Exemption of Chemical Mixtures

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Drug Enforcement Administration

21 CFR Parts 1300 and 1310

[DEA Number 137E2]

RIN 1117-AA321

Exemption of Chemical Mixtures

AGENCY: Drug Enforcement Administration, Justice.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The DEA is extending the comment period on the Federal

Register notice of proposed rulemaking entitled ``Exemption of Chemical

Mixtures'' published on September 16, 1998 (63 FR 49506). A previous

publication in the Federal Register on November 12, 1998 (63 FR 63253)

extended the original closing date for receipt of comments from

November 16, 1999 to February 15, 1999. The DEA believes that an

additional extension is necessary to ensure that all interested persons

are granted ample time to resolve issues pertaining to these proposed

regulations.

DATES: The period for public comment that was to close on February 15,

1999 is extended to April 16, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments and objections should be submitted in quintuplicate

to the Deputy Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration,

Washington, DC 20537, Attention: DEA Federal Register Representative/

CCR.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Sapienza, Chief, Drug and

Chemical Evaluation Section, Office of Diversion Control, Drug

Enforcement Administration, Washington, DC 20537, Telephone: (202) 307-

7183.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DEA published a notice of proposed

rulemaking (63 FR 49506) to implement those portions of the Domestic

Chemical Division Control Act of 1993 [Pub. L. 103-200] that exempt

from regulation under the Controlled Substances Act certain chemical

mixtures that contain regulated chemicals. The proposed regulations

identified those mixtures, or categories of mixtures, that will be

automatically exempt from regulation and defined an application process

that can be used to exempt chemical mixtures that do not meet the

criteria for automatic exemption. The DEA issued a ninety day extension

to the period for public comment based on a formal request by Hyman,

Phelps & McNamara, P.C. The DEA believes that an additional sixty day

extension is now necessary. This additional extension is deemed

necessary to assure that interested persons are afforded reasonable

time to address issues of concern and allow all persons to respond

accordingly. Therefore, the comment period for the proposed rule is

extended to April 16, 1999. Comments must be received by the DEA on or

before this date.

Dated: February 8, 1999.

Donnie R. Marshall,

Deputy Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration.

[FR Doc. 99-3442 Filed 2-11-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4410-09-M