[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-5548-1] Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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