New regs for Friday: Bath salts, pesticides, nuclear fuel storage

Friday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new rules for bath salts, pesticides and nuclear fuel storage. Here’s what is happening:

Bath salts: The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is taking another crack at banning synthetic bath salts.

{mosads}Lawmakers have already banned bath salt, but new synthetic versions of the drug keep popping up that the DEA has to target individually. The agency announced Thursday it is adding 10 new synthetic versions of the drug to its controlled substances list. The rule goes into effect immediately.

This comes after it banned another 10 synthetic bath salts in January.

Chemical accidents: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is delaying a rule that is designed to prevent major chemical accidents.

OSHA announced Thursday that it is extending the comment period for a rule that would address process safety management and prevention of major chemical accidents. The deadline is extended through March 31.

This comes just two months after a major chemical accident in West Virginia that has drawn attention to the issue, even though the rule was proposed last December before the spill.

FAA: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is making changes to a rule that governs the qualification of crew members.

The FAA originally published the rule, known as Qualification, Service and Use of Crew members and Aircraft Dispatchers, last November, but is making updates to it, effective on March 12. The amendment will update the agency’s list of OMB control numbers.

Pesticide: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering a rule that would update the restrictions on a colorless, odorless, nonflammable gas that was used as a pesticide until being all but phased out over the last decade.

The EPA announced Thursday that it is considering allowing the use of methyl bromide in small amounts under the critical use exemption. This would allow it to be produced and imported in small quantities for 2014 and 2015.

Nuclear: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is backing off from a rule that provided guidance for nuclear energy companies. The agency announced Thursday it is withdrawing a draft guidance for Spent Fuel Storage and Transportation.

Sexual abuse: The Department of Homeland Security is moving forward with new regulations to prevent, detect and respond to sexual abuse and assault within the agency’s confinement facilities.

The rule goes into effect in two months.