[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 230 (Friday, November 29, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71603-71605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-28646]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-9902-83]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal of
Several Currently Approved Collections; Comment Request
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this
document announces that EPA is planning to submit requests to renew
several currently approved Information Collection Request (ICR) to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The ICRs are identified in this
document by their corresponding titles, EPA ICR numbers, OMB Control
numbers, and related docket identification (ID) numbers. Before
submitting these ICRs to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting
comments on specific aspects of the information collection activities
that are summarized in this document. The ICRs and accompanying
material are available for public review and comment in the relevant
dockets identified in this document for the ICR.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 28, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by the docket ID number for
the corresponding ICR as identified in this document, by one of the
following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Document Control Office (7407M), Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
Hand Delivery: OPPT Document Control Office (DCO), EPA
East Bldg., Rm. 6428, 1201 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. ATTN:
Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2013-0459 and EPA-HQ-OPPT-2013-0460. The
DCO is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding
legal holidays. The telephone number for the DCO is (202) 564-8930.
Such deliveries are only accepted during the DCO's normal hours of
operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of
boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to the docket ID number for the
corresponding ICR as identified in this document. EPA's policy is that
all comments received will be included in the docket without change and
may be made available online at http://www.regulations.gov, including
any personal information provided, unless the comment includes
information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or
other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not
submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected
through regulations.gov or email. The regulations.gov Web site is an
``anonymous access'' system, which
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means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you
provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment
directly to EPA without going through regulations.gov, your email
address will be automatically captured and included as part of the
comment that is placed in the docket and made available on the
Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you
include your name and other contact information in the body of your
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.
Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the docket index
available at http://www.regulations.gov. Although listed in the index,
some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only
in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available
electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, or, if only available in
hard copy, at the OPPT Docket. The OPPT Docket is located in the EPA
Docket Center (EPA/DC) at Rm. 3334, EPA West Bldg., 1301 Constitution
Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room hours of
operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding
legal holidays. The telephone number of the EPA/DC Public Reading Room
is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket is
(202) 566-0280. Docket visitors are required to show photographic
identification, pass through a metal detector, and sign the EPA visitor
log. All visitor bags are processed through an X-ray machine and
subject to search. Visitors will be provided an EPA/DC badge that must
be visible at all times in the building and returned upon departure.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical information contact: Ron
Carlson, Information Management Division (7407M), Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number:
(202) 564-8631; fax number: (202) 564-7480; email address:
[email protected].
For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill,
422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202)
554-1404; email address: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. What information is EPA particularly interested in?
Pursuant to PRA section 3506(c)(2)(A) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)),
EPA specifically solicits comments and information to enable it to:
1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility.
2. Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimates of the burden of
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used.
3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected.
4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from
very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of
specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork
burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.
II. What should I consider when I prepare my comments for EPA?
You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your
comments:
1. Explain your views as clearly as possible and provide specific
examples.
2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used
that support your views.
4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you
arrived at the estimate that you provide.
5. Submit your comments by the deadline identified under DATES.
6. Identify the docket ID number assigned to the ICR action in the
subject line on the first page of your response. You may also provide
the ICR title and related EPA and OMB numbers.
III. What do I need to know about PRA?
An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required
to respond to, a collection of information subject to PRA approval
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB
control numbers for the EPA regulations in title 40 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR), after appearing in the preamble of the final
rule, are further displayed either by publication in the Federal
Register or by other appropriate means, such as on the related
collection instruments or form, if applicable. The display of OMB
control numbers for certain EPA regulations is consolidated in a list
at 40 CFR 9.1.
As used in the PRA context, burden is defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(b).
IV. Which ICRs are being renewed?
EPA is planning to submit a number of currently approved ICRs to
OMB for review and approval under PRA. In addition to specifically
identifying the ICRs by title and corresponding ICR, OMB and docket ID
numbers, this unit provides a brief summary of the information
collection activity and the Agency's estimated burden. The Supporting
Statement for each ICR, a copy of which is available in the
corresponding docket, provides a more detailed explanation.
A. Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2013-0459
Title: Request for Contractor Access to TSCA CBI.
ICR number: EPA ICR No. 1250.10.
OMB control number: OMB Control No. 2070-0075.
ICR status: The approval for this ICR is scheduled to expire on
June 30, 2014.
Abstract: Certain employees of companies working under contract to
EPA require access to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
confidential business information collected under the authority of TSCA
in order to perform their official duties. The Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), which is responsible for maintaining the
security of TSCA confidential business information, requires that all
individuals desiring access to TSCA CBI obtain and annually renew
official clearance to TSCA CBI. As part of the process for obtaining
TSCA CBI clearance, OPPT requires certain information about the
contracting company and about each contractor employee requesting TSCA
CBI clearance, primarily the name, Social Security number and EPA
identification badge number of the employee, the type of TSCA CBI
clearance requested and the justification for such clearance, and the
signature of the employee to an agreement with respect to access to and
use of TSCA CBI. This information collection applies to the reporting
activities associated
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with contractor personnel applying for new or renewed clearance for
TSCA CBI.
Responses to the collection of information are voluntary but
failure to provide the requested information will prevent a contractor
employee from obtaining clearance for TSCA CBI. Respondents may claim
all or part of a response confidential. EPA will disclose information
that is covered by a claim of confidentiality only to the extent
permitted by, and in accordance with, the procedures in TSCA section 14
and 40 CFR part 2.
Burden statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1.6
hours per response. The ICR, a copy of which is available in the
docket, provides a detailed explanation of this estimate, which is only
briefly summarized here:
Respondents/Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by
this ICR include companies under contract to EPA to provide certain
services, whose employees must have access to TSCA confidential
business information to perform their duties.
Estimated total number of potential respondents: 20.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent:
15.
Estimated total annual burden hours: 483 hours.
Estimated total annual costs: $25,875. This includes an estimated
burden cost of $25,875 and an estimated cost of $0 for non-burden hour
paperwork costs, e.g., investment or maintenance and operational costs.
Changes in the estimates from the last approval: The renewal of
this ICR will result in an overall decrease of 118 hours in the total
estimated respondent burden identified in the currently approved ICR.
This decrease reflects EPA's reduction in the estimated number of
contractor employees needing clearance. This change is an adjustment.
B. Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2013-0460
Title: Correction of Misreported Chemical Substances on the TSCA
Inventory.
ICR number: EPA ICR No. 1741.07.
OMB control number: OMB Control No. 2070-0145.
ICR status: The approval for this ICR is scheduled to expire on
June 30, 2014.
Abstract: Section 8(b) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
requires EPA to compile and keep current an Inventory of Chemical
Substances in Commerce, which is a listing of chemical substances
manufactured, imported, and processed for commercial purposes in the
United States. The purpose of the Inventory is to define, for the
purpose of TSCA, what chemical substances exist in U.S. commerce. Since
the Inventory thereby performs a regulatory function by distinguishing
between existing chemicals and new chemicals, which TSCA regulates in
different ways, it is imperative that the Inventory be accurate.
However, from time to time, EPA or respondents discover that
substances have been incorrectly described by reporting companies.
Reported substances have been unintentionally misidentified as a result
of simple typographical errors, the misidentification of substances, or
the lack of sufficient technical or analytical information to
characterize fully the exact chemical substances. EPA has developed
guidelines (45 FR 50544, July 29, 1980) under which incorrectly
described substances listed in the Inventory can be corrected. The
correction mechanism ensures the accuracy of the Inventory without
imposing an unreasonable burden on the chemical industry. Without the
Inventory correction mechanism, a company that submitted incorrect
information would have to file a premanufacture notification (PMN)
under TSCA section 5 to place the correct chemical substance on the
Inventory whenever the previously reported substance is found to be
misidentified. This would impose a much greater burden on both EPA and
the submitter than the existing correction mechanism. This information
collection applies to reporting and recordkeeping activities associated
with the correction of misreported chemical substances found on the
TSCA Inventory.
Responses to the collection of information are voluntary.
Respondents may claim all or part of a response confidential. EPA will
disclose information that is covered by a claim of confidentiality only
to the extent permitted by, and in accordance with, the procedures in
TSCA section 14 and 40 CFR part 2.
Burden statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2.25
hours per response. The ICR, a copy of which is available in the
docket, provides a detailed explanation of this estimate, which is only
briefly summarized here:
Respondents/Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by
this ICR include manufacturers or importers of chemical substances,
mixtures or categories listed on the TSCA Inventory and regulated under
TSCA section 8 who had reported to EPA during the initial effort to
establish the TSCA Inventory in 1979 and who need to make a correction
to that submission.
Estimated total number of potential respondents: 9.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 1.
Estimated total annual burden hours: 20 hours.
Estimated total annual costs: $1,265. This includes an estimated
burden cost of $1,265 and an estimated cost of $0 for non-burden hour
paperwork costs, e.g., investment or maintenance and operational costs.
Changes in the estimates from the last approval: The renewal of
this ICR will result in no change in the number of hours compared with
the total estimated respondent burden identified in the currently
approved ICR.
V. What is the next step in the process for these ICRs?
EPA will consider the comments received and amend the individual
ICRs as appropriate. The final ICR packages will then be submitted to
OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. EPA will issue
another Federal Register document pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to
announce the submission of these ICRs to OMB and the opportunity for
the public to submit additional comments for OMB consideration. If you
have any questions about any of these ICRs or the approval process in
general, please contact the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: November 21, 2013.
James Jones,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2013-28646 Filed 11-27-13; 8:45 am]
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