The Environmental Protection Agency is initiating the prioritization process for risk evaluations on 40 chemicals under recently added provisions of the Toxic Substances Control Act. EPA has identified 20 candidates for designation as high priority chemicals, and 20 for designation as low priority. After it completes the prioritization process, EPA will immediately begin the risk evaluation process for any chemicals it designates as high priority. Designations as low risk chemicals or the implementation of restrictions on chemicals designated as high-risk will pre-empt any state restrictions on the chemicals. Comments on risk prioritization for the 40 chemicals identified in the notice are due June 18.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new reporting requirements for 28 chemicals under significant new use rules. The proposed SNURs would require notification to EPA at least 90 days in advance of a new use by importers, manufacturers or processors. Comments on the proposed SNURs are due May 3.

The Environmental Protection Agency seeks comments on a petition to amend its regulations to end an exemption for seeds treated with systemic insecticides from registration and labeling requirements under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), it said. The petition says EPA has misinterpreted the FIFRA treated article exemption to apply to seeds treated with systemic insecticides intended to kill pests of the plants, and should enforce FIFRA’s registration and labeling requirements for such products. Comments are due March 26.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to allow a two-year grace period for new hydronic heaters and forced-air furnaces to be sold after new performance standards take effect. Under the proposed rule, hydronic heaters and forced-air furnaces imported or manufactured before May 15, 2020, the compliance date for the second stage of implementation for the performance standard, could still be sold at retail through May 15, 2022, as long as they comply with standards adopted in the first stage of implementation. Compliance with that first stage was required in 2015 (see 1503130018). EPA also seeks comments on whether it should apply a similar grace period for residential wood heaters. Comments are due Jan. 14, 2019.

The Environmental Protection Agency withdrawing significant new use rules issued for 28 chemical substances in August, after receiving comments opposing the SNURs in response to a direct final rule (see 1809170017). The agency will now consider the SNURs under a concurrently issued proposed rule, and “will address all adverse public comments in a subsequent final rule, based on the proposed rule.” The SNURs had been set to take effect Nov. 16.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new reporting requirements for 66 chemicals under significant new use rules. The proposed SNURs would require notification to EPA at least 90 days in advance of a new use by importers, manufacturers or processors. Comments on the proposed SNURs are due Dec. 31.

The Environmental Protection Agency is issuing two notices withdrawing significant new use rules issued for 29 chemical substances in August, after receiving comments opposing the SNURs in response to a pair of direct final rules (see 1808240012). The agency will now consider the SNURs under concurrently issued proposed rules, and “will address all adverse public comments in a subsequent final rule, based on the proposed rule.” The SNURs had been set to take effect Oct. 26.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new reporting requirements for 13 chemicals under significant new use rules. The proposed SNUR would require notification to EPA at least 90 days in advance of a new use by importers, manufacturers or processors. Comments on the proposed SNUR are due Nov. 15.

On Oct. 12 the Food and Drug Administration posted new and revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

The Environmental Protection Agency is withdrawing significant new use rules issued for 27 chemical substances in August, after receiving comments opposing the SNURs in response to its direct final rule (see 1808160016). The agency will now consider the SNURs under a concurrently issued proposed rule, and “will address all adverse public comments in a subsequent final rule, based on the proposed rule.” The SNURs had been set to take effect Oct. 16.