[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52333-52334]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-26530]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5906-4]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection, 
Comment Request; Application for Reference or Equivalent Method 
Determination

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): Application for Reference and 
Equivalent Method Determination, EPA ICR Number: 0559.06, OMB No: 2080-
0005, expiration date: 01/31/98. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for 
review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of 
the proposed information collection as described below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 8, 1997.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Human Exposure and 
Atmospheric Sciences Division/Atmospheric Methods and Monitoring 
Branch, Mail Drop 46, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. Interested 
persons may obtain a copy of the ICR without charge by contacting the 
hereinafter named person.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank F. McElroy, 919-541-2622; 
facsimile number: 919-541-7953; E-Mail:
[email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
manufacturers or vendors of air monitoring instruments suitable for use 
by state and local air monitoring agencies in their federally required 
air surveillance monitoring networks, and agents acting for instrument 
manufacturers or vendors. Other applicants include state or local air 
monitoring agencies.
    Title: Application for Reference and Equivalent Method 
Determination (OMB Control No. 2080-0005; EPA ICR No. 0559.06; expiring 
January 31, 1998).
    Abstract: State air monitoring agencies are required to use EPA-
designated reference or equivalent methods in their air monitoring 
networks to determine compliance with the national ambient air quality 
standards (NAAQS). A manufacturer or seller of an air monitoring method 
(e.g. an air monitoring sampler or analyzer) which seeks EPA 
designation of their products must carry out prescribed tests of the 
method. The test results and other information must then be submitted 
to the EPA in the form of an application for a reference or equivalent 
method determination in accordance with 40 CFR part 53. The EPA uses 
this information to determine whether the particular method should be 
designated as either a reference or equivalent method. After 
designation of a method, the applicant must also maintain records of 
the names and mailing addresses of all ultimate purchasers of all 
analyzers or samplers sold as designated methods under the method 
designation. Following designation of a method for PM2.5, 
the applicant must also submit a checklist signed by an ISO-certified 
auditor to indicate that the samplers or analyzers sold as part of a 
designated method are manufactured in an ISO 9001-register facility. 
Responses to the collection of information are voluntary but are 
required to obtain a benefit (40 CFR part 53). Submission of 
information that is claimed by the applicant to be confidential 
business information may be necessary to make a reference or equivalent 
method determination. The confidentiality of any submitted information 
identified as such will be protected in full accordance with 40 CFR 
part 53.15 and all applicable provisions of 40 CFR part 2.
    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 and 48 CFR Chapter 15.
    The 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 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; and
    (iv) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond.
    Burden Statement: The EPA estimates that the total annual 
respondent burden for all activities covered in this ICR is 
approximately 6926 hours at a cost of $405,378. EPA estimates an 
average burden of 1118 hours and an estimated cost of $65,816 per major 
application, based on an estimated 6 applications per year. However, it 
should be noted that such applications range widely in content and 
extent. Accordingly, the individual respondent burden for a particular 
application response may differ substantially from the average burden. 
EPA estimates the average

[[Page 52334]]

burden of 12 hours and $432 per response for minor related responses, 
based on an estimated 18 such responses per year. The expected 
frequency of all responses is on occasion. These average burden 
estimates include the following costs: The cost of capital equipment 
and supplies, annualized over expected useful life, is estimated to be 
$14,000. An annual recordkeeping burden of 150 hours is estimated at an 
annual cost of $2,700. ISO facility registration and document upgrade 
is estimated to require 2128 hours per year at a cost of $200,944.
    The Agency's total annual burden to process these responses is 
estimated to be 1015 hours at an estimated cost of $44,460. Annual 
contractual services are estimated to require $300,000.
    Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources 
expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or 
provide information to or for a Federal agency. This 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.

    Dated: September 30, 1997
Gary J. Foley,
Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 97-26530 Filed 10-6-97; 8:45 am]
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