Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/11/01/2013-25981/modification-of-significant-new-uses-of-1-propene-2333-tetrafluoro-
Timestamp: 2017-08-17 04:06:20
Document Index: 597909474

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 707', '§\u2009721', 'art 707', '§\u2009721', '§\u2009721', '§\u2009721', '§\u2009721', 'art 9', 'art 9', 'art 1320', '§\u2009721', '§\u2009721', '§\u2009721']

Federal Register :: Modification of Significant New Uses of 1-Propene, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-
This final rule is effective December 2, 2013.
78 FR 65570
65570-65573 (4 pages)
FRL-9901-97
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2013-25981 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2013-25981
The docket for this action, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0918 is available at http://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics Docket (OPPT Docket), Environmental Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket is (202) 566-0280. Please review the visitor instructions and additional information about the docket available at http://www.epa.gov/​dockets.
You may be potentially affected by this action if you manufacture, process, or use the chemical substance identified as 1-Propene, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro- (PMN P-07-601). Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to:
Manufacturers or processors of the subject chemical substance (NAICS codes 325 and 324110), e.g., chemical manufacturers and petroleum refineries.
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, and 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 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 the 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 § 721.20), and must comply with the export notification requirements in 40 CFR part 707, subpart D.Start Printed Page 65571
EPA is finalizing an amendment to the SNUR for the chemical substance identified as 1-Propene, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-, (PMN P-07-601; CAS No. 754-12-1; which is also identified by the trade name HFO-1234yf), codified at 40 CFR 721.10182. This final action removes the requirement to notify EPA at least 90 days prior to the manufacture or processing of the chemical substance for the consumer use to recharge the motor vehicle air conditioning systems in passenger cars and vehicles in which the original charging of motor vehicle air conditioning systems with the PMN substance was done by the motor vehicle.
This rule was proposed in the Federal Register issue of May 31, 2013 (78 FR 32617) (FRL-9387-7). EPA received three public comments supporting the proposed modification. One of the commenters also noted a potential ambiguity in the proposed regulatory text. Part of the proposed regulatory text would identify a significant new use as “use in consumer products other than products used to recharge the motor vehicle air conditioning systems in passenger cars and vehicles in which the charging of motor vehicle air conditioning systems with the PMN substance was done by the motor vehicle original equipment manufacturer (OEM)”. The commenter stated this could be construed to allow only one recharge of automotive air conditioning systems originally charged with HFO-1234yf. To clarify this ambiguity the commenter suggested revising the proposed text to “use in consumer products other than products used to recharge the motor vehicle air conditioning systems in passenger cars and vehicles in which the original charging of motor vehicle air conditioning systems with the PMN substance was done by the motor vehicle OEM” (the proposed revision is in italics). The commenter also suggested a similar change to the regulatory text for the significant new use designation for commercial use. EPA agrees with this clarification that the regulatory text is not intended to allow only one recharge of automotive air conditioning systems originally charged with HFO-1234yf. Therefore, the Agency is issuing a final amended SNUR, that:
1. No longer requires notification prior to the manufacture or processing for the consumer use to recharge the motor vehicle air conditioning systems in passenger cars and vehicles in which the original charging of motor vehicle air conditioning systems with the PMN substance was done by the motor vehicle OEM.
2. Clarifies the language in the regulatory text that manufacture and processing for use as a refrigerant in motor vehicle air conditioning systems in new passenger cars and vehicles as reported in the original PMN is not a significant new use.
3. Clarifies the language in the regulatory text for commercial and consumer use that it is not intended to allow only one recharge of automotive air conditioning systems originally charged with HFO-1234yf.
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 the four bulleted TSCA section 5(a)(2) factors, listed in Unit IV. of this document. 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 or process the chemical substance for that use. Persons who must report are described in § 721.5.
During review of PMN P-07-601, the chemical substance identified as 1-Propene, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-, EPA determined that one or more of the criteria of concern established at § 721.170 were met and regulation under section 5(a)(2) of TSCA was warranted. The basis for such criteria of concern is outlined in Unit II.A. of the proposed rule and in the Federal Register document of June 26, 1990 (55 FR 26102). Based on these findings, a SNUR was promulgated pursuant to § 721.170.
After the review of new test data and information subsequent to issuance of the SNUR (see Unit II.A of the proposed rule), and consideration of the factors included in TSCA section 5(a)(2) (see Unit IV.), EPA determined that the concern criteria in § 721.170(b) are no longer met for the consumer use in the recharge of motor vehicle air conditioning systems originally charged with the PMN substance by the motor vehicle OEM.
In addition to these factors enumerated in TSCA section 5(a)(2), the statute authorizes EPA to consider any other relevant factors. To determine that the consumer use in the recharge of motor vehicle air conditioning systems originally charged with the PMN substance by the motor vehicle OEM would not constitute a significant new use for the chemical substance identified as 1-Propene, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-, (PMN P-07-601), EPA considered relevant information about the toxicity of the chemical substance, likely human exposures and environmental releases associated with possible uses, taking into consideration the four bulleted TSCA section 5(a)(2) factors listed in this unit.
EPA evaluated the potential costs of establishing SNUN requirements for potential manufacturers and processors of the chemical substance during the development of the direct final rule. The Agency's complete Economic Analysis is available in the docket under docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0918.
This action modifies a SNUR for a chemical substance that is the subject of a PMN. 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).
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 Start Printed Page 65572control 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 has amended the table in 40 CFR part 9 to list the OMB approval number for the information collection requirements contained in this 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 rule is within the scope of the February 18, 2012 certification. Based on the Economic Analysis discussed in Unit V. and EPA's experience promulgating SNURs (discussed in the certification), EPA believes that the following are true:
2. In § 721.10182, revise paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2)(i) to read as follows:
(1) The chemical substance identified as 1-propene, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro- (PMN Start Printed Page 65573P-07-601; CAS No. 754-12-1) is subject to reporting under this section for the significant new uses described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
(i) Industrial, commercial, and consumer activities. A significant new use is use other than as a refrigerant in motor vehicle air conditioning systems in new passenger cars and vehicles (i.e., as defined in 40 CFR 82.32(c) and (d)); § 721.80(m) (commercial use other than in passenger cars and vehicles in which the original charging of motor vehicle air conditioning systems with the PMN substance was done by the motor vehicle original equipment manufacturer (OEM)); § 721.80(o) (use in consumer products other than products used to recharge the motor vehicle air conditioning systems in passenger cars and vehicles in which the original charging of motor vehicle air conditioning systems with the PMN substance was done by the motor vehicle OEM).
[FR Doc. 2013-25981 Filed 10-31-13; 8:45 am]