Regulatory Updates

Distribution date: 17 March 2005

EPA proposes to update and revise its data requirements for the registration of conventional pesticide products. These data requirements and those already codified in part 158 of title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), are intended to provide EPA with data and other information necessary for the registration of a conventional pesticide chemical. Since the data requirements in part 158 were first codified in 1984, information needed to support the registration of a pesticide chemical has evolved as the general scientific understanding of the potential hazards posed by pesticides has grown. Over the years, updated data requirements were developed by EPA using a process that involved public participation and extensive involvement by the scientific community, including peer review by the FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP). Most of the data requirements contained in this proposal have been applied on a case-by-case basis to support individual applications, or imposed via Data Call-In (DCI) on all registrants of similar products. Although the data requirements imposed have progressed as scientific understanding and concerns have evolved, the codified data requirements have not been updated to keep pace. This proposal involves changes to the codified data requirements that pertain to product chemistry, toxicology, residue chemistry, applicator exposure, post-application exposure, nontarget terrestrial and aquatic organisms, nontarget plant protection, and environmental fate. Coupled with updating data requirements, EPA proposes to add a few new studies, reformat the requirements, and revise its general procedures and policies associated with data submission. By codifying existing data requirements which are currently applied on a case-by-case basis, the pesticide industry, along with other partners in the regulated community, attain a better understanding and are better prepared for the pesticide registration process. This proposed rule does not apply to the data requirements for the registration of antimicrobial pesticide products; inert ingredients for pesticide products; spray drift, product performance (efficacy); or biochemical, and microbial pesticides.

Products Covered: Pesticides (HS Chapter 3808;  ICS 65)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 14 March 2005

The document lists veterinary products the use of which is prohibited and restricted in Central America.

Products Covered: Veterinary products

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 14 March 2005

The document lists veterinary products the use of which is prohibited and restricted in Central America.

Products Covered: Veterinary products

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 14 March 2005

Products Covered: Seeds and seedlings of the agricultural crops used for foods and feeds among the plant species of the designated seeds and seedlings.  <HS codes> Live trees and other plants; bulbs, roots and the like; cut flowers and ornamental foliage (06.01, 06.02), potatoes, fresh or chilled: Seed (0701.10) , Sweet corn (0712.90.031), Dried leguminous vegetables for sowing (0713.10.010 20.010, 33.010,39.010,40.010, 50.010, 90.010), Rye: Seed (1002.00), Oats: Seed (1004.00), Maize(corn): Seed (1005.10), Grain sorghum: Seed (1007.00), Buckwheat: Seed (1008.10), Other cereals: Seed (1008.90) "Seeds and seedlings of a kind used for sowing" in Chapter 12 (12.01-12.11)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 14 March 2005

Products Covered: Seeds and seedlings of the agricultural crops used for foods and feeds among the plant species of the designated seeds and seedlings.  <HS codes> Live trees and other plants; bulbs, roots and the like; cut flowers and ornamental foliage (06.01, 06.02), potatoes, fresh or chilled: Seed (0701.10) , Sweet corn (0712.90.031), Dried leguminous vegetables for sowing (0713.10.010 20.010, 33.010,39.010,40.010, 50.010, 90.010), Rye: Seed (1002.00), Oats: Seed (1004.00), Maize(corn): Seed (1005.10), Grain sorghum: Seed (1007.00), Buckwheat: Seed (1008.10), Other cereals: Seed (1008.90) "Seeds and seedlings of a kind used for sowing" in Chapter 12 (12.01-12.11)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 08 March 2005

List of prohibited and restricted veterinary products.

Products Covered: Prohibited and restricted veterinary products

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 08 March 2005

List of prohibited and restricted veterinary products.

Products Covered: Prohibited and restricted veterinary products

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 01 March 2005

This Standard covers the following: purpose, scope of application, definitions, symbols and abbreviations, classification and description, general and specific requirements, sampling, classification of defects through inspection by attributes, criteria for approval of inspection, testing methods, laboratory tests, labelling, packing and packaging, appendices, monitoring and verification, appendix, regulatory annexes. The purpose of the Standard is to establish quality requirements for male and female condoms.

Products Covered: Condoms.  Specifications (HS tariff heading 30.06)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 01 March 2005

This Standard covers the following: purpose, scope of application, definitions, symbols and abbreviations, classification and description, general and specific requirements, sampling, classification of defects through inspection by attributes, criteria for approval of inspection, testing methods, laboratory tests, labelling, packing and packaging, appendices, monitoring and verification, appendix, regulatory annexes. The purpose of the Standard is to establish quality requirements for male and female condoms.

Products Covered: Condoms.  Specifications (HS tariff heading 30.06)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 23 February 2005

The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) plans to restrict the packaging of gift boxes containing pastries, cosmetics, alcoholic products, and/or processed foods, as well as disks of computer programs (together referred to as "designated products"). The space volume ratio of packaging of the designated products shall not exceed 25%. The space volume ratio of packaging made of a single material shall not exceed 35%. The number of packaging layers shall be no more than two for gift boxes containing cosmetics, alcoholic products, and/or processed foods. The number of packaging layers shall be no more than three for disks of computer programs and gift boxes containing pastries. The first stage of the regulation will be effective starting 1 July 2006, covering pastries, cosmetics, alcoholic products and disks of computer programs. The second stage, set for 1 July 2007, will cover processed foods. This regulation also requires the manufacturers, importers and sellers of the regulated products (together referred to as "designated industries") to offer products for packaging inspection without compensation. In addition, the designated industries shall offer catalogues of products, information about the buyers, sale dates to the buyers, suppliers, and sale dates of the suppliers of designated products, when required by enforcement officials.

Products Covered: Gift boxes containing pastries, gift boxes containing processed foods, gift boxes containing cosmetics, gift boxes containing alcoholic products, disks of computer program works (HS chapters 16-24 and 33, HS 8524.39.90.29.4)

Regulation Type: Regular notification