Notice2022-07043
Request for Information: Sustainable Chemistry
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 4, 2022
Issuing agencies
Science and Technology Policy Office
Abstract
The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) requests input from interested parties on sustainable chemistry to guide future Federal efforts. The term "sustainable chemistry" does not have a consensus definition and most uses of the term indicate that it is synonymous with "green chemistry." Therefore, information is requested on the preferred definition for sustainable chemistry. OSTP requests comments on how the definition of sustainable chemistry could impact the following: The role of technology, Federal policies that may aid or hinder sustainable chemistry initiatives, future research to advance sustainable chemistry, financial and economic considerations, and Federal agency efforts. Comments provided in response to this RFI will be used to address Subtitle E--Sustainable Chemistry of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to identify research questions and priorities to promote transformational progress in improving the sustainability of the chemical sciences.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 64 (Monday, April 4, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19539-19541]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07043]
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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY OFFICE
Request for Information: Sustainable Chemistry
AGENCY: Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
ACTION: Notice of Request for Information (RFI) from the public on
Federal programs and activities in support of sustainable chemistry.
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SUMMARY: The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) requests
input from interested parties on sustainable chemistry to guide future
Federal efforts. The term ``sustainable chemistry'' does not have a
consensus definition and most uses of the term indicate that it is
synonymous with ``green chemistry.'' Therefore, information is
requested on the preferred definition for sustainable chemistry. OSTP
requests comments on how the definition of sustainable chemistry could
impact the following: The role of technology, Federal policies that may
aid or hinder sustainable chemistry initiatives, future research to
advance sustainable chemistry, financial and economic considerations,
and Federal agency efforts. Comments provided in response to this RFI
will be used to address Subtitle E--Sustainable Chemistry of the 2021
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to identify research
questions and priorities to promote transformational progress in
improving the sustainability of the chemical sciences.
DATES: Interested persons and organizations are invited to submit
comments on or before 5:00 p.m. ET on June 3, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Interested individuals and organizations should submit
comments electronically to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b2f8f7f7e2f2ddc1c6c29cd7ddc29cd5ddc4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e2a8a7a7b2a28d919692cc878d92cc858d94">[email protected]</span></a> and include ``Sustainable
Chemistry RFI'' in the subject line of the email. Due to time
constraints, mailed paper submissions will not be accepted, and
electronic submissions received after the deadline may not be taken
into consideration.
Instructions
Response to this RFI is voluntary. Each responding entity
(individual or organization) is requested to submit only one response.
OSTP welcomes any responses to inform and guide policies and actions
related to Sustainable Chemistry. Please feel free to respond to one or
as many topics as you choose, while noting the number of the topic(s)
to which you are responding. Submission must not exceed 10 pages in 12-
point or larger font, with a page number provided on each page.
Responses should include the name of the person(s) or organization(s)
filing the comment, as well as the respondent
[[Page 19540]]
type (e.g., academic institution, advocacy group, professional society,
community-based organization, industry, member of the public,
government, other). Respondent's role in the organization may also be
provided (e.g., researcher, administrator, student, program manager,
journalist) on a voluntary basis. Comments containing references,
studies, research, and other empirical data that are not widely
published should include copies or electronic links of the referenced
materials. No business proprietary information, copyrighted
information, or personally identifiable information should be submitted
in response to this RFI. Please be aware that comments submitted in
response to this RFI, including the submitter's identification (as
noted above), may be posted on OSTP's website or otherwise released
publicly.
In accordance with Federal Acquisitions Regulations Systems
15.202(3), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be
accepted by the Federal Government to form a binding contract.
Additionally, those submitting responses are solely responsible for all
expenses associated with response preparation.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information, please
direct questions to Melanie Buser at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e3a9a6a6b3a38c909793cd868c93cd848c95"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="014b444451416e7275712f646e712f666e77">[email protected]</span></a> or 202-456-4444.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: The term ``sustainable chemistry'' does not have a
consensus definition and most uses of the term indicate that it is
synonymous with ``green chemistry.'' Publications and legislation have
typically treated sustainable chemistry and green chemistry
synonymously.<SUP>1 2</SUP> However, green chemistry has traditionally
focused on hazardous substances, while sustainable chemistry has been
used in the context of both hazardous and non-hazardous substances. An
example is the EPA definition:
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\1\ See, for example: H. Rept 108-462, ``Green Chemistry
Research and Development Act of 2004'' H. Rept. 108-462--GREEN
CHEMISTRY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2004 [bond] <a href="http://Congress.gov">Congress.gov</a>
[bond] Library of Congress.
\2\ Public Law No: 111-358 (01/04/2011) which uses both terms
independently and combined <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/5116/text?overview=closed&r=12">https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/5116/text?overview=closed&r=12</a>.
``Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and
processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of
hazardous substances. Green chemistry applies across the life cycle
of a chemical product, including its design, manufacture, use, and
ultimate disposal. Green chemistry is also known as sustainable
chemistry.'' \3\
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\3\ <a href="https://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry/basics-green-chemistry">https://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry/basics-green-chemistry</a>.
In 2017, Congress used the term ``sustainable chemistry'' and
included expanded concepts such as pollution prevention, reducing risk,
efficient manufacturing, and to ``promote efficient use of resources in
developing new materials, processes, and technologies that support
viable long-term solutions to a significant number of challenges.'' \4\
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\4\ Public Law 114-329, SEC 114(a)(2) approved on January 6,
2017, <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-114publ329/pdf/PLAW-114publ329.pdf">https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-114publ329/pdf/PLAW-114publ329.pdf</a>.
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The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
considers a much broader definition that incorporates efficiency in use
of natural resources: ``Sustainable chemistry is a scientific concept
that seeks to improve the efficiency with which natural resources are
used to meet human needs for chemical products and services.
Sustainable chemistry encompasses the design, manufacture and use of
efficient, effective, safe and more environmentally benign chemical
products and processes.'' \5\
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\5\ <a href="https://www.oecd.org/chemicalsafety/risk-management/sustainablechemistry.htm">https://www.oecd.org/chemicalsafety/risk-management/sustainablechemistry.htm</a>.
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In early 2018, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published
GAO-18-307, titled Chemical Innovation: Technologies to Make Processes
and Products More Sustainable, that equated ``green chemistry'' with
``sustainable chemistry'' and found that participating stakeholders
lacked agreement on how to define, measure, or assess the
sustainability of chemical processes and products. The GAO did find,
however, that there were several common themes underlying what
sustainable chemistry strives to achieve:
--Improve the efficiency with which natural resources--including
energy, water, and materials--are used to meet human needs for
chemical products while avoiding environmental harm;
--reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances
in the design, manufacture, and use of chemical products;
--protect and benefit the economy, people, and the environment using
innovative chemical transformations;
--consider all life-cycle stages including manufacture, use, and
disposal when evaluating the environmental impact of a product; and
--minimize the use of non-renewable resources.\6\
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\6\ <a href="https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-18-307.pdf">https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-18-307.pdf</a>.
OSTP has been tasked under Subtitle E--Sustainable Chemistry of the
William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2021 (Pub. L. 116-283) \7\ with creating a consensus
definition for the term ``sustainable chemistry'' to coordinate Federal
programs and activities in support of sustainable chemistry. The
definition, for which we are seeking comment, will inform OSTP's
development of a framework of attributes characterizing sustainable
chemistry as well as quantitative assessment metrics. Additionally, it
will allow OSTP to assess the state of sustainable chemistry in the
United States; coordinate and support Federal research, development,
demonstration, technology transfer, commercialization, education, and
support for public-private partnerships; identify Federal barriers and
opportunities; identify scientific challenges; avoid duplication; and
position Federal funding for maximal impact including through
synergistic partnerships.
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\7\ https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/pub[bond]283/PLAW-
116publ283.pdf.
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Scope: OSTP invites input from any interested stakeholders,
including industry and industry association groups; civil society and
advocacy groups; local organizers and community groups; state, local,
and tribal governments; academic researchers; technical practitioners
specializing in chemistry and chemical processes; and members of the
public, representing all backgrounds and perspectives. OSTP has great
interest in receiving input from parties developing sustainable
chemistry technologies, parties acquiring and using such technologies,
and people from communities impacted by their use, including but not
limited to environmental justice communities.
Information Requested: OSTP has considered definitions for
sustainable chemistry to potentially include incorporating technology,
policy, finance/economics, energetics, national security, critical
industries, and critical natural resources. OSTP encourages input on
these and other considerations for a definition of sustainable
chemistry. Respondents may provide information for one or as many
topics below as they choose. Through this RFI, OSTP seeks information
to develop a consensus definition for the term ``sustainable
chemistry'' and to consider the implications of such a definition,
including the following topics:
1. Definition of sustainable chemistry: OSTP is mandated by the
2021 NDAA to develop a consensus definition of sustainable chemistry.
Comments are requested on what that definition should include. The
definition will inform OSTP and Federal agencies for prioritizing and
implementing research
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and development programs to advance sustainable chemistry practice in
the United States. Comments are also requested on how the definition of
``sustainable chemistry'' relates to the common usage of ``green
chemistry'' and whether these terms should be synonymous, exclusive,
complementary, or if one should be incorporated into the other.
2. Technologies that would benefit from Federal attention to move
society toward more sustainable chemistry: What technologies/sectors
stand to benefit most from progress in sustainable chemistry or require
prioritized investment? Why? What mature technology areas, if any,
should be lower priority?
3. Fundamental research areas: What fundamental and emerging
research areas require increased attention, investment, and/or priority
focus to support innovation toward sustainable chemistry (e.g.,
catalysis, separations, toxicity, biodegradation, thermodynamics,
kinetics, life-cycle analysis, market forces, public awareness, tax
credits, etc.). What Federal research area might you regard as mature/
robustly covered, or which Federal programs would benefit from
increased prioritization?
Ancillary topics regarding the definition:
4. Potential outcome and output metrics based on the definition of
sustainable chemistry: What outcomes and output metrics will provide
OSTP the ability to prioritize initiatives and measure their success?
How does one determine the effectiveness of the definition of
sustainable chemistry? What are the quantitative features
characteristic of sustainable chemistry?
5. Financial and economic considerations for advancing sustainable
chemistry: How are financial and economic factors considered (e.g.,
competitiveness, externalized costs), assessed (e.g., economic models,
full life cycle management tools) and implemented (e.g., economic
infrastructure).
6. Policy considerations for advancing sustainable chemistry: What
changes in policy could the Federal government make to improve and/or
promote sustainable chemistry?
7. Investment considerations when prioritizing Federal initiatives
for study: What issues, consequences, and priorities are not
necessarily covered under the definition of sustainable chemistry, but
should be considered when investing in initiatives? Public Law 114-329,
discussed in the background section above, includes the phrase:
``support viable long-term solutions to a significant number of
challenges''. OSTP expects the final definition of sustainable
chemistry to strongly consider resource conservation and other
environmentally focused issues. For example, national security, jobs,
funding models, partnership models, critical industries, and
environmental justice considerations may all incur consequences from
implementation of sustainable chemistry initiatives such as
dematerialization, or the reduction of quantities of materials needed
to serve and economic function.
Dated: March 30, 2022.
Stacy Murphy,
Operations Manager.
[FR Doc. 2022-07043 Filed 4-1-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3270-F2-P
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