[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] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Type of business SIC codes ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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] BILLING CODE 6560-50-F