. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/N/USA/986 
27 September 2004 
 (04-4061) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English 
  
 
NOTIFICATION  
 
1. Member to Agreement notifying:   UNITED STATES
 
If applicable, name of local government involved: 
2. Agency responsible:   Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 
3. Products covered (provide tariff item numbe r(s) as specified in national schedules 
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where 
applicable):  Products that contain the antimicrobial pesticide poly (hexamethylene 
biguanide) hydrochloride typically used as a fungicide, algaecide, and sanitizer in 
swimming pools, as a preservative for cut flowers, and as an all-purpose cleaner and disinfectant. 
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:  Any 
U.S. trade partners.  
5. Title, language and number of pages of the notified document:   Poly (hexamethylene 
biguanide) hydrochloride Preliminary Risk A ssessment; Notice of Availability (Available 
in English, 3 pages). 
6. Description of content:  This notice announces the availability of EPA's preliminary risk 
assessment, and related documents for the an timicrobial pesticide poly (hexamethylene 
biguanide) hydrochloride (also referred to as PHMB), and opens a public comment period 
on these documents. 
7. Objective and rationale:  [ X ] food safety, [   ] animal health, [   ] plant protection, 
[ X ] protect humans from anima l/plant pest or disease,  [   ]  protect territory from 
other damage from pests 
8. International standard, guideline or recommendation:  
[   ] Codex Alimentarius Commission, [   ] World Organization for Animal Health 
(OIE), [   ] International Plant Protection Convention, [ X ] None  
If an international standard, guideline or recommendation exists, give the appropriate 
reference and briefly identify deviations:   NA. 
9. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  DOCID:fr, Federal 
Register : 10 September 2004 (Volume 69, Number 175) Pages 54784-54786;  
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/ 2004/September/Day-10/p20507.htm  
Available in English 
10. Proposed date of adoption:   Not available 
11. Proposed date of entry into force:   Not available G/SPS/N/USA/986 
Page 2  
 
 12. Final date for comments:  27 September 2004 
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [ X ] National notification 
authority, [   ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if 
available) of other body:   Jennifer Slotnik, Antimicrobial Division (7510C), Office of 
Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protec tion Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington DC 20460-0001;  Tel:  703-305-0601;   fax number:  703-308-8481;  E-mail 
address:  slotnik.jennifer@epa.gov
.  Note:  Identify docket name "OPP-2004-0305" in 
subject line of your response. 
13. Texts available from:  [   ] National notificati on authority, [ X ] National enquiry point, 
or address, fax number and E-mail add ress (if available) of other body:  Ms. Julie 
Morin, United States SPS Enquiry Point O fficer, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, 
Food Safety & Technical Services Division, Stop 1027, Washington D.C. 20250.  Tel:  
202-720-4051;  Fax:  202-690-0677;  Email:  fstsd@usda.gov