1.

Notifying Member: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):

2.

Agency responsible:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [2056]

Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, email and website addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:

Please submit comments to: USA WTO TBT Enquiry Point, Email: usatbtep@nist.gov

3.

Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [X], 5.7.1 [ ], 3.2 [ ], 7.2 [ ], other:

4.

Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Hazardous air pollutants from blast furnace (BF) stoves and basic oxygen process furnaces (BOPFs); Product and company certification. Conformity assessment (ICS code(s): 03.120.20); Environmental protection (ICS code(s): 13.020); Air quality (ICS code(s): 13.040); Environmental testing (ICS code(s): 19.040); Particle size analysis. Sieving (ICS code(s): 19.120); Industrial furnaces (ICS code(s): 25.180); Iron and steel products (ICS code(s): 77.140); Equipment for the metallurgical industry (ICS code(s): 77.180)

5.

Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Integrated Iron and Steel Manufacturing Facilities Technology Review; (22 page(s), in English)

6.

Description of content: Proposed rule - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Integrated Iron and Steel Manufacturing Facilities, as required by the Clean Air Act (CAA). To complete the required CAA section 112(d)(6) technology review promulgated on 13 July 2020, the EPA is proposing standards to regulate HAP emissions from five unmeasured fugitive and intermittent particulate (UFIP) sources, some of which are also referred to as "fugitive" sources, that are currently not regulated by the NESHAP, as follows: Bell Leaks, Unplanned Bleeder Valve Openings, Planned Bleeder Valve Openings, Slag Pits, and Beaching. Also, for sinter plants we are proposing standards for the following five currently unregulated HAP: carbonyl sulfide (COS), carbon disulfide (CS2), mercury (Hg), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and hydrogen fluoride (HF); for blast furnace (BF) stoves and basic oxygen process furnaces (BOPFs), we are proposing standards for the following three unregulated pollutants: total hydrocarbons (THC), HCl, and dioxins/furans (D/F); and for BFs, we are proposing standards for the following two unregulated pollutants: THC and HCl. As an update to the technology review, we are proposing to revise the current BOPF shop fugitive 20 percent opacity limit to a 5 percent opacity limit and require specific work practices; revise the current BF casthouse fugitive 20 percent opacity limit to a 5 percent opacity limit; and revise the current standards for D/F and polycyclic hydrocarbon (PAH) for sinter plants. We are also proposing a fenceline monitoring requirement for chromium (Cr), including a requirement that if a monitor exceeds the proposed Cr action level, the facility will need to conduct a root cause analysis and take corrective action to lower emissions. We solicit comments on all aspects of this proposed action.

7.

Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: Protection of the environment; Quality requirements

8.

Relevant documents:

88 Federal Register (FR) 49402, 31 July 2023; Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 63

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-07-31/html/2023-15085.htm

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-07-31/pdf/2023-15085.pdf

This proposed rule is identified by Docket Number EPA-HQ-OAR-2002-0083. The Docket Folder is available from Regulations.gov at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OAR-2002-0083/document and provides access to primary and supporting documents as well as comments received. Documents are also accessible from Regulations.gov by searching the Docket Number. WTO Members and their stakeholders are asked to submit comments to the USA TBT Enquiry Point by or before 4pm Eastern Time on 14 September 2023. Comments received by the USA TBT Enquiry Point from WTO Members and their stakeholders will be shared with the regulator and will also be submitted to the Docket on Regulations.gov if received within the comment period.

9.

Proposed date of adoption: To be determined

Proposed date of entry into force: To be determined

10.

Final date for comments: 14 September 2023

11.

Texts available from: National enquiry point [ ] or address, telephone and fax numbers and email and website addresses, if available, of other body:

https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2023/TBT/USA/23_11418_00_e.pdf