[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 149 (Wednesday, August 2, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47491-47493]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19348]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-00667; FRL-6594-3]


Data Acquisition for Registration; Renewal of Pesticide 
Information Collection Activities and Request for Comments

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that EPA is seeking public 
comment on the following Information Collection Request (ICR): ``Data 
Acquisition for Registration (EPA ICR No. 1503.03, OMB No. 2070-
0122).'' This is a request to renew an existing ICR that is currently 
approved and due to expire December 31, 2000. The ICR describes the 
nature of the information collection activity and its expected burden 
and costs. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and approval under the PRA, EPA is soliciting 
comments on specific aspects of the collection.

DATES: Written comments, identified by the docket control number OPP-
00667, must be received on or before October 2, 2000.

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 OPP-00667 in the subject line on the first page of your 
response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Nancy Vogel, Field and 
External Affairs Division (7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (703) 305-6475; fax number: 
(703) 305-5884; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you are a 
pesticide registrant with a product registered under section 3 or 
section 24(c) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide 
Act (FIFRA). Potentially affected categories and entities may include, 
but are not limited to:

 
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                                                                                         Examples of potentially
               Category                      NAICS codes               SIC codes            affected entities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pesticide and other agricultural        325320                  286--Industrial organic  Pesticide registrants
 chemical manufacturing                                          chemicals
                                                                287--Agricultural
                                                                 chemicals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) 
codes and 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 questions regarding 
the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the 
person listed under ``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 6082 for a 
copy of the ICR.

C. In Person

    The Agency has established an official record for this action under 
docket control number OPP-00667. 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 Public 
Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall 
#2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The PIRIB telephone 
number is (703) 305-5805.

III. How Can I Respond to this Action?

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 OPP-00667 in the subject line on the 
first page of your response.
    1. By mail. Submit your comments to: Public Information and Records 
Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Information Resources and Services Division 
(7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), Environmental Protection 
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
    2. In person or by courier. Deliver your comments to: Public 
Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Information Resources 
and Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), 
Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 
Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA. The PIRIB is open from 8:30 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., Monday through

[[Page 47492]]

Friday, excluding legal holidays. The PIRIB telephone number is (703) 
305-5805.
    3. Electronically. You may submit your comments and/or data 
electronically by e-mail to: ``[email protected],'' or you can submit 
a computer disk as described in Units III.A.1. and 2. Do not submit any 
information electronically that you consider to be CBI. Avoid the use 
of special characters and any form of encryption. Electronic 
submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect 6.1/8.0 or ASCII file 
format. All comments in electronic form must be identified by docket 
control number OPP-00667. 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 person listed under ``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 and administrative record 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 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: Data Acquisition for Registration
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1503.03, OMB No. 2070-0122
    ICR status: This a renewal of an existing ICR that is currently 
approved by OMB and is due to expire December 31, 2000. An Agency may 
not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a 
collection of information that is subject to the approval under the 
PRA, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB 
control numbers for EPA's information collections appear on the 
collection instruments or instructions, in the Federal Register notices 
for related rulemakings and ICR notices, and, if the collection is 
contained in a regulation, in a table of OMB approval numbers in 40 CFR 
part 9.
    Abstract: The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act 
(FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 136) requires the EPA to register pesticides prior to 
distribution and sale within the United States. FIFRA also requires 
applicants for pesticide registration to provide EPA with the data 
needed to assess whether the registration of a pesticide would cause 
unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment, and 
grants EPA the authority to require registrants to provide additional 
data to maintain an existing registration.
    Sometimes additional data are necessary for the Agency's Office of 
Pesticide Programs (OPP) to evaluate whether a current registration 
should be maintained. One common trigger for the requirement of 
additional data is the EPA's program to reduce the use of pesticide 
inert ingredients of toxicological concern, which may lead to 
additional data needed to support continued use of these ingredients in 
registered pesticides. When the need for additional data arises, OPP 
issues to affected registrants a Data Call-In notice (DCI) under the 
authority of FIFRA section 3(c)(2)(B). In addition, data supporting 
pesticide inert ingredients may be called-in based on OPP's policy 
statement on inert ingredients in pesticide products (52 FR 13305, 
April 22, 1987, and November 22, 1989, 54 FR 48314).
    Registrants of products containing inert ingredients of 
toxicological concern (List 1, chemicals for which data already exist 
that demonstrate a defined toxicological effect) will be subject to a 
DCI. Since these inert ingredients have demonstrated certain toxic 
effects, OPP requires the submission of data equivalent to 40 CFR part 
158 data requirements for active ingredients. The full complement of 40 
CFR part 158 data requirements includes the submission of all 
applicable studies in the areas of product chemistry, residue 
chemistry, environmental fate, toxicology, wildlife and aquatic 
organisms, plant protection, and nontarget insects.
    List 2 inert ingredients, which are potentially toxic may be 
subject to a lesser set of data. In these cases, after review of 
available studies, the data that will be required to be submitted will 
focus on the effects of concern that led to listing on List 2. The 
results of this testing will determine whether to elevate the inert 
ingredient to List 1.

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

[[Page 47493]]

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 is 
estimated to be 91,196 hours. The following is a summary of the 
estimates taken from the ICR:
    Respondents/affected entities: Nine
    Frequency of response: Once annually
    Estimated total/average number of responses for each respondent: 
One
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 91,196
    Estimated total annual burden costs: $7,571,569

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

    The total annual burden hours and cost estimated for respondents 
have decreased from 208.132 to 91,196 due to a decrease in number of 
respondents and the associated cost from $16,011,809 to $7,571,569. 
While there was an increase in the number of responses from 5 to 6 for 
List 2 inert ingredients, the number of respondents for special studies 
decreased from 23 to respondents to one. Meeting the new FQPA standard 
has increased the burden hours for additional studies by 9%. Cost 
increases occurred in the estimated hourly rates for management, 
technical, and clerical reflect more current values from $114.2 to 
$123, $76.91 to $83, and from $34.96 to $38 respectively.

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 person listed under ``FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.''

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Inert ingredients.

    Dated: July 18, 2000.
Susan H. Wayland,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic 
Substances.
[FR Doc. 00-19348 Filed 8-1-00; 8:45 am]
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