Methyl Bromide - Protection of Stratospheric Ozone - Process for Exempting Critical Uses

May 13, 2003

EPA seeks by August 6, 2003 applications for the Critical Use Exemption from the phaseout of methyl bromide.

This application process offers users of methyl bromide the opportunity to provide technical and economic information to support a 'critical use' claim. Methyl bromide is a chemical pesticide that has been identified under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the Clean Air Act, as an ozone-depleting substance. It is scheduled for complete phaseout by January 1, 2005.

The Critical Use Exemption is designed to allow continued production and import of methyl bromide after the phaseout for those uses that have no technically and economically feasible alternatives. Because Critical Use Exemptions are exemptions from the January 1, 2005, methyl bromide phaseout, they will become effective after that date. Applicants for the exemption are requested to submit technical and economic information to EPA for U.S. review. The US will then create a national nomination for review by the Parties to the Montreal Protocol.

EPA encourages users with similar circumstances of use to submit a single application. Please contact your state regulatory agency to receive information about their involvement in the process. Questions may be directed to the EPA Stratospheric Ozone Information Hotline at (800) 296-1996 or Bill Chism in the EPA OPPTS OPP at (703) 308-8136 or Hodayah Finman, EPA Global Programs Division at (202) 564-2651 - EPA May 8 Federal Register: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/03-11476.htm

--Rick Melnicoe
Director, Western Region Pest Management Center
Director, Office of Pesticide Information and Coordination (Statewide Pesticide Coordinator)
Department of Environmental Toxicology
One Shields Avenue
University of California
Davis, CA 95616-8588
Phone: (530) 754-8378
Fax: (530) 754-8379