Search Results for keywords:"Additive Manufacturing

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requiring manufacturers to submit unpublished health and safety studies on 16 specific chemicals. This rule, effective January 13, 2025, aims to collect important data to help the EPA understand potential risks associated with these chemicals and manage them appropriately under TSCA guidelines, especially for prioritization and risk evaluation purposes. The rule includes details on which studies need to be reported, exemptions, and how to submit the information; it is intended to address market failures by ensuring the EPA can make informed decisions based on actual data rather than assumptions.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking public comments about its plan to revise an approved information collection on vehicle safety features. The goal is to provide consumers with safety info, including crash avoidance technologies and safety features of different vehicle models. This effort involves collecting data annually from about 21 vehicle manufacturers regarding 600 vehicle models, and the feedback will help improve consumer safety information on websites and labels. Public comments on the proposed information collection will be accepted until March 3, 2025.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has made a final rule that changes how butterfat testing records are handled for the Dairy Grading and Inspection Program. The rule allows plants to do butterfat tests in-house or at approved third-party labs and obligates them to keep these records available for inspection by the USDA. This change aims to streamline processes by aligning with current industry practices and providing a more accurate picture of the butter's quality over time. The rule is expected to help butter plants save between $4,560 and $31,560 annually by eliminating the need for duplicate USDA inspections.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) related to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for site remediation. The request seeks to extend the approval of these standards, which mandate compliance for facilities dealing with hazardous air pollutants. It involves regular reports and record-keeping from affected facilities to ensure adherence to environmental regulations. The EPA is accepting public comments on this request until March 31, 2025, which reflects an increase in the estimated burden due to more facilities now being subject to these rules.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking for public comments on draft lists of companies responsible for fees related to evaluating the risks of five chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). These substances are labeled as High-Priority due to potential health or environmental risks. Companies that make or import these chemicals must self-identify to ensure they're correctly listed for fee payments, but they can also claim exemptions or correct errors. The final list, setting out those liable for fees, will be released alongside the risk evaluation's scope documents.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a final rule that amends its existing Buy America requirements. This rule terminates the general waiver for manufactured products and applies new requirements to products used in Federal-aid highway projects, aligning with the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA). These requirements mandate that manufactured products must be assembled in the U.S., and beginning October 2026, at least 55% of their components by cost must also be of U.S. origin. The rule aims to bolster domestic manufacturing and create a more resilient supply chain.

The memorandum outlines the U.S. government's policy to protect American companies from unfair foreign practices, especially in the tech industry. It states that the U.S. will impose tariffs and take other actions against countries that apply discriminatory taxes and regulations that hurt U.S. businesses. The document instructs various U.S. officials, including the Secretary of the Treasury and the Trade Representative, to identify these foreign practices, consider responding to them, and develop strategies to mitigate their impact on American companies. The goal is to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. businesses and prevent foreign countries from exploiting them financially.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a notice to collect public comments on a proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) related to grants management and cooperative agreements, under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The notice seeks input on the necessity, accuracy, and potential burden of these information collection activities, focusing on improving the quality of data collected and minimizing public inconvenience through technology. The FRA has adjusted its burden estimates, reducing annual burden hours and responses, and emphasizes that the data collected will help ensure accountability in the use of federal assistance for railroad projects. People can submit comments until January 9, 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act to regulate the chemical 2,4,6-tris(tert-butyl)phenol (2,4,6-TTBP) due to its persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic nature. This rule prohibits the sale and distribution of products containing more than 0.3% of 2,4,6-TTBP in containers smaller than 35 gallons, effective January 6, 2026. The rule aims to reduce exposure to this chemical, particularly for consumers and small businesses using fuel and oil products. It requires that records of compliance be maintained for three years after the rule takes effect.

The Executive Order 13981, issued by President Donald J. Trump, focuses on protecting the United States from security risks associated with Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) made by foreign adversaries. The order outlines steps to prevent the use of taxpayer money for buying UAS that present security threats, calls for assessments of current government UAS use, and encourages prioritizing domestically produced UAS. It defines "covered UAS" as those manufactured or containing components from nations like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea and emphasizes examining how these systems are used by federal agencies. The order also directs agencies to consider replacing these UAS in future budgets.