Federal Register #EPA-HQ-OPP-2025-0816

EPA Regulatory Variance for Mercury Waste Disposal and Cinnamaldehyde Tolerance Exemption

This opportunity involves two regulatory actions by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): - The EPA grants a site-specific treatability variance for the land disposal of elemental mercury waste generated from retorting high mercury waste in the U.S. gold mining industry. - Treated mercury is to be processed at Bethlehem Apparatus (Pennsylvania) and disposed of at U.S. Ecology Nevada, Inc.'s facility in Beatty, Nevada. - The variance allows for disposal under specific conditions, addressing unique waste management needs for the gold mining sector. - The EPA establishes an exemption from tolerance requirements for cinnamaldehyde (CAS Reg. No. 104-55-2) when used as an inert ingredient (preservative/stabilizer) in pesticide formulations. - The exemption applies to concentrations up to 100 ppm in end-use pesticide products applied to crops and agricultural commodities. - Wagner Regulatory Associates, Inc., on behalf of Minagro, petitioned for this exemption. - No direct procurement of products or services is announced; the notice is regulatory in nature. - Key OEMs and vendors referenced: - Bethlehem Apparatus (mercury treatment) - U.S. Ecology Nevada, Inc. (waste disposal) - Minagro (cinnamaldehyde supplier, via Wagner Regulatory Associates, Inc.) - Notable requirements: - Mercury waste must be treated and disposed of according to EPA variance conditions. - Cinnamaldehyde use is limited to 100 ppm as a preservative/stabilizer in pesticides.

Description

This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of cinnamaldehyde when used as an inert ingredient (preservative/stabilizer) on growing crops and raw agricultural commodities pre- and post-harvest, limited to no more than 100 parts per million in the end-use pesticide formulation. The exemption was requested by Wagner Regulatory Associates, Inc., on behalf of Minagro, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of cinnamaldehyde when used according to the terms of this exemption. The rule is effective June 26, 2026, and objections must be received by August 25, 2026.

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