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Final Rule Revising the Requirements on Variability in the Composition of Additives Certified Under the Gasoline Deposit Control Program
EPA420-F-05-014, November 2005
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is amending the provisions in the gasoline deposit control additive regulations regarding the allowed variability in the composition and concentration of deposit control additives. All gasoline used in the United States must contain additives that have been certified by EPA in order to help decrease vehicle emissions. Changes in the rule will assist regulated entities with program compliance while maintaininig the environmental benefits of the gasoline deposit control program.
Background
Deposits that form in the engines and fuel supply systems of gasoline-powered motor vehicles have been shown to increase emissions of harmful air pollutants. On July 5, 1996, EPA established a gasoline deposit control additive program to ensure that all gasoline used in the United States contains additives that limit the formation of such deposits. These additives must be certified using EPA-specified test procedures. During certification, additive manufacturers must provide EPA with information on additive composition. To ensure that in-use additives meet EPA requirements, manufacturers are required to limit variation in the composition of additive production batches from that reported during certification.
Summary of Amendments
This final rule amends and clarifies the provisions regarding variability in the composition and concentration of additives certified under the gasoline deposit control program. The amendments include: 1) allowing flexibility in the formulation of the non-detergent active components in gasoline additive packages provided that the level of deposit control protection is not reduced; and 2) clarifying that the concentration of the detergent-active components in additive production batches may exceed the minimum required level established during certification testing. The changes to the regulatory requirements made by this action addresses additive manufacturer concerns that compliance with the previous requirements would be burdensome and difficult.
Health and Environmental Benefits
The regulatory changes contained in this final rule do not affect the level of deposit control protection and associated emissions benefits under EPA’s gasoline deposit control program. Since non-detergent active additive components do not influence the level of deposit control protection, the additional flexibility in the composition of these components provided by this rule will not affect the environmental benefits of the gasoline deposit control program.
Economic Impact
The regulatory amendments contained in this rule reduce the burden of compliance for all regulated parties including small entities. This final rule does not impose new information collection requirements or increase the information collection burden on the regulated community.
For More Information
You can access the final rule and related documents on the Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) Web site at:
For further information on this final rule, please contact Jeff Herzog at:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
2000 Traverwood Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
(734) 214-4227
E-mail: herzog.jeff@epa.gov