[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 111 (Monday, June 10, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39713-39714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14481]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7225-9]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request, Aftermarket Catalytic Converter Policy

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: Title; Aftermarket Catalytic 
Converter Policy, OMB Control Number 2060-0135, expiration date May 31, 
2002. 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 July 10, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send comments, referencing EPA ICR No. 1292.06 and OMB 
Control

[[Page 39714]]

No. 2060-0135, to the following addresses: Susan Auby, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Collection Strategies Division (Mail 
Code 2822T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; 
and to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For a copy of the ICR contact Susan 
Auby at EPA by phone at (202) 566-1672, by E-Mail at 
[email protected] or download off the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/icr and refer to EPA ICR No.1292.06 for technical questions 
about the ICR contact Jack McLaughlin at 303-336-9513.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Aftermarket Catalytic Converter Policy, OMB Control Number 
2060-0135, EPA ICR Number 1292.06, expiration date May 31, 2002. This 
is a request for extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The aftermarket catalytic converter policy allows 
aftermarket automobile catalytic converter manufacturers and 
reconditioners to compete with the automobile manufacturers for the 
aftermarket catalytic converter replacement market. Without this 
policy, it would be illegal to sell or install aftermarket catalytic 
converters that do not conform exactly to the automobile manufacturers' 
original equipment (OE) versions of these parts.
    Manufacturers: On a one-time basis for each type or line of 
converter manufactured: Manufacturers supply information identifying 
the supplier, and information regarding the physical specifications of 
each catalytic converter line produced, and information regarding pre-
production testing of the converters that show they meet standards for 
certain specified vehicle applications (a single converter line can be 
used on a large number of vehicle applications). Once production has 
begun the manufacturer must submit to EPA on a semi-annual basis: the 
number of each type of catalyst manufactured and a summary of 
information contained on warranty cards or, at the option of the 
respondent, copies of warranty cards for all converters sold.
    Reconditioners: On a one-time basis: Reconditioners provide 
information on the identity of company and a description of the test 
bench used for testing used catalytic converters and intended vehicle 
application(s) for each converter type. On a semi-annual basis: 
Reconditioners provide names and addresses of distributors along with 
the number of each type of converter sold to each distributor. All used 
converters must be tested individually to ensure they are still 
functional.
    Installers of aftermarket converters: Installers have no reporting 
requirements. They simply fill out the warranty card and hand it to the 
retail customer. They must also include a brief statement with each 
invoice stating the need for replacing the original converter. They 
also tag each removed converter with a reference to the invoice for 
repair. The invoices are required to be kept for 6 months. The tagged 
converters are required to be kept for 15 days.
    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 document required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting 
comments on this collection of information was published on January 3, 
2002. One comment was received and this was addressed in the supporting 
statement.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.5 
hours per response (60,180 total burden hours divided by 30,020 total 
respondents). 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 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: Manufacturers of new aftermarket 
catalytic converters, reconditioners of used OE catalytic converters, 
and muffler and vehicle repair shops.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 30,020.
    Frequency of Response: Semi-annually.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 111,308.
    Estimated Total Annualized Capital, O&M Cost Burden: $822.
    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 addresses listed above. Please 
refer to EPA ICR No. 1292.06 and OMB Control No. 2060-0135 in any 
correspondence.

    Dated: May 30, 2002.
Oscar Morales,
Director, Collection Strategies Division.
[FR Doc. 02-14481 Filed 6-7-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U