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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 52 (Thursday, March 17, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14439-14440]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06052]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2015-0841; FRL-9941-93]

Request for Applications; Third-Party Chemical/Product Profilers 
for the Safer Choice Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Safer Choice Program reduces pollution and potential risk 
at its source by setting criteria that product manufacturers must meet 
to qualify to use the Safer Choice label. The Safer Choice label helps 
consumers, businesses, and purchasers find products with ingredients 
that perform well and are safer for human health and the environment. 
To earn the Safer Choice label, products and their ingredients must 
meet the established Safer Choice Standard and safer chemical criteria. 
Third-party profilers (TPP) review the candidate's products against 
Safer Choice standards and criteria, collect performance information, 
and develop chemical profiles. EPA is seeking additional third-party 
profilers to help the Safer Choice Program meet the growing consumer 
demand for safer products carrying the Safer Choice label. Entities 
that are interested in serving as Safer Choice third-party profilers 
should submit an application for EPA consideration. Qualified 
applicants will be asked to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU), 
formalizing their commitment to support the Safer Choice Program's 
human and environmental health protection mission.

DATES: Applications may be submitted at any time; however, to be 
considered for qualification as a third-party profiler in 2016, 
applications must be received by May 16, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Submit your application identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2015-0841, by one of following methods:
     Mail: Safer Choice TPP Application, c/o Abt Associates, 
Inc., Attn: Klara Zimmerman, 4550 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 800 North, 
Bethesda, MD 20814-5341.
     Phone: (301) 634-1722.
     Docket: Submit to the docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2015-
0841.
     Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand 
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please contact Tony Thompson 
(FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Additional instructions on 
commenting or visiting the docket, along with more information about 
dockets generally is available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical information contact: 
Tony Thompson, Chemistry, Economics and Sustainable Strategies 
Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: (202) 564-2296; email address: 
thompson.tony@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. General Information

    To help the Safer Choice program meet the growing consumer demand 
for safer products carrying the Safer Choice label, EPA is actively 
soliciting applications for additional Safer Choice third-party 
profilers. Entities that are interested in serving as a Safer Choice 
third-party profiler should review the Safer Choice standards and 
criteria and other program materials available at http://www.epa.gov/saferchoice to determine whether they should apply.
    For a candidate to qualify and fully participate in the Safer 
Choice Program, Safer Choice expects and TPPs should address how they 
would approach or undertake each of the following activities:
    1. Supporting the Safer Choice Program. Safeguard and uphold the 
integrity, quality, and trustworthiness of the Safer Choice product and 
chemical-evaluation processes, program, and label, including 
development of strong and effective working relationships with the 
Safer Choice staff.
    2. Meeting and Maintaining the TPP Provisions in the Safer Choice 
Standard. Satisfy the provisions of the Safer Choice Standard, section 
7--``Profiler Requirements,'' which include technical competence in 
chemical hazard and fate reviews; staffing with experts in the various 
profiling disciplines; facility with toxicological models and 
estimation tools; program managerial skills; credibility and good 
standing; and success at a pilot review that

[[Page 14440]]

simulates an actual product evaluation. (See the Safer Choice Standard 
at http://www2.epa.gov/saferchoice/safer-choice-standard.)
    3. Following the Procedures in the Safer Choice TPP Handbook. Use 
the Third-Party Profiler Handbook/Guidance Manual to inform its 
profiling activities, including, for example, searching the approved 
set of data sources; digesting the key, distinguishing hazard data; and 
preparing a dossier on each chemical ingredient in a candidate product.
    Beyond regular oversight, the TPP will conduct annual partner 
surveillance, including triennial on-site audits, to ensure compliance 
with program requirements. (See the Third- Party Profiler Handbook; 
contact Tony Thompson at thompson.tony@epa.gov or (202) 564-2296 for 
details.)
    4. Submitting to Performance Review. In addition to regular 
feedback and recommendations from Safer Choice staff, engage in annual 
performance reviews, and once every 5 years, a full performance 
evaluation, which will culminate in a Safer Choice decision on whether 
the TPP retains its status as a qualified TPP.
    5. Adopting and Using the Safer Choice Data System. Use the Safer 
Choice data system (known as the Safer Choice Community) to manage all 
Safer Choice product review and partnership activities, including 
purchase and maintenance of the necessary computer hardware and system 
licenses. (For more information, see the TPP Handbook.)
    6. Performing Supplemental Duties. Fulfill other requests and 
functions related to its TPP duties that may arise from time to time, 
as needed.
    7. Adhering to Good Business Practices. Demonstrate and follow good 
business practices in dealing with companies working with Safer Choice. 
Good business practices include: Offering open access to your services 
to legitimate potential clients; adopting and implementing customer 
service standards; and avoiding potential conflicts of interest.
    8. Signing a Memorandum of Understanding. Qualified applicants will 
be asked to sign a MOU, formalizing their commitment to serve as a TPP 
and support the Safer Choice Program's human and environmental health 
protection mission. (See the boilerplate MOU in the docket ID number 
EPA-HQ-OPPT-2015-0841.)

II. Instructions for Applicants

A. How to Submit an Application

    Applicants for Safer Choice Third Party Profiler must complete an 
application form, available in the docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2015-
0841. To be considered in the 2016 selection cycle, completed 
applications must be submitted to Safer Choice via one of the means 
listed under ADDRESSES and by the deadline listed under DATES indicated 
in this notice.

B. Requirements for Submitting Business Proprietary Information

    Clearly mark the part or all of the information that you claim to 
be business proprietary. In addition to one complete version of the 
application that includes information claimed as proprietary, a copy of 
the application that does not contain the proprietary information must 
be submitted. Information marked as business proprietary will not be 
disclosed except in accordance with the procedures set forth in 40 CFR 
part 2.

III. Selection of Safer Choice Third-Party Profilers

    Safer Choice will review and evaluate all applications based on the 
TPP qualifications enumerated in this notice. From the applications 
submitted for the 2016 TPP cycle, the program will select up to two 
best-qualified candidates to participate in trial product reviews. 
After successful completion of these reviews--during which the program 
will assist the candidate in orienting to the process and gaining 
competency--the candidate will be a qualified Safer Choice TPP. The new 
TPP will be asked to sign the Safer Choice-TPP memorandum of 
understanding and, following signature, may accept clients and begin 
its service to the program.
    The quality and integrity of the Safer Choice label rests on active 
program engagement with and oversight of our profilers. Safer Choice 
plans to add up to two new TPPs this year, doubling its pool of 
profilers, based on the program's ability to assimilate, train, and 
oversee the new TPPs while maintaining its other program functions. 
Safer Choice will continually evaluate its ability to bring on 
additional TPPs.
    All qualified TPPs will be listed in and accessible via the Safer 
Choice Community, the data system product manufacturers use to apply 
for the Safer Choice label.

    Authority:  15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.

    Dated: March 9, 2016.
Wendy C. Hamnett,
Director, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.
[FR Doc. 2016-06052 Filed 3-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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