The Environmental Protection Agency is issuing several final rules amending maximum tolerances allowed for pesticides in agricultural products. The rules set maximum tolerances for pyraflufen-ethyl in milk, fat, meat, meat byproducts, peanuts, and peanut hay (here); and pyroxasulfone in soybean seed, forage, and hay (here). A final rule also amends tolerances for acetochlor in crop groups 15 (cereal grains) and 16 (forage, fodder and straw of cereal grains) to drop the exceptions for rice and rice straw (here). All three rules are effective Feb. 27.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing significant new use rules (SNURs) for 37 chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices. Seventeen of the substances are subject to EPA consent orders. If finalized, the SNURs would require persons who intend to manufacture, import, or process any of these 37 substances for a new use to notify EPA at least 90 days beforehand. EPA would then have the ability to prohibit or limit the activity. Comments on the proposed rule are due by April 26.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing changes to Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) used by petroleum refiners and importers to show compliance with their renewable fuel volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program. The proposal would create a voluntary quality assurance program, and would provide for verification of all RINs for 2013. Other changes would ensure RINs for exported fuel are retired, EPA said.

The Environmental Protection Agency is holding public meetings in Arlington, Va., Chicago, and Denver on a national electronic manifest system for information on shipment of hazardous waste. EPA is looking for input on what expectations and technical requirements it should consider as it begins the planning stage of the e-Manifest system. The Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act, signed into law Oct. 5, authorizes EPA to implement an e-Manifest system by 2015, and requires that EPA issue regulations allowing electronic filing of manifests by Oct. 5, 2013. The e-Manifests will be deemed the legal equivalent to the Uniform Hazardous Waste Paper Manifest Form and Continuation Sheet (EPA Form 8700-22 and 8700-22a). Electronic filing will be optional.

The Environmental Protection Agency issued its periodic status report on premanufacture notices (PMN), test marketing exemption (TME) applications, and notices of commencement (NOC) received from companies that intend to import or manufacture new chemicals. Comments are due by March 22, and must be identified by PMN or TME number. The status report covers the period from Dec. 1, 2012, to Jan. 11, 2013. See EPA’s notice for the list of PMNs, TMEs, and NOCs received.

The Environmental Protection Agency posted the results of 2012 Chemical Data Reporting to its website. The database contains reports on 7,674 chemicals, including 354 that were used in children’s products, 1,704 used in consumer products, and 3,073 for industrial use only. Manufacturers and importers are required to report data every four years when production or import quantity thresholds are met. The 2012 database marks the first Chemical Data Reporting period required under an August 2011 EPA final rule, and covers calendar year 2011.

The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comment on an Information Collection Request that it forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval. It wants to renew the current approval (good through March 31, 2013) for the ICR entitled "Notification of Chemical Exports -- TSCA Section 12(b)" and identified as EPA ICR No. 0795.14 and OMB Control No. 2070-0030).

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to amend the significant new use rule (SNUR) for the chemical substance ethaneperoxoic acid, 1,1-dimethylpropyl ester, which was the subject of premanufacture notice (PMN) P-85-680. The action would allow certain uses without requiring a significant new use notice (SNUN), and would extend SNUN requirements to certain additional uses, the EPA said in a Federal Register notice scheduled for Jan. 28. It said the change is based on a review of new toxicity test data. Comments are due by Feb. 27, identified by docket identification number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2012-0864, via http://www.regulations.gov, or by mail to Document Control Office (7407M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for four chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). The action would require persons who intend to manufacture, import, or process any of the chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this proposed rule to notify EPA at least 90 days before beginning that activity. The chemicals are:

The Environmental Protection Agency tentatively scheduled a public hearing for 10 a.m. Jan. 30 on California's Transport Refrigeration Units amendments, and is now accepting written comment on the California Air Resources Board request that EPA confirm that the TRU amendments either fall within the scope of the authorization EPA granted on January 9, 2009, pursuant to section 209(e) of the Clean Air Act, or are not subject to Clean Air Act preemption.