[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10377-10378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5414]





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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5973-1]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Revision--Application for Reference and 
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 document announces that the following Information 
Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review and approval: Application for Reference and 
Equivalent Method Determination; OMB Control Number 2080-0005, 
expiration date May 31, 1998. The ICR describes the nature of the 
information collection and its expected burden and cost; where 
appropriate, it includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before April 2, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Sandy Farmer at EPA by phone 
at (202) 260-2740, by email at [email protected], or 
download off the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/icr and refer to EPA 
ICR No. 559.06.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Application for Reference and Equivalent Method 
Determination (OMB Control No. 2080-0005); EPA ICR No. 0559.06, 
expiring May 31, 1998. This is a request for a revision of a currently 
approved collection.
    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 
(more specifically, an air monitoring sampler or analyzer that is the 
basis of the method) which seeks EPA designation of the method must 
carry out prescribed tests of the method. The test results along with 
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 maintain its 
manufacturing facility as a ISO 0991-registered facility and annually 
submit a checklist signed by an ISO-certified auditor to verify 
adherence to specific quality assurance requirements in the manufacture 
of the samplers or analyzers sold as part of a designated method. 
Responses to the collection of information are voluntary but are 
required to obtain the benefit of EPA-designation of a method or 
product as a reference or equivalent method (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 
Federal Register Notice required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting 
comments on this collection of information was published on 10/07/97 
(62 FR 52333); no comments were received.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and record keeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1,129 
hours per response, although individual burdens may vary substantially 
from that average. 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

[[Page 10378]]

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: For-profit businesses, State and 
Local Governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Six (6) per year.
    Frequency of Response: As needed, per application.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 6,772 hours.
    Estimated Total Annualized Cost Burden: $125,000.
    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. 0559.06 and OMB Control No. 2080-0005 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: February 25, 1998.
Joseph Retzer,
Director, Regulatory Information Division.
[FR Doc. 98-5414 Filed 3-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P