⚗️Proposed Regulation on Propionyl Chloride
The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing the control of propionyl chloride as a list I chemical under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The Drug Enforcement Administration finds that propionyl chloride is used in the illicit manufacture of the controlled substances fentanyl, fentanyl analogues and fentanyl-related substances, and is important to the manufacture of these substances. In the respective synthetic pathways in which it is used to manufacture those substances, it is a replacement for propionic anhydride, which is currently a list I chemical. If finalized, the proposed rule would subject handlers of propionyl chloride to the chemical regulatory provisions of the CSA and its implementing regulations. This proposed rulemaking does not establish a threshold for domestic and international transactions of propionyl chloride. As such, all transactions of propionyl chloride, regardless of size, shall be regulated. In addition, chemical mixtures containing propionyl chloride are not exempt from regulatory requirements at any concentration. Therefore, all transactions of chemical mixtures containing any quantity of propionyl chloride shall be regulated pursuant to the CSA. Although no automatic exemption is available, manufacturers may submit an application for exemption.
Learn More🏛️Proposed Changes to Federal Suitability and Fitness Regulations
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is proposing amendments to the Federal Government personnel vetting adjudicative processes for determining suitability and taking suitability actions. The purpose of the proposed rule is to improve the efficiency, rigor and timeliness by which OPM and agencies vet individuals for risk to the integrity and efficiency of the service, and to make clear that individuals who engage in serious misconduct while employed in Federal service are subject to the same suitability procedures and actions as applicants for employment.
Learn More⚖️Correction on 2-Methyl AP-237 Placement in Schedule I by DEA
On March 15, 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration published a final order placing 1-(2-methyl-4-(3-phenylprop-2-en-1- yl)piperazin-1-yl)butan-1-one (commonly known as 2-methyl AP-237), including its optical and geometric isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, esters, and ethers whenever the existence of such isomers, esters, ethers, and salts is possible within the specific chemical designation, in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. The effective date of that final order was 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Before the effective date, DEA published another final order that made the instructions for 2-methyl AP-237 in the March 15 final order invalid. This document corrects that error, adding 2- methyl AP-237 and its drug code 9664 for regulatory purposes.
Learn More⚖️Proposed Scheduling of 4-Fluoroamphetamine as a Schedule I Substance
The Drug Enforcement Administration proposes placing the substance 4-fluoroamphetamine (4-FA; 1-(4-fluorophenyl)propan-2-amine), including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This action is being taken, in part, to enable the United States to meet its obligations under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. If finalized, this action would impose the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis with, or possess) or propose to handle 4-fluoroamphetamine.
Learn More🌍New Trademark Replacement Rules Align with Madrid Protocol
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issues this final rule to implement an amendment to the Regulations under the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks (Madrid Protocol) adopted by the Madrid Union Assembly that went into effect on February 1, 2021, with a delayed implementation date of February 1, 2025. This final rule modifies U.S. trademark regulations addressing the replacement of a national registration or registrations by an international registration to allow for submission of partial replacement requests, in alignment with the Madrid Protocol, and to require a listing of the goods and/or services for which replacement is requested.
Learn More💵Proposed Changes to Hennepin NAF Wage Area and Business Impacts
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is proposing a rule to abolish the Hennepin, Minnesota, nonappropriated fund (NAF) Federal Wage System (FWS) wage area and define most of its counties to the nearest NAF FWS wage areas. Those counties without NAF FWS employment would no longer be defined to a NAF wage area. These changes are necessary because NAF FWS employment in the survey area has been declining, and the local activities no longer have the capability to conduct local wage surveys.
Learn More🚚Proposed Rule to Eliminate CDL Self-Reporting Requirement
FMCSA proposes to revise its regulations requiring commercial driver's license (CDL) holders to self-report motor vehicle violations to their State of domicile. With the implementation of the exclusive electronic exchange of violations between State drivers licensing agencies (SDLAs) in 2024, self-reporting is no longer necessary. This action supports the Administration's deregulatory efforts.
Learn More📜Civil Penalties Schedule Update by FMCSA
FMCSA amends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to remove the reference to rules under the Department of Transportation's "Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Program" from the civil penalty schedule in the FMCSRs. Instead, the civil penalty schedule will refer solely to the part of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) where this program is incorporated into the FMCSRs. Because the rule does not impose any new material requirements or increase compliance obligations, it is issued without prior notice and opportunity for comment, pursuant to the good cause exception in the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
Learn More📉USDA Updates Tobacco Grading and Inspections Regulations
This direct final rule amends regulations that govern tobacco price support services established under the Agricultural Act of 1949. The Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004 eliminated the price support and quota system for tobacco produced in the United States. In alignment with Executive Order 14192, AMS is removing and, where appropriate, amending regulations that have expired authorizing statutes and govern non-operational programs.
Learn More🚚FMCSA Repeals Obsolete Motor Carrier Routing Regulations
FMCSA repeals the for-hire motor carrier routing regulations which concern servicing municipalities and unincorporated communities. These regulations are unlawful because they exceed FMCSA's statutory authority following the transfer of rules from the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 1995, which were carried over to FMCSA in 2000.
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