This part describes the procedures and criteria under which EPA will establish time-limited tolerances and exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance for pesticide chemical residues associated with use of pesticides under emergency or crisis exemptions under FIFRA section 18. This part applies only to tolerances issued on the initiative of EPA as the result of the issuance of an emergency exemption or the declaration of a crisis exemption. This part does not cover time-limited tolerances in any other circumstances.

The terms have the same meaning as in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act section 2, and in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act section 201 and § 166.3 of this chapter. In addition, the following terms are defined for the purposes of this part.

Agency means the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Applicant means any entity authorized under section 18 of FIFRA to request an emergency exemption that requests such an exemption under § 166.20 of this chapter, or issues a crisis exemption under § 166.40 of this chapter.

Crisis exemption means an exemption authorized under FIFRA section 18, in accordance with §§ 166.40 through 166.53 of this chapter.

Emergency exemption means a specific, quarantine, or public health exemption authorized under FIFRA section 18 and the regulations at §§ 166.20 through 166.35 of this chapter.

EPA means the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

FFDCA means the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321 et seq.).

FIFRA means the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C 136 et seq.).

Tolerance means the maximum amount of a pesticide chemical residue that may lawfully be present in or on a raw agricultural commodity, or processed food, or animal feed, expressed as parts per million by weight of the pesticide chemical residue in the food or feed.

Tolerance exemption means a formal determination by the Agency pursuant to FFDCA section 408(c), 21 U.S.C 346a(c), that no tolerance is needed for a given pesticide chemical residue in or on a particular food commodity. For purposes of this part, the term “tolerance” shall include an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

EPA will establish a time-limited tolerance for pesticide chemical residues in or on raw or processed food or feed resulting from the use of a pesticide chemical, if EPA authorizes an emergency exemption or a crisis exemption. EPA will consider establishing such a tolerance only if an applicant acting under authority of FIFRA section 18 either has requested an emergency exemption, has stated its intention to issue a crisis exemption, or has issued a crisis exemption for a use that may result, directly or indirectly, in pesticide chemical residues in food or feed.

(a) EPA will establish a time-limited tolerance only if EPA can determine that the tolerance is safe, that is, there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue. EPA will base its determination upon data submitted by the applicant and other readily available data. If, taking into account the limited duration and emergency nature of a section 18 application, and based on the available data the Agency cannot conclude that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from the use proposed by the applicant or granted pursuant to a crisis exemption, EPA will not establish a tolerance.

(b) Data and other relevant information to support the establishment of a time-limited tolerance may be submitted by the applicant, or by any other person, in support of the time-limited tolerance. The applicant may also cite relevant data previously submitted to the Agency.

(a) If EPA issues an emergency exemption or crisis exemption under FIFRA section 18, and EPA concludes that the tolerance for residues resulting from use of the pesticide under the exemption will be safe, then EPA will establish the tolerance by publishing an amendment to 40 CFR part 180 in the Federal Register.

(b) A tolerance under this part may be established without prior publication of a proposed tolerance or comment period.

(a) Tolerances issued under this part will become effective upon publication in the Federal Register, unless otherwise specified by the Administrator.

(b) Unless extended, tolerances will automatically expire and be revoked, without further action by EPA, at the time set out in the final rule published in Federal Register.

(c) The Administrator may revoke a tolerance at any time if the Administrator determines that the tolerance is no longer safe.

If additional emergency or crisis exemptions are authorized that would extend use beyond the date originally authorized, or if EPA determines that the duration of a time-limited tolerance is insufficient to allow treated commodities to clear the channels of trade, EPA may modify the time-limited tolerance by publication of a final rule in the Federal Register. EPA will use the same criteria and procedures for modification as for establishing tolerances under this part.

The establishment of a tolerance under this part does not alter the requirement that any applicant comply with procedures established in part 166 of this chapter for emergency exemptions of FIFRA.