Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

                    See the                                          Document Drafting Handbook                                        for more details.                  

###### Environmental Protection Agency

          - 40 CFR Part 721
          - [EPA-HQ-OPPT-2009-0922; FRL-8853-3]
          - RIN 2070-AB27

# AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

# ACTION:

Proposed rule.

# SUMMARY:

EPA is proposing a significant new use rule (SNUR) under section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for the chemical substance identified as cobalt lithium manganese nickel oxide (CAS No. 182442-95-1) which was the subject of premanufacture notice (PMN) P-04-269. This proposed rule would require persons who intend to manufacture, import, or process the substance for an activity that is designated as a significant new use to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. The required notification would provide EPA with the opportunity to evaluate the intended use and, if necessary, to prohibit or limit the activity before it occurs.

# DATES:

Comments must be received on or before December 20, 2010.

# ADDRESSES:

Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2009-0922, by one of the following methods:
      -  Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.                          Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.                    
      -  Mail:                          Document Control Office (7407M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.                    
      -  Hand Delivery:                          OPPT Document Control Office (DCO), EPA East Bldg., Rm. 6428, 1201 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC.                          Attention:                          Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2009-0922. The DCO is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the DCO is (202) 564-8930. Such deliveries are only accepted during the DCO's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.                    

*Instructions:*                         Direct your comments to docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2009-0922. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the docket without change and may be made available on-line at                         *http://www.regulations.gov,*                         including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through regulations.gov or e-mail. The regulations.gov Web site is an “anonymous access” system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through regulations.gov, your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.                    

*Docket:*                         All documents in the docket are listed in the docket index available at                         *http://www.regulations.gov.*                         Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available,                         *e.g.,*                         CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available electronically at                         *http://www.regulations.gov,*                         or, if only available in hard copy, at the OPPT Docket. The OPPT Docket is located in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC) at Rm. 3334, EPA West Bldg., 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number of the EPA/DC Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket is (202) 566-0280. Docket visitors are required to show photographic identification, pass through a metal detector, and sign the EPA visitor log. All visitor bags are processed through an X-ray machine and subject to search. Visitors will be provided an EPA/DC badge that must be visible at all times in the building and returned upon departure.                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

*For technical information contact:*                         Kenneth Moss, Chemical Control Division (7405M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001;                         *telephone number:*                         (202) 564-9232;                         *e-mail address:  moss.kenneth@epa.gov.*

*For general information contact:*                         The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620;                         *telephone number:*                         (202) 554-1404;                         *e-mail address: TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## I. General Information

### A. Does this action apply to me?

                    You may be potentially affected by this action if you manufacture, import,                           ( print page 70666)                        process, or use the chemical substance contained in this proposed rule. Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to:                
    - Manufacturers, importers, or processors of one or more subject chemical substances (NAICS codes 325 and 324110), e.g.,                      chemical manufacturing and petroleum refineries.                

                    This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this action. Other types of entities not listed in this unit could also be affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining whether this action might apply to certain entities. To determine whether you or your business may be affected by this action, you should carefully examine the applicability provisions in § 721.5. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the technical person listed under                     **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**                    .                

                    This action may also affect certain entities through pre-existing import certification and export notification rules under TSCA. Chemical importers are subject to the TSCA section 13 (15 U.S.C. 2612) import certification requirements promulgated at 19 CFR 12.118 through 12.127;                     *see also*19 CFR 127.28. Chemical importers must certify that the shipment of the chemical substance complies with all applicable rules and orders under TSCA. Importers of chemicals subject to a final SNUR must certify their compliance with the SNUR requirements. The EPA policy in support of import certification appears at 40 CFR part 707, subpart B. In addition, any persons who export or intend to export a chemical substance that is the subject of this proposed rule on or after December 20, 2010 are subject to the export notification provisions of TSCA section 12(b) (15 U.S.C. 2611(b)) (                    *see*                     § 721.20), and must comply with the export notification requirements in 40 CFR part 707, subpart D.                

### B. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?

                    1.                     *Submitting CBI.*                     Do not submit this information to EPA through regulations.gov or e-mail. Clearly mark the part or all of the information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or CD-ROM that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD-ROM as CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD-ROM the specific information that is claimed as CBI. In addition to one complete version of the comment that includes information claimed as CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.                

                    2.                     *Tips for preparing your comments.*                     When submitting comments, remember to:                

                    i. Identify the document by docket ID number and other identifying information (subject heading,                     **Federal Register**                     date and page number).                

ii. Follow directions. The Agency may ask you to respond to specific questions or organize comments by referencing a Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part or section number.

iii. Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternatives and substitute language for your requested changes.

iv. Describe any assumptions and provide any technical information and/or data that you used.

v. If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how you arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be reproduced.

vi. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns and suggest alternatives.

vii. Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the use of profanity or personal threats.

viii. Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period deadline identified.

## II. Background

### A. What action is the agency taking?

EPA is proposing a significant new use rule (SNUR) under section 5(a)(2) of TSCA for the chemical substance identified as cobalt lithium manganese nickel oxide (PMN P-04-269; CAS No. 182442-95-1). This SNUR would require persons who intend to manufacture, import, or process the chemical substance for any activity designated as a significant new use to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing the activity.

                    In the                     **Federal Register**                     of September 20, 2010 (75 FR 57169) (FRL-8839-7), EPA issued a direct final SNUR for the substance in accordance with the procedures at § 721.160(c)(3)(i). EPA received notice of intent to submit adverse comments on this SNUR. Therefore, as required by  § 721.160(c)(3)(ii), EPA is withdrawing the direct final SNUR, which is published elsewhere in this                     **Federal Register**                     and is now issuing this proposed SNUR on this substance. The record for the direct final SNUR on this substance was established as docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2009-0922. That record includes information considered by the Agency in developing the direct final rule and the notice of intent to submit adverse comments.                

### B. What is the agency's authority for taking this action?

                    Section 5(a)(2) of TSCA (15 U.S.C. 2604(a)(2)) authorizes EPA to determine that a use of a chemical substance is a “significant new use.” EPA must make this determination by rule after considering all relevant factors, including those listed in TSCA section 5(a)(2) (                    *see*                     Unit III.). Once EPA determines that a use of a chemical substance is a significant new use, TSCA section 5(a)(1)(B) requires persons to submit a significant new use notice (SNUN) to EPA at least 90 days before they manufacture, import, or process the chemical substance for that use. Persons who must report are described in § 721.5.                

### C. Applicability of General Provisions

                    General provisions for SNURs appear in 40 CFR part 721, subpart A. These provisions describe persons subject to the rule, recordkeeping requirements, exemptions to reporting requirements, and applicability of the rule to uses occurring before the effective date of the final rule. Provisions relating to user fees appear at 40 CFR part 700. According to § 721.1(c), persons subject to this SNUR must comply with the same notice requirements and EPA regulatory procedures as submitters of PMNs under TSCA section 5(a)(1)(A). In particular, these requirements include the information submission requirements of TSCA section 5(b) and 5(d)(1), the exemptions authorized by TSCA section 5(h)(1), (h)(2), (h)(3), and (h)(5), and the regulations at 40 CFR part 720. Once EPA receives a SNUN, EPA may take regulatory action under TSCA section 5(e), 5(f), 6, or 7 to control the activities for which it has received the SNUN. If EPA does not take action, EPA is required under TSCA section 5(g) to explain in the                     **Federal Register**                     its reasons for not taking action.                

                    Chemical importers are subject to the TSCA section 13 (15 U.S.C. 2612) import certification requirements codified at 19 CFR 12.118 through 12.127,                     *see also*19 CFR 127.28. Chemical importers must certify that the shipment of the chemical substance complies with all applicable rules and orders under TSCA. Importers of chemical substances subject to a final SNUR must certify their compliance with the SNUR requirements. The EPA                           ( print page 70667)                        policy in support of import certification appears at 40 CFR part 707, subpart B. In addition, any persons who export or intend to export a chemical substance identified in a final SNUR are subject to the export notification provisions of TSCA section 12(b) (15 U.S.C. 2611(b)) (                    *see*                     § 721.20) and must comply with the export notification requirements in 40 CFR part 707, subpart D.                

## III. Significant New Use Determination

Section 5(a)(2) of TSCA states that EPA's determination that a use of a chemical substance is a significant new use must be made after consideration of all relevant factors, including:
    - The projected volume of manufacturing and processing of a chemical substance.
    - The extent to which a use changes the type or form of exposure of human beings or the environment to a chemical substance.
    - The extent to which a use increases the magnitude and duration of exposure of human beings or the environment to a chemical substance.
    - The reasonably anticipated manner and methods of manufacturing, processing, distribution in commerce, and disposal of a chemical substance.

In addition to these factors enumerated in TSCA section 5(a)(2), the statute authorizes EPA to consider any other relevant factors.

To determine what would constitute a significant new use for the chemical substance that is the subject of this proposed SNUR, EPA considered relevant information about the toxicity of the chemical substance, likely human exposures and environmental releases associated with possible uses, and the four bulleted TSCA section 5(a)(2) factors listed in this unit.

## IV. Substance Subject to This Proposed Rule

EPA is proposing to establish significant new use and recordkeeping requirements for the chemical substance identified as cobalt lithium manganese nickel oxide (PMN P-04-269; CAS No. 182442-95-1). The specific activities proposed as significant new uses and other requirements are listed in 40 CFR 721.10201 of the proposed regulatory text.

The chemical substance cobalt lithium manganese nickel oxide (PMN P-04-269; CAS No. 182442-95-1), is subject to a “risk-based” consent order under TSCA section 5(e)(1)(A)(ii)(I) because EPA determined that certain activities associated with the PMN substance may present an unreasonable risk to human health and the environment. The consent order requires protective measures to limit exposures or otherwise mitigate the potential unreasonable risk. The so-called “5(e) SNUR” on this PMN substance is proposed pursuant to § 721.160, and is based on and consistent with the provisions in the underlying consent order. The proposed 5(e) SNUR would designate as a “significant new use” the absence of the protective measures required in the corresponding consent order.

Where EPA determines that the PMN substance may present an unreasonable risk of injury to human health via inhalation exposure, the underlying TSCA section 5(e) consent order requires, among other things, that potentially exposed employees wear specified respirators unless actual measurements of the workplace air show that air-borne concentrations of the PMN substance are below a New Chemical Exposure Limit (NCEL) that is established by EPA to provide adequate protection to human health. In addition to the actual NCEL concentration, the comprehensive NCEL provisions in TSCA section 5(e) consent orders, which are modeled after Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) provisions, include requirements addressing performance criteria for sampling and analytical methods, periodic monitoring, respiratory protection, and recordkeeping. However, no comparable NCEL provisions currently exist in 40 CFR part 721, subpart B, for SNURs. Therefore, for these cases, the individual SNURs in 40 CFR part 721, subpart E, will state that persons subject to the SNUR who wish to pursue NCELs as an alternative to the § 721.63 respirator requirements may request to do so under § 721.30. EPA expects that § 721.30 requests will only be granted where the NCEL provisions are comparable to those in the TSCA section 5(e) consent order for the same chemical substance.

## PMN Number P-04-269

*Chemical name:*                     Cobalt lithium manganese nickel oxide.                

*CAS number:*                     182442-95-1.                

*Effective date of TSCA section 5(e) consent order:*                     May 12, 2009.                

*Basis for TSCA section 5(e) consent order:*                     The PMN states that the substance will be used as a battery cathode material. The order was issued under sections 5(e)(1)(A)(i) and 5(e)(1)(A)(ii)(I) of TSCA, based on findings that this substance may present an unreasonable risk of injury to human health and the environment. To protect against these risks, the consent order requires use of dermal personal protective equipment, including gloves demonstrated to be impervious; requires use of respiratory personal protective equipment, including a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved respirator with an assigned protection factor (APF) of at least 150, or compliance with a NCEL of 0.1 mg/m3                     as an 8-hour time-weighted average; requires establishment of a hazard communication program; and prohibits releases to water. The proposed SNUR would designate as a “significant new use” the absence of these protective measures.                

*Toxicity concern:*                     Based on test data on nickel, lithium and cobalt, EPA has concerns for developmental toxicity, mutagenicity, oncogenicity, pulmonary oncogenicity, and lung overload for workers with inhalation and dermal exposure to the PMN substance. EPA set the NCEL at 0.1 mg/m3                     as an 8-hour time-weighted average. In addition, based on test data on analogous nickel-containing compounds, EPA predicts toxicity to aquatic organisms may occur at concentrations that exceed 1 part per billion (ppb) of the PMN substance in surface waters.                

*Recommended testing:*                     EPA has determined that the results of the following tests would help characterize the human health and environmental effects of the PMN substance: A 90-day inhalation toxicity test (OPPTS Test Guideline 870.3465); a fish acute toxicity test, freshwater and marine (OPPTS Test Guideline 850.1075); an aquatic invertebrate acute toxicity test, freshwater daphnids (OPPTS Test Guideline 850.1010); and an algal toxicity test, tiers I and II (OPPTS Test Guideline 850.5400). All aquatic toxicity testing should be performed using the static method with measured concentrations. Test reports should include protocols approved by EPA, certificate of analysis for the test substance, raw data, and results. The order does not require submission of the aforementioned information at any specified time or production volume. However, the order's restrictions on manufacturing, import, processing, distribution in commerce, use, and disposal of the PMN substance will remain in effect until the order is modified or revoked by EPA based on submission of that or other relevant information.                

*CFR citation:*40 CFR 721.10201.                          ( print page 70668)    

## V. Rationale and Objectives of the Proposed Rule

### A. Rationale

During the review of the chemical substance P-04-269, EPA concluded that regulation was warranted under TSCA section 5(e), pending the development of information sufficient to make reasoned evaluations of the health or environmental effects of the chemical substances. The basis for such findings is outlined in Unit IV. Based on these findings, a TSCA section 5(e) consent order requiring the use of appropriate exposure controls was negotiated with the PMN submitter. The proposed SNUR provisions for this chemical substance are consistent with the provisions of the TSCA section 5(e) consent order. This SNUR is proposed pursuant to § 721.160.

### B. Objectives

EPA is proposing this SNUR for a chemical substance that has undergone premanufacture review because the Agency wants to achieve the following objectives with regard to the significant new uses designated in this proposed rule:
    - EPA would receive notice of any person's intent to manufacture, import, or process a listed chemical substance for the described significant new use before that activity begins.
    - EPA would have an opportunity to review and evaluate data submitted in a SNUN before the notice submitter begins manufacturing, importing, or processing a listed chemical substance for the described significant new use.
    - EPA would be able to regulate prospective manufacturers, importers, or processors of a listed chemical substance before the described significant new use of that chemical substance occurs, provided that regulation is warranted pursuant to TSCA sections 5(e), 5(f), 6, or 7.

                    Issuance of a SNUR for a chemical substance does not signify that the chemical substance is listed on the TSCA Inventory. Guidance on how to determine if a chemical substance is on the TSCA Inventory is available on the Internet at                     *http://www.epa.gov/​opptintr/​newchems/​pubs/​invntory.htm.*

## VI. Applicability of the Proposed Rule to Uses Occurring Before Effective Date of the Final Rule

To establish a significant “new” use, EPA must determine that the use is not ongoing. The chemical substance subject to this rule has undergone premanufacture review. A TSCA section 5(e) consent order has been issued where the PMN submitter is prohibited from undertaking activities which EPA is designating as significant new uses. EPA solicits comments on whether any of the uses proposed as significant new uses are ongoing.

                    As discussed in the                     **Federal Register**                     of April 24, 1990 (55 FR 17376), EPA has decided that the intent of TSCA section 5(a)(1)(B) is best served by designating a use as a significant new use as of the date of publication of the proposed rule rather than as of the effective date of the final rule. If uses begun after publication of the proposed rule were considered ongoing rather than new, it would be difficult for EPA to establish SNUR notice requirements because a person could defeat the SNUR by initiating the significant new use before the rule became final, and then argue that the use was ongoing before the effective date of the final rule. Thus, persons who begin commercial manufacture, import, or processing of the chemical substances that would be regulated as a “significant new use” through this proposed rule, must cease any such activity before the effective date of the rule if and when finalized. To resume their activities, these persons would have to comply with all applicable SNUR notice requirements and wait until the notice review period, including all extensions, expires (                    *see*                     Unit III.).                

EPA has promulgated provisions to allow persons to comply with this proposed SNUR before the effective date. If a person were to meet the conditions of advance compliance under § 721.45(h), the person would be considered to have met the requirements of the final SNUR, for those activities.

## VII. Test Data and Other Information

EPA recognizes that TSCA section 5 does not require developing any particular test data before submission of a SNUN. There are two exceptions:

                    1. Development of test data is required where the chemical substance subject to the SNUR is also subject to a test rule under TSCA section 4 (                    *see*                     TSCA section 5(b)(1)).                

                    2. Development of test data may be necessary where the chemical substance has been listed under TSCA section 5(b)(4) (                    *see*                     TSCA section 5(b)(2)). In the absence of a TSCA section 4 test rule or a TSCA section 5(b)(4) listing covering the chemical substance, persons are required only to submit test data in their possession or control and to describe any other data known to or reasonably ascertainable by them (                    *see*40 CFR 720.50). However, upon review of PMNs and SNUNs, the Agency has the authority to require appropriate testing. In the case of PMN P-04-269, EPA issued a TSCA section 5(e) consent order that requires or recommends certain testing.                     *See*                     Unit IV. of the proposed rule for a list of those tests. Descriptions of tests are provided for informational purposes. EPA strongly encourages persons, before performing any testing, to consult with the Agency pertaining to protocol selection. To access the OPPTS Test Guidelines referenced in this document electronically, please go to                     *http://www.epa.gov/​ocspp*                     and select “Test Methods and Guidelines.”                

In the TSCA section 5(e) consent order for the chemical substance cobalt lithium manganese nickel oxide (PMN P-04-269; CAS No. 182442-95-1) EPA has established restrictions in view of the lack of data on the potential health and environmental risks that may be posed by the significant new uses. These restrictions cannot be removed unless the PMN submitter first submits the results of toxicity tests that would permit a reasoned evaluation of the potential risks posed by this chemical substance. A listing of the tests specified in the TSCA section 5(e) consent order is included in Unit IV. The SNUR contains the same restrictions as the TSCA section 5(e) consent order. Persons who intend to begin nonexempt commercial manufacture, import, or processing for any of the restricted activities must notify the Agency by submitting a SNUN at least 90 days in advance of commencement of that activity.

The recommended tests may not be the only means of addressing the potential risks of the chemical substance. However, submitting a SNUN for a significant new use without any test data may increase the likelihood that EPA will take action under TSCA section 5(e), particularly if satisfactory test results have not been obtained from a prior PMN or SNUN submitter. EPA recommends that potential SNUN submitters contact EPA early enough so that they will be able to conduct the appropriate tests.

SNUN submitters should be aware that EPA would be better able to evaluate SNUNs which provide detailed information on the following:
    - Human exposure and environmental release that may result from the significant new use of the chemical substance.
    - Potential benefits of the chemical substance.
    - Information on risks posed by the chemical substance compared to risks posed by potential substitutes.       ( print page 70669)      

## VIII. SNUN Submissions

                    As stated in Unit II.C., according to § 721.1(c), persons submitting a SNUN must comply with the same notice requirements and EPA regulatory procedures as persons submitting a PMN, including submission of test data on health and environmental effects as described in § 720.50. SNUNs must be submitted to EPA on EPA Form No. 7710-25 in accordance with the procedures set forth in §§ 721.25 and 720.40. This form is available from the Environmental Assistance Division (7408M), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001 (                    *see*                     §§ 721.25 and 720.40). Forms and information are also available electronically at                     *http://www.epa.gov/​opptintr/​newchems.*

## IX. Economic Analysis

EPA has evaluated the potential costs of establishing SNUN requirements for potential manufacturers, importers, and processors of this chemical substance at the time of the direct final rule. The Agency's complete economic analysis is available in the public docket under docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2009-0922.

## X. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

### A. Executive Order 12866

                    This action proposes a SNUR for a new chemical substance that was the subject of a TSCA section 5(e) consent order. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted these types of actions from review under Executive Order 12866, entitled                     *Regulatory Planning and Review*                     (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993).                

### B. Paperwork Reduction Act

                    According to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501*et seq.,*                     an Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information that requires OMB approval under PRA, unless it has been approved by OMB and displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the                     **Federal Register**                    , are listed in 40 CFR part 9, and included on the related collection instrument or form, if applicable. EPA would amend the table in 40 CFR part 9 to list the OMB approval number for the information collection requirements contained in this proposed rule. This listing of the OMB control numbers and their subsequent codification in the CFR satisfies the display requirements of PRA and OMB's implementing regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. This Information Collection Request (ICR) was previously subject to public notice and comment prior to OMB approval, and given the technical nature of the table, EPA finds that further notice and comment to amend it is unnecessary. As a result, EPA finds that there is “good cause” under section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), to amend this table without further notice and comment.                

The information collection requirements related to this action have already been approved by OMB pursuant to PRA under OMB control number 2070-0012 (EPA ICR No. 574). This action would not impose any burden requiring additional OMB approval. If an entity were to submit a SNUN to the Agency, the annual burden is estimated to average between 30 and 170 hours per response. This burden estimate includes the time needed to review instructions, search existing data sources, gather and maintain the data needed, and complete, review, and submit the required SNUN.

Send any comments about the accuracy of the burden estimate, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including through the use of automated collection techniques, to the Director, Collection Strategies Division, Office of Environmental Information (2822T), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001. Please remember to include the OMB control number in any correspondence, but do not submit any completed forms to this address.

### C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

                    Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601*et seq.*), the Agency hereby certifies that promulgation of this SNUR would not have a significant adverse economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The rationale supporting this conclusion is discussed in this unit. The requirement to submit a SNUN applies to any person (including small or large entities) who intends to engage in any activity described in the rule as a “significant new use.” Because these uses are “new,” based on all information currently available to EPA, it appears that no small or large entities presently engage in such activities. A SNUR requires that any person who intends to engage in such activity in the future must first notify EPA by submitting a SNUN. Although some small entities may decide to pursue a significant new use in the future, EPA cannot presently determine how many, if any, there may be. However, EPA's experience to date is that, in response to the promulgation of over 1,400 SNURs, the Agency receives on average only 5 notices per year. Of those SNUNs submitted from 2006-2008, only one appears to be from a small entity. In addition, the estimated reporting cost for submission of a SNUN (                    *see*                     Unit XII.) is minimal regardless of the size of the firm. Therefore, EPA believes that the potential economic impacts of complying with this SNUR are not expected to be significant or adversely impact a substantial number of small entities. In a SNUR that published in the                     **Federal Register**                     of June 2, 1997 (62 FR 29684) (FRL-5597-1), the Agency presented its general determination that final SNURs are not expected to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, which was provided to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration.                

### D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

Based on EPA's experience with proposing and finalizing SNURs, State, local, and Tribal governments have not been impacted by these rulemakings, and EPA does not have any reasons to believe that any State, local, or Tribal government will be impacted by this proposed rule. As such, EPA has determined that this proposed rule would not impose any enforceable duty, contain any unfunded mandate, or otherwise have any affect on small governments subject to the requirements of sections 202, 203, 204, or 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. L. 104-4).

### E. Executive Order 13132

                    This action would not have a substantial direct effect on States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132, entitled                     *Federalism*                     (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999).                

### F. Executive Order 13175

                    This proposed rule would not have Tribal implications because it is not expected to have substantial direct effects on Indian Tribes. This proposed rule would not significantly or uniquely affect the communities of Indian Tribal governments, nor would it involve or impose any requirements that affect Indian Tribes. Accordingly, the requirements of Executive Order 13175, entitled                     *Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments*                     (65 FR                           ( print page 70670)                        67249, November 9, 2000), do not apply to this proposed rule.                

### G. Executive Order 13045

This action is not subject to Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), because this is not an economically significant regulatory action as defined by Executive Order 12866, and this action does not address environmental health or safety risks disproportionately affecting children.

### H. Executive Order 13211

                    This proposed rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, entitled                     *Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use*                     (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001), because this action is not expected to affect energy supply, distribution, or use and because this action is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.                

### I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

In addition, since this action does not involve any technical standards, section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note), does not apply to this action.

### J. Executive Order 12898

                    This action does not entail special considerations of environmental justice related issues as delineated by Executive Order 12898, entitled                     *Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations*                     (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).                

# List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 721

      - Environmental protection
      - Chemicals
      - Hazardous substances
      - Reporting and recordkeeping requirements

Dated: November 10, 2010.

Wendy C. Hamnett,

Director, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.

Therefore, it is proposed that 40 CFR part 721 be amended as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 721 continues to read as follows:

Authority:15 U.S.C. 2604, 2607, and 2625(c).

2. Add § 721.10201 to subpart E to read as follows:

§ 721.10201 

                        (a)                         *Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting.*                         (1) The chemical substance identified as cobalt lithium manganese nickel oxide (PMN P-04-269; CAS No. 182442-95-1) is subject to reporting under this section for the significant new uses described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. The requirements of this section do not apply to quantities of the PMN substance after it has been completely reacted (cured).                    

(2) The significant new uses are:

                        (i)                         *Protection in the workplace.*                         Requirements as specified in § 721.63 (a)(1), (a)(2)(i), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5), (a)(6), (b) (concentration set at 0.1 percent), and (c). Respirators must provide a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) assigned protection factor (APF) of at least 150. The following NIOSH-approved respirators meet the requirements of § 721.63(a)(4): Supplied-air respirator operated in pressure demand or other positive pressure mode and equipped with a tight-fitting full facepiece. As an alternative to the respirator requirements listed here, a manufacturer, importer, or processor may choose to follow the New Chemical Exposure Limit (NCEL) provisions listed in the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 5(e) consent order for this substance. The NCEL is 0.1 mg/m³ as an 8-hour time-weighted average. Persons who wish to pursue NCELs as an alternative to the § 721.63 respirator may request to do so under § 721.30. Persons whose § 721.30 requests to use the NCELs approach are approved by EPA will receive NCELs provisions comparable to those listed in the corresponding section 5(e) consent order.                    

                        (ii)                         *Hazard communication program.*                         Requirements as specified in § 721.72 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) (concentration set at 0.1 percent), (f), (g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii), (g)(1)(vii), (g)(1)(ix), (g)(2), (g)(3), (g)(4)(iii), and (g)(5).                    

                        (iii)                         *Release to water.*                         Requirements as specified in § 721.90(a)(1), (b)(1), and (c)(1).                    

                        (b)                         *Specific requirements.*                         The provisions of subpart A of this part apply to this section except as modified by this paragraph.                    

                        (1)                         *Recordkeeping.*                         Recordkeeping requirements as specified in § 721.125 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), and (k) are applicable to manufacturers, importers, and processors of this substance.                    

                        (2)                         *Limitations or revocation of certain notification requirements.*                         The provisions of § 721.185 apply to this section.                    

[FR Doc. 2010-29148 Filed 11-17-10; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P