text:
 AN COIMISIÚN EORPACH
 An Bhruiséil,18.7.2016
 COM(2016) 460 final
 2016/0218(COD)
 Togra le haghaidh
 RIALACHÁN Ó PHARLAIMINT NA hEORPA AGUS ÓN gCOMHAIRLE
 maidir le nósanna imeachta áirithe chun an Comhaontú Cobhsaíochta agus Comhlachais idir an tAontas Eorpach agus an Comhphobal Eorpach do Fhuinneamh Adamhach, de pháirt amháin, agus an Chosaiv, * den pháirt eile, a fheidhmiú
 MEABHRÁN MÍNIÚCHÁIN
 An 27 Deireadh Fómhair 2015, síníodh An Comhaontú Cobhsaíochta agus Comhlachais idir na tAontas Eorpach agus an Comhphobal Eorpach do Fhuinneamh Adamhach, de pháirt amháin, agus an Chosaiv
 1*, den pháirt eile (“an Comhaontú”), agus tháinig sé i bhfeidhm an 1 Aibreán 2016.
 Is gá rialacha a leagan síos maidir le cur chun feidhme forálacha áirithe de chuid an Chomhaontaithe, chomh maith le nósanna imeachta maidir le rialacha mionsonraithe cur chun feidhme a ghlacadh.
 Ar mhaithe le coinníollacha aonfhoirmeacha a áirithiú le haghaidh chur chun feidhme an Chomhaontaithe, ba cheart cumhachtaí cur chun feidhme a thabhairt don Choimisiún. Ba cheart na cumhachtaí sin a fheidhmiú i gcomhréir le Rialachán (AE) Uimh. 182/2011 ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa agus ón gComhairle an 16 Feabhra 2011 lena leagtar síos na rialacha agus na prionsabail ghinearálta a bhaineann leis na sásraí maidir le rialú ag na Ballstáit ar fheidhmiú cumhachtaí cur chun feidhme ag an gCoimisiún
 2
 . Ós rud é gur cuid den chomhbheartas tráchtála iad na gníomhartha cur chun feidhme, ba cheart an nós imeachta scrúdúcháin a úsáid chun iad a ghlacadh.
 I gcás ina ndéanann an Comhaontú foráil maidir leis an bhféidearthacht, in imthosca eisceachtúla agus géibheannacha, na bearta práinne is gá chun dul i ngleic leis an staid a chur i bhfeidhm, ba cheart don Choimisiún na gníomhartha cur chun feidhme sin a ghlacadh láithreach. I gcás bearta maidir le táirgí talmhaíochta agus iascaigh, ba cheart don Choimisiún, i gcásanna ina bhfuil mórchúiseanna práinne a bhfuil údar iomchuí leo, na gníomhartha cur chun feidhme sin a ghlacadh láithreach.
 Tá sé leagtha amach sa Chomhaontú go bhféadfar táirgí áirithe talmhaíochta agus iascaigh de thionscnamh na Cosaive a allmhairiú isteach san Aontas ar dhleacht chustaim laghdaithe, laistigh de theorainneacha na gcuótaí taraife. Is gá, dá bhrí sin, forálacha a leagan síos lena rialálfar bainistiú agus athbhreithniú na gcuótaí taraife sin chun gur féidir measúnú críochnúil a dhéanamh orthu.
 Sa Rialachán seo, tá bearta cur chun feidhme don Chomhaontú, agus ba cheart, dá bhrí sin, feidhm a bheith aige ó theacht i bhfeidhm an Chomhaontaithe, d'fhonn a áirithiú go ndéanfar na cuótaí taraife arna ndeonú faoin gComhaontú a chur i bhfeidhm agus a bhainistiú go héifeachtach, chomh maith le deimhneacht dhlíthiúil agus an chóir chomhionann a áirithiú i ndáil le dleachtanna a thobhach.
 2016/0218 (COD)
 Togra le haghaidh
 RIALACHÁN Ó PHARLAIMINT NA hEORPA AGUS ÓN gCOMHAIRLE
 maidir le nósanna imeachta áirithe chun an Comhaontú Cobhsaíochta agus Comhlachais idir an tAontas Eorpach agus an Comhphobal Eorpach do Fhuinneamh Adamhach, de pháirt amháin, agus an Chosaiv,
 3* den pháirt eile, a fheidhmiú
 TÁ PARLAIMINT NA hEORPA AGUS COMHAIRLE AN AONTAIS EORPAIGH,
 Ag féachaint don Chonradh ar Fheidhmiú an Aontais Eorpaigh, agus go háirithe Airteagal 207 de,
 Ag féachaint don togra ón gCoimisiún Eorpach,
 Tar éis dóibh an dréachtghníomh reachtach a chur chuig na parlaimintí náisiúnta,
 Ag gníomhú dóibh i gcomhréir leis an ngnáthnós imeachta reachtach,
 De bharr an méid seo a leanas:
 (1)An 27 Deireadh Fómhair 2015, síníodh Comhaontú Cobhsaíochta agus Comhlachais idir an tAontas Eorpach agus an Comhphobal Eorpach do Fhuinneamh Adamhach, de pháirt amháin, agus an Chosaiv, den pháirt eile (“an Comhaontú”). Tháinig an Comhaontú i bhfeidhm an 1 Aibreán 2016.
 (2)
 4
 Is gá rialacha a leagan síos maidir le cur chun feidhme forálacha áirithe de chuid an Chomhaontaithe chomh maith le nósanna imeachta maidir le rialacha mionsonraithe cur chun feidhme a ghlacadh.
 (3)Chun coinníollacha aonfhoirmeacha a áirithiú le haghaidh chur chun feidhme an Chomhaontaithe, ba cheart cumhachtaí cur chun feidhme a thabhairt don Choimisiún. Ba cheart na cumhachtaí sin a fheidhmiú i gcomhréir le Rialachán (AE) Uimh. 182/2011 ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa agus ón gComhairle
 5
 . Ós rud é gur cuid den chomhbheartas tráchtála iad na gníomhartha cur chun feidhme, ba cheart an nós imeachta scrúdúcháin a úsáid chun iad a ghlacadh. I gcás ina ndéanann an Comhaontú foráil maidir leis an bhféidearthacht, in imthosca eisceachtúla agus géibheannacha, na bearta práinne is gá chun dul i ngleic leis an staid a chur i bhfeidhm, ba cheart don Choimisiún na gníomhartha cur chun feidhme sin a ghlacadh láithreach. I gcás bearta maidir le táirgí talmhaíochta agus iascaigh, ba cheart don Choimisiún, i gcásanna ina bhfuil mórchúiseanna práinne a bhfuil údar iomchuí leo, na gníomhartha cur chun feidhme sin a ghlacadh láithreach.
 (4)Tá sé leagtha amach sa Chomhaontú go bhféadfar táirgí áirithe talmhaíochta agus iascaigh de thionscnamh na Cosaive a allmhairiú isteach san Aontas ar dhleacht chustaim laghdaithe, laistigh de theorainneacha na gcuótaí taraife. Is gá, dá bhrí sin, forálacha a leagan síos lena rialálfar bainistiú agus athbhreithniú na gcuótaí taraife sin chun gur féidir measúnú críochnúil a dhéanamh orthu.
 (5)I gcás ina bhfuil gá le bearta cosanta trádála, ba cheart iad a ghlacadh i gcomhréir le Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 260/2009 ón gComhairle
 6
 , Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 1225/2009 ón gComhairle
 7
 nó, de réir an cháis, Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 597/2009 ón gComhairle
 8
 .
 (6)I gcás ina dtugann Ballstát faisnéis don Choimisiún faoi chás féideartha calaoise nó mainneachtana comhar riaracháin a sholáthar, beidh feidhm ag an reachtaíocht ábhartha Aontais, go háirithe Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 515/97 ón gComhairle
 9
 .
 (7)Sa Rialachán seo, tá bearta cur chun feidhme don Chomhaontú, agus ba cheart, dá bhrí sin, feidhm a bheith aige ó theacht i bhfeidhm an Chomhaontaithe.
 (8)Chun cur chun feidhme agus bainistiú éifeachtach na gcuótaí taraife arna ndeonú faoin gComhaontú, agus chun deimhneacht dhlíthiúil agus cóir chomhionann a áirithiú freisin maidir le dleachtanna a thobhach, ba cheart feidhm a bheith ag an Rialachán seo ón dáta a thiocfaidh an Comhaontú i bhfeidhm,
 TAR ÉIS AN RIALACHÁN SEO A GHLACADH:
 Airteagal 1
 Ábhar
 Sa Rialachán seo, leagtar síos na rialacha agus na nósanna imeachta maidir le rialacha mionsonraithe maidir le cur chun feidhme forálacha áirithe den Chomhaontú Cobhsaíochta agus Comhlachais idir an tAontas Eorpach agus an Comhphobal Eorpach do Fhuinneamh Adamhach, ar an taobh amháin, agus an Chosaiv
 10*, ar an taobh eile ("an Comhaontú").
 Airteagal 2
 Lamháltais d'iasc agus do tháirgí iascaigh
 Déanfaidh an Coimisiún rialacha mionsonraithe maidir le cur chun feidhme Airteagal 31 den Chomhaontú, maidir le cuótaí taraife d'iasc agus do tháirgí iascaigh, a ghlacadh trí bhíthin gníomhartha cur chun feidhme. Déanfar na gníomhartha cur chun feidhme sin a ghlacadh i gcomhréir leis an nós imeachta scrúdúcháin dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 13(3) den Rialachán seo.
 Airteagal 3
 Laghduithe taraife
 1.Faoi réir mhír 2, déanfar rátaí dleachta fabhraí a shlánú síos go dtí an chéad ionad deachúlach.
 2.Más rud é gurb ionann toradh ríomh an ráta dleachta fabhraí de bhun mhír 1 agus ceann díobh seo a leanas, measfar an ráta fabhrach mar dhíolúine iomlán:
 (a)1 % nó níos lú i gcás dleachtanna ad valorem;
 (b)EUR 1 nó níos lú in aghaidh an méid aonair i gcás dleachtanna sonracha.
 Airteagal 4
 Oiriúnuithe teicniúla
 Glacfaidh an Coimisiún, trí bhíthin gníomhartha cur chun feidhme, leasuithe agus oiriúnuithe teicniúla ar na forálacha arna nglacadh de bhun an Rialacháin seo a bhfuil gá leo tar éis athruithe ar chóid na hAinmníochta Comhcheangailte agus ar fho-rannta Taraif Chomhtháite an Chomhphobail Eorpaigh (TARIC) nó a thagann as comhaontuithe, prótacail, malartuithe litreacha nó gníomhartha eile, idir nua agus mhodhnaithe, a thabhairt i gcrích idir an tAontas agus an Chosaiv. Déanfar na gníomhartha cur chun feidhme sin a ghlacadh i gcomhréir leis an nós imeachta scrúdúcháin dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 13(3).
 Airteagal 5
 Clásal cosanta ginearálta
 I gcás inar gá don Aontas beart a dhéanamh mar a fhoráiltear in Airteagal 43 den Chomhaontú, glacfaidh an Coimisiún an beart sin trí bhíthin gníomhartha cur chun feidhme. Glacfar na gníomhartha cur chun feidhme sin i gcomhréir leis an nós imeachta scrúdúcháin dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 13(3) den Rialachán seo, mura sonraítear a mhalairt in Airteagal 43 den Chomhaontú.
 Airteagal 6
 Clásal ganntanais
 I gcás inar gá don Aontas beart a dhéanamh dá bhforáiltear in Airteagal 44 den Chomhaontú, glacfaidh an Coimisiún an beart sin trí bhíthin gníomhartha cur chun feidhme. Glacfar na gníomhartha cur chun feidhme sin i gcomhréir leis an nós imeachta scrúdúcháin dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 13(3) den Rialachán seo.
 Airteagal 7
 Imthosca eisceachtúla agus géibheannacha
 I gcás ina dtagann imthosca eisceachtúla agus géibheannacha chun cinn de réir bhrí Airteagal 43(5)(b) agus Airteagal 44(4) den Chomhaontú, féadfaidh an Coimisiún bearta a ghlacadh láithreach mar a fhoráiltear in Airteagal 41 agus Airteagal 42 den Chomhaontú, i gcomhréir leis an nós imeachta dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 13(4) den Rialachán seo.
 Airteagal 8
 Clásal cosanta do tháirgí talmhaíochta agus iascaigh
 3.D'ainneoin na nósanna imeachta dá bhforáiltear in Airteagal 5 agus Airteagal 6 den Rialachán seo, i gcás inar gá don Aontas beart a dhéanamh dá bhforáiltear in Airteagal 34(2) nó Airteagal 43 den Chomhaontú, maidir le táirgí talmhaíochta agus iascaigh, déanfaidh an Coimisiún, arna iarraidh sin dó ag Ballstát nó ar a thionscnamh féin, na bearta is gá a chinneadh tar éis dó, i gcás inarb infheidhme, dul ar iontaoibh an nós imeachta atreorúcháin dá bhforáiltear in Airteagal 41 den Chomhaontú. Glacfaidh an Coimisiún na bearta sin trí bhíthin gníomhartha cur chun feidhme. Glacfar na gníomhartha cur chun feidhme sin i gcomhréir leis an nós imeachta scrúdúcháin dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 13(3) den Rialachán seo.
 Ar mhórchúiseanna práinne a bhfuil údar iomchuí leo, lena náirítear an cás dá dtagraítear i mír 2, glacfaidh an Coimisiún gníomhartha cur chun feidhme atá infheidhme láithreach i gcomhréir leis an nós imeachta dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 13(4) den Rialachán seo.
 4.Má fhaigheann an Coimisiún an iarraidh dá dtagraítear i mír 1 ó Bhallstát, déanfaidh sé cinneadh fúithi:
 (c)laistigh de thrí lá oibre tar éis an iarraidh sin a fháil, i gcás nach bhfuil feidhm ag an nós imeachta atreorúcháin dá bhforáiltear in Airteagal 43 den Chomhaontú; nó
 (d)Laistigh de thrí lá ó dheireadh an tréimhse 30 lá dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 43(5)(a) den Chomhaontú, i gcás go bhfuil feidhm ag an nós imeachta atreorúcháin dá bhforáiltear in Airteagal 43 den Chomhaontú.
 Cuirfidh an Coimisiún na bearta a chinn sé in iúl don Chomhairle.
 Airteagal 9
 Faireachas
 Chun Airteagal 34 den Chomhaontú a chur chun feidhme, bunófar faireachas Aontais ar allmhairí earraí atá liostaithe in Iarscríbhinn V de Phrótacal 3 den Chomhaontú. Beidh feidhm ag an nós imeachta atá leagtha síos in Airteagal 308(d) de Rialachán (CEE) Uimh. 2454/93
 11
 ón gCoimisiún.
 Airteagal 10
 Dumpáil agus fóirdheontas
 I gcás cleachtas a d'fhéadfadh a bheith ina chúis don Aontas na bearta dá bhforáiltear in Airteagal 42(2) den Chomhaontú a ghlacadh, déanfar bearta frithdhumpála nó frithchúitimh, nó an dá chineál birt, a chinneadh i gcomhréir leis na forálacha atá leagtha síos i Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 1225/2009 agus i Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 597/2009 faoi seach.
 Airteagal 11
 Iomaíocht
 5.I gcás cleachtas a mheasann an Coimisiún atá ar neamhréir le hAirteagal 75 den Chomhaontú, déanfaidh an Coimisiún, tar éis dó an cás a scrúdú ar a thionscnamh féin nó arna iarraidh sin dó ag Ballstát, an beart is iomchuí dá bhforáiltear in Airteagal 75 den Chomhaontú, a chinneadh.
 Déanfar na bearta dá bhforáiltear in Airteagal 75(9) den Chomhaontú a ghlacadh i gcás cabhrach i gcomhréir leis na nósanna imeachta atá leagtha síos i Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 597/2009.
 6.I gcás cleachtas a d'fhéadfadh a bheith ina chúis don Chosaiv bearta a chur i bhfeidhm maidir leis an Aontas ar bhonn Airteagal 75 den Chomhaontú, cinnfidh an Coimisiún, tar éis dó an cás a scrúdú, an bhfuil an cleachtas ag luí leis na prionsabail a leagtar síos sa Chomhaontú. I gcás inar gá, déanfaidh an Coimisiún na cinntí iomchuí ar bhonn critéar a thagann as cur i bhfeidhm Airteagal 101, Airteagal 102 agus Airteagal 107 den Chonradh ar Fheidhmiú an Aontais Eorpaigh.
 Airteagal 12
 Calaois nó mainneachtain comhar riaracháin a sholáthar
 7.I gcás ina gcinnfidh an Coimisiún, ar bhonn faisnéis arna soláthar ag Ballstát nó ar a thionscnamh féin, gur comhlíonadh na coinníollacha a leagtar síos in Airteagal 48 den Chomhaontú, déanfaidh sé an méid seo a leanas gan mhoill:
 (e)Parlaimint na hEorpa agus an Chomhairle a chur ar an eolas; agus
 (f)fógra faoina chinntí a thabhairt don Choiste um Chobhsaíocht agus Comhlachas, mar aon leis an bhfaisnéis oibiachtúil ar a bhfuil sé bunaithe, agus rachaidh sé i gcomhairle laistigh den Choiste um Chobhsaíocht agus Comhlachas.
 8.Aon fhoilsiú faoi Airteagal 48(5) den Chomhaontú, déanfaidh an Coimisiún in Iris Oifigiúil an Aontais Eorpaigh é.
 9.Féadfaidh an Coimisiún a chinneadh, trí bhíthin gníomhartha cur chun feidhme arna nglacadh i gcomhréir leis an nós imeachta scrúdúcháin dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 13(3) den Rialachán seo, cóir fhabhrach ábhartha na dtáirgí dá bhforáiltear in Airteagal 48(4) den Chomhaontú, a chur ar fionraí.
 Airteagal 13
 An nós imeachta coiste
 10.Chun crocha Airteagal 2, Airteagal 4 agus Airteagal 12 den Rialachán seo, beidh an Coiste um an gCód Custaim a bunaíodh le hAirteagal 285 de Rialachán (AE) Uimh. 952/2013 de chúnamh ag an gCoimisiún. Beidh an coiste sin ina choiste de réir bhrí Rialachán (AE) Uimh. 182/2011.
 11.Chun críocha Airteagal 5 go dtí Airteagal 8 den Rialachán seo, beidh an Coiste a bunaíodh faoi Airteagal 4 de Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 260/2009 de chúnamh ag an gCoimisiún. Beidh an coiste sin ina choiste de réir bhrí Rialachán (AE) Uimh. 182/2011.
 12.I gcás ina ndéanfar tagairt don mhír seo, beidh feidhm ag an nós imeachta scrúdúcháin de bhun Airteagal 5 de Rialachán (AE) Uimh. 182/2011.
 13.I gcás ina ndéanfar tagairt don mhír seo, beidh feidhm ag mír 1 go dtí mír 4 d'Airteagal 8 de Rialachán (AE) Uimh. 182/2011, i gcomhar le hAirteagal 5 den Rialachán sin.
 Airteagal 14
 Fógra a thabhairt
 Beidh an Coimisiún, ag gníomhú dó thar ceann an Aontais, freagrach as fógra a thabhairt don Chomhairle Cobhsaíochta agus Comhlachais agus don Choiste um Chobhsaíocht agus Comhlachas, faoi seach, de réir mar atá leatha síos sa Chomhaontú.
 Airteagal 15
 Teacht i bhfeidhm
 Tiocfaidh an Rialachán seo i bhfeidhm an fichiú lá tar éis lá a fhoilsithe in Iris Oifigiúil an Aontais Eorpaigh.
 Beidh feidhm aige ón 1 Aibreán 2016.
 Beidh an Rialachán seo ina cheangal go huile agus go hiomlán agus beidh sé infheidhme go díreach i ngach Ballstát.
 Arna dhéanamh sa Bhruiséil,
 Thar ceann Pharlaimint na hEorpa
 Thar ceann na Comhairle
 An tUachtarán
 An tUachtarán
 (1)
 *Tá an tainmniú seo gan dochar do sheasaimh maidir le stádas, agus tá sé ag teacht le UNSCR 1244/1999 agus le Tuairim an CBI maidir le Dearbhú Neamhspleáchais na Cosaive.
 (2)
 Rialachán (AE) Uimh. 182/2011 ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa agus ón gComhairle an 16 Feabhra 2011 lena leagtar síos na rialacha agus na prionsabail ghinearálta a bhaineann leis na sásraí maidir le rialú ag na Ballstáit ar fheidhmiú cumhachtaí cur chun feidhme ag an gCoimisiún (IO L 55, 28.2.2011, lch. 13).
 (3)
 *Tá an tainmniú seo gan dochar do sheasaimh maidir le stádas, agus tá sé ag teacht le UNSCR 1244/1999 agus le Tuairim an CBI maidir le dearbhú neamhspleáchais na Cosaive.
 (4)
 Rialachán (AE) Uimh. 182/2011 ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa agus ón gComhairle an 16 Feabhra 2011 lena leagtar síos na rialacha agus na prionsabail ghinearálta a bhaineann leis na sásraí maidir le rialú ag na Ballstáit ar fheidhmiú cumhachtaí cur chun feidhme ag an gCoimisiún (IO L 55, 28.2.2011, lch. 13).
 (5)
 Rialachán (CEE) Uimh. 260/2009 ón gComhairle an 26 Feabhra 2009 maidir le comhrialacha maidir le hallmhairí (IO L 84, 31.3.2009, lch. 1).
 (6)
 Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 1225/2009 ón gComhairle an 30 Samhain 2009 maidir le cosaint i gcoinne allmhairí dumpáilte ó thíortha nach baill den Chomhphobal Eorpach iad (IO L 343, 22.12.2009, lch. 51).
 (7)
 Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 597/2009 ón gComhairle an 11 Meitheamh 2009 maidir le cosaint i gcoinne allmhairí fóirdheontais ó thíortha nach baill den Chomhphobal Eorpach iad (IO L 188, 18.7.2009, lch. 93).
 (8)
 Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 515/97 ón gComhairle an 13 Márta 1997 maidir le cúnamh frithpháirteach idir údaráis riaracháin na mBallstát agus maidir le comhar idir na Ballstáit agus an Coimisiún chun a áirithiú go gcuirfear an dlí ar ábhair chustaim agus ar ábhair thalmhaíochta i bhfeidhm i gceart (IO L 82, 22.3.1997, lch. 1).
 (9)
 *Tá an tainmniú seo gan dochar do sheasaimh maidir le stádas, agus tá sé ag teacht le UNSCR 1244/1999 agus le Tuairim an CBI maidir le dearbhú neamhspleáchais na Cosaive.
 (10)
 Rialachán (CEE) Uimh. 2454/93 ón gCoimisiún an 2 Iúil 1993 lena leagtar síos forálacha maidir le cur chun feidhme Rialachán (CEE) Uimh. 2913/92 ón gComhairle lena mbunaítear Cód Custaim an Chomhphobail (IO L 253, 11.10.1993, lch. 1).


type: other

jurisdiction: US

text: b' U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY\n\n OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL\n\n\n\n\n EPA Can Help Consumers\n Identify Household and Other\n Products with Safer Chemicals\n by Strengthening Its \xe2\x80\x9cDesign\n for the Environment\xe2\x80\x9d Program\n Report No. 14-P-0349 September 9, 2014\n\n\n\n\nScan this mobile\ncode to learn more\nabout the EPA OIG.\n\x0cReport Contributors: Laurie Adams\n Daniel Carroll\n Jerri Dorsey\n Gabby Fekete\n Jeffrey Harris\n\n\n\n\nAbbreviations\n\nDfE Design for the Environment\nEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency\nOIG Office of Inspector General\nPM Performance Measure\n\n\nCover photo: EPA photo illustrating the use of household cleaners.\n (Design for the Environment website)\n\n\n Are you aware of fraud, waste or abuse in an EPA Office of Inspector General\n EPA program? 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (2410T)\n Washington, DC 20460\n EPA Inspector General Hotline (202) 566-2391\n 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (2431T) www.epa.gov/oig\n Washington, DC 20460\n (888) 546-8740\n (202) 566-2599 (fax)\n OIG_Hotline@epa.gov Subscribe to our Email Updates\n Follow us on Twitter @EPAoig\n More information at www.epa.gov/oig/hotline.html. Send us your Project Suggestions\n\x0c U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 14-P-0349\n September 9, 2014\n Office of Inspector General\n\n\n At a Glance\nWhy We Did This Review EPA Can Help Consumers Identify Household\nWe conducted this review of the and Other Products with Safer Chemicals by\nU.S. Environmental Protection\nAgency\xe2\x80\x99s (EPA\xe2\x80\x99s) \xe2\x80\x9cDesign for\n Strengthening Its \xe2\x80\x9cDesign for the Environment\xe2\x80\x9d\nthe Environment\xe2\x80\x9d (DfE) Safer Program\nProduct Labeling Program to\ndetermine how effectively the What We Found\nprogram highlights safer\nproducts for consumer use. We found that the current DfE logo does not Strengthened controls\n adequately communicate to the consumer that the in the DfE program can\nFor more than 15 years, the product is a safer product. We also found a risk that help consumers better\nDfE Safer Product Labeling an EPA endorsement of DfE products may be identify safer products.\nProgram has labeled products implied by the current logo, but EPA endorsement is\nthat meet the criteria to be not allowed. The EPA also lacks sufficient controls over the use of its DfE logo by\nconsidered safer for families former program participants. This can be misleading for consumers and is a\nand the environment. According violation of the DfE partnership agreement.\nto the EPA, the DfE logo means\nthat the product contains only We also found that the EPA asserts that DfE products are cost effective, but this\nthose ingredients that pose the has not been determined or reviewed. Further, there are weaknesses in both\nleast concern among chemicals former and proposed performance measures used by the DfE program and the\nin their class. DfE products EPA cannot accurately determine the program\xe2\x80\x99s impact on pollution prevention.\ninclude car care products,\ncarpet cleaners, dish and hand Addressing the issues noted should further EPA goals, better promote safer\nsoaps, floor care products, products, and support DfE brand recognition among consumers.\nlaundry detergents, and glass\ncleaners. Recommendations and Agency Planned Corrective Actions\nThe report addresses the We recommend that the Assistant Administrator for Chemical Safety and Pollution\nfollowing EPA goal or Prevention improve the DfE logo, periodically review program participants\xe2\x80\x99\ncross-agency strategy: compliance with partnership agreements and address noncompliance with those\n agreements, remove statements on the EPA\xe2\x80\x99s website that imply that DfE\n \xef\x82\xb7 Ensuring the safety of products are cost effective, and improve performance measurement. The EPA\n chemicals and preventing agreed with our recommendations and proposed acceptable corrective actions.\n pollution. The agency fully addressed one recommendation and it is therefore closed, while\n the remaining recommendations are resolved with corrective actions underway.\n\n Noteworthy Achievements\n\nSend all inquiries to our public DfE has evaluated and approved more than 2,500 products to carry the DfE logo.\naffairs office at (202) 566-2391 The EPA updated the Safer Chemical Ingredients List in 2014, adding over\nor visit www.epa.gov/oig. 50 chemical ingredients and bringing the number of safer chemical ingredients to\n approximately 650. DfE has also developed a new database system that will\nThe full report is at: enable the agency to better manage chemical, partner and product information in\nwww.epa.gov/oig/reports/2014/ a cloud-based system.\n20140909-14-P-0349.pdf\n\x0c UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY\n WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460\n\n\n THE INSPECTOR GENERAL\n\n\n\n\n September 9, 2014\n\nMEMORANDUM\n\nSUBJECT: EPA Can Help Consumers Identify Household and Other Products with Safer Chemicals\n by Strengthening Its \xe2\x80\x9cDesign for the Environment\xe2\x80\x9d Program\n Report No. 14-P-0349\n\nFROM: Arthur A. Elkins Jr.\n\nTO: Jim Jones, Assistant Administrator\n Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention\n\nThis is our report on the subject evaluation conducted by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the\nU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This report contains findings that describe problems the\nOIG has identified and corrective actions the OIG recommends. This report represents the opinion of the\nOIG and does not necessarily represent the final EPA position. Final determinations on matters in this\nreport will be made by EPA managers in accordance with established audit resolution procedures.\n\nThe EPA office having primary responsibility for the issues evaluated in this report is the Office of\nChemical Safety and Pollution Prevention\xe2\x80\x99s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.\n\nAction Required\n\nYou are not required to provide a written response to this final report because you provided agreed-to\ncorrective actions and planned completion dates for the report recommendations. The OIG may make\nperiodic inquiries on your progress in implementing these corrective actions. Should you choose to\nprovide a final response, we will post your response on the OIG\xe2\x80\x99s public website, along with our\nmemorandum commenting on your response. You should provide your response as an Adobe PDF file\nthat complies with the accessibility requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as\namended.\n\nWe will post this report to our website at http://www.epa.gov/oig.\n\x0cEPA Can Help Consumers Identify 14-P-0349\nHousehold and Other Products with Safer Chemicals\nby Strengthening Its \xe2\x80\x9cDesign for the Environment\xe2\x80\x9d Program\n\n\n\n\n Table of Contents\n Purpose...................................................................................................................... 1\n\n Background ............................................................................................................... 1\n\n Responsible Office .................................................................................................... 2\n\n Noteworthy Achievements ....................................................................................... 2\n\n Scope and Methodology ........................................................................................... 3\n\n Results of Review ..................................................................................................... 3\n\n EPA\xe2\x80\x99s DfE Goals Can Be Enhanced Through Logo Improvements..................... 4\n EPA\xe2\x80\x99s DfE Website Has Unsupported Program Benefit Claims .......................... 5\n Weaknesses Exist in EPA\xe2\x80\x99s Measurement of DfE Program Results ................... 5\n\n Conclusions............................................................................................................... 6\n\n Recommendations .................................................................................................... 7\n\n Agency Comments and OIG Evaluation .................................................................. 7\n\n Status of Recommendations and Potential Monetary Benefits ............................. 8\n\n\n\n Appendices\n A Agency Response to Draft Report................................................................... 9\n\n B Distribution ....................................................................................................... 12\n\x0cPurpose\n Our objective was to determine how effectively the U.S. Environmental\n Protection Agency\xe2\x80\x99s (EPA\xe2\x80\x99s) \xe2\x80\x9cDesign for the Environment\xe2\x80\x9d (DfE) Safer Product\n Labeling Program is highlighting safer products for consumer use.\n\nBackground\n The DfE program is one of the EPA\xe2\x80\x99s pollution prevention programs. The EPA\xe2\x80\x99s\n pollution prevention programs are designed to reduce or eliminate waste at the\n source by modifying production processes, promoting the use of non-toxic or\n less-toxic substances, implementing conservation techniques, and re-using\n materials. The DfE achieves pollution prevention by promoting safer product\n design and green chemistry. Based on data reported by the EPA, DfE is being\n reported as the agency\xe2\x80\x99s most successful pollution prevention program in\n reducing reported pounds of hazardous materials\xe2\x80\x94the DfE alone accounted for\n nearly half of all EPA-claimed pollution reductions in recent years.\n\n The DfE program incentivizes companies to manufacture products that contain\n safer chemicals than other alternative products on the market. Companies can join\n the program and label their products as DfE-certified if they have met the\n program\xe2\x80\x99s standards. The process used by the EPA to qualify products for the DfE\n labeling program is illustrated in figure 1.\n\n Figure 1: DfE Product Qualification Process\n\n\n\n\n Source: DfE program.\n\n\n\n\n14-P-0349 1\n\x0c The DfE logo, as shown in figure 2, is the EPA\xe2\x80\x99s label Figure 2: DfE Logo\n for safer chemical products. For over 15 years, the DfE\n Safer Product Labeling Program has labeled products\n that meet the criteria to be considered safer for families\n and the environment. According to the EPA, when the\n DfE label appears on a product, it means that each\n ingredient in the product has been screened for potential\n human health and environmental effects and that the\n product contains only those ingredients that pose the Source: DfE website.\n least concern among chemicals in their class. DfE-\n labeled products include all-purpose cleaners, dishwasher detergents, car care\n products, carpet cleaners, dish and hand soaps, floor care products, laundry\n detergents and softeners, leather cleaners, toilet bowl and tub/tile cleaners,\n window/glass cleaners, and wood cleaners.\n\n Applicants for the DfE label must fully disclose all ingredients to the DfE\n program and a qualified third-party profiler. Currently there are two third-party\n profiler companies. For each DfE product, a third-party profiler compiles hazard\n information on each chemical ingredient, including its detailed structure,\n physical-chemical properties, human health and environmental toxicology, and\n regulatory status. A product is only allowed to carry the DfE label if each\n ingredient is among the safest in its ingredient class. Additionally, the product as\n a whole has to meet safety criteria, qualify as high performing, and be packaged\n in an environmentally friendly manner. Once products are approved by DfE, each\n manufacturer must sign a partnership agreement that outlines the program\xe2\x80\x99s\n requirements, including audits and product renewals.\n\nResponsible Office\n The EPA office having primary responsibility for the DfE program is the Office\n of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention\xe2\x80\x99s Office of Pollution Prevention and\n Toxics.\n\nNoteworthy Achievements\n DfE has evaluated and approved more than 2,500 products to carry the DfE logo.\n In 2012, the EPA developed the Safer Chemical Ingredients List, which contains\n chemicals that meet the criteria of the DfE Safer Product Labeling Program. In 2014,\n the EPA updated the list by adding over 50 chemicals, bringing the number of safer\n fragrance chemical ingredients to over 150 and the total number of safer chemical\n ingredients to approximately 650.\n\n Additionally, DfE has developed the \xe2\x80\x9cDfE Product Portal\xe2\x80\x9d database, providing\n pertinent program-related information within one internal database system.\n According to the EPA, the primary function of this database is to manage\n chemical, partner and product information in a cloud-based system. The new\n\n\n14-P-0349 2\n\x0c system will address shortcomings of the prior, outdated database and address\n functional needs of the program. For example, the database will lend itself to\n faster review of partnership applications and access to historical data related to\n partnership history and decisions.\n\nScope and Methodology\n We conducted our work from November 2013 through July 2014. We conducted\n this performance audit in accordance with generally accepted government\n auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to\n obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our\n findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives. We believe that the\n evidence obtained provides a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions\n based on our audit objectives.\n\n We reviewed relevant materials, including laws, policies, procedures and reports.\n We documented the universe of DfE consumer products. We randomly selected a\n sample item from each of the eight product categories that had 25 or more\n approved products and we reviewed the files held by the EPA for those products.\n Specifically, we reviewed the requirements under the program, documentation\n provided by the third-party profilers, audit results and product labels. We also\n reviewed a sample of 30 products to determine compliance with label\n requirements.\n\n We interviewed key agency staff, including the DfE Program Chief and the staff\n charged with reviewing third-party profiler decisions, developing alternatives\n assessments and new sector standards, reporting on performance measures, and\n promoting the DfE program. We interviewed the head toxicologists at the two\n third-party profilers who conduct the product assessments for the DfE program.\n\n We reviewed the program\xe2\x80\x99s goals and measures, with particular focus on how the\n measures are calculated and reported over time. We conducted a brief inspection\n at the retail-store level to assess consumer ability to easily detect safer product\n labeling information.\n\nResults of Review\n The DfE program intends to help consumers make wise choices by identifying\n safer products. However, we found issues in the design and use of the program\n logo that impede brand recognition. There is also the potential for consumers to\n draw the interpretation that EPA endorses DfE products, which is not allowed,\n and potential misuse of the logo by former program participants. Also, the agency\n asserts that DfE products are cost effective, but this has not been determined or\n reviewed. Further, we found weaknesses in how the performance of the DfE\n program is measured.\n\n\n\n14-P-0349 3\n\x0c EPA\xe2\x80\x99s DfE Goals Can Be Enhanced Through Logo Improvements\n\n The EPA states that the DfE label helps consumers easily choose safer products.\n However, we identified factors in the design and placement of the label that could\n impede product promotion and DfE brand recognition. We also found issues\n potentially impacting the integrity of the DfE logo.\n\n The current DfE logo does not adequately communicate to the consumer that the\n product is a safer product. DfE has acknowledged that the DfE mission to\n promote \xe2\x80\x9csafer chemical based products\xe2\x80\x9d is not conveyed by the current logo. The\n agency received stakeholder feedback showing that the logo does not fully and\n effectively communicate DfE\xe2\x80\x99s mission. Furthermore, the manufacturers\xe2\x80\x99 typical\n placement of the DfE label on the back of its products inhibits the promotion of\n \xe2\x80\x9csafer chemical based products.\xe2\x80\x9d Consumers would need to pick up, turn around\n and examine a product to see the DfE labeling.\n\n The prominent use of \xe2\x80\x9cU.S. EPA\xe2\x80\x9d on the logo (see figure 2) may lead consumers\n to draw the interpretation that EPA endorses products that have the label. DfE\n program documents state that EPA/DfE recognition does not constitute\n endorsement of a product. According to the DfE partnership agreement, partners\n agree to include on any advertising of the DfE-qualifying products an\n endorsement disclaimer.1 The disclaimer disavows any EPA product\n endorsement. Additionally, partners are to work with the EPA to find an\n appropriate place (e.g., company website) to include the disclaimer.\n\n According to EPA staff, because of the length of the disclaimer statement, most\n manufacturers place the disclaimer on their websites. To test this, we randomly\n sampled 30 DfE products and found this language was not included on the\n webpages for all but one of the products sampled. Therefore, there is a substantial\n risk that an EPA endorsement of DfE products is implied and could be so\n perceived by consumers. The EPA may need to strengthen controls in this area or\n remove the \xe2\x80\x9cU.S. EPA\xe2\x80\x9d from the DfE logo to eliminate any perceived EPA\n endorsement.\n\n The EPA also lacks sufficient controls over the use of its DfE logo by former DfE\n program participants. We found one instance in which the DfE logo was used on a\n website of a DfE partner that is no longer in the program. We also found a past\n program participant that acknowledges on its website that it no longer carries the\n DfE label on its products but that many of its products are still \xe2\x80\x9cDfE recognized.\xe2\x80\x9d\n\n1\n Required Disclaimer: EPA/DfE recognition does not constitute endorsement of this product. The Design for the\nEnvironment logo signifies that the formula for this product, as \xc2\xabCompany Partner\xc2\xbb has represented it to the EPA,\ncontains ingredients with more positive health and environmental characteristics than conventional cleaners.\nEPA/DfE relies solely on \xc2\xabCompany Partner\xc2\xbb, its integrity and good faith, for information on the composition,\ningredients, and attributes of this product. EPA/DfE has not independently identified, i.e., via chemical analysis, the\ningredients in the product formula, nor evaluated any of a Company\xe2\x80\x99s noningredient claims. EPA/DfE provides its\nevaluation only as to the environmental and human health characteristics of the product, based on currently available\ninformation and scientific understanding.\n\n\n14-P-0349 4\n\x0c This is misleading for consumers, inconsistent with the program\xe2\x80\x99s purpose of safe\n product promotion, and a violation of the DfE partnership agreement.\n\n We also found the logo for the Safe Detergent Stewardship Initiative has a design\n similar to the DfE program logo. Since the two programs have separate and\n distinct eligibility requirements, it is important that their logos also be distinct to\n avoid confusing or misleading consumers.\n\n EPA\xe2\x80\x99s DfE Website Has Unsupported Program Benefit Claims\n\n The EPA\xe2\x80\x99s website states that:\n\n EPA\xe2\x80\x99s Design for the Environment program helps consumers,\n businesses, and institutional buyers identify cleaning and other\n products that perform well, are cost-effective, and are safer for\n the environment.\n\n However, the DfE program does not have controls in place to ensure one of these\n three claims\xe2\x80\x94cost effectiveness. The DfE review process includes an assessment\n of each of the ingredients in a potential product to ensure that the product contains\n only those ingredients that pose the least concern among chemicals in their class.\n We found that the files documenting the process for accepting partners into the\n DfE program were adequate and maintained. However the agency does not have\n evidence in its files to support that DfE products are cost effective. The current\n review process to qualify products does not include any review of cost\n effectiveness. The agency should ensure that language describing the program\xe2\x80\x99s\n benefits is accurate and not misleading.\n\n Weaknesses Exist in EPA\xe2\x80\x99s Measurement of DfE Program Results\n\n The EPA has used results from the DfE program to support two of the agency\xe2\x80\x99s\n Government Performance and Results Act measures. Specifically:\n\n \xef\x82\xb7 Performance Measure (PM) 264, pounds of hazardous materials reduced\n through pollution prevention.\n \xef\x82\xb7 PM P25, percent increase in use of safer products.\n\n However, DfE results data are not appropriate or valid to support either measure.\n This is significant because DfE accounted for nearly half of all EPA-claimed\n hazardous material reductions (PM 264) in recent years.\n\n DfE\xe2\x80\x99s contribution to PM 264 was calculated by multiplying the average annual\n production volume of safer products by the number of DfE labeled products at\n year end. However, the use of average production volume is inconsistent with the\n definition for PM 264. PM 264 is supposed to measure the reduction of hazardous\n materials, but the DfE metric focused on production of safer chemicals. Thus, this\n\n\n\n14-P-0349 5\n\x0c metric did not reflect the amount of hazardous materials reduced as reported\n under PM 264. In addition, an outdated formula was used to generate the DfE\n average production volume. The formula was based on data from eight\n participating manufacturers in 2006, but as of February 2014 half of those\n manufacturers were no longer partners in the DfE program.\n\n DfE program results data were also used to show EPA progress on the percent\n increase in the use of safer products (PM P25). However, as noted above, the DfE\n program measured the overall production of products with safer chemicals and\n not changes in the use of safer products. Therefore, using DfE program results\n data to support PM P25 was inappropriate.\n\n During our review, the EPA modified how DfE results were reported. DfE results\n have been removed from the agency\xe2\x80\x99s performance measure that reports pounds\n of hazardous materials reduced through pollution prevention. The agency will\n also no longer use calculated average production volume of safer chemicals in\n support of any measures. The agency has decided to no longer report on the\n measure of percent increase in use of safer products.\n\n Beginning with fiscal year 2015, a new DfE program measure will be used to\n track program results. This measure calculates the number of products that have\n earned the DfE label and the number of chemicals listed on the Safer Chemical\n Ingredients List. This new DfE measure provides relevant and updated\n information on outputs. However, while the new measure is important, it has key\n limitations. Counts of products that are labeled safer and chemicals on the Safer\n Chemical Ingredients List do not provide evidence that consumers are actually\n purchasing and using these products instead of other products and, thus, having\n the desired pollution prevention and risk reduction impact. Without measures that\n better capture the use or sale of DfE products, the EPA will be limited in\n accurately projecting the outcomes and impacts of this program, including its\n desired impact on pollution prevention.\n\nConclusions\n The DfE program is designed to help consumers make wise choices by identifying\n safer products. There are more than 2,500 products that carry the DfE logo, and\n the EPA has expressed interest in continuing to grow the program. The current\n DfE logo design and EPA-acknowledged low consumer recognition of the logo\n impedes the agency\xe2\x80\x99s goal to promote safer chemical-based products through the\n DfE program. Further, use of the logo by those who left the program, as well as\n by other EPA programs with different eligibility requirements, could negatively\n impact the overall integrity and value of the DfE logo. Improving the DfE logo\n should further the EPA\xe2\x80\x99s goals, better promote safer products, and support DfE\n brand recognition among consumers. In addition, having valid measures that\n capture DfE program results will strengthen the EPA\xe2\x80\x99s ability to accurately\n determine program benefits and contributions to pollution prevention.\n\n\n14-P-0349 6\n\x0cRecommendations\n We recommend that the Assistant Administrator for Chemical Safety and\n Pollution Prevention:\n\n 1. Design a unique DfE logo that better conveys the program\xe2\x80\x99s objective and\n eliminates any appearance of an EPA endorsement.\n\n 2. Periodically review program participants\xe2\x80\x99 compliance with the DfE\n partnership agreement as it relates to appropriate use of DfE program\n language, including disclaimers and labeling requirements.\n\n 3. Develop and implement controls for accomplishing removal of the DfE\n logo from the websites of partners who leave the program.\n\n 4. Take appropriate action to address noncompliance with DfE partnership\n agreements discovered as a result of this review.\n\n 5. Remove statements on the EPA\xe2\x80\x99s website that imply or suggest that the\n EPA has determined that DfE products are a cost-effective choice, unless\n valid work to support that assessment has been completed.\n\n 6. Develop robust, transparent and adequately supported performance\n measures that capture the DfE program\xe2\x80\x99s results.\n\nAgency Comments and OIG Evaluation\n The agency agreed with our findings and recommendations, and provided\n corrective actions and estimated completion dates that meet the intent of the\n recommendations. The agency has fully addressed recommendation 5 and,\n therefore, it is closed. Based on the agency\xe2\x80\x99s written response to the report and a\n meeting to discuss the agency\xe2\x80\x99s response, we have determined that the remaining\n recommendations are resolved and open with corrective actions ongoing. No\n further response to this report is required. The agency\xe2\x80\x99s detailed response is in\n appendix A. The agency also provided a technical comment on the draft report,\n which we have incorporated into our report as appropriate.\n\n\n\n\n14-P-0349 7\n\x0c Status of Recommendations and\n Potential Monetary Benefits\n\n POTENTIAL MONETARY\n RECOMMENDATIONS BENEFITS (in $000s)\n\n Planned\n Rec. Page Completion Claimed Agreed-To\n No. No. Subject Status1 Action Official Date Amount Amount\n\n 1 7 Design a unique DfE logo that better conveys the O Assistant Administrator for 3/31/15\n program\xe2\x80\x99s objective and eliminates any Chemical Safety and\n appearance of an EPA endorsement. Pollution Prevention\n\n 2 7 Periodically review program participants\xe2\x80\x99 O Assistant Administrator for 12/31/14\n compliance with the DfE partnership agreement as Chemical Safety and\n it relates to appropriate use of DfE program Pollution Prevention\n language, including disclaimers and labeling\n requirements.\n\n 3 7 Develop and implement controls for accomplishing O Assistant Administrator for 6/30/15\n removal of the DfE logo from the websites of Chemical Safety and\n partners who leave the program. Pollution Prevention\n\n 4 7 Take appropriate action to address noncompliance O Assistant Administrator for 6/30/15\n with DfE partnership agreements discovered as a Chemical Safety and\n result of this review. Pollution Prevention\n\n 5 7 Remove statements on the EPA\xe2\x80\x99s website that C Assistant Administrator for 8/8/14\n imply or suggest that the EPA has determined that Chemical Safety and\n DfE products are a cost-effective choice, unless Pollution Prevention\n valid work to support that assessment has been\n completed.\n\n 6 7 Develop robust, transparent and adequately O Assistant Administrator for 9/30/15\n supported performance measures that capture the Chemical Safety and\n DfE program\xe2\x80\x99s results. Pollution Prevention\n\n\n\n\n1 O = Recommendation is open with agreed-to corrective actions pending.\n C = Recommendation is closed with all agreed-to actions completed.\n U = Recommendation is unresolved with resolution efforts in progress.\n\n\n\n\n14-P-0349 8\n\x0c Appendix A\n\n Agency Response to Draft Report\n\n August 8, 2014\n\nMEMORANDUM\n\nSUBJECT: Response to Office of Inspector General Draft Report No. OPE-FY14-0008\n \xe2\x80\x9cEPA Can Help Consumers Identify Safer Chemical Products by Strengthening\n Its \xe2\x80\x9cDesign for the Environment\xe2\x80\x9d Program,\xe2\x80\x9d dated July 9, 2014\n\nFROM: James J. Jones\n Assistant Administrator for Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention\n\nTO: Arthur A. Elkins, Jr.\n Inspector General\n\nThank you for the opportunity to respond to the issues and recommendations in the subject report.\nThis memorandum provides the Agency\xe2\x80\x99s response to OIG\xe2\x80\x99s recommendations, and identifies\ncorrective actions the Agency will be taking in response.\n\nOne item in the draft OIG report, which we did not comment on in our response to the\ndiscussion draft, pertains to the use of the DfE logo by another EPA pollution prevention\ninitiative. The example cited in page 5 of the draft report is the DfE Safer Detergents\nStewardship Initiative (SDSI). We propose a technical correction to the OIG report to replace\nthe subject paragraph to more completely reflect how DfE has managed use of the DfE Safer\nProduct Labeling Program logo (Attachment A).\n\nThe report contains a total of six recommendations. Below we list each recommendation and\nthe OCSPP response, including timeframes for implementation.\n\nRecommendation 1. Design a unique DfE logo that better conveys the program\xe2\x80\x99s objective and\nfully eliminates any appearance of an EPA endorsement.\n\n OCSPP agrees. We are in the process of redesigning the DfE logo to enhance its ability\n to communicate with consumers, attract the interest of product and chemical\n manufacturers, and increase the frequency of the logo\xe2\x80\x99s use on products to meet the\n human and environmental health protection goals of the program. We have worked with\n the Agency\xe2\x80\x99s Office of General Counsel to ensure that the redesigned logo complies with\n ethics considerations on use of the EPA name and potential endorsements.\n\n Timeline. We will be gathering stakeholder and public comment on our logo designs this\n summer and fall. We plan to have a new, more effective logo for use on DfE-labeled\n products early in 2015. Completion date: Q2/FY15.\n\n\n14-P-0349 9\n\x0cRecommendation 2. Periodically review program participants\xe2\x80\x99 compliance with the DfE\npartnership agreement as it relates to appropriate use of DfE program language, including\ndisclaimers and labeling requirements.\n\n With respect to DfE partner posting of endorsement disclaimers, the DfE program will\n enhance its regular auditing procedures to ensure that auditors look for the disclaimer\n language and note its absence in audit reports.\n\n Timeline. We have instructed the third party auditors to include inspection for\n endorsement disclaimers in their audits and reports. The revised auditing process has\n been initiated (DfE email correspondence dated August 4, 2014); all desk audits\n beginning October 1, 2014 will include this component. Completion date: Q1/FY15 and\n ongoing.\n\nRecommendation 3. Develop and implement controls for accomplishing removal of the DfE\nlogo from the websites of partners who leave the program.\n\n The DfE program will increase efforts to ensure that former partners do not use the logo.\n When a new program management system comes online, DfE will be able to better\n monitor and enforce appropriate use of the logo by current and former partners, as well as\n partner posting of the endorsement disclaimer.\n\n Timeline. The new program management system is expected online this spring as a\n program monitoring tool, including to help ensure appropriate logo and endorsement\n disclaimer use. Completion date: Q3/FY15 and ongoing.\n\nRecommendation 4. Take appropriate action to address noncompliance with DfE partnership\nagreements discovered as a result of this review.\n\n As stated in our response to recommendations 2 and 3, the DfE program will increase its\n follow- up activities to address and remedy partner noncompliance, and we expect our\n new program management system to help considerably in this regard.\n\n Timeline: As indicated in our response to recommendation 3, the new program\n management system is expected online this spring. Completion date: Q3/FY15 and\n ongoing\n\nRecommendation 5. Remove statements on the EPA\xe2\x80\x99s website that imply or suggest that the\nEPA has determined that DfE products are a cost-effective choice, unless valid work to support\nthat assessment has been completed.\n\n OCSPP will remove this claim from the DfE web site and outreach materials. DfE\n historical documents may also contain reference to cost-effectiveness. DfE will\n implement this change in technical documents as they are updated.\n\n Timeline. DfE has removed this claim from its web site and outreach materials.\n Completed: Q4/FY14\n\n\n14-P-0349 10\n\x0cRecommendation 6. Develop robust, transparent and adequately supported performance\nmeasures that capture the DfE program\xe2\x80\x99s results.\n\n OCSPP agrees that DfE performance measures capturing outcomes need to be developed.\n The new program management system referenced above will help capture relevant data\n such as production volumes and sales information on DfE-labeled products.\n\n Timeline. DfE continues to work on new outcome-oriented performance measures and\n hopes to have them in place this fall. The new program management system should\n begin capturing these measures by the summer of 2015. Completion date: Q4/FY15.\n\nIf you have any questions or need further information about this response, please contact\nDeborah Hartman, OCSPP\xe2\x80\x99s Audit Liaison at (202) 564-1488.\n\n\n\n\n14-P-0349 11\n\x0c Appendix B\n\n Distribution\nOffice of the Administrator\nAssistant Administrator for Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention\nAgency Follow-Up Official (the CFO)\nAgency Follow-Up Coordinator\nGeneral Counsel\nAssociate Administrator for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations\nAssociate Administrator for External Affairs and Environmental Education\nDeputy Assistant Administrator for Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention\nAudit Follow-Up Coordinator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention\n\n\n\n\n14-P-0349 12\n\x0c'


type: wikipedia

text:
Jednina ili singular (lat. singularis) je gramatički oblik koji označava jedan predmet, pojam, bitak/biće, pojavu, osobu, itd.
 Imenice se mijenjaju po broju (jednina i množina). Najčešće imaju i jedninu i množinu. Imenice koje imaju samo jedninu zovu se singularia tantum. Te imenice mogu označavati: skupinu (npr. narod, policija), tvar (npr. drvo, mlijeko) i apstraktne pojave: (npr. ljubav, mladost). I vlastita su imena singularia tantum (npr. Maja, Hrvoje).
 Je li neka riječ u jednini ili množini, ne vidi se samo po njezinim morfološkim osobinama, već i po sintaktičkim pravilima slaganja (sročnosti) u rečenici, odatle „ovo povjerenstvo je odlučilo” (jednina) spram „ova povjerenstva su odlučila” (množina).
 Izvori
 Gramatika