[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 120 (Monday, June 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33860-33861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16359]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPPTS-00214; FRL-5722-7]


Toxic Substances Control Act Section 8(a) Preliminary Assessment 
Information Rule; 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 continuing 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 described below. The ICR is a continuing ICR 
entitled ``Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(a) Preliminary 
Assessment Information Rule (PAIR),'' EPA ICR No. 0586.08, OMB No. 
2070-0054, which relates to reporting requirements found at 40 CFR part 
712. 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 22, 1997.

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 be 
identified by administrative record number AR180 and ICR number 
0586.08. This ICR is available for public review at, and copies may be 
requested from, the docket address and phone number listed above.
    Comments and data may also be submitted electronically by following 
the instructions under Unit III. of this document. No CBI should be 
submitted through e-mail.

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: TSCA-H[email protected]. For technical information 
contact Frank Kover, Chief, Chemical Information and Testing Branch, 
Chemical Control Division (7405), Office of Pollution Prevention and 
Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 
20460, Telephone: 202-260-8130, Fax: 202-260-1096, e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Availability:
Internet
    Electronic copies of this document and the ICR are available from 
the EPA home page at the Environmental Sub-Set entry for this document 
under

[[Page 33861]]

``Regulations'' (http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/).
Fax on Demand
    Using a faxphone call 202-401-0527 and select item 4051 for a copy 
of the ICR.

I. Background

    Entities potentially affected by this action are persons who 
manufacture or import chemical substances, mixtures, or categories. 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 Collections

    EPA is seeking comments on the following Information Collection 
Request.
    Title: Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(a) Preliminary 
Assessment Information Rule (PAIR), EPA ICR No. 0586.08, OMB No. 2070-
0054. Expires November 30, 1997.
    Abstract: TSCA section 8(a) authorizes EPA to promulgate rules 
under which manufacturers, importers, and processors of chemical 
substances and mixtures must maintain records and submit reports to 
EPA.
    EPA has promulgated the Preliminary Assessment Information Rule 
(PAIR) under TSCA section 8(a). EPA uses PAIR to collect information to 
identify, assess, and manage human health and environmental risks from 
chemical substances, mixtures, and categories. PAIR requires chemical 
manufacturers and importers to complete a standardized reporting form 
to help evaluate the potential for adverse human health and 
environmental effects caused by the manufacture or importation of 
identified chemical substances, mixtures, or categories. Chemicals 
identified by EPA or any other federal agency, for which a justifiable 
information need for production, use, or exposure-related data can be 
satisfied by the use of the PAIR are proper subjects for TSCA section 
8(a) PAIR rulemaking. In most instances the information that EPA 
receives from a PAIR report is sufficient to satisfy the information 
need in question.
    Responses to the collection of information are mandatory (see 40 
CFR part 712). 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 burden to respondents for complying with this 
ICR is estimated to total 3,489 hours per year with an annual cost of 
$233,404. These totals are based on an average burden of approximately 
29.6 hours per response for an estimated 48 respondents making one or 
more responses 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-00214'' (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 at the beginning of this document.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection and Information collection requests.

    Dated: June 10, 1997.
Susan H. Wayland,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic 
Substances.

[FR Doc. 97-16359 Filed 6-20-97; 8:45 am]
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