ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 261, 262, 266, and 372

[FRL–12583.1–02–OA]

Delay of Effective Date for 2 Final Regulations Published by the Environmental Protection Agency Between December 11, 2024, and January 6, 2025

ACTION: Final rule; delay of effective dates

SUMMARY: In accordance with the memorandum of January 20, 2025, from President Donald J. Trump, entitled ‘‘Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,’’ this action temporarily delays until March 21, 2025, the effective date of the regulations listed in the table below. EPA has identified two additional regulations that meet the criteria in the memo and may identify additional regulations in subsequent notices.

DATES: As of February 5, 2025, the effective dates of the rules published at 89 FR 99727 (December 11, 2024), and 90 FR 573 (January 6, 2025), are delayed to March 21, 2025.

READ MORE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-02-05/pdf/2025-02289.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

49 CFR Parts 107, 171, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 179, and 180

[Docket No. PHMSA–2018–0080 (HM–265)]

RIN 2137–AF41

Hazardous Materials: Advancing Safety of Highway, Rail, and Vessel Transportation

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment period.

SUMMARY: On October 28, 2024, (**See original proposed Rule under our Federal Register Updates dated October 28,2024) PHMSA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled ‘‘Hazardous Materials: Advancing Safety of Highway, Rail, and Vessel Transportation (HM–265),’’ proposing amendments to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to adopt several modal-specific amendments that would enhance the safe transportation of hazardous materials in commerce by highway, rail, and vessel transportation. In response to a request for an extension of the comment period submitted by the Railway Supply Institute (RSI), PHMSA is extending the comment period for the HM–265 NPRM by an additional 90 days.

Comments must be received by April 28, 2025.

READ MORE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-01-08/pdf/2024-31077.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Parts 13 and 406

Office of the Secretary 14 CFR Part 383

Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation 33 CFR Part 401

Maritime Administration 46 CFR Parts 221, 307, 340, and 356

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 49 CFR Parts 107, 171, and 190

Federal Railroad Administration 49 CFR Parts 209, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, and 272

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 49 CFR Part 386

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 49 CFR Part 578

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 49 CFR Parts 107, 171, and 190

RIN 2105–AF16

Revisions to Civil Penalty Amounts, 2025

AGENCY: Department of Transportation (DOT or the Department).

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This final rule provides the statutorily prescribed 2025 adjustment to civil penalty amounts that may be imposed for violations of certain DOT regulations.

DATES: This rule is effective December 30, 2024.

READ MORE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-12-30/pdf/2024-30608.pdf

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 261, 262, and 266

[EPA–HQ–OLEM–2023–0081; FRL 8687–04– OLEM] RIN 2050–AH23

Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule, the Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Rule, and the Definition of Solid Waste Rule; Technical Corrections

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) is finalizing five amendments that were withdrawn in its December 6, 2023, partial withdrawal of direct final rule. Due to receipt of adverse comments, the EPA withdrew eight amendments from the August 9, 2023, direct final rule that included revisions to the 2016 Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule, the 2019 Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Rule and the 2018 Vacatur of the Definition of Solid Waste Rule (88 FR 54086). The EPA is responding to the relevant adverse comments in this action.

DATES: This final rule is effective on February 10, 2025.

READ MORE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-12-11/pdf/2024-28802.pdf

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 262 [EPA–HQ–OLEM–2021–0609; FRL–7308– 04–OLEM]

RIN 2050–AH12

Integrating e-Manifest With Hazardous Waste Exports and Other ManifestRelated Reports, PCB Manifest Amendments, and Technical Corrections; Correction

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or (the Agency) is making four minor corrections to a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on July 26, 2024. The final rule related to regulatory changes to incorporate export manifests and other manifest-related reports (i.e., Discrepancy, Exception, and Unmanifested Waste Reports) into e-Manifest as well as other changes related to manifests, including for polychlorinated biphenyls under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

DATES: This final rule is effective on January 22, 2025.

READ MORE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-10-31/pdf/2024-25370.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

49 CFR Parts 107, 171, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 179, and 180

[Docket No. PHMSA–2018–0080 (HM–265)]

RIN 2137–AF41

Hazardous Materials: Advancing Safety of Highway, Rail, and Vessel Transportation

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: PHMSA proposes to revise the Hazardous Materials Regulations to adopt several modal-specific amendments that would enhance the safe transportation of hazardous materials in commerce. PHMSA, in consultation with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, and the United States Coast Guard, proposes amendments identified during Departmental review and from industry petitions for rulemaking.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 27, 2025. To the extent possible, PHMSA will consider late-filed comments as a final rule is developed.

READ MORE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-10-28/pdf/2024-23421.pdf

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

October 11, 2024

40 CFR Parts 84, 261, 262, 266, 270, and 271

[EPA–HQ–OAR–2022–0606; FRL–10105–02– OAR]

RIN 2060–AV84

Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons: Management of Certain Hydrofluorocarbons and Substitutes Under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is issuing regulations to implement certain provisions of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020. This rulemaking establishes an emissions reduction and reclamation program for the management of hydrofluorocarbons that includes requirements for leak repair and installation and use of automatic leak detection systems for certain equipment using refrigerants containing hydrofluorocarbons and certain substitutes; the servicing and/or repair of certain refrigerant-containing equipment to be done with reclaimed hydrofluorocarbons; the initial installation and servicing and/or repair of fire suppression equipment to be done with recycled hydrofluorocarbons, technician training, and recycling of hydrofluorocarbons prior to the disposal of fire suppression equipment containing hydrofluorocarbons; removal of hydrofluorocarbons from disposable cylinders before discarding them; and certain recordkeeping, reporting, and labeling requirements. In addition, EPA is establishing alternative Resource Conservation and Recovery Act standards for certain ignitable spent refrigerants being recycled for reuse.

DATES: This rule is effective December 10, 2024.

READ MORE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-10-11/pdf/2024-21967.pdf

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY and HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Oct. 9

29 CFR Part 1910 [Docket No. OSHA–2019–0001]

RIN 1218–AC93

Hazard Communication Standard

ACTION: Final rule; correction and technical amendment.

SUMMARY: OSHA is correcting several inadvertent errors in its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) which were published in the Federal Register on May 20, 2024. The agency has identified several errors in the regulatory text and appendices to the HCS which pertain to the classification of hazardous chemicals and information presented on labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs). The agency believes these errors, although minor and primarily typographical in nature, should be addressed expeditiously to avoid confusion or unnecessary costs in the regulated community due to incorporation of errors on labels and SDSs. OSHA is continuing its review of the regulatory text and will issue another correction document to address additional minor errors at a later date.

DATES: October 9, 2024.

READ MORE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-10-09/pdf/2024-23144.pdf

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

July 26th, 2024

40 CFR Parts 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 267, 270, 271, and 761

[EPA–HQ–OLEM–2021–0609; FRL–7308– 02–OLEM]

RIN 2050–AH12

Integrating e-Manifest With Hazardous Waste Exports and Other ManifestRelated Reports, PCB Manifest Amendments, and Technical Corrections

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or (the Agency) is finalizing certain amendments to the hazardous waste manifest regulations, and the hazardous waste electronic manifest (e-Manifest) regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to increase utility of the e-Manifest system in delivering benefits to reduce administrative burden and improve tracking of hazardous waste shipments, and to various related regulations…………..

READ MORE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-07-26/pdf/2024-14694.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration - UPDATE

29 CFR Part 1910

[Docket No. OSHA–2007–0073] RIN 1218–AC91

Emergency Response Standard

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of informal hearing.

SUMMARY: OSHA is scheduling an informal public hearing on its proposed rule ‘‘Emergency Response Standard.’’ The public hearing will begin November 12, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on February 5, 2024. The initial public comment period was scheduled to end May 6, 2024, but was extended to June 21, 2024, in response to numerous requests from the public. The comment period was extended again, until July 22, 2024, due to more extension requests from stakeholders.

READ MORE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-07-23/pdf/2024-16126.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

JUNE 24, 2024

49 CFR Parts 171, 174, and 180

[Docket No. PHMSA–2016–0015 (HM–263)] RIN 2137–AF21

Hazardous Materials: FAST Act Requirements for Real-Time Train Consist Information

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: PHMSA is amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations to require railroads that carry hazardous materials to generate in electronic form, maintain, and provide to first responders, emergency response officials, and law enforcement personnel, certain information regarding hazardous materials in rail transportation to enhance emergency response and investigative efforts. The amendments in this final rule address a safety recommendation of the National Transportation Safety Board and statutory mandates in The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, as amended by the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act, and complement existing regulatory requirements pertaining to the generation, maintenance, and provision of similar information in hard copy form, as well as other hazard communication requirements.

DATES: Effective Date: July 24, 2024.

Voluntary Compliance Date: June 24, 2024.

Delayed Compliance Date: For Class I Railroads June 24, 2025.

For Class II and III Railroads June 24, 2026.

READ MORE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-06-24/pdf/2024-13474.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

29 CFR Part 1910

[Docket No. OSHA–2007–0073] RIN 1218–AC91

Emergency Response Standard

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); extension of comment period. SUMMARY: OSHA is extending the period for submitting comments by 30 days to allow stakeholders interested in the NPRM on Emergency Response additional time to review the NPRM and collect information and data necessary for comment.

DATES: The comment period for the NPRM that was published at 89 FR 7774 on February 5, 2024, is extended. Comments on any aspect of the NPRM must be submitted by July 22, 2024.

Read More: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-06-11/pdf/2024-12731.pdf

February 5th original publication: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-02-05/pdf/2023-28203.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

May 24, 2024

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 107

[Docket No. PHMSA–2022–0033 (HM–208J)] RIN 2137–AF59

Hazardous Materials: Adjusting Registration and Fee Assessment Program

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: In order to account for increased transport of hazardous materials as well as the burdens such transport places on first responders, PHMSA proposes overdue updates to the registration fees under the statutorily mandated registration and fee assessment program for persons who transport, or offer for transportation, certain categories and quantities of hazardous materials…….

DATES: Comments must be received by August 22, 2024.

READ MORE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-05-24/pdf/2024-11391.pdf

OCCUPATION SAFETY and HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

May 20, 2024

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

29 CFR Part 1910

[Docket No. OSHA–2019–0001] RIN 1218–AC93

Hazard Communication Standard

SUMMARY: OSHA is amending the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to conform to the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), primarily Revision 7 (Rev. 7), address issues that arose during the implementation of the 2012 update to the HCS, and provide better alignment with other U.S. agencies and international trading partners, while enhancing the effectiveness of the standard. Consistent with Executive Order 13563 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, which call for assessment and, where appropriate, modification and improvement of existing rules, OSHA has reviewed the existing HCS. The agency has determined that the revisions in this final rule will enhance the effectiveness of the HCS by ensuring employees are appropriately apprised of the chemical hazards to which they may be exposed, thus reducing the incidence of chemical-related occupational illnesses and injuries. The modifications to the standard include revised criteria for classification of certain health and physical hazards, revised provisions for updating labels, new labeling provisions for small containers, new provisions related to trade secrets, technical amendments related to the contents of safety data sheets (SDSs), and related revisions to definitions of terms used in the standard.

ACTION: Final rule.

DATES: This final rule is effective July 19, 2024.

READ MORE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-05-20/pdf/2024-08568.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

49 CFR Parts 171, 172, 173, 175, 176, 178, and 180

[Docket No. PHMSA–2021–0092 (HM–215Q)]

RIN 2137–AF57 Hazardous Materials: Harmonization with International Standards

CORRECTION : In rule document 2024–06956 beginning on page 25434 in the issue of Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

READ MORE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-05-13/pdf/C1-2024-06956.pd

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

49 CFR Parts 171, 172, 173, 175, 176, 178, and 180

[Docket No. PHMSA–2021–0092 (HM–215Q)]

RIN 2137–AF57

Hazardous Materials: Harmonization With International Standards; Correction

SUMMARY: The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is correcting a final rule that was published in the Federal Register on April 10, 2024. The final rule was published to maintain alignment with international regulations and standards by adopting various amendments, including changes to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, air transport quantity limitations, and vessel stowage requirements. The corrections address several errors to the hazardous material entries in the hazardous materials table.

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

DATES: This correction is effective May 10, 2024.

READ MORE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-05-09/pdf/2024-10098.pdf

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 302

[EPA–HQ–OLEM–2019–0341; FRL–7204– 03–OLEM]

RIN 2050–AH09

Designation of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS) as CERCLA Hazardous Substances

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (‘‘CERCLA’’ or ‘‘Superfund’’), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is designating two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)— perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), including their salts and structural isomers—as hazardous substances. The Agency reached this decision after evaluating the available scientific and technical information about PFOA and PFOS and determining that they may present a substantial danger to the public health or welfare or the environment when released. The Agency also determined that designation is warranted based on a totality of the circumstances analysis, including an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of designation.

ACTION: Final rule.

DATES: Effective July 8, 2024.

READ MORE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-05-08/pdf/2024-08547.pdf

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 268

[EPA–HQ–OLEM–2023–0372; FRL 11026– 02–OLEM]

Department of Energy Hanford Mixed Radioactive Waste Land Disposal Restrictions Variance

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is granting a treatment variance, requested by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in an August 1, 2023, petition, from the Land Disposal Restrictions (LDR) treatment standards for approximately 2,000 gallons of mixed hazardous low-activity radioactive waste from DOE’s Test Bed Initiative (TBI) for the Hanford Site in Washington State. The petition requested approval for DOE to treat the TBI waste to the LDR technology standard of stabilization (STABL) with verification of meeting LDR concentration-based and Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure-based standards as applicable for the relevant waste codes.

DATES: This final rule is effective on May 1, 2024.

READ MORE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-05-01/pdf/2024-08937.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

49 CFR Parts 171, 172, 173, 175, 176, 178, and 180

[Docket No. PHMSA–2021–0092 (HM–215Q)] RIN 2137–AF57

Hazardous Materials: Harmonization With International Standards

SUMMARY: PHMSA is amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to maintain alignment with international regulations and standards by adopting various amendments, including changes to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, air transport quantity limitations, and vessel stowage requirements. PHMSA is also withdrawing the unpublished November 28, 2022, Notice of Enforcement Policy Regarding International Standards on the use of select updated international standards in complying with the HMR during the pendency of this rulemaking.

ACTION: Final rule.

DATES: Effective date: This rule is effective May 10, 2024.

Voluntary compliance date: January 1, 2023. Delayed compliance date: April 10, 2025.

READ MORE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-04-10/pdf/2024-06956.pdf