EPA REGISTRATION DIVISION COMPANY NOTICE OF FILING FOR 

PESTICIDE PETITIONS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER 

EPA Registration Division contact: [Mark Dow (703) 305-5533]

Stepan Company

[IN-10837]

EPA has received a pesticide petition (IN-10837) from Stepan Company, 22 

West Frontage Road, Northfield Illinois 60093 proposing, pursuant to section 408(d) 

of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 346a(d), to amend 40 

CFR part 180.

2. to amend an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for Alpha-[2,4,6-

Tris[1-(phenyl)ethyl]phenyl]-Omega-hydroxy poly(oxyethylene) poly(oxypropylene) 

copolymer, the poly(oxypropylene) content averages 2-8 moles, the poly(oxyethylene) 

content averages 16-30moles, average molecular weight (in amu), 1,500 (CAS# 70880-

56-7), when used as a pesticide inert ingredient as a surfactant in pesticide formulations 

under 40 CFR 180.960 in or on all raw agricultural commodities. The petitioner requests 

the poly(oxyethylene) content range is increased to include 16-60 moles and the average 

molecular weight be established as a range to include 1,500- 4,000 amu. The petitioner 

believes no analytical method is needed because this information is generally not required 

when all criteria for polymer exemption under 40 CFR 723.250 are met. In addition, 

Stepan Company is petitioning for an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance 

without any numerical limitations.

Alpha-[2,4,6-Tris[1-(phenyl)ethyl]phenyl]-Omega-hydroxy poly(oxyethylene) 

poly(oxypropylene) copolymer, the poly(oxypropylene) content averages 2-8 moles, the 

poly(oxyethylene) content averages 16-60 moles, average molecular weight (in amu), 

1,500- 4000 (CAS# 70880-56-7) (substance) meets the definition of a low-risk polymer 

under 40 CFR 723.250: 

1. Substance is a polymer molecule as defined by 40 CFR 723.250(b). That is, it 

contains a sequence of at least 3 monomer units which are covalently bound to at least 

one other monomer unit or other reactant.

2. Substance’s number average molecular weight is greater than 1,000 and less 

than 10,000 daltons. Substance contains less than 10% oligomeric material below MW 

500 and less than 25% oligomeric material below MW 1,000 and substance does not 

contain any reactive functional groups.

3. Substance is not a cationic polymer and is not anticipated to become a cationic 

polymer in a natural aquatic environment.

4. Substance only contains the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; therefore, 

it meets the criteria for elemental composition.

5. Substance does not contain as an integral part of its composition, except as 

impurities, any element other than those listed in 40 CFR 723.250(d)(2)(ii).

6. Substance is not designed or reasonably anticipated to substantially degrade, 
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decompose, or depolymerize under normal use conditions.

7. Substance is not manufactured or imported from monomers and/or other 

reactants that are not already included on the TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory or 

manufactured under an applicable TSCA section 5 exemption.

8. Substance is not a water-absorbing polymer with a number average molecular 

weight above 10,000 daltons.

9. Substance contains no reactive functional groups that fail to meet the low-risk 

polymer exemption criteria under 40 CFR 723.250(e).

A. Residue Chemistry - Not Applicable

1. Plant metabolism. Not Applicable

2. Analytical method. Not Applicable

3. Magnitude of residues. Not Applicable

B. Toxicological Profile - Not Applicable

1. Acute toxicity. Not Applicable

2. Genotoxicty. Not Applicable

3. Reproductive and developmental toxicity. Not Applicable

4. Subchronic toxicity. Not Applicable

5. Chronic toxicity. Not Applicable

6. Animal metabolism. Not Applicable

7. Metabolite toxicology. Not Applicable

8. Endocrine disruption. Not Applicable

C. Aggregate Exposure - Not Applicable

1. Dietary exposure. Not Applicable

i. Food. Not Applicable

ii. Drinking water. Not Applicable

2. Non-dietary exposure. Not Applicable

D. Cumulative Effects - Not Applicable

Not Applicable
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E. Safety Determination - Not Applicable

1. U.S. population. Not Applicable

2. Infants and children. Not Applicable

F. International Tolerances

Not Applicable