Materials and Processes Authorized for the Production of Wine and for the Treatment of Juice, Wine and Distilling Material; Reopening of Comment Period and Correction (93F-059P)

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

27 CFR Part 24

[Notice No. 805; Notice No. 800]

RIN 1512-AB26

Materials and Processes Authorized for the Production of Wine and

for the Treatment of Juice, Wine and Distilling Material; Reopening of

Comment Period and Correction (93F-059P)

AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period and correction.

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SUMMARY: In Notice No. 800 (59 FR 49870), published in the Federal

Register on September 30, 1994, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and

Firearms (ATF) solicited comments from winemakers, consumers and other

interested parties as to whether the use of certain materials and

processes is acceptable in ``good commercial practice'' in the

production, cellar treatment and finishing of wine. ATF is reopening

the comment period in order to allow all interested persons more time

to prepare and submit comments. This notice also makes editorial

correction to the text of the proposed regulations as described in the

supplementary information below:

DATES: Written comments must be received by March 20, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Chief, Wine, Beer and Spirits

Regulations Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, P.O. Box

50221, Washington, DC 20091-0221: Notice No. 800.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert White, Wine, Beer and Spirits Regulations Branch, 650

Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226; telephone (202) 927-

8230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On September 30, 1994, ATF published a notice of proposed

rulemaking, Notice No. 800 (59 FR 49870), in the Federal Register. In

the notice, AFT proposed the use of three wine treating processes and

one wine treating material in the production, cellar treatment, and/or

finishing of wine. The processes included the spinning cone column,

reverse osmosis and ion exchange used in combination within a closed

system, and ultrafiltration at transmembrane pressures below 200 pounds

per square inch (psi).

The new wine treating material proposed was urease enzyme, derived

from Lactobacillus fermentum. This new material was proposed to be used

to reduce levels of naturally occurring urea in wine to help prevent

the formation of ethyl carbamate during storage.

Reopening of Comment Period

ATF has received a request from the Delegation of the European

Commission (EC) to extend the comment period for 60 days. The EC stated

that this additional time was necessary due to [[Page 3599]] the

complicated technical issues raised in the proposed rulemaking.

ATF agrees that the proposed rulemaking contains several wine

treating processes that are technically complex and that may require

more time than usual to analyze and prepare comments for submission.

Consequently, in order to allow all interested persons to comment

fully, ATF has decided to reopen the comment period, which originally

closed on November 29, 1994, for 60 days from the date of publication

of this notice in the Federal Register.

All written comments received will be considered in the development

of a decision on this matter. Comments that provide the factual basis

supporting the views or suggestions presented will be particularly

helpful in developing a reasoned regulatory decision on this matter.

Correction

In Notice No. 800, 59 FR 49870, on page 49874, in the ``Reference

or limitation'' column of the table for reverse osmosis, the words

``off flavors in wine'' in the third line should be deleted. In

addition, the word ``virous'' in the last line should be changed to

read ``vinous.''

Drafting Information

The principal author of this document is Robert White, Wine, Beer

and Spirits Regulations Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and

Firearms.

List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 24

Administrative practice and procedure, Authority delegations,

Claims Electronic funds transfers, Excise taxes, Exports, Food

additives, Fruit juices, Labeling, Liquors, Packaging and containers,

Reporting requirements, Research, Scientific equipment, Spices and

flavorings, Surety bonds, Transportation, Warehouses, Wine and vinegar.

Authority: This notice is issued under the authority of 26

U.S.C. 7805.

Approved: January 5, 1995.

Daniel R. Black,

Acting Director.

[FR Doc. 95-1089 Filed 1-17-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4810-31-U