◆ Although the Environmental Protection Agency was one of more than a dozen federal entities that adopted revisions to the Common Rule, effective Jan. 21, “discrepancies” occurred with some of EPA’s specific requirements. On Dec. 6, EPA published a proposed rule to clear those up. In particular, EPA is “proposing to amend subparts C, D, K, and M of its regulations relating to human research. These changes are intended to correct regulatory citation references in subparts C and D that have been rendered ineffective by the revisions to the Common Rule…codified by EPA at 40 CFR part 26, subpart A, and to harmonize language in subpart K with those revisions, where appropriate,” the agency explained. “Finally, there is a single typographical error in subpart M that should be corrected while this action is being undertaken.” (12/13/18)
◆ The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), part of the Commerce Department, is seeking input to help in “identifying emerging technologies that are essential to the national security of the United States,” but the comment deadline is too short to permit meaningful responses, according to organizations representing research institutions. The Nov. 18 advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) published in the Federal Register outlined a half-dozen subjects about which BIS would like feedback, including “criteria for identifying emerging technologies…because they have potential conventional weapons, intelligence collection, weapons of mass destruction, or terrorist applications or could provide the United States with a qualitative military or intelligence advantage.” It is seeking specifics such as “the stage of development or maturity level of an emerging technology that would warrant consideration for export control.” The Commerce Department plans to issue a second ANPRM “regarding identification of foundational technologies that may be important to U.S. national security”; this will address “emerging and foundational technologies as separate types of technology,” the Federal Register notice states. No timeline for the issuance of this additional ANPRM was given. The deadline for comments is Dec. 19. (12/13/18)
