[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 25, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38711-38712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18427]



[[Page 38711]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. 01N-0301]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Customer/Partner Service Surveys

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing an 
opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain 
information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(the PRA), Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the 
Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, 
including each proposed extension of an existing collection of 
information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the 
notice. This notice solicits comments on voluntary customer 
satisfaction surveys to implement Executive Order 12862.

DATES: Submit written or electronic comments on the collection of 
information by September 24, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit electronic comments on the collection of information 
to http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/oc/dockets/edockethome.cfm. 
Submit written comments on the collection of information to the Dockets 
Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers 
Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. All comments should be identified 
with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this 
document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: JonnaLynn P. Capezzuto, Office of 
Information Resources Management (HFA-250), Food and Drug 
Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-4659.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal 
agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. 
``Collection of information'' is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 
1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of 
the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a 
third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) 
requires Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal 
Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including 
each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, 
before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with 
this requirement, FDA is publishing notice of the proposed collection 
of information set forth in this document.
    With respect to the following collection of information, FDA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of FDA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of FDA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques when appropriate, and other forms of 
information technology.

Customer/Partner Service Surveys (OMB Control No. 0910-0360)--
Extension

    Under section 903 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 
U.S.C. 393), FDA is authorized to conduct research and public 
information programs about regulated products and responsibilities of 
the agency. Executive Order 12862, entitled ``Setting Customer Service 
Standards,'' directs Federal agencies that ``provide significant 
services directly to the public'' to ``survey customers to determine 
the kind and quality of services they want and their level of 
satisfaction with existing services.'' FDA is seeking OMB clearance to 
conduct a series of surveys to implement Executive Order 12862. 
Participation in the surveys is voluntary. This request covers 
customer/partner service surveys of regulated entities, such as: Food 
processors; cosmetic, drug, biologic and medical device manufacturers; 
consumers; and health professionals. The request also covers 
``partner'' (State and local governments) customer service surveys.
    FDA will use the information from these surveys to identify 
strengths and weaknesses in service to customers/partners and to make 
improvements. The surveys will measure timeliness, appropriateness and 
accuracy of information, courtesy, and problem resolution in the 
context of individual programs.
    FDA projects 25 customer/partner service surveys per year, with a 
sample of between 50 and 6,000 customers each, requiring an average of 
18 minutes for review/completion per survey. Some of these surveys will 
be repeats of earlier surveys, for purposes of monitoring customer/
partner service and developing long-term data.
    FDA estimates the burden of this collection of information as 
follows:

                                 Table 1.--Estimated Annual Reporting Burden \1\
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                                                Annual Frequency per      Total Annual
     Type of Survey        No. of Respondents         Response              Responses        Hours per Response
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Mail/telephone/fax/web-       20,000                     1                      .30              6,000
 based
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\1\ There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection of
  information.



[[Page 38712]]

    Dated: July 18, 2001.
Margaret M. Dotzel,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 01-18427 Filed 7-24-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S