(a) General information required in an application for a specific, quarantine or public health exemption. An application must be submitted in writing by the head of the Federal or State agency, the Governor of the State involved, or their official designee. If a designee has been delegated authority to request exemptions, written authorization of such delegation must accompany the request or be on file with the Agency. In addition, the application must contain all applicable information specified in paragraphs (a) (1) through (11) of this section.

(1) Identity of contact persons. (i) Unless otherwise specified, the person who submits the application will be considered the contact person for all matters relating to administration of the emergency exemption.

(ii) Requests should identify by name and telephone number one or more qualified experts who may be contacted in case any questions arise concerning the application.

(2) Description of the pesticide. The application shall contain a description of the pesticide(s) proposed for use under the exemption. Such information shall include:

(i) For a federally registered pesticide product:

(A) A copy of the label(s) if a specific product(s) is/are requested; or the formulation(s) requested if a specific product is not requested; and

(B) A copy of any additional labeling proposed for the emergency exemption; or

(ii) For any other pesticide products:

(A) A confidential statement of formula or reference to one already submitted to the Agency; and

(B) Complete labeling to be used in connection with the proposed exemption use.

(3) Description of the proposed use. The application shall identify all of the following:

(i) Sites to be treated, including their locations within the State;

(ii) The method of application;

(iii) The rate of application in terms of active ingredient and product;

(iv) The maximum number of applications;

(v) The total acreage or other appropriate unit proposed to be treated;

(vi) The total amount of pesticide proposed to be used in terms of both active ingredient and product;

(vii) All applicable restrictions and requirements concerning the proposed use which may not appear on labeling;

(viii) The duration of the proposed use; and

(ix) Earliest possible harvest dates.

(4) Alternative methods of control. The application shall contain:

(i) A detailed explanation of why the pesticide(s) currently registered for the particular use proposed in the application is not available in adequate supplies and/or effective to the degree needed to control the emergency. If the applicant states that an available registered pesticide is ineffective for the given situation, the statement must be supported by field data which demonstrate ineffectiveness of registered pesticides, or, if such data are unavailable, statements by qualified agricultural experts, extension personnel, university personnel or other persons similarly qualified in the field of pest control; and

(ii) A detailed explanation of why alternative practices, if available, either would not provide adequate control or would not be economically or environmentally feasible.

(5) Effectiveness of proposed use. The application shall contain data, a discussion of field trials, or other evidence which provide the basis for the conclusion that the proposed pesticide treatment will be effective in dealing with the emergency.

(6) Discussion of residues for food uses. If the proposed use is expected to result in residues of the pesticide in or on food, the application shall list the food likely to contain such residues and shall contain an estimate of the maximum amount of the residue likely to result from the proposed use, together with the information on which such estimates are based.

(7) Discussion of risk information. The application shall address the potential risks to human health, endangered or threatened species, beneficial organisms, and the environment expected to result from the proposed use, together with references to data and other supporting information.

(8) Coordination with other affected State or Federal agencies. If the proposed use of the pesticide is likely to be of concern to other Federal or State agencies, the application shall indicate that such agencies have been contacted prior to submission of the application, and any comments received from such agencies shall be submitted to EPA.

(9) Acknowledgment by registrant. The application shall contain a statement by the registrants of all pesticide products proposed for use acknowledging that a request has been made to the Agency for use of the pesticide under this section. This acknowledgment shall include a statement of support for the requested use, including the expected availability of adequate quantities of the requested product under the use scenario proposed by the applicant(s); and the status of the registration in regard to the requested use including appropriate petition numbers, or of the registrant's intentions regarding the registration of the use.

(10) Description of proposed enforcement program. Prior to approval, the applicant shall provide an explanation of the authority of the applicant or related State or Federal agencies for ensuring that use of the pesticide under the proposed exemption would comply with any special requirements imposed by the Agency and a description of the program and procedures for assuring such compliance.

(11) Repeated uses. Applications for the use of a pesticide at a site for which the applicant has previously been exempted under section 18 shall contain an interim report summarizing the results of the specific, quarantine, or public health exemption previously issued, if the application is submitted prior to the time the final report for the previous exemption is due. The interim report shall contain that information specified in § 166.32 to the extent available at the time the application is made.

(b) Information required for a specific exemption. An application for a specific exemption shall provide all of the following information, as appropriate, concerning the nature of the emergency:

(1) The scientific and common name of the pest or pest complex;

(2) A discussion of the events which brought about the emergency condition;

(3) A discussion of the anticipated risks to endangered or threatened species, beneficial organisms, or the environment that would be remedied by the proposed use of the pesticide; and

(4) A discussion of the anticipated significant economic loss, together with data and other information supporting the discussion, that addresses one or more of the following, as appropriate:

(i) Yield or utilized yield reasonably anticipated in the absence of the emergency and expected losses in quantity due to the emergency;

(ii) The information in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section plus prices reasonably anticipated in the absence of the emergency and changes in prices and/or production costs due to the emergency;

(iii) The information in paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section plus operating costs reasonably anticipated in the absence of the emergency;

(iv) Any other information explaining the economic consequences of the emergency.

(5) Re-certification of an emergency condition. Applicants for specific exemptions may submit re-certification applications relying on previously submitted information to satisfy the information requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(10) of this section, and of paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(4) of this section, where all of the following conditions are met:

(i) An exemption was granted for the same pesticide at the same site to the same applicant the previous year;

(ii) The emergency condition could reasonably be expected to continue for longer than 1 year;

(iii) EPA has not declared the use ineligible for re-certification;

(iv) The use is not subject to public notice pursuant to § 166.24(a)(1) through (a)(6);

(v) The applicant certifies that all of the following are true:

(A) The emergency condition described in the preceding year's application continues to exist;

(B) Except as expressly identified, all information submitted in the preceding year's application is still accurate;

(C) Except as expressly identified, the proposed conditions of use are identical to the conditions of use EPA approved for the preceding year;

(D) Any conditions or limitations on the eligibility for re-certification identified in the preceding year's notice of approval of the emergency exemption have been satisfied;

(E) The applicant is not aware of any alternative chemical or non-chemical practice that may offer a meaningful level of pest control, or has provided documentation that each such known practice does not provide adequate control or is not economically or environmentally feasible.

(c) Information required for a quarantine exemption. An application for a quarantine exemption shall provide all of the following information concerning the nature of the emergency:

(1) The scientific and common name of pest;

(2) The origin of pest and the means of its introduction or spread if known; and

(3) The anticipated impact of not controlling the pest.

(d) Information required for a public health exemption. An application for a public health exemption shall provide all the following information concerning the nature of the emergency:

(1) The scientific and common name of the pest to be controlled and, if the pest is a vector, a description of the disease it is expected to transmit;

(2) A discussion of the magnitude of the health problems which are expected to occur without the pesticide use; and

(3) Discussion of the availability of medical treatment for the health problem.

The Agency, in determining whether or not such emergency conditions exist, shall consult with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Governor of any State concerned if they request such determination.

(a) Publication requirement. The Administrator shall issue a notice of receipt in the Federal Register for a specific, quarantine, or public health exemption and request public comment when any one of the following criteria is met:

(1) The application proposes use of a new chemical;

(2) The application proposes the first food use of an active ingredient;

(3) The application proposes any use of a pesticide if the pesticide has been subject to a suspension notice under section 6(c) of the Act;

(4) The application proposes use of a pesticide which:

(i) Was the subject of a notice under section 6(b) of the Act and was subsequently cancelled, and

(ii) Is intended for a use that poses a risk similar to the risk posed by any use of the pesticide which was the subject of the notice under section 6(b);

(5) The application proposes use of a pesticide which:

(i) Contains an active ingredient which is or has been the subject of a Special Review, and

(ii) Is intended for a use that could pose a risk similar to the risk posed by any use of the pesticide which is or has been the subject of the Special Review;

(6) The application proposes use of a pesticide which:

(i) Was voluntarily canceled under section 6(f) of the Act, and

(ii) Is intended for a use that poses a risk similar to the risk posed by any use of the pesticide which was voluntarily canceled under section 6(f);

(7) The application proposes use of a pesticide for a specific or public health exemption, if:

(i) An emergency exemption has been requested or approved for that use in any 3 previous years, or any 5 previous years if the use is supported by the IR-4 program, and

(ii) A complete application for registration of that use and/or a petition for tolerance for residues in or on the commodity has not been submitted to the Agency; or

(8) The Administrator determines that publication of notice is appropriate.

(b) Contents. The notice of receipt of an application for an emergency exemption shall contain the following information:

(1) The name of the applicant;

(2) The name of the active ingredient requested for use, including, if available, the common name and the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number;

(3) The total amount of product or active ingredient proposed for use;

(4) The geographical location where treatment is proposed;

(5) The proposed number of acres or other appropriate units proposed to be treated;

(6) A summary of the applicant's description of the emergency conditions including the pest and the site or crop to be treated;

(7) A description of the major conditions of use of the pesticide as proposed by the applicant;

(8) If the pesticide proposed for use meets the criteria of paragraph (a) (3), (4), or (5) of this section, an identification of the types of risks that were the basis for EPA's regulatory action; and

(9) The name, telephone number, and address of a person in the Agency who can provide further information.

(c) Length of comment period. Normally, a notice of receipt shall give the public 15 days in which to file comments on the application. The Administrator may shorten or eliminate the comment period if he determines that the time available for a decision on the application requires it and shall state reasons for such action in a notice in the Federal Register. The Administrator may extend the comment period if additional time for comment is requested and such an extension would not interfere with a timely decision on the application.

(a) General. The Agency will review all requests as expeditiously as possible, making every attempt to respond to requests prior to the time when the proposed use is needed. The Agency will review the application and other available data necessary to make a determination with respect to all of the following:

(1) Whether an emergency condition exists or will exist;

(2) The Agency's ability and intention to establish a time-limited tolerance(s) or exemption(s) from the requirement of a tolerance for any pesticide residues resulting from the authorized use, identifying the level of permissible residues in or on food or feed resulting from the proposed use;

(3) The anticipated benefits to be derived from the proposed use; and

(4) The potential risks to human health, endangered or threatened species, beneficial organisms, and the environment from the proposed use.

(b) Criteria for approval. The Administrator may authorize a specific, public health, or quarantine exemption, based on the information available to the Agency, after:

(1) He determines that:

(i) An emergency condition exists;

(ii) The use of the pesticide under the exemption will not cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment;

(iii) Registration of the pesticide use for which the exemption is requested has not been suspended under section 6(c) of the Act or cancelled following a notice under section 6(b) of the Act, unless the use is authorized in accordance with the provisions of §§ 164.130 through 164.133 of this chapter;

(2) Giving due consideration to:

(i) Whether the pesticide is reasonably likely to be used in compliance with the requirements imposed by the Agency under the exemption; and

(ii) The progress which has been made toward registration of the proposed use, if a repeated specific or public health exemption is sought. It shall be presumed that if a complete application for registration of a use, which has been under a specific or public health exemption for any 3 previous years, or any 5 previous years if the use is supported for registration by the IR-4 program, has not been submitted, reasonable progress towards registration has not been made.

(a) Specific or public health exemptions. EPA shall allow use of a pesticide under a specific or public health exemption for as long a period as is reasonably expected to be necessary but in no case for longer than 1 year.

(b) Quarantine exemption. EPA shall allow use of a pesticide under a quarantine exemption for as long a period as is deemed necessary but in no case for longer than 3 years. Quarantine exemptions may be renewed. Interim reports containing the information specified in § 166.32(b) to the extent available shall be filed annually.

(a) Notification of applicants. The Agency shall notify an applicant of its decision to approve or deny an application request for an emergency exemption in a timely manner.

(1) Incomplete applications. The Agency may discontinue the processing of any application that does not address all of the requirements of § 166.20 until such time the additional information is submitted by the applicant.

(2) Complete applications—(i) Denials. The Agency shall provide the specific reasons and rationale for denying the exemption request. If the denial is based on a specific information gap, the decision shall be reconsidered in a timely manner when the information gap is filled.

(ii) Approvals. The Agency shall provide the specific terms and conditions under which the exempted pesticide may be used.

(b) Federal Register publication. (1) At least quarterly, the Administrator shall issue a notice in the Federal Register announcing all approvals of specific, quarantine, and public health exemptions. The notice shall contain all of the following:

(i) The name of the applicant;

(ii) The pesticide authorized for use;

(iii) The crop or site to be treated; and

(iv) The name, address, and telephone number of a person in the Agency who can provide further information.

(2) In addition, if EPA has issued a Notice of Receipt of an application for an exemption, it will issue a notice of its final decision and the reasons for that decision.

(a) Unexpected adverse effects information. Any unexpected adverse effects resulting from the use of a pesticide under a specific, quarantine, or public health exemption must be immediately reported to the Agency.

(b) Interim and final reports. A final report summarizing the results of pesticide use under any specific, quarantine, or public health exemption must be submitted to the Agency within 6 months from the expiration of the exemption unless otherwise specified by the Agency. For quarantine exemptions granted for longer than 1 year, interim reports must be submitted annually. When an application for renewal of the exemption is submitted before the expiration of the exemption or before submission of the final report, an interim report must be submitted with the application. The information in interim and final reports shall include all of the following:

(1) Total acreage, amount of commodity or other unit treated and the total quantity of the pesticide used;

(2) A discussion of the effectiveness of the pesticide in dealing with the emergency condition;

(3) A description of any unexpected adverse effects which resulted from use of the pesticide under the exemption;

(4) The results of any monitoring required and/or carried out under the exemption;

(5) A discussion of any enforcement actions taken in connection with the exemption;

(6) Method(s) of disposition of a food crop, if required to be destroyed under an exemption; and

(7) Any other information requested by the Administrator.

(c) Records. Records for all treatments involving the first food use of a pesticide will be maintained by the agency to which the emergency exemption was granted for a minimum of 2 years following the date of expiration of the exemption. On request by the Agency these records shall be made available to the Administrator. Records will include all of the following:

(1) Locations where the pesticide was applied;

(2) Dates of application (range); and

(3) Total quantity of the pesticide used.

EPA shall review information submitted in connection with emergency exemptions and, when applicable, use it in connection with other regulatory decisions under the Act.

(a) Grounds. The Administrator may revoke or modify the terms or conditions of a specific, quarantine, or public health exemption if he determines one of the following:

(1) An emergency no longer exists;

(2) Use of the pesticide under the exemption may cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment;

(3) The pesticide authorized under the exemption is not effective at controlling the pest or conditions causing the emergency; or

(4) The terms and conditions established by the exemption and these regulations are not being complied with.

(b) Implementation. The revocation or modification becomes effective as soon as the Administrator notifies the State or Federal agency which submitted the application. Upon notification, the applicant is required immediately to take all necessary steps to assure that further use complies with the terms and conditions of any modification or, if the exemption has been revoked, to stop further use.