[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 1, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39086-39087]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-16328]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OEI-2003-0032; FRL-7520-2]


A Summary of General Assessment Factors for Evaluating the 
Quality of Scientific and Technical Information

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing 
the availability of the final A Summary of General Assessment Factors 
for Evaluating the Quality of Scientific and Technical Information (EPA 
100/B-03/001; herein after referred to as the ``Assessment Factors 
Document'').

DATES: EPA is making the document available July 1, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The ``Assessment Factors Document'' is available at the EPA 
web site at the following web pages: http://www.epa.gov/oei/qualityguidelines/af_home.htm, http://www.epa.gov/osp/spc/2polprog.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Schweer, Office of Pollution 
Prevention and Toxics (7405M), telephone number: (202) 564-8469; fax 
number: (202) 564-4765 or Haluk Ozkaynak, Office of Research and 
Development (8601-D), telephone number (202) 564-1531, fax number (202) 
564-0061, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

What is the EPA ``Assessment Factors Document'?

    The ``Assessment Factors Document'' was prepared under the auspices 
of the EPA Science Policy Council (SPC) to describe the assessment 
factors and considerations generally used by the Agency to evaluate the 
quality and relevance of scientific and technical information. These 
general assessment factors are founded in the Agency guidelines, 
practices and procedures that make up the EPA information and quality 
systems, including existing program-specific quality assurance 
policies. As such, the general assessment factors do not constitute new 
quality-related considerations, nor does this document describe a new 
process for evaluating information. The ``Assessment Factors Document'' 
is intended to raise the awareness of the information-generating public 
about EPA's ongoing interest in ensuring and enhancing the quality of 
information available for Agency use. Further, the ``Assessment Factors 
Document'' complements the Guidelines for Ensuring and Maximizing the 
Quality, Objectivity, Utility, and Integrity of Information 
Disseminated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA/260/R-02-008). 
The Information Quality Guidelines are also available via internet at: 
http://www.epa.gov/oei/qualityguidelines.
    Consistent with the Agency's approach to the development of the EPA 
Information Quality Guidelines, this document is the product of an 
open, collaborative process between EPA and the public. During the 
development of this document, EPA requested public input in a variety 
of ways. EPA distributed a draft document for public comment in 
September 2002 and hosted a public meeting in Washington, DC. In 
January 2003, EPA commissioned the National Academy of Sciences to host 
a workshop to discuss key aspects of this document from a scientific 
and technical perspective. EPA revised this document based on the input 
received through these public outreach opportunities.

How Can I Get Copies of the ``Assessment Factors Document''?

    You may access the EPA ``Assessment Factors Document'' and other 
information related to this notice electronically at the following web 
pages: http://www.epa.gov/oei/qualityguidelines/af_home.htm and

[[Page 39087]]

http://www.epa.gov/osp/spc/2polprog.htm.
    To obtain a written copy of the ``Assessment Factors Document'', 
you may contact either of the individuals listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

Elaine Stanley,
Director, Office of Information Analysis and Access, Office of 
Environmental Information.
[FR Doc. 03-16328 Filed 6-30-03; 8:45 am]
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