Pesticide Worker Protection Standard; Glove Liners, and Chemical-Resistant Glove Requirements for Agricultural Pilots; Notification to the Secretary of Agriculture

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notification to the Secretary of Agriculture.

SUMMARY:

This document notifies the public that the Administrator of EPA has forwarded to the Secretary of Agriculture a draft final rule as required by section 25(a) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). As described in the Agency's semi-annual Regulatory Agenda, the draft final rule would create greater flexibility in requirements of the 1992 Worker Protection Standard related to the use of gloves by workers and applicators.

ADDRESSES:

EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID number OPP-2003-0169. All documents in the docket are listed in the EDOCKET index at http://www.epa.gov/edocket . Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., 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 either electronically in EDOCKET or in hard copy at the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA, Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Docket telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Donald Eckerman, Field and External Affairs Division (7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (703) 305-5062; e-mail address: eckerman.donald@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

This action is directed to the public in general. It simply announces the submission of a draft final rule to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and does not otherwise affect any specific entities. This action may, however, be of particular interest to agricultural employers, including employers in farms as well as nursery, forestry, or greenhouse establishments, who are subject to the Worker Protection Standards. Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be interested in this action. If you have any questions regarding this action, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How Can I Access Copies of this Document and Other Related Information?

In addition to using EDOCKET ( http://www.epa.gov/edocket/ ), you may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the “Federal Register” listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/ . Please note that the draft final rule is not currently publicly available. It will only become publicly available when the final rule is signed, at which time it will publish in the Federal Register. A frequently updated electronic version of 40 CFR part 170 is available at E-CFR Beta Site Two at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/.

II. What Action is EPA Taking?

Section 25(a)(2) of FIFRA requires the Administrator to provide the Secretary of Agriculture with a copy of any final regulation at least 30 days before signing it for publication in the Federal Register. The draft final rule is not available to the public until after it has been signed by EPA. If the Secretary comments in writing regarding the draft final rule within 15 days after receiving it, the Administrator shall include the comments of the Secretary, if requested by the Secretary, and the Administrator's response to those comments in the final rule when published in the Federal Register. If the Secretary does not comment in writing within 15 days after receiving the draft final rule, the Administrator may sign the final rule for publication in the Federal Register anytime after the 15-day period.

III. Do Any Statutory and Executive Order Reviews Apply to this Notification?

No. This document is not a rule, it is merely a notification of submission to the Secretary of Agriculture. As such, none of the regulatory assessment requirements apply to this document.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 170

• Environmental protection
• Administrative practice and procedure
• Labeling
• Occupational safety and health
• Pesticides and pests