[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 9, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52940-52941]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25960]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL 5634-2]


TSCA Submissions; Information Collection; Submission to OMB

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) entitled: Voluntary Cover Sheet for TSCA Submissions [EPA ICR 
#1780.01; OMB control number to be assigned] has been forwarded to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval pursuant 
to the OMB procedures in 5 CFR 1320.10. The ICR, which is abstracted 
below, describes the nature of the information collection its estimated 
cost and burden, and a copy of the actual data collection instrument.
    The Agency is requesting that OMB approve this new ICR for 3 years. 
A Federal Register notice announcing the Agency's intent to seek OMB 
approval for this ICR and a 60-day public comment opportunity, 
requesting comments on the request and the contents of the ICR, was 
issued on June 26, 1996 (61 FR 33113). EPA did not receive any comments 
on this ICR during the comment period.

DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before November 8, 
1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR A COPY CONTACT:
Sandy Farmer at EPA, (202) 260-2740, and refer to EPA ICR No. 1780.01.

ADDRESSES: Send comments, referencing EPA ICR No. 1780.01 and OMB 
Control No. 2070-[to be assigned], to the following addresses:

Ms. Sandy Farmer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Regulatory 
Information Division (Mail Code: 2137), 401 M Street, S.W., Washington, 
DC 20460

And to:

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, N.W., 
Washington, DC 20503

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Review Requested: This is a request to approve a new information 
collection pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.10.
    ICR Numbers: EPA ICR No. 1780.01; OMB Control No. 2070-[to be 
assigned]
    Title: Voluntary Cover Sheet for TSCA Submissions
    Abstract: The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requires 
companies 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

[[Page 52941]]

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 notice 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 burden for this 
collection of information is estimated to average approximately 0.5 
hours per response. 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. No person is 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 
displayed in 40 CFR Part 9.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: 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 TSCA.
    Estimated No. of Respondents: 2,240.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,348 hours.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    According to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.10, EPA has 
submitted this ICR to OMB for review and approval. Any additional 
comments related to this ICR should be submitted within 30 days as 
described above.

    Dated: October 3, 1996.
Joseph Retzer,
Director, Regulatory Information Division.
[FR Doc. 96-25960 Filed 10-8-96; 8:45 am]
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