EPA Publishes a Proposed New Rule
08/21/2009
The much discussed and long awaited proposed rule for hearing protector labeling was published on August 5 in the Federal Register. The proposed rule substantially changes the testing requirements and the methods of computing and presenting the NRR, and also extends labeling to a wider range of electronic and level-dependent hearing protectors for which no rating system had been previously available. However, before this proposed rule becomes law, there will be a public comment period, with the concluding date now extended to November 4, 2009. Additionally, a public hearing has now been confirmed and will take place at EPA Headquarters, Room 1153-East Building, in Washington, DC, on October 7, 2009.
Upon the expiration of the public comment period, the EPA will issue a final rule, which may occur later this year. The proposal states that new labels will have to appear on products within 2-1/2 years from the as-yet-to-be-determined effective date of the regulation.
A pdf version of the proposed rule is available at www.regulations.gov by searching for < epa-hq-oar-2003-0024-0040 >. On the first page of the document all information is provided for submitting public comments which may be done through www.regulations.gov, or by email to a-and-r-docket@epa.gov, or by fax, mail, or hand delivery. The announcement of the extension and location of the hearing may be found here http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-20172.pdf
Check back at NRRUpdate.com to keep current with the rulemaking process.