Revisions to the Requirements on Variability in the Composition of Additives Certified Under the Gasoline Deposit Control Program; Direct Final Rule

Deposits that form in gasoline-fueled motor vehicle engines and fuel supply systems have been shown to increase emissions of harmful air pollutants. All gasoline used in the U.S. must contain additives that have been certified with EPA as effective in limiting the formation of such deposits. During certification, additive manufacturers must provide EPA with information on additive composition. To ensure that in-use additives meet EPA requirements, manufacturers are required to limit variation in the composition of additive production batches from that reported during certification. Today's action makes revisions to the information that must be provided on additive composition by the manufacturer at the time of certification and clarifies the requirements associated with limiting variability in additive production batches. These changes address additive manufacturer concerns that compliance with the existing requirements would be burdensome and difficult, while maintaining the emissions control benefits of the gasoline deposit control program. We are making these regulatory changes by direct final rule without prior proposal because we view these changes as noncontroversial revisions and anticipate no adverse comment. The "Proposed Rules" section of this Federal Register, contains a proposed rule in which we propose the regulatory changes in this direct final rule. If we receive no adverse comment, we will not take further action on the proposed rule. If we receive adverse comment, we will withdraw the portions of the direct final rule receiving such comment and those portions will not take effect. Any adverse comments received on this notice will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on the proposed rule. We will not institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this time. We are not planning to hold a public hearing regarding this action.