90 FR 82 pgs. 17919-17920 - 2025 Request for Nominations of Experts to the EPA's Human Studies Review Board Advisory Committee
Type: NOTICEVolume: 90Number: 82Pages: 17919 - 17920
Pages: 17919, 17920Docket number: [FRL-12758-01-OA]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2025-07460 Filed 4-29-25; 8:45 am]
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-12758-01-OA]
2025 Request for Nominations of Experts to the EPA's Human Studies Review Board Advisory Committee
AGENCY:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates with expertise in the areas of toxicology, bioethics, and statistics to be considered for appointment to its Human Studies Review Board (HSRB). The HSRB is a statutory Federal advisory committee required by Public Law 109-54 and 40 CFR part 26 to review and comment on all proposed and completed research involving intentional human subject exposure that is subject to the coverage of EPA's regulations (see subparts K-L). Submission of nominations will be made via the HSRB website at: https://www.epa.gov/osa/human-studies-review-board.
DATES:
Nominations should be submitted by May 30, 2025, per instructions below.
ADDRESSES:
Instructions on how to submit nominations will be provided at the HSRB website at https://www.epa.gov/osa/human-studies-review-board.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
[top] Any member of the public needing additional information regarding this Notice and Request for Nominations may contact Ms. Emily Sokol, Office of Science Advisor, Policy and Engagement, Mail Code 8101R, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On February 6, 2006, the Agency published a final rule for the protection of human subjects in research (71 FR 6138) per Public Law 109-54, which called for creating a new, independent human studies review board ( i.e., HSRB). The HSRB is a Federal advisory committee operating in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) 5 U.S.C. 10 (Pub. L. 92-463). The HSRB provides advice, information, and recommendations to EPA on issues related to scientific and ethical aspects of human subjects research. The major objectives of the HSRB are to provide advice and recommendations on: (1) research proposals and protocols that include human subjects; and (2) reports of completed research with human subjects. Typically, the HSRB reviews protocols and completed studies involving pesticide studies, such as worker exposure studies with agricultural handlers applying pesticides in field conditions; janitorial maintenance personnel applying antimicrobial pesticides in commercial settings; and field efficacy studies for skin applied insect repellent products. The HSRB reports to the EPA Administrator through EPA's Human Subjects Research Review Official (HSRRO). General information concerning the HSRB, including its charter, current membership, and activities can be found on the EPA website at https://www.epa.gov/osa/human-studies-review-board.
HSRB members serve as special government employees or regular government employees. Members are appointed by the EPA Administrator for either two- or three-year terms with the possibility of reappointment for additional terms, for a maximum of six years of service. The HSRB convenes on average four times a year, with all of the meetings being virtual. The average workload for HSRB members is approximately 20 hours per meeting, including the time spent at the meeting. Responsibilities of HSRB members include reviewing extensive background materials prior to meetings of the Board, preparing draft responses to Agency charge questions, attending Board meetings, participating in the discussion and deliberations at these meetings, drafting assigned sections of meeting reports, and assisting with the finalization of HSRB reports. EPA compensates special government employees for their time and provides reimbursement for travel and other incidental expenses associated with official government business related to the HSRB meetings. EPA encourages nominations from a variety of backgrounds ( e.g., industry, non-profit organizations, academia, and government).
Candidates not selected for HSRB membership at this time may be considered for HSRB membership as vacancies arise in the future or for service as consultants to the HSRB. Members of the HSRB are subject to the provisions of 5 CFR part 2634, Executive Branch Financial Disclosure, as supplemented by the EPA in 5 CFR part 6401. In anticipation of this requirement, each nominee will be asked to submit confidential financial information that fully discloses, among other financial interests, the candidate's employment, stocks and bonds, and where applicable, sources of research support. The information provided is strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to the public. Before a candidate is considered further for service on the HSRB, EPA will evaluate each candidate to assess whether there is any conflict of financial interest, appearance of a lack of impartiality, or prior involvement with matters likely to be reviewed by the Board.
Nominations will be evaluated on the basis of several criteria, including: professional background, expertise, and experience that would contribute to the variety of perspectives of the committee; interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and other attributes that would contribute to the HSRB's collaborative process; consensus building skills; absence of any financial conflicts of interest or the appearance of a lack of impartiality, or lack of independence, or bias; and the availability to participate in meetings and administrative sessions, participate in teleconferences, develop policy recommendations to the Administrator, and prepare recommendations and advice in reports.
Nominations should include a resume or curriculum vitae providing the nominee's educational background, qualifications, leadership positions in national associations or professional societies, relevant research experience and publications along with a short (one page) biography describing how the nominee meets the above criteria and other information that may be helpful in evaluating the nomination, as well as the nominee's current business address, email address, and daytime telephone number. Interested candidates may self-nominate.
To help the Agency in evaluating the effectiveness of its outreach efforts, nominees are requested to inform the Agency of how you learned of this opportunity.
Final selection of HSRB members is a discretionary function of the Agency and will be announced as soon as selections are made on the HSRB website at https://www.epa.gov/osa/human-studies-review-board.
Kathleen Deener,
Director, Office of Science Advisor, Policy and Engagement.
[FR Doc. 2025-07460 Filed 4-29-25; 8:45 am]
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