[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 190 (Friday, October 1, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53377-53379]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25576]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPPTS-00279; FRL-6383-3]


Voluntary Cover Sheet for TSCA Submissions; Request for Comment 
on Renewal of 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 existing 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. The ICR is a renewal ICR entitled 
``Voluntary Cover Sheet for TSCA Submissions,'' EPA ICR No. 1780.02, 
OMB No. 2070-0156. The use of this ICR will enable the Agency more 
easily to collect, process, store, retrieve and disseminate information 
on health and environmental risks associated with toxic chemicals. 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, identified by the docket control number OPPTS-
00279 and administrative record number 219 must be received on or 
before November 30, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, electronically, or in 
person. Please follow the detailed instructions for each method as 
provided in Unit III. of the ``SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.'' To ensure 
proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket 
control number OPPTS-00279 and administrative record number 219 in the 
subject line on the first page of your response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information contact: 
Christine M. Augustyniak, Associate Director, Environmental Assistance 
Division (7408), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone number: (202) 554-1404; TDD: (202) 554-0551; e-mail address: 
TSCA-H[email protected].
    For technical information contact: John Myers, Information 
Management Division (7407), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460, 
telephone number: 202-260-3543; fax number: 202-260-2347; e-mail 
address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you manufacture, 
process, use, import or distribute in commerce chemical substances that 
are subject to reporting requirements under sections 4, 8(d) or 8(e) of 
the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Potentially affected 
categories and entities may include, but are not limited to:


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             Type of business                         SIC codes
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Industrial organic chemicals                2819
Adhesives and sealants                      2891
Paints and allied products                  2851
Textile goods                               2299
Petroleum products                          5172
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 
guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this 
action. Other types of entities not listed in this table could also be 
affected. The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes are 
provided to assist you and others in determining whether or not this 
action might apply to certain entities. If you have any questions 
regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, 
consult the technical person listed in the ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.''

II. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of this 
Document and Other Related Documents?

A. Electronically

    You may obtain electronic copies of this document, and certain 
other related documents that might be available electronically, from 
the EPA Internet Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/. On the Home Page 
select ``Laws and Regulations'' and then look up the entry for this 
document under the ``Federal Register-Environmental Documents.'' You 
can also go directly to the Federal Register listings at http://
www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.

B. Fax-on-Demand

    Using a faxphone call (202) 401-0527 and select item 4072 for a 
copy of the ICR.

[[Page 53378]]

C. In Person

    The Agency has established an official record for this action under 
docket control number OPPTS-00279. The official record consists of the 
documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments 
received during an applicable comment period, and other information 
related to this action, including any information claimed as 
confidential business information (CBI). This official record includes 
the documents that are physically located in the docket, as well as the 
documents that are referenced in those documents. The public version of 
the official record does not include any information claimed as CBI. 
The public version of the official record, which includes printed, 
paper versions of any electronic comments submitted during an 
applicable comment period, is available for inspection in the TSCA 
Nonconfidential Information Center, North East Rm. B-607, Waterside 
Mall, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC. The Center is open from noon to 4 
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone 
number for the Center is (202) 260-7099.

III. How Can I Respond to this Notice?

A. How and to Whom Do I Submit the Comments?

    You may submit comments through the mail, in person, or 
electronically. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that 
you identify docket control number OPPTS-00279 and administrative 
record number 219 in the subject line on the first page of your 
response.
    1. By mail. Submit your comments to: Document Control Officer 
(7407), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental 
Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460.
    2. In person or by courier. Deliver your comments to: OPPT Document 
Control Officer (DCO) in East Tower Rm. G-099, Waterside Mall, 401 M 
St., SW., Washington, DC. The DCO is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the 
DCO is (202) 260-7093.
    3. Electronically. Submit your comments and/or data electronically 
by e-mail to: ``[email protected],'' or mail your computer disk to the 
address identified in Units III.A.1. and 2. of this document. Do not 
submit any information electronically that you consider to be CBI. 
Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the use 
of special characters and any form of encryption. Comments and data 
will also be accepted on standard disks in WordPerfect 5.1/6.1 or ASCII 
file format. All comments in electronic form must be identified by 
docket control number OPPTS-00279 and administrative record number 219. 
Electronic comments may also be filed online at many Federal Depository 
Libraries.

B. How Should I Handle CBI That I Want to Submit to the Agency?

    Do not submit any information electronically that you consider to 
be CBI. You may claim information that you submit to EPA in response to 
this document as CBI by marking any part or all of that information as 
CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance 
with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. In addition to one complete 
version of the comment that includes any information claimed as CBI, a 
copy of the comment that does not contain the information claimed as 
CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public version of the 
official record. Information not marked confidential will be included 
in the public version of the official record without prior notice. If 
you have any questions about CBI or the procedures for claiming CBI, 
please consult the technical person identified in the ``FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.''

C. What Should I Consider When I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

    You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your 
comments:
    1. Explain your views as clearly as possible.
    2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
    3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used 
that support your views.
    4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you 
arrived at the estimate that you provide.
    5. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns.
    6. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.
    7. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline in this 
notice.
    8. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket 
control number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first 
page of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal 
Register citation.

D. What Information is EPA Particularly Interested in?

    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 
EPA specifically solicits comments and information to enable it to:
    1. Evaluate whether the proposed collections of information are 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility.
    2. Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimates of the burdens 
of the proposed collections of information.
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected.
    4. Minimize the burden of the collections of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated 
or electronic collection technologies or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

IV. What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does this Action 
Apply to?

    EPA is seeking comments on the following ICR:
    Title: Voluntary Cover Sheet for TSCA Submissions.
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1780.02, OMB No. 2070-0156.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on December 
31, 1999.
    Abstract: TSCA requires industry 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 EPA, took an 
interest in pursuing electronic transfer of TSCA summary data and of 
full submissions to EPA. In particular, CMA 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

[[Page 53379]]

sections 4, 8(d) and 8(e). The cover sheet facilitates 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.
    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.

V. What are EPA's Burden and Cost Estimates for this ICR?

    Under the PRA, ``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. For this 
collection it 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.
    The ICR provides a detailed explanation of this estimate, which is 
only briefly summarized in this notice. The annual public burden for 
this collection of information is estimated to average 0.5 hours per 
response. The following is a summary of the estimates taken from the 
ICR:
    Respondents/affected entities: Entities potentially affected by 
this action are companies that manufacture, process, use, import or 
distribute in commerce chemical substances that are subject to 
reporting requirements under TSCA sections 4, 8(d) or 8(e).
    Estimated total number of potential respondents: 2,240.
    Frequency of response: On occasion.
    Estimated total/average number of responses for each respondent: 1-
2 (average).
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 910 hours.
    Estimated total annual burden costs: $68,250.

VI. Are There Changes in the Estimates from the Last Approval?

    The burden hours included in this request represent a decrease of 
438 hours in the annual burden, from 1,348 hours to 910 hours, from the 
request most recently approved by OMB. This decrease reflects a net 
decrease in the estimated number of submissions under the reporting 
requirements of TSCA sections 4, 8(d) and 8(e). Since the use of the 
Voluntary TSCA Cover Sheet directly reflects the number of submissions 
received under TSCA sections 4, 8(d) and 8(e), any change in the 
estimated numbers of submissions under those requirements will result 
in a parallel change in the burden hours associated with this 
information collection.

VII. What is the Next Step in the Process for this ICR?

    EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as 
appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for 
review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. EPA will issue another 
Federal Register notice pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce 
the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit 
additional comments to OMB. If you have any questions about this ICR or 
the approval process, please contact the technical person listed in the 
``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.''

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: September 25, 1999.

Susan H. Wayland,

Deputy Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic 
Substances.

[FR Doc. 99-25576 Filed 9-30-99; 8:45 am]
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