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Committee Charter
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
1. Committee's Official Designation (Title):
National Pollution Prevention and Toxics Advisory Committee
2. Authority:
This charter renews the National Pollution Prevention and Toxics Advisory Committee (NPPTAC) in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App.2 § 9 (c). NPPTAC is in the public interest and will support EPA in performing its duties and responsibilities under the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Pollution Prevention Act, and other applicable statutes.
3. Objectives and Scope of Activities:
NPPTAC will provide advice, information, and recommendations on the overall policy and operations of programs undertaken by the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT). NPPTAC shall hold meetings, analyze issues, conduct reviews, produce reports, and make necessary recommendations to meet its responsibilities. The objectives are to provide advice and recommendations to EPA on:
a. Implementing regulatory and voluntary programs including in response to data submitted from the High Production Volume Challenge, Children's Health Testing, and the Inventory Update Rule Amendments and other critical OPPT programs and policies, including National Program Chemicals risk management activities for chemicals such as asbestos, lead, polychlorinated biphenyls, and mercury;b. Fostering the public's right to know about chemicals in their communities, including risk communication and access to Agency information systems;
c. Promoting Pollution Prevention (P2) priorities and multimedia activities, including programs and efforts such as P2 integration, Green Chemistry, and Design for the Environment Program;
d. Coordinating TSCA and Pollution Prevention Programs with other EPA, Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments' programs as well as with non-governmental organizations, such as public health, environmental justice, children’s advocates, animal welfare, industry, environmental, and international groups, to ensure full input into the decision making;
e. Other issues OPPT identifies as critical to its programs.
4. Description of Committee's Duties:
The duties of NPPTAC are solely advisory in nature.
5. Official(s) to Whom the Committee Reports:
The Committee will submit advice and recommendations and report to the EPA Administrator, through the Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances (OPPTS).
6. Agency Responsible for Providing the Necessary Support:
EPA will be responsible for financial and administrative support. Within EPA, this support will be provided by OPPT, OPPTS.
7. Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Work Years:
The estimated annual operating cost of the NPPTAC is $1,365,000, which includes 3.3 person-years of support.
8. Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings:
The Committee expects to meet approximately two (2) to three (3) times a year. Meetings may occur approximately once every four (4) to six (6) months or as needed and approved by the Designated Federal Officer (DFO). EPA may pay travel and per diem expenses when determined necessary and appropriate. A full-time or permanent part-time employee of EPA will be appointed as the DFO. The DFO or a designee will be present at all meetings and each meeting will be conducted in accordance with an agenda approved in advance by the DFO. The DFO is authorized to adjourn any meeting when he or she determines it is in the public interest to do so.
As required by FACA, the NPPTAC will hold open meetings unless the EPA Administrator determines that a meeting or a portion of a meeting may be closed to the public in accordance with 5 U.S.C. § 552b (c). Interested persons may attend meetings, appear before the Committee as time permits, and file comments with the NPPTAC.
9. Duration and Termination:
NPPTAC will be examined annually and will exist until the EPA Deputy Administrator determines the Committee is no longer needed. This charter will be in effect for two years from the date it is filed with Congress. After this two-year period, the charter may be renewed as authorized in accordance with Section 14 of FACA (5 U.S.C. App.2 § 14).
10. Member Composition:
NPPTAC will be composed of approximately eighteen (18) members who will serve as representatives of non-Federal interests and have knowledge of and experience with risk management, risk communication and pollution prevention programs. In selecting members, EPA will consider candidates from the following sectors: industry, non-governmental organizations, States and Tribes, academia and other institutions. In addition, NPPTAC will have up to fifteen (15) technical advisors who will be Federal employees or national experts to provide technical advice to the Committee. Such advisors may include individuals representing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and such additional Federal officials as the Deputy Administrator deems necessary for the Committee to carry out its function.
11. Subgroups:
EPA, or the NPPTAC with EPA's approval, may form subcommittees or workgroups for any purpose consistent with this charter. Such subcommittees or workgroups may not work independently of the chartered Committee and must report their recommendations and advice to the NPPTAC for full deliberation and discussion. Subcommittees or workgroups have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the chartered Committee nor can they report directly to the EPA.
September 1, 2006
EPA Approval Date
September 6, 2006
GSA Consultation Date
September 21, 2006
Date Filed with Congress