has decided should be tested first, based upon exposure 
potential. This document is extending the comment period for 60 days, 
from September 17, 2007, to November 16, 2007.

DATES:  Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-
HQ-OPPT-2004-0109 must be received on or before November 16, 2007.

ADDRESSES:  Follow the detailed instructions as provided under 
ADDRESSES in the Federal Register document of June 18, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Linda Phillips, Office of Science 
Coordination and Policy (7203M), Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and 
Toxic Substances, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 564-1264; 
e-mail address: Phillips.linda@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    The Agency included in the June 18, 2007 notice a list of those who 
may be potentially affected by this action. If you have questions 
regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, 
consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

    When preparing comments follow the procedures and suggestions given 
in Unit I.B. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION of the June 18, 2007 
Federal Register notice.

C. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?

    To submit comments, or access the public docket, please follow the 
detailed instructions as provided in Unit I.B.3. of the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION of the June 18, 2007 Federal Register notice. If you have 
questions, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.

II. What Action Is EPA Taking?

    This document extends the public comment period established in the 
Federal Register of June 18, 2007 (72 FR 33486) (FRL-8129-3). In that 
document, EPA announced the draft list of the first group of chemicals 
that will be screened in the Agency's EDSP. The draft list was 
developed using the approach described in the Federal Register notice 
of September 27, 2005 (70 FR 56449) (FRL-7716-9). As required by the 
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), all pesticides must 
eventually be screened under the EDSP, and this first group is simply a 
starting point. Because EPA developed this draft list of chemicals 
based upon exposure potential, it should not be construed as a list of 
known or likely endocrine disruptors, and it would be inappropriate to 
do so. Following consideration of comments on this draft list of 
chemicals, EPA will issue a second Federal Register notice containing 
the final list of chemicals. EPA is hereby extending the comment 
period, which was set to end on September 17, 2007, to November 16, 
2007.

III. What Is the Agency's Authority for Taking this Action?

    Section 408(p) of FFDCA requires EPA to ``develop a screening 
program, using appropriate validated test systems and other 
scientifically relevant information, to determine whether certain 
substances may have an effect in humans that is similar to an effect 
produced by a naturally occurring estrogen, or such other endocrine 
effect as [EPA] may designate.'' (21 U.S.C. 346a(p)). The statute 
generally requires EPA to ``provide for the testing of all pesticide 
chemicals.'' (21 U.S.C. 346a(p)(3)). However, EPA is authorized to 
exempt a chemical, by order upon a determination that ``the substance 
is anticipated not to produce any effect in humans similar to an effect 
produced by a naturally occurring estrogen.'' (21 U.S.C. 346a(p)(4)). 
``Pesticide chemical'' is defined as ``any substance that is a 
pesticide within the meaning of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
Rodenticide Act, including all active and inert ingredients of such 
pesticide.'' (21 U.S.C. 321(q)(1)).

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Chemicals, Endocrine Disruptors, 
Pesticides


    Dated: September 4, 2007.
James B. Gulliford,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic 
Substances.
[FR Doc. E7-17984 Filed 9-11-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-S
