U.S. Federal Register Update

November 21, 2009 – November27, 2009

The U.S. Federal Register Update contains summaries of entries in the U.S. Federal Register that relate to the standards and conformity assessment community. Summaries are divided into items that would be of broad interest to the entire community (top section) and items that may be more targeted toward specific stakeholders (bottom section). This update is provided on a weekly basis by ANSI as a service to its members as part of the ANSI What’s New? email newsletter.

To access the full Federal Register entry for any of the summaries below, please visit select Volume 74, and enter the first page number of the announcement you would like to view.

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Targeted Interest Items

TopicHealth and Human Services Acquisition Regulation; Final Rule

Date-FR-Doc.-Pages11/27/2009E9-26948pp. 62395-62472

Standard Ref.ANSI/EIA Standard-748

SummaryThe Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is revising its Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Supplement--the HHS Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR) in its entirety to reflect statutory, FAR, and government-wide and HHS policy changes since the last revision to the HHSAR in December 2006.

Comments can be submitted to

TopicFuel Economy Regulations for Automobiles: Technical Amendments and Corrections

Date-FR-Doc.-Pages11/25/2009E9-27945pp. 61537-61555

Standard Ref.ASTM

SummaryThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action amending and correcting portions of its existing fuel economy and emission regulations. This action makes some minor corrections and amendments to EPA's December 27, 2006, final rule for fuel economy labeling requirements for cars and light trucks, including a slight revision to the minivan definition. This action also makes changes to EPA regulations to administer the Department of Transportation's (DOT's) 2008-2011 model year passenger automobile and light truck corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards. Changes include adding reporting requirements for manufacturers to report to EPA their applicable reformed CAFE fuel economy standards (also called ``required fuel economy levels'') and reporting the basis for determining such ``required fuel economy levels.''

This direct final rule also adds provisions to clarify that special test procedures, calculation methods, and label formats may be used for advanced technology vehicles for fuel economy labeling and CAFE purposes. Advanced technology vehicles include, but are not limited to, electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles and vehicles equipped with hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines. In addition, today's action makes some minor changes to clarify the meaning of, and correct errata in EPA regulations. The above amendments and corrections will allow for the more effective administration of existing regulations.

TopicRequest for Public Comment on the United States Standards for Wheat

Date-FR-Doc.-Pages11/27/2009E9-28429p. 62257

Standard Ref.N/A

SummaryThe Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is reviewing the United States (U.S.) Standards for Wheat under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA). Since the standards were last revised, numerous changes have occurred in the breeding and production practices of wheat; the technology used to harvest, process, and test wheat; and also wheat marketing. To ensure that standards and official grading practices remain relevant, GIPSA invites interested parties to comment on whether the current wheat standards and grading practices need to be changed.

Comments can be submitted to by February 25, 2010.