[Federal Register: March 21, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 55)]
[Notices]
[Page 15152-15153]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21mr00-54]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPPTS-140284; FRL-6497-8]
Access to Confidential Business Information by Chemical Abstract
Services
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: EPA has authorized its contractor Chemical Abstract Services
(CAS) and its subcontractor TMC MicroImage, Inc., both of Columbus,
Ohio, access to information which has been submitted to EPA under
sections 5 and 8 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Some of
the information may be claimed or determined to be confidential
business information (CBI).
DATES: Access to the confidential data submitted to EPA occurred as a
result of an approved waiver dated February 28, 2000, which requested
granting CAS and TMC immediate access to TSCA CBI. This waiver was
necessary to allow CAS and TMC to assist the Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) in microfilming and processing TSCA CBI
materials.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For General Information Contact:
Barbara Cunningham, Director, Office of Program Management and
Evaluation (7401), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics,
Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460, telephone number: (202) 554-1404; e-
mail: TSCA-Hotline@epamail.epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Does this Notice Apply to Me?
This action is directed to the public in general. This action may,
however, be of interest to ``those persons who are or may be required
to conduct testing of chemical substances under the Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA).'' Since other entities may also be interested, the
Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may
be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the
applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
II. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of this
Document or Other Related Documents?
Electronically. You may obtain electronic copies of this document,
and certain other related documents that might be available
electronically, from the EPA Internet Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/.
To access this document, on the Home Page select ``Laws and
Regulations'' and then look up the entry for this document under the
``Federal Register--Environmental Documents.'' You can also go directly
to the Federal Register listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.
III. What Action is the Agency Taking?
Under contract number 68-W5-0015, contractor CAS and its
subcontractor TMC, both of Columbus, Ohio, will assist the Office of
Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) in microfilming and processing
of TSCA CBI materials.
In accordance with 40 CFR 2.306(j), EPA has determined that under
EPA contract number 68-W5-0015, CAS and TMC will require access to CBI
submitted to EPA under sections 5 and 8 of TSCA to perform successfully
the duties specified under the contract.
CAS and TMC personnel will be given access to information submitted
to EPA
[[Page 15153]]
under sections 5 and 8 of TSCA. Some of the information may be claimed
or determined to be CBI. In a previous notice published in the Federal
Register of February 24, 1998 (63 FR 9229) (FRL-5771-5), CAS and TMC
were authorized access to TSCA CBI submitted to EPA under sections 5
and 8(b) of TSCA.
EPA is issuing this notice to inform all submitters of information
under sections 5 and 8 of TSCA that EPA may provide CAS and TMC access
to these CBI materials on a need-to-know basis only. All access to TSCA
CBI under this contract will take place at either CAS' Columbus, Ohio
facility or the subcontractor may take TSCA CBI materials to its
facility for the purpose of microfilming, provided the transfer of
materials is done so only under the direct supervision of a CAS
official authorized for TSCA CBI access and that all TSCA CBI materials
be returned daily to CAS' facility.
CAS and TMC will be authorized access to TSCA CBI at their
facilities under the EPA TSCA Confidential Business Information
Security Manual. Before access to TSCA CBI is authorized at CAS and TMC
sites, EPA will perform the required inspection of its facilities and
ensure that the facilities are in compliance with the Manual.
Upon completing review of the CBI materials, CAS will return all
transferred materials to EPA.
Clearance for access to TSCA CBI under this contract may continue
until June 30, 2000.
CAS and TMC personnel will be required to sign nondisclosure
agreements and will be briefed on appropriate security procedures
before they are permitted access to TSCA CBI.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Access to confidential business
information.
Dated: March 13, 2000.
Allan S. Abramson,
Director, Information Management Division, Pollution Prevention and
Toxics.
[FR Doc. 00-6979 Filed 3-20-00 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F