U.S. Federal Register Update: April 20 – April 24, 2015
The U.S. Federal Register Update contains summaries of entries in the U.S. Federal Register that may be of particular
interest to the standards and conformity assessment community. This update is provided on a weekly basis by ANSI as a
service to its members as part of the Institute’s e-newsletter, What’s New?
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Wharf Maintenance
Project
Published 4/22/2015
Reference ANSI, ISO
NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to
construction activities as part of a wharf maintenance project. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA),
NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the Navy to
incidentally take marine mammals, by Level B Harassment only, during the specified activity. Comments and information
must be received no later than May 22, 2015.
Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Pumps
Published 4/23/2015
Reference ANSI, NEMA, IEC
Corrections to proposed rule document 2015-06945 beginning on page 17585 in the issue of Wednesday, April 1, 2015.
Hazardous Materials: Notice of Application for Special Permits
Published 4/23/2015
Reference ANSI, ISO
In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the
Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR part 107, subpart B), notice is hereby given that
the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. Each mode of transportation for
which a particular special permit is requested is indicated by a number in the “Nature of Application” portion of the table
below as follows: 1—Motor vehicle, 2—Rail freight, 3—Cargo vessel, 4—Cargo aircraft only, 5—Passenger-carrying aircraft.
Comments must be received on or before May 26, 2015.
Notice of Scope Rulings
Published 4/24/2015
Reference ASTM
The Department of Commerce (“Department”) hereby publishes a list of scope rulings and anticircumvention
determinations made between October 1, 2014, and December 31, 2014, inclusive. We intend to publish future lists after
the close of the next calendar quarter.
Sizing of Large Lead-Acid Storage Batteries
Published 4/20/2015
Reference IEEE
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing draft regulatory guide (DG), DG-1311, “Sizing of Large Lead-Acid
Batteries” for public comment. This guidance is proposed revision 1 of regulatory guide (RG), RG 1.212, “Sizing of Large
Lead-Acid Storage Batteries.” This DG endorses, with certain clarifications, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic
Engineers (IEEE) Standard 485-2010, “IEEE Recommended Practice for Sizing Lead-Acid Batteries for Stationary
Applications.” This DG describes methods acceptable to the NRC staff for complying with the design requirements for
stationary battery applications in full float operation for nuclear power plants. Submit comments by June 19, 2015.
Comments received after this date will be considered if practical to do so, but the NRC is able to ensure consideration
only for comments received on or before this date. Although a time limit is given, comments and suggestions in
connection with items for inclusion in guides currently being developed or improvements in all published guides are
encouraged at any time.
Protection System, Automatic Reclosing, and Sudden Pressure Relaying Maintenance Reliability Standard
Published 4/22/2015
Reference IEEE
Pursuant to the Federal Power Act, the Commission proposes to approve a revised Reliability Standard, PRC-005-4
(Protection System, Automatic Reclosing and Sudden Pressure Relaying Maintenance), developed and submitted by the
North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). In addition, the Commission proposes to approve one new
definition and four revised definitions referenced in the proposed Reliability Standard, as well as NERC's proposed violation
risk factors, violation severity levels, and implementation plan. Consistent with Order No. 758, the proposed Reliability
Standard requires applicable entities to test and maintain certain sudden pressure relays as part of a protection system
maintenance program. Comments are due June 22, 2015.
Beyond Compliance Program
Published 4/23/2015
Reference ISO
The U.S. Department of Transportation and motor carriers have invested millions of dollars in research, development, and
implementation of strategies and technologies to reduce truck and bus crashes. FMCSA is evaluating the impacts of
considering a company's proactive voluntary implementation of state-of-the-art best practices and technologies when
evaluating the carrier's safety. FMCSA requests responses to specific questions and any supporting data the Agency should
consider in the potential development of a Beyond Compliance program. Beyond Compliance would include voluntary
programs implemented by motor carriers that exceed regulatory requirements, and improve the safety of commercial
motor vehicles and drivers operating on the Nations' roadways by reducing the number and severity of crashes. Beyond
Compliance would not result in regulatory relief. Comments must be received on or before June 22, 2015.
Hazardous Materials: Actions on Special Permit Applications
Published 4/23/2015
Reference ISO
In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the
Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR part 107, subpart B), notice is hereby given of the
actions on special permits applications in (October to October 2014). The mode of transportation involved are identified by
a number in the “Nature of Application” portion of the table below as follows: 1—Motor vehicle, 2—Rail freight, 3—Cargo
vessel, 4—Cargo aircraft only, 5—Passenger-carrying aircraft. Application numbers prefixed by the letters EE represent
applications for Emergency Special Permits. It should be noted that some of the sections cited were those in effect at the
time certain special permits were issued.