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Proposed RuleSignificant2019-170182019-08-14

Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Adjustments to the Allowance System for Controlling HCFC Production and Import, 2020-2029; and Other Updates

Environmental Protection Agency

Abstract

The EPA is proposing to allocate production and consumption allowances for specific hydrochlorofluorocarbons, a type of ozone- depleting substance, for the years 2020 through 2029. These hydrochlorofluorocarbons may be used to service certain equipment manufactured before 2020. The EPA is also proposing to update other requirements under the program for controlling production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances, as well as proposing edits to the regulatory text for improved readability and clarity. These updates include revising the labeling requirements for containers of specific hydrochlorofluorocarbons; prohibiting the conversion of hydrochlorofluorocarbon allowances allocated through this rulemaking into allowances for hydrochlorofluorocarbons that have already been phased out; requiring the use of an electronic reporting system for producers, importers, exporters, transformers, and destroyers of class I and class II ozone-depleting substances; revising and removing recordkeeping and reporting requirements; improving the process for petitioning to import used substances for reuse; creating a certification process for importing used and virgin substances for destruction; and restricting the sale of known illegally imported substances. This notice further includes proposed clarifications to the certification requirements for methyl bromide quarantine and preshipment uses. The EPA is also proposing to add polyurethane foam systems containing ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons to the list of nonessential products. Lastly, the agency is proposing to update the definition of "destruction" as used in the context of the production and consumption phaseout and remove obsolete provisions.

Action & Dates

Action
Proposed rule.
Dates
Comments on this notice of proposed rulemaking must be received on or before September 30, 2019. Any party requesting a public hearing must notify the contact listed below under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on August 19, 2019. If a public hearing is requested, the hearing will be held on August 29, 2019. The hearing will be held in Washington, DC. More details concerning the hearing, including whether a hearing has been requested, will be available at https://www.epa.gov/ods-phaseout/phaseout-class-ii-ozone- depleting-substances.

CFR References

Topics

Air pollution controlChemicalsEnvironmental protectionReporting and recordkeeping requirements

Public Comment

Comments Close
2019-09-30

Document Excerpt

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Environmental Protection Agency 40 CFR Part 82 [EPA-HQ-OAR-2016-0271; FRL-9997-57-OAR] RIN 2060-AU26 AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: The EPA is proposing to allocate production and consumption allowances for specific hydrochlorofluorocarbons, a type of ozone-depleting substance, for the years 2020 through 2029. These hydrochlorofluorocarbons may be used to service certain equipment manufactured before 2020. The EPA is also proposing to update other requirements under the program for controlling production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances, as well as proposing edits to the regulatory text for improved readability and clarity. These updates include revising the labeling requirements for containers of specific hydrochlorofluorocarbons; prohibiting the conversion of hydrochlorofluorocarbon allowances allocated through this rulemaking into allowances for hydrochlorofluorocarbons that have already been phased out; requiring the use of an electronic reporting system for producers, importers, exporters, transformers, and destroyers of class I and class II ozone-depleting substances; revising and removing recordkeeping and reporting requirements; improving the process for petitioning to import used substances for reuse; creating a certification process for importing used and virgin substances for destruction; and restricting the sale of known illegally imported substances. This notice further includes proposed clarifications

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Related Documents

Other Federal Register documents from the same docket.

Full Document

Citation: 84 FR 41510