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Hazardous Materials: Streamlining Requirements for the Approval of Certain Energetic Materials: Notice of proposed rulemaking - PHMSA proposes to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations to revise the classification and approval process for certain low-hazard fireworks; to revise classification criteria for small arms cartridges to include tracer ammunition; to include the PHMSA portal as the method to submit applications for all explosives approvals; and to allow for voluntary termination of an explosive approval by the approval holder.

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Rubber Tire Manufacturing: Proposed rule - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Rubber Tire Manufacturing, as required by the Clean Air Act (CAA). To ensure that all emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) from sources in the source category are regulated, the EPA is proposing emissions standards for the rubber processing subcategory of the rubber tire manufacturing industry, which is the only unregulated subcategory within the Rubber Tire Manufacturing source category.

Proposed Amendments to the Appliance Efficiency Regulations, 22-AAER-04: Proposed rule and announcement of public hearing - The California Energy Commission (CEC) proposes to amend the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 20, Article 4, sections 1601-1609 after considering all comments, objections, and recommendations regarding the proposed action. The proposed federal and administrative updates include: Updates to align with current federal law; Updates to the data submittal requirements and processes; Removal of a redundant aspect of the marking requirement for commercial and industrial fans and blowers; Updates and streamlining to CEC's product compliance review, enforcement, and administrative proceedings; Other administrative and non-substantive changes for clarity and consistency (...).

Tris(2-chloroethyl) Phosphate (TCEP); Draft Risk Evaluation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Letter Peer Review; Notice of Availability, Public Meeting and Request for Comment: Notice - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of and soliciting public comment on the document titled: "2023 Draft Risk Evaluation for Tris(2-chloroethyl) Phosphate (TCEP)" and related draft charge questions. EPA will be submitting the Draft Risk Evaluation and public comments to peer reviewers who will consider the approach and methodologies utilized. The letter peer review will include review of the analysis of physical-chemical properties, the fate of TCEP in the environment, releases of TCEP to the environment, environmental hazard and risk characterization for terrestrial and aquatic species, and human health hazard and risk characterization for workers, consumers, and the general population. (...)

New Mailing Standards for Hazardous Materials Outer Packaging and Nonregulated Toxic Materials: Proposed rule - The Postal Service is proposing to amend Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail (Pub 52) by requiring specific outer packaging strength standards when mailing hazardous materials or dangerous goods and remove quantity restrictions for nonregulated toxic materials. Additionally, the Postal Service proposes to allow mailers to use poly or padded bags as outer packaging for shipments containing lithium batteries installed in the equipment they operate if the shipment does not display hazardous text, markings or labels as permitted in sections 349 and 622.

Proposed Amendments to the Regulation for Small Containers of Automotive Refrigerant: Containers of Automotive Refrigerant (Regulation) as a discrete early action measure to reduce HFC-134a refrigerant emissions from Do-It-Yourself motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) servicing. The emission reductions are primarily achieved through two key regulatory requirements: a mandatory self-sealing valve and a deposit and return program. The Regulation was amended in 2016, clarifying the requirements for properly utilizing unclaimed deposits and expanding the scope of the enhanced education program. Upon initial adoption of the Regulation, staff projected the quantity of refrigerant remaining in small containers upon return to be 22 percent of the container volume. After implementation of the Regulation, staff determined the actual amount remaining to be approximately 4 percent, resulting in lower emission reductions from the deposit and return program than originally estimated. Container manufacturers launched an enhanced education program from midway of 2018 through 2020, with the aim of increasing the container return rate. However, return rates showed little change. Due to the low HFC-134a emission reductions from used container refrigerant recovery, unchanged return rates, and financial impacts to do-it-yourselfers, staff is proposing to remove the deposit and return program. In addition, staff is proposing requirements that reclaimed refrigerant be used in the manufacturing of small containers of automotive refrigerant sold in California to compensate for the emission reductions currently achieved by the deposit and return program. Revisions to the expenditure of unclaimed deposits will be aimed at MVAC repairs and increasing refrigerant recovery and reclamation in California.

Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Water Heaters: Notice of proposed rulemaking and announcement of public meeting (...) - The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended ("EPCA"), prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including consumer water heaters. EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE" or "the Department'') to periodically determine whether more-stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in significant energy savings. In this notice of proposed rulemaking ("NOPR"), DOE proposes amended energy conservation standards for consumer water heaters, and also announces a public meeting via webinar to receive comments on these proposed standards and associated analyses and results. (...)

Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Manufactured Housing; Extension of Compliance Date: Notice of proposed rulemaking - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) to amend the compliance date for its manufactured housing energy conservation standards. Currently, manufacturers must comply with these standards on and after 31 May 2023. DOE is proposing to delay this compliance date to allow DOE more time to establish enforcement procedures that provides clarity for manufacturers and other stakeholders.

Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, and Freezers: Notice of proposed rulemaking and announcement of public meeting on 11 April 2023 - The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended ("EPCA"), prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE" or "the Department") to periodically determine whether more stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in significant energy savings. In this notice of proposed rulemaking ("NOPR"), DOE proposes amended energy conservation standards for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers, and also announces a public meeting to receive comment on these proposed standards and associated analyses and results.

Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims: Regulatory review; request for public comment - Pursuant to its decennial regulatory review schedule, the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC" or "Commission") requests public comment on its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims ("Green Guides" or "Guides"). The Commission is soliciting comments about the efficiency, costs, benefits, and regulatory impact of the Guides to determine whether to retain, modify, or rescind them. All interested persons are hereby given notice of the opportunity to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the Guides.