Federal Register: June 22, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 119)NoticesPage 33927From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr22jn98-75

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

OPPTS-00242; FRL-5796-5Pilot Project Approach for the Acquisition of Environmentally Preferable Products and Services; Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

SUMMARY: EPA is making available for public review its Pilot Project Approach on the use of non-governmental entities in connection with Executive Order 12873's mandate to EPA to issue guidance concerning the acquisition of environmentally preferable products and services by the Federal Government. Interested parties may request a copy of the Agency's Pilot Project Approach as set forth in the ADDRESSES unit of this notice.

ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of the Pilot Project Approach contact: Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (7409), Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460, telephone number: 202-260-1023, facsimile number: 202-260-0178, e-mail: PPIC@epamail.epa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Shannon, Pollution Prevention Division (7409), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460, telephone number: 202-260-2736, e-mail: shannon.julie@epamail.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Electronic Availability

A. Internet

Electronic copies of this document and the Pilot Project Approach are available from the EPA Home Page at the Federal Register-- Environmental Documents entry for this document under ``Laws and Regulations'' (http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/).

B. Fax-On-Demand

Using a faxphone call 202-401-0527 and select item 8001 for a copy of the Pilot Project Approach.

II. Background

Section 503 of Executive Order 12873 on Federal Acquisition, Recycling and Waste Prevention, issued on October 20, 1993, includes a mandate for EPA to issue guidance to help Executive agencies identify and purchase environmentally preferable products. Pursuant to this mandate, on September 28, 1995, EPA issued a proposed Guidance on the Acquisition of Environmentally Preferable Products and Services (60 FR 50722, September 29, 1995) (FRL-4760-5). In EPA's proposed Guidance (see Unit III.E. of the September 29th document), EPA acknowledged the existence of non-governmental entities, including, but not limited to, environmental standard-setting organizations, third-party certification programs, and environmental labeling or environmental ``report card'' programs and other environmental consulting organizations to which Executive agencies, in appropriate circumstances, may refer for technical assistance in meeting the Executive Order's goals.

III. The Pilot Project Approach

This Notice of Availability publicizes EPA's Pilot Project Approach for Executive agencies to generate information regarding potential uses of non-governmental entities in the acquisition of environmentally preferable products and services.

This Pilot Project Approach will be used to further refine the concepts and principles established in EPA's proposed Guidance on the Acquisition of Environmentally Preferable Products and Services. Simultaneously with the issuance of this Notice of Availability, EPA and other agencies will begin moving forward with the Pilot Project Approach. Ultimately, this Pilot Project Approach will provide practical information to EPA in the development of EPA's final Guidance.

IV. Public Record

Materials related to the use of non-governmental entities are available in the public record under docket control number ``OPPTS- 00149.'' The public record is located in the TSCA Nonconfidential Information Center, Rm. NE-B607, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. The record is available for inspection from 12 noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.

List of Subjects

Environmental protection.

Dated: June 10, 1998. Mary Ellen Weber, Acting Director, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.

FR Doc. 98-16570Filed6-19-98; 8:45 amBILLING CODE 6560-50-F