Document ID: EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0571-0005
Agency: epa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Ammonium Soap Salts of Higher Fatty Acids (C8-C18 saturated; C8-C12) unsaturated; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance
Posted Date: 2008-07-09T04:00Z

[Federal Register: July 9, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 132)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 39264-39269]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09jy08-19]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0571; FRL-8372-2]

 
Ammonium Soap Salts of Higher Fatty Acids 
(C8-C18 saturated; C8-C12) 
unsaturated; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement 
of a tolerance for residues of the ammonium soap salts of higher fatty 
acids (C8-C18 saturated; 
C8-C12 unsaturated) in or on all food commodities 
when applied for the suppression and control of a wide variety of 
grasses and weeds. Falcon Lab, LLC submitted a petition to EPA under 
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as amended by the 
Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA), requesting an exemption 
from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the 
need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of ammonium 
soap salts of higher fatty acids (C8-C18 
saturated; C8-C12 unsaturated).

DATES: This regulation is effective July 9, 2008. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before September 8, 2008, 
and must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 
CFR part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).

ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0571. To access the 
electronic docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, select ``Advanced 
Search,'' then ``Docket Search.'' Insert the docket ID number where 
indicated and select the ``Submit'' button. Follow

[[Page 39265]]

the instructions on the regulations.gov website to view the docket 
index or access available documents. All documents in the docket are 
listed in the docket index available in regulations.gov. Although 
listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as 
copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be 
publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket 
materials are available in the electronic docket at http://
www.regulations.gov, or, if only available in hard copy, at the OPP 
Regulatory Public Docket in Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 
2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. The Docket Facility is open from 
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. 
The Docket Facility telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raderrio Wilkins, Biopesticides and 
Pollution Prevention Division (7511P), Environmental Protection Agency, 
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone 
number: (703) 308-1259; e-mail address: wilkins.raderrio@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an 
agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer. 
Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to those 
engaged in the following activities:
     Crop production (NAICS code 111).
     Animal production (NAICS code 112).
     Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).
     Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).
    This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to 
provide 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. If you 
have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a 
particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How Can I Access Electronic Copies of this Document?

    In addition to accessing an electronic copy of this Federal 
Register document through the electronic docket at http://
www.regulations.gov, you may access this Federal Register document 
electronically through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register'' 
listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr. You may also access a 
frequently updated electronic version of EPA's tolerance regulations at 
40 CFR part 180 through the Government Printing Office's pilot e-CFR 
site at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr.

C. Can I File an Objection or Hearing Request?

    Under section 408(g) of FFDCA, any person may file an objection to 
any aspect of this regulation and may also request a hearing on those 
objections. You must file your objection or request a hearing on this 
regulation in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 CFR part 
178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify docket ID 
number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0571 in the subject line on the first page of 
your submission. All requests must be in writing, and must be mailed or 
delivered to the Hearing Clerk as required by 40 CFR part 178 on or 
before September 8, 2008.
    In addition to filing an objection or hearing request with the 
Hearing Clerk as described in 40 CFR part 178, please submit a copy of 
the filing that does not contain any CBI for inclusion in the public 
docket that is described in ADDRESSES. Information not marked 
confidential pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA 
without prior notice. Submit this copy, identified by docket ID number 
EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0571, by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public 
Docket (7502P), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
     Delivery: OPP Regulatory Public Docket (7502P), 
Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South 
Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. Deliveries are only 
accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation (8:30 a.m. to 4 
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays). Special 
arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. The 
Docket Facility telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

II. Background and Statutory Findings

    In the Federal Register of August 8, 2007 (72 FR 44521) (FRL-8139-
7), EPA issued a notice pursuant to section 408(d)(3) of FFDCA, 21 
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide tolerance 
petition (PP 7F7186) by Falcon Lab, LLC, 1103 Norbee Drive, Wilmington, 
DE 19803. The petition requested that 40 CFR part 180 be amended by 
establishing an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for 
residues of ammonium soap salts of higher fatty acids 
(C8-C18 saturated and 
C8-C12 unsaturated). This notice failed to 
include a summary of the petition prepared by the petitioner Falcon 
Lab, LLC, nor was a summary of the petition provided in the docket for 
this action. Therefore, EPA republished notice of receipt of this 
petition in the Federal Register of April 16, 2008 (73 FR 20631) (FRL-
8360-1), and posted the summary of the petition in the docket for this 
action. There were no comments received in response to the notice of 
filing.
    Section 408(c)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish an 
exemption from the requirement for a tolerance (the legal limit for a 
pesticide chemical residue in or on a food) only if EPA determines that 
the exemption is ``safe.'' Section 408(c)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA defines 
``safe'' to mean that ``there is a reasonable certainty that no harm 
will result from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue, 
including all anticipated dietary exposures and all other exposures for 
which there is reliable information.'' This includes exposure through 
drinking water and in residential settings, but does not include 
occupational exposure. Pursuant to section 408(c)(2)(B) of FFDCA, in 
establishing or maintaining in effect an exemption from the requirement 
of a tolerance, EPA must take into account the factors set forth in 
section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA, which require EPA to give special 
consideration to exposure of infants and children to the pesticide 
chemical residue in establishing a tolerance and to ``ensure that there 
is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to infants and 
children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue.... 
'' Additionally, section 408(b)(2)(D) of FFDCA requires that the Agency 
consider ``available information concerning the cumulative effects of a 
particular pesticide's residues '' and ``other substances that have a 
common mechanism of toxicity.''
    EPA performs a number of analyses to determine the risks from 
aggregate exposure to pesticide residues. First,

[[Page 39266]]

EPA determines the toxicity of pesticides. Second, EPA examines 
exposure to the pesticide through food, drinking water, and through 
other exposures that occur as a result of pesticide use in residential 
settings.

III. Toxicological Profile

    Consistent with section 408(b)(2)(D) of FFDCA, EPA has reviewed the 
available scientific data and other relevant information in support of 
this action and considered its validity, completeness, and reliability 
and the relationship of this information to human risk. EPA has also 
considered available information concerning the variability of the 
sensitivities of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including 
infants and children.
    Ammonium soap salts of fatty acids are one class of salts of fatty 
acids. Soaps are mineral salts of naturally occurring fatty acids. The 
fatty acids are a significant part of the normal daily diet, for they 
occur in dietary lipids which usually constitute about 90 grams in a 
day's diet. As discussed in this Unit, as part of the reregistration 
process, the Agency has already conducted a risk assessment for soap 
salts of fatty acids for their potential effects to human health and 
the environment and determined that all registered pesticide products 
containing the active ingredient Soap Salts are not likely to cause 
unreasonable adverse effects in people or the environment and were 
eligible for reregistration.
    The Agency issued a Reregistration Eligibility Document (RED) in 
September 1992 for potassium salts of fatty acids 
(C12-C18 saturated and C18 
unsaturated, including potassium laureate, potassium myristate, 
potassium oleate, and potassium ricinoleate (CAS No. 10124-65-9) and 
ammonium salts of fatty acids (C8-C18 saturated 
and C18 unsaturated, including ammonium oleate (CAS No. 
84776-33-0). While the RED does not specifically identify the active 
ingredient ammonium nonanoate (also called pelargonic acid) by name, 
the Agency believes the conclusions of the RED are applicable to 
ammonium nonanoate because the RED defines the soap salts of fatty 
acids that were assessed to be (C8-C18) and 
ammonium nonanoate (pelargonic acid) is an ammonium salt of 
C9 fatty acid. All soap salts with fatty acids having 
aliphatic carbon chains lengths in the range between C8 and 
C18 saturated and C8-C12 unsaturated 
are virtually identical in regard to chemistry and toxicology.
    In support of the RED, the Agency conducted a risk assessment for 
soap salts for their potential effects (if any) to human health. The 
Agency determined that soap salts of fatty acids are metabolized, 
forming simple compounds that serve as energy sources and structural 
compounds used in all living cells, and have low acute toxicity by the 
oral route of exposure. The RED notes that soap salts of potassium 
salts of coco fatty acid and sodium salts of caprylic acid, when 
administered to lab animals at high doses cause reproductive and 
mutagenic effects. However, based on the low toxicity of ammonium 
nonanoate and data/information reviewed in support of the tolerance 
exemption for pelargonic acid (ammonium nonanoate acid) which 
demonstrated that pelargonic acid did not cause developmental or 
mutagenic effects, the Agency believes that there would likely not be 
any reproductive or mutagenic effects for this active ingredient when 
used in the manner as described in this rule. Further the pesticidal 
concentration of ammonium nonanoate will be exceedingly lower in 
comparison to those high doses which were administered in the studies 
using potassium salts of coco fatty acids.
    The active ingredient ammonium soap salts of fatty acids, is used 
as a contact, non-selective, broad spectrum, foliar-applied herbicides. 
This active ingredient was federally registered in 2006 as a non-food 
use pesticide for the suppression and control of a wide variety of 
undesirable grasses and weeds. In addition, ammonium salts of fatty 
acids have been registered for other non-food uses, including repelling 
rabbits and deer from forage and grain crops, vegetables and field 
crops, in orchards, and on nursery stock, ornamentals, flower, lawns, 
turfs, vines, shrubs and trees.
    As part of this rulemaking, EPA reviewed the Soap Salts of Fatty 
Acid RED, the Pelargonic Acid Tolerance Exemption (40 CFR 180.1159), 
the data and/or information submitted by the petitioner and has 
concluded that ammonium nonanoate, a C9 ammonium salt fatty 
acid (also called pelargonic acid) and other ammonium soap salts of 
higher fatty acids (C8-C18 saturated; 
C8-C12 unsaturated) do not pose an unreasonable 
adverse effect to the environment, when used in accordance with 
approved labeling. While this pesticide is not intended to be sprayed 
directly on food or feed crops, the Agency has determined that there 
may be a potential for exposure from residues of ammonium soap salts on 
food and feed as a result of unintentional spray or drift.
    In lieu of submitting new Tier I toxicity studies for ammonium 
nonanoate, the registrant relied on data previously submitted in 
support of the Soap Salts Registration Eligibility Document (RED). The 
RED concluded that fatty acids such as oleic acids and related 
C12-C18 fatty acids are generally considered to 
be low toxicity by the oral route of exposure and gives a category IV 
for both oral and dermal route of exposure. This conclusion can be 
extended to all ammonium salts of fatty acids 
(C8-C18 saturated; C8-C12 
unsaturated) because of the virtual identical chemistry and toxicology 
of these fatty acids.
    In addition to relying on the RED, the petitioner submitted 
requests for waiver of additional studies in support of its petition 
for a tolerance exemption.
    1. Acute inhalation toxicity: Ammonium salts of fatty acids do not 
form aerosol particulates, have a vapor pressure near that of water and 
do not readily vaporize. ``In a study in which 10 rats were exposed for 
8 hours to saturated vapors of mixed isomers of decanoic acid 
(C10) no deaths were observed.'' MRID 43843503 reported that 
the LC50 was > 1.244 milligrams/liter (mg/L) for nonanoic 
acid (C9).
    2. Subchronic oral toxicity: MRID 43843507 reported that no 
significant effects were demonstrated in a 14-day range finding study 
in rats given nonanoic acid at doses up to 1,834 mg/kilogram (kg)/day. 
``The agency concluded that a 90-day oral toxicity study was not 
necessary for a dietary risk assessment'' of nonanoic acid due to the 
following:
    i. Lack of effects at extremely high doses in the range finding 
study;
    ii. Nature of nonanoic acid (a fatty acid) and its ubiquity in 
nature;
    iii. The results from acute mammalian toxicology studies; and
    iv. The unlikelihood of prolonged human exposure via the oral route 
due to the proposed use patterns.
    Dietary exposure would be minimized via plant metabolism of 
ammonium nonanoic acid through oxidative pathways common for fatty 
acids. The same rationale can be applied to ammonium salts of fatty 
acids because they share a chemical identity with ammonium nonanoic 
acid.
    3. Teratogenicity: MRID 43843508, a developmental toxicity study of 
nonanoic acid (C9 fatty acid), reported that the treatment 
had no adverse effects on clinical signs, body weight, or food/water 
consumption. No fetal toxicity was observed. The mean number of viable 
fetuses, early or late resorptions, implantation sites, corpora lutea, 
pre- and post-implantation losses, sex ratios and fetal body weight 
were comparable to those of the control group. The no observed adverse 
effect level (NOAEL)

[[Page 39267]]

for maternal and developmental toxicity was 1,500 mg/kg/day and the 
lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) was > 1,500 mg/kg/day. The 
developmental toxicity study for ammonium nonanoic acid showed no 
effects at dose levels above the limit dose (1,000 mg/kg/day). 
Therefore, the tier 1 data requirement for food use for this 
biochemical pesticide is satisfied. The same rationale can be applied 
to ammonium salts of fatty acids because they share a chemical identity 
with ammonium nonanoic acid.
    4. Immune response: This study is conditionally required when there 
is a requirement for a sub-chronic oral, dermal, or inhalation study, 
depending on the most likely routes of exposure. The registrant 
requested waivers based on the factors given for the waiver request of 
the 90-day oral toxicity study.

IV. Aggregate Exposures

    In examining aggregate exposure, section 408 of FFDCA directs EPA 
to consider available information concerning exposures from the 
pesticide residue in food and all other non-occupational exposures, 
including drinking water from ground water or surface water and 
exposure through pesticide use in gardens, lawns, or buildings 
(residential and other indoor uses).
    Aggregate exposure to ammonium salts may occur via oral and dermal 
routes. Since the acute oral toxicity of soap salts is low (Toxicity 
Category IV), the risks anticipated from oral exposures are considered 
minimal. The acute dermal toxicity is also low (Toxicity Category IV). 
Longer dermal exposures can produce mild to moderate irritation, but 
soap salts are not skin sensitizers. As a result, the anticipated risks 
from dermal exposure are considered minimal. Since the inhalation route 
is not a likely exposure pathway the anticipated risk from inhalation 
exposure are also considered minimal.

A. Dietary Exposure

    1. Food. Pesticides containing ammonium soap salts of fatty acids 
are likely to be used as contact, non-selective, broad spectrum, 
foliar-applied herbicides or as repellents. As such they are likely not 
to be applied directly to any food plants. Moreover, ammonium salts of 
fatty acids are expected to be rapidly metabolized by soil 
microorganisms, with a half-life of perhaps less than one day, 
therefore residues of ammonium salts of fatty acids when used in 
accordance with approved labeling will not persist in the environment. 
The lack of direct application to food plants coupled with the rapid 
metabolization of ammonium salts when used as pesticides will result in 
low exposures to ammonium soap salts of fatty acids. However, if the 
exposures to ammonium soap salts to humans from food commodities that 
have been indirectly sprayed with residues of ammonium salts occur, the 
Agency does not expect exposures to be unsafe due the low acute 
toxicity and likely low exposure of these soap salts.
    2. Drinking water exposure. No significant exposure to drinking 
water is expected from an accumulation of soap salts in the aquatic 
environment when it is used in accordance with approved labeling. 
Ammonium salts of fatty acids are not to be applied directly to water.

B. Other Non-Occupational Exposure

    Non-occupational dermal exposure to ammonium salts of fatty acids 
will be expected since the use of this pesticide will be in the 
residential settings. However, the Agency believes that any hazard 
related to exposure to residential users from this pesticide will 
likely be insignificant. This belief is based on the fact that the 
toxicity data demonstrated no toxic endpoints upon which to base a risk 
characterization at or below 1,000 mg/kg of body weight/day (the limit 
dose).
    Non-occupational inhalation exposure is not expected because 
ammonium salts of fatty acids do not form aerosol particulates, have a 
vapor pressure near that of water, and do not readily vaporize.

V. Cumulative Effects

    Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of the FFDCA requires the Agency to 
consider the cumulative effect of exposure to residues that have a 
common mechanism of toxicity. These considerations include the possible 
cumulative effects of such residues on infants and children. Except for 
ocular exposure, ammonium nonanoate is of low toxicity, and it is not 
anticipated that there would be cumulative effects from common 
mechanisms of toxicity.
    Studies of fatty acids and fatty acid salts previously submitted to 
the Agency, indicate that the half-life of fatty acids is less than one 
(1) day (MRID 00157476). As can be expected, there is very rapid 
microbial degradation of fatty acids in soil. Fatty acids and their 
salts are excellent substrates for microbial growth, serving both as 
carbon sources and energy sources. The active ingredient cannot totally 
dissipate from soil, because there is a natural content of fatty acids 
in soil resulting from plant metabolism and by formation of microbial 
organisms. Fatty acids constitute a significant portion of the normal 
daily diet of mammals (including humans, birds, and invertebrates since 
they are found in large amounts in the form of lipids in all living 
tissues (including seeds). Microbial metabolism of fatty acids has the 
effect of either converting the degradates to CO2 and ester 
(if used as an energy source) or converting the carbon content of the 
fatty acid to any of the thousands of naturally occurring organic 
substances produced by the soil microflora (if used as a carbon 
source). Based on these known facts of the role of fatty acids in the 
environment and in food and feed, there should be no concern for 
cumulative effects of ammonium salts of fatty acids used as pesticides.

VI. Determination of Safety for U.S. Population, Infants and Children

    There is a reasonable certainty that no harm to the U.S. 
population, including infants and children , will result from aggregate 
exposure to residues of ammonium salts of fatty acids 
(C8-C18 saturated; C8-C12 
unsaturated) due to their use as a pesticide. This includes all 
anticipated dietary exposures and all other exposures for which there 
is reliable information. As discussed in Unit III, ammonium salts of 
fatty acids (C8-C18 saturated; 
C8-C12 unsaturated) have low toxicity. Moreover, 
many soap salts of fatty acids are part of the human diet and pesticide 
exposures are not expected to exceed the levels of naturally occurring 
fatty acids in commonly eaten foods. Accordingly, exempting ammonium 
salts of fatty acids (C8-C18 saturated; 
C8-C12 unsaturated) from the requirement of a 
tolerance is considered safe.
    FFDCA section 408 provides that EPA shall apply an additional 
tenfold margin of exposure MOE (safety) for infants and children in the 
case of threshold effects to account for prenatal and postnatal 
toxicity and the completeness of the data base unless EPA determines 
that a different margin of exposure (safety) will be safe for infants 
and children. Margins of exposure are often referred to as uncertainty 
or safety factors. In this instance, based on all available 
information, the Agency concludes that ammonium salts of fatty acids 
are practically non-toxic to mammals including infants and children. 
Because there are no threshold effects of concern to infants, children, 
and adults when ammonium salt is used as labeled, the provision 
requiring an additional margin of safety does not apply. Further, the 
provisions of consumption patterns, special susceptibility, and 
cumulative

[[Page 39268]]

effects do not apply. As a result, EPA has not used a MOE approach to 
assess the safety of ammonium salts of fatty acids 
(C8-C18 saturated; C8-C12 
unsaturated).

VII. Other Considerations

A. Endocrine Disruptors

    EPA is required under the FFDCA, as amended by FQPA, to develop a 
screening program to determine whether certain substances (including 
all pesticide active and other ingredients) ``may have an effect in 
humans that is similar to an effect produced by a naturally-occurring 
estrogen, or other such endocrine effects as the Administrator may 
designate''. Ammonium salts of fatty acids 
(C8-C18 saturated; C8-C12 
unsaturated) are not known endocrine disruptors nor are they related to 
any class of known endocrine disruptors.

B. Analytical Method(s)

    There have been no analytical procedures conducted to ascertain 
residuals of ammonium salts of fatty acids 
(C8-C18 saturated; C8-C12 
unsaturated) on food crops that have been exposed to pesticides 
containing such ammonium salts of fatty acids. Naturally occurring 
fatty acids constitute a significant part of the normal daily diet and 
are of low toxicity when taken orally and pose no known health risks. 
Further, based on data and/or information already reviewed by the 
Agency in support of the reregistration of soap salts of fatty acids, 
the residues of these salts of fatty acids from pesticide use are not 
likely to exceed and are likely to be indistinguishable from levels of 
naturally occurring fatty acids in commonly eaten foods.

C. Codex Maximum Residue Level

    There are currently no established Codex, Canadian, or Mexican MRLs 
for ammonium salts of fatty acids in/on plants or livestock 
commodities. Therefore, no compatibility issues exist with regard to 
the proposed U.S. exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

VIII. Conclusions

    There is currently no tolerance or tolerance exemption for ammonium 
salts of fatty acids. A proposed rule was published on May 1, 1996 (61 
FR 19233) (FRL-5362-9), to exempt ammonium oleate and related 
C8-C18 fatty acids ammonium salts from the 
requirement of a tolerance for residues in or on all raw agricultural 
commodities when used in accordance with good agricultural practice; 
however, the proposed rule was never finalized by the Agency. This 
action will formalize food use approval for ammonium salts of fatty 
acids as stated in the 1992 RED: Soap Salts, by exempting ammonium 
salts of higher fatty acids from the requirement of a tolerance.
    The Agency has determined that there is a reasonable certainty that 
no harm will result to the U.S. population, including infants and 
children from aggregate exposures to residues of ammonium salts of 
fatty acids (C8-C18 saturated; 
C8-C12 unsaturated). This conclusion is based on 
the demonstrated, very low acute oral and dermal toxicity of these 
ammonium salts and because the Agency anticipates that actual exposures 
in food will be low due to the uses of ammonium soap salts of fatty 
acids.

IX. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This final rule establishes a tolerance under section 408(d) of 
FFDCA in response to a petition submitted to the Agency. 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). Because this final rule has been 
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, this final rule is 
not subject to Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations 
That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use (66 FR 
28355, May 22, 2001) or Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of 
Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, 
April 23, 1997). This final rule does not contain any information 
collections subject to OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
(PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., nor does it require any special 
considerations under Executive Order 12898, entitled Federal Actions to 
Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
Populations (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    Since tolerances and exemptions that are established on the basis 
of a petition under section 408(d) of FFDCA, such as the tolerance in 
this final rule, do not require the issuance of a proposed rule, the 
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.) do not apply.
    This final rule directly regulates growers, food processors, food 
handlers, and food retailers, not States or tribes, nor does this 
action alter the relationships or distribution of power and 
responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions 
of section 408(n)(4) of FFDCA. As such, the Agency has determined that 
this action will not have a substantial direct effect on States or 
tribal governments, on the relationship between the national government 
and the States or tribal governments, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government or between 
the Federal Government and Indian tribes. Thus, the Agency has 
determined that Executive Order 13132, entitled Federalism (64 FR 
43255, August 10, 1999) and Executive Order 13175, entitled 
Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (65 FR 
67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply to this final rule. In addition, 
this final rule does not impose any enforceable duty or contain any 
unfunded mandate as described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates 
Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Public Law 104-4).
    This action does not involve any technical standards that would 
require Agency consideration of voluntary consensus standards pursuant 
to 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).

X. Congressional Review Act

    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report to each House of the Congress and to 
the Comptroller General of the United States. EPA will submit a report 
containing this rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate, 
the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the 
United States prior to publication of this final rule in the Federal 
Register. This final rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 
U.S.C. 804(2).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: June 30, 2008.
Debra Edwards,
Director, Office of Pesticide Programs.

0
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:

PART 180--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.

0
2. Section 180.1284 is added to subpart D to read as follows:

[[Page 39269]]

Sec.  180.1284  Ammonium salts of higher fatty acids 
(C8-C18 saturated; C8-C12 
unsaturated); exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

    This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a 
tolerance for residues of the ammonium salts of higher fatty acids 
C8-C18 saturated; C8-C12 
unsaturated on in or on all food commodities when applied for the 
suppression and control of a wide variety of grasses and weeds.
[FR Doc. E8-15516 Filed 7-8-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-S