[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 187 (Thursday, September 26, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50809-50810]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20785]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 751

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0080; FRL-10000-22]
RIN 2070-AK34


Regulation of Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic Chemicals 
Under TSCA Section 6(h); Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: In the Federal Register of July 29, 2019, EPA proposed a rule 
concerning certain persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals 
identified pursuant to section 6(h) of the Toxic Substances Control Act 
(TSCA). These five chemicals are: decabromodiphenyl ether; phenol, 
isopropylated phosphate (3:1), also known as tris(4-isopropylphenyl) 
phosphate; 2,4,6-tris(tert-butyl)phenol; hexachlorobutadiene; and 
pentachlorothiophenol. The proposed rule, if finalized, would restrict 
or prohibit manufacture (including import), processing, and 
distribution in commerce for many uses of four of these five chemical 
substances. EPA evaluated the uses of hexachlorobutadiene and proposed 
no regulatory action. For the other four, the proposal included 
recordkeeping requirements. Additional downstream notification 
requirements were proposed for phenol, isopropylated phosphate (3:1). 
This document extends the comment period for 31 days, from September 
27, 2019, to October 28, 2019.

DATES: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-
HQ-OPPT-2019-0080 must be received on or before October 28, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Follow the detailed instructions provided under ADDRESSES in 
the Federal Register document of July 29, 2019 (84 FR 36728) (FRL-9995-
76).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical information contact: 
Cindy Wheeler, Chemical Control Division (7405M), Office of Pollution 
Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 202-
566-0484; email address: wheeler.cindy@epa.gov; or Peter Gimlin, 
National Program Chemicals Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and 
Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 202-566-0515; email 
address: gimlin.peter@epa.gov.
    For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 
422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202) 
554-1404; email address: TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document extends the public comment 
period established in the Federal Register document of July 29, 2019 
(84 FR 36728) (FRL-9995-76). In that document, EPA proposed a rule 
concerning certain persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals 
identified pursuant to section 6(h) of the Toxic Substances Control Act 
(TSCA). These five chemicals are: decabromodiphenyl ether; phenol, 
isopropylated phosphate (3:1), also known as tris(4-isopropylphenyl) 
phosphate; 2,4,6-tris(tert-butyl)phenol; hexachlorobutadiene; and 
pentachlorothiophenol. The proposed rule, if finalized, would restrict 
or prohibit manufacture (including import), processing, and 
distribution in commerce for many uses of four of these five chemical 
substances. EPA evaluated the uses of hexachlorobutadiene and proposed 
no regulatory action. For the other four, the proposal included 
recordkeeping requirements. Additional downstream notification 
requirements were proposed for phenol, isopropylated phosphate (3:1). 
More information on EPA's proposal can be found in the July 29, 2019 
Federal Register document (84 FR 36728) (FRL-9995-76).
    This document extends the comment period for 31 days, from 
September 27, 2019, to October 28, 2019. A lengthier extension of the 
comment period was requested. EPA agrees that an extension of the 
comment period is warranted, given the fact that the proposal and the 
extensive supporting materials address five separate chemical 
substances. However, in view of the statutory deadline requiring final 
action 18 months after issuance of the proposal and the considerable 
outreach EPA

[[Page 50810]]

conducted prior to issuing the proposal, the Agency has concluded that 
a 31-day extension is sufficient.
    To submit comments, or access the docket, please follow the 
detailed instructions provided under ADDRESSES in the Federal Register 
document of July 29, 2019 (84 FR 36728) (FRL-9995-76). If you have 
questions, consult the technical persons listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 751

    Environmental protection, Chemicals, Export notification, Hazardous 
substances, Import certification, Reporting and recordkeeping.

    Dated: September 19, 2019.
Alexandra Dapolito Dunn,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2019-20785 Filed 9-25-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


