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Skip Navigation HomeHelpResourcesContact Us Advanced Search Start of Main Content Significant New Use Rules: Trichoderma reesei This Proposed Rule document was issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)For related information, Open Docket Folder Show agency attachment(s) ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2010-0994; FRL-9350-6]
RIN 2070-AD43
SummaryEPA is proposing a significant new use rule (SNUR) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for the genetically modified microorganism identified generically as Trichoderma reesei (T. reesei). This microorganism was the subject of a Microbial Commercial Activity Notice (MCAN). EPA believes this action is necessary because the use of this genetically modified T. reesei under certain conditions may be hazardous to human health and the environment. This proposed rule would also establish a mechanism to allow EPA to evaluate an intended use and its conditions, and to prohibit or limit that activity before it occurs, if EPA determines it may be hazardous.
DatesComments must be received on or before July 13, 2012.
AddressesSubmit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2010-0994, by one of the following methods:
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-2010-0994. 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-2010-0994. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the docket without change and may be made available online 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 email. 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 email comment directly to EPA without going through regulations.gov, your email 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.
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; email 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; email address: TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov. Supplementary InformationI. General InformationA. Does this action apply to me?You may be potentially affected by this action if you manufacture, import, process, or use products that contain living microorganisms subject to TSCA, especially if you know that your products contain or may contain T. reesei. Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to: Manufacturers, importers, or processors of 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 list of chemical substances excluded by TSCA section 3(2)(B) and the applicability provisions in § 725.105(c) for SNUR related obligations. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the technical person listed underFOR 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 chemical substances subject to these SNURs 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 a proposed or final SNUR are subject to the export notification provisions of TSCA section 12(b) (15 U.S.C. 2611(b)) (see § 725.920), 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 email. 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.
viii. Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period deadline identified.II. BackgroundA. What action is the agency taking?EPA is proposing this SNUR for the genetically modified microorganism identified generically as T. reesei (MCAN J-10-2). This proposed rule would require persons to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing the manufacture, import, or processing of the microorganism for any activity designated as a significant new use.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.” (see 40 CFR part 725, subparts L and M). EPA must make this determination by rule after considering all relevant factors, including the TSCA section 5(a)(2) factors, listed in 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 § 725.105(c).
EPA has interpreted the TSCA section 3(2) definition of “chemical substance” as authorizing EPA to regulate microorganisms under TSCA. See theFederal Registerissue of April 11, 1997 (62 FR 17910) (FRL-5577-2).C. Applicability of General ProvisionsGeneral provisions for SNURs for microorganisms appear in 40 CFR part 725, subpart L. These provisions describe persons subject to the proposed rule, recordkeeping requirements, exemptions to reporting requirements, and applicability to uses occurring before the effective date of the final rule. Provisions relating to user fees appear at 40 CFR part 700. Persons subject to this SNUR must comply with the notice requirements under TSCA section 5(a)(1)(A) and must submit a MCAN, using the procedures set out in 40 CFR part 725, subpart D, and additional “Significant New Uses of Microorganisms” procedures at 40 CFR part 725, subpart L.
Under 40 CFR part 725, EPA has adopted a more narrow interpretation of the TSCA section 5(h)(3) exemption for small quantities used in research than it has for other chemical substances under 40 CFR part 721. Under § 725.3, EPA has defined small quantities solely for research and development as “quantities of a microorganism manufactured, imported, or processed or proposed to be manufactured, imported, or processed solely for research and development that meet the requirements of § 725.234.” Any other research and development activity of a microorganism subject to a SNUR must comply with the TSCA section 5(a)(1)(A) notification requirements unless that activity has been excluded from coverage under the SNUR. See § 725.3, subparts E and F of 40 CFR part 725, and the April 11, 1997Federal Registerdocument. 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 theFederal Registerits reasons for not taking action.III. Significant New Use DeterminationSection 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 reasonably anticipated manner and methods of manufacturing, processing, distribution in commerce, and disposal of a chemical substance.In addition to these factors specifically 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 the available information relating to the four bulleted factors listed in TSCA section 5(a)(2) factors listed in this unit, and other relevant factors. This includes relevant information about the toxicity of the chemical substance and likely human exposures and environmental releases associated with possible uses. See the risk assessment in the docket under docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2010-0994 for this information and other relevant factors.IV. Substance Subject to This Proposed RuleEPA is proposing to establish significant new use and recordkeeping requirements for only the microorganism identified generically as T. reesei, genetically modified as described in MCAN J-10-2. This will be codified in 40 CFR part 725, subpart M. Any T. reesei microorganism with genetic modifications other than those described in MCAN J-10-2 would not be subject to this SNUR and will require submission and EPA review of a separate MCAN.MCAN Number J-10-2 Chemical name: Trichoderma reesei (MCAN J-10-2) (generic).
Basis for action: When used to produce enzymes that can release sugars from de-lignified plant materials, human and environmental exposures to live T. reesei cells are low, due to the containment and inactivation procedures specified in the MCAN. These containment and inactivation procedures are consistent with standard industry practices and those delineated in 40 CFR 725.422(d). These procedures include the use of equipment to minimize aerosol releases from the facility, and the use of inactivation methods that reduce the number of viable cells by at least 6 logs (i.e., 10 6) in the liquid and solid waste streams. More importantly, the manufacturing process described in the MCAN relies on the typical submerged standard industrial fermentation process for enzyme production, wherein the microorganism is grown in liquid broth culture in the absence of solid materials or solid surfaces, the fermentation is terminated prior to the microorganism entering the stationary phase of growth, and the enzyme is separated from the microbial biomass which is inactivated prior to disposal. Therefore, EPA determined that the proposed manufacturing, processing, or use of the microorganism as described in the MCAN is not expected to present an unreasonable risk. However, EPA has determined that use of the microorganism under other conditions may result in adverse human health and environmental effects. Specifically, where growth on solid plant material or insoluble substrate occurs, T. reesei has been shown to produce a secondary metabolite known as paracelsin, which is a peptaibol. Peptaibols are small linear peptides of 1,000-2,000 Daltons characterized by a high content of the non-proteinogenic amino acid alpha-amino-isobutyric acid (Aib), with a N-terminus that is typically acetylated, and a C-terminus that is linked to an amino alcohol, which is usually phenylalaninol, or sometimes valinol, leucinol, isoleucinol, or tryptophanol. Peptaibols are associated with a wide variety of biological activities and have antifungal, antibacterial, sometimes antiviral, antiparasitic, and neurotoxic activity. Paracelsin has been shown to have toxicity toward mammalian cells such as hemolytic activity on human erythrocytes and cytotoxicity to rat adrenal medulla PC12 (pheochromocytoma) cells. Paracelsin has also been shown to exhibit cytotoxicity to Gram-positive bacteria, to human erythrocytes, and to other mammals such as aquatic indicator species. Additional information relating to the assessment of this chemical substance and paracelsin, including a sanitized EPA risk assessment and a list of references used, is available in the docket under docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2010-0994.
CFR citation: 40 CFR 725.1077.V. Rationale and Objectives of the Proposed RuleA. RationaleDuring review of the specific T. reesei, modified as described in MCAN J-10-2, EPA determined that certain fermentation conditions, other than the typical submerged standard industrial fermentation process for enzyme production described in Unit IV., could result in increased exposures thereby constituting a “significant new use.” Specifically, EPA is concerned that where growth on solid plant material orinsoluble substrate occurs, T. reesei has been shown to produce a secondary metabolite known as paracelsin, which is associated with a variety of toxic effects to mammalian and bacterial cells. Use of the MCAN microorganism without the specific containment or inactivation controls listed in the MCAN, described in Unit IV., may result in adverse human health and environmental effects. Based on the descriptions of manufacturing, processing, and use in the MCAN J-10-2, the Agency believes that uses of the organism covered by the proposed definition of a significant new use are not currently ongoing.B. ObjectivesEPA is proposing this SNUR for a chemical substance that has undergone review 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 be able to determine whether regulation of prospective manufacturers, importers, or processors of a listed chemical substance is warranted pursuant to TSCA sections 5(e), 5(f), 6, or 7, and impose any necessary requirements before the described significant new use of that chemical substance occurs.Issuance of a SNUR for a chemical substance does not signify that the chemical substance is listed on the TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory (TSCA Inventory). Guidance on how to determine if a chemical substance is on the TSCA Inventory is available electronically at http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/existingchemicals/pubs/tscainventory/index.html. VI. Applicability of Proposed Rule to Uses Occurring Before Effective Date of the Final RuleTo establish a significant “new” use, EPA must determine that the use is not ongoing. EPA solicits comments on whether any of the uses proposed as significant new uses are ongoing.
As discussed in theFederal Registerissue 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 proposed rule became final, and then argue that the use was ongoing before the effective date of the final rule. Thus, any persons who begin commercial manufacture, import, or processing activities with the microorganism that would be regulated through this proposed rule will have to cease any such activity before the effective date of the final 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.
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 40 CFR 725.912(a), the person would be considered exempt from the requirements of the SNUR.VII. Test Data and Other InformationEPA recognizes that TSCA section 5 does not require developing any particular test data before submission of a SNUN. There are two exceptions:
Information on risks posed by the chemical substance compared to risks posed by potential substitutes.VIII. SNUN SubmissionsPersons subject to this SNUR must comply with the notice requirements under TSCA section 5(a)(1)(A) and must submit a MCAN, using the procedures set out in 40 CFR part 725, subpart D, and additional “Significant New Uses of Microorganisms” procedures at 40 CFR part 725, subpart L. SNUNs must be submitted to EPA on EPA Form No. 6300-07, generated using e-PMN software, and submitted to the Agency in accordance with the procedures set forth in 40 CFR 725.25 and 40 CFR 725.27. E-PMN software is available electronically at http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/newchems. IX. Economic AnalysisEPA has evaluated the potential costs of establishing SNUN requirements for potential manufacturers, importers, and processors of the chemical substance subject to this proposed rule. EPA's complete Economic Analysis is available in the docket under docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2010-0994.X. Statutory and Executive Order ReviewsA. Executive Order 12866This proposed rule would establish a SNUR for a chemical substance that was the subject of a MCAN. 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 ActAccording 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 OMBcontrol number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in theFederal 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.
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 ActOn February 18, 2012, EPA certified pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), that promulgation of a SNUR would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities where the following are true:
Submission of the SNUN would not cost any small entity significantly more than $8,300. Therefore, the promulgation of the SNUR would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.D. Unfunded Mandates Reform ActBased 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 reason to believe that any State, local, or Tribal government would 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 effect 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 13132This 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 13175This 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 nor 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 67249, November 9, 2000), do not apply to this proposed rule.G. Executive Order 13045This 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 13211This 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 ActIn 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 12898This 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 725Chemicals, Environmental protection, Hazardous substances, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
2. Add § 725.1077 to subpart M to read as follows:
§ 725.1077
(2)(i) The significant new use is any manufacturing, processing, or use of the microorganism other than in afermentation system that meets all of the following conditions:
[FR Doc. 2012-14242 Filed 6-12-12; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
Attachments View All (0) View document: No documents available. Attachments View All (0) Comment Now! Comment Period Closed Jul 13 2012, at 11:59 PM ET ID: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2010-0994-0001 Tracking Number: View original printed format: Document Information Date Posted: Jun 13, 2012RIN: 2070-AD43CFR: 40 CFR Part 725Federal Register Number: 2012-14242 Show More Details Submitter Information Comments1 Comments Received* see attached View Comment Docket Information This document is contained in EPA-HQ-OPPT-2010-0994 Related Dockets: NoneRelated RINs: NoneRelated Documents: None Related Comments: View all * This count refers to the total comment/submissions received on this document, as of 11:59 PM yesterday. Note: Agencies review all submissions, however some agencies may choose to redact, or withhold, certain submissions (or portions thereof) such as those containing private or proprietary information, inappropriate language, or duplicate/near duplicate examples of a mass-mail campaign. This can result in discrepancies between this count and those displayed when conducting searches on the Public Submission document type. For specific information about an agency’s public submission policy, refer to its website or the Federal Register document. Document text and images courtesy of the Federal Register Home Search Advanced Search Browse By Category Learn About Us eRulemaking Program Media Toolkit Agencies Awards & Recognition Enhancements & Fixes Resources Site Data Regulatory Agenda Agency Reports Required by Statute API Overview Developers Help How to use Regulations.gov FAQs Glossary Connect With Contact Us Privacy and Security Notice User Notice Accessibility Statement Partner Sites We the People Federal Register Reginfo Congress.gov USA.gov E-Gov Opengov Participate Today!