[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33113-33114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16198]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPPTS-00189; FRL-5379-6]
Agency Information Collection Activities
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.), this notice announces that EPA is planning to submit the
following new Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB). Before submitting the ICR to OMB for
review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of
the information collection as described below. The ICR is a new ICR
entitled ``Voluntary Cover Sheet for TSCA Submissions,'' EPA ICR No.
1780, OMB control number to be assigned. An Agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations are listed in 40 CFR part
9.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 26, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit three copies of all written comments to: TSCA
Document Receipts (7407), Room NE-G99, Office of Pollution Prevention
and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW.,
Washington, DC 20460, Telephone 202-260-7099. All comments should
reference administrative record number AR-160. This ICR is available
for public review at, and copies may be requested from, the docket
address and telephone number listed above.
Comments and data may also be submitted electronically by sending
electronic mail (e-mail) to: [email protected]. Electronic
comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the use of special
characters and any form of encryption. Comments and data will also be
accepted on disks in WordPerfect in 5.1 file format or ASCII file
format. All comments and data in electronic form must be identified by
the administrative record number AR-160 and ICR number 1780. No CBI
should be submitted through e-mail. Electronic comments on this
document may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.
Additional information on electronic submissions can be found in Unit
III. of this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information contact: Susan
B. Hazen, Director, Environmental Assistance Division (7408), Office of
Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M
St., SW., Washington, DC 20460, Telephone: 202-554-1404, TDD: 202-554-
0551, e-mail: TSCAH[email protected]. For technical information
contact: Gerry Brown, Information Management Division (7407), Office of
Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M
St., SW., Washington, DC 20460, Telephone: 202-
[[Page 33114]]
260-7248; Fax: 202-260-4659; e-mail: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Entities potentially affected by this action are companies that
manufacture, process, use or import chemical substances and that are
subject to reporting requirements under sections 4, 8(d) or 8(e) of the
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). For the collection of information
addressed in this notice, EPA would like to solicit comments to:
(i) 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.
(ii) Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden
of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used.
(iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information
to be collected.
(iv) 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.
II. Information Collection
EPA is seeking comments on the following Information Collection
Request.
Title: Voluntary Cover Sheet for TSCA Submissions, EPA ICR No.
1780; proposed collection: OMB control number and expiration date not
applicable.
Abstract: TSCA requires industry to submit information and studies
for existing chemical substances under sections 4, 6, and 8. Under
normal reporting conditions, EPA receives approximately 1,700
submissions each year; each submission represents on average three
studies. In addition, specific data call-ins can be imposed on
industry.
As a follow-up to industry experience with a 1994 TSCA data call-
in, the Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA), the Specialty
Organics Chemical Manufacturers Association (SOCMA), and the Chemical
Industry Data Exchange (CIDX), in cooperation with EPA, have taken an
interest in pursuing electronic transfer of TSCA summary data and of
full submissions to EPA. In particular, CMA has developed a
standardized cover sheet for voluntary use by industry as a first step
to an electronic future and to begin familiarizing companies with
standard requirements and concepts of electronic transfer. This form is
designed for voluntary use as a cover sheet for submissions of
information under TSCA sections 4, 8(d), and 8(e). The cover sheet will
facilitate submission of information by displaying certain basic data
elements, permitting EPA more easily to identify, log, track,
distribute, review and index submissions, and to make information
publicly available more rapidly and at reduced cost, to the mutual
benefit of both the respondents and EPA. The information collection
request referenced in this notice applies to the use of this form/cover
sheet.
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 burden to respondents for complying with this
ICR is estimated to total 1,348 hours per year, based on an average
burden of approximately 0.5 hour per response for an estimated 2,229
respondents submitting one or more reports of information annually.
These estimates include the time needed to review instructions;
develop, acquire, install and utilize technology and systems for the
purposes of collecting, validating and verifying information,
processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing
information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously
applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to
respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete
and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise
disclose the information.
III. Public Record
A record has been established for this action under docket number
``OPPTS-00189'' (including comments and data submitted electronically
as described below). A public version of this record, including
printed, paper versions of electronic comments, which does not include
any information claimed as CBI, is available for inspection from noon
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The public
record is located in the TSCA Nonconfidential Information Center, Rm.
NE-B607, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460.
Electronic comments can be sent directly to EPA at:
[email protected]
Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the
use of special characters and any form of encryption.
The official record for this action, as well as the public version,
as described above will be kept in paper form. Accordingly, EPA will
transfer all comments received electronically into printed, paper form
as they are received and will place the paper copies in the official
record which will also include all comments submitted directly in
writing. The official record is the paper record maintained at the
address in ADDRESSES unit at the beginning of this document.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection and Information collection requests.
Dated: June 20, 1996.
Susan H. Wayland,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic
Substances.
[FR Doc. 96-16198 Filed 6-25-96; 8:45 am]
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