[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 7, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41148-41149]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20111]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5548-1]


Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review

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 the information Collection Request 
(ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature 
of the data collection instrument.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 6, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR A COPY CALL: Sandy Farmer at EPA, (202)260-
2740, and refer to EPA ICR No. 1432.16
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: ``Recordkeeping and Periodic Reporting of the Production, 
Import, Export, Recycling, Destruction, Transhipment and Feedstock Use 
of Ozone-depleting Substances.'' (OMB Control Number: 2060-0170. EPA 
ICR Number: 1432.16.) This is a renewal of a currently approved 
collection.
    Abstract: EPA monitors production, import, export, transformation,

[[Page 41149]]

destruction of controlled substances and special exemptions beyond the 
phaseout of class I controlled substances through reporting 
requirements that are designed to:
    (1) Satisfy U.S. obligations under the international treaty, the 
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and 
fulfill statutory obligations under CAA section 603(b);
    (2) Report to Congress on the production, use and consumption of 
class I and class II controlled substances as statutorily required in 
Section 603(d) of the CAA;
    (3) Ensure compliance with the exempted limits on production, 
import, export after the phaseout and ensure a level playing field for 
those companies allocated allowances for these exemptions; and
    (4) Address Federal and industry concerns regarding illegal imports 
of newly produced and previously used controlled substances that are 
undercutting U.S. markets.
    The information submitted to EPA is maintained in a Tracking System 
that allows the Agency:
    (1) to maintain control over total production and consumption of 
controlled substances to satisfy conditions of the CAA and fulfill U.S. 
obligations under the Protocol, and
    (2) to monitor compliance with limits and restrictions on 
production, imports, exports and specific exemptions to the control of 
class I and class II controlled substances.
    EPA uses the information to direct special attention to illegal 
activities associated with the import of both newly produced and 
previously used substances and the avoidance of the tax on these 
chemicals, such activities make the substances more available, reduce 
the incentive to shift to alternatives, and penalize companies who are 
complying with U.S. laws. EPA is an active part of the Federal inter-
agency taskforce conducting nationwide enforcement actions. The 
information provided to EPA in response to the accelerated phaseout 
regulations often form the basis for cases.
    Burden Statement: The following is a Table summarizing the burden 
hours for compiling information and submitting it to EPA Headquarters:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Number of      Responses/         Total         Hours per                  
       Collection activity          respondents     respondent       responses       response       Total hours 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Producer's Report...............               8               4              32              16             512
Importer's Report...............               6               4              24              16             384
Notification of Trade...........               2               1               2               2               4
Export Report...................              10               1              10             120           1,200
Lab Certification...............           1,000               1           1,000               1           1,000
Class II Report.................              14               4              56              16             896
Transformation & Destruction....              15               1              15             120           1,800
Essential Use &.................              12               4              48              32           1,536
Lab Suppliers...................              25               4             100              32           3,200
                                                                                                 ---------------
      Total hours...............  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............          10,532
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This estimate includes 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.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: Producers, importers, transhippers, 
and exporters of ozone-depleting substances.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1092.
    Frequency of Response: quarterly.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 10,532 hours.
    Estimated Total Annualized Cost Burden: $0.
    Send comments on the Agency's need for this information, the 
accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods 
for minimizing respondent burden, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques to the following addresses. Please 
refer to EPA ICR No. 1432.16. and OMB Control No. 2060-0170 in any 
correspondence.

Ms. Sandy Farmer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, OPPE Regulatory 
Information Division (2137), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460
    and
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW, 
Washington, DC 20503.

    Dated: July 31, 1996.
Joseph Retzer,
Director, Regulatory Information Division.
[FR Doc. 96-20111 Filed 8-6-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P