Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Reconsideration of Petition Criteria and Incorporation of Montreal Protocol Decisions

With this action, due to receipt of adverse comments, EPA is withdrawing thirteen of the provision included in the direct final rule published in the Federal Register on August 4, 1998. EPA published both the direct final rule (63 FR41625) and a notice of proposed rulemaking (63 FR 41652) on August 4, 1998, to reflect changes in U.S. obligations under the Montreal Protocol on Substance that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Protocol) due to recent decision by signatory counties to this international agreement, to respond to a petition regarding the requirement in the petition process for imports of used class I controlled substances that a person must certify knowledge of tax liability, and to ease the burden on affected companies while continuing to ensure compliance with Title VI of the CAA and meet U.S. obligation under the Protocol.