. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/N/USA/1387 
28 August 2006 
 (06-4018) 
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 number(s) as specified in national schedules 
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where 
applicable):  Spices, cocoa (beans and powder), in-s hell and processed nutmeats (except 
peanuts).  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:  Any 
US trade partners  
5. Title, language and number of pages of the notified document:  Notice.   Propylene 
Oxide (PPO) Reregistration Eligibility Decision;  Notice of Availability (Available in English, 2 pages).  
6. Description of content:   This notice announces the availability of EPA's Reregistration 
Eligibility Decision (RED) for the pesticide propylene oxide (PPO),  and opens a public 
comment period on this document. 
PPO is an insecticidal fumigant/sterilant used both to control bacteria contamination, mold 
contamination, insect infestations, and microbi al spoilage of food products as well as to 
control stored product insects in nonfood products.  PPO is registered for use on several food items such as processed spices, cocoa (beans and powder), and in-shell and processed 
nutmeats (except peanuts).  PPO also has nonf ood uses for cosmetic articles, gums, ores, 
packaging, pigments, pharmaceutical materials,  and discarded nutshells prior to disposal.  
7. Objective and rationale: [ X ] food safety,  [   ] animal health,  [ X ] plant protection, 
[ X ] protect humans from animal/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:   
9. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  Federal Register: 
9 August 2006 (Volume 71, Number 153, Pages:  45555 - 45557),  http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA- PEST/2006/August/Day-09/p12897.htm  
Available in English.  G/SPS/N/USA/1387 
Page 2  
 
  10. Proposed date of adoption:  Not stated 
11. Proposed date of entry into force:  N/A - This is a notice of availability and may or may 
not result in a future regulatory action.  A notice invites the public to submit additional scientific information and comments to the Agency.    
12. Final date for comments:  Comments should be received on or before 10 October 2006.  
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [   ] National notification 
authority, [ X ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if 
available) of other body:  Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508P), Office of 
Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001  
13. Texts available from:  [ X ] National notifi cation authority, [   ] National enquiry 
point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:  
Ms Deborah Thompson, United States SPS Nati onal Notification Authority, USDA Foreign 
Agricultural Service, Food Safety & Technical Services Division, Stop 1027, Washington D.C. 20250.  Tel:  202-720-1301;  Fax:  202-690-0677;  E-mail:  fstsd@fas.usda.gov