[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 91 (Monday, May 12, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26933-26934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10719]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Survey of 
Organizations Participating in the United States (U.S.)--European Union 
(EU) Safe Harbor Framework and United States (U.S.)--Switzerland 
(Swiss) Safe Harbor Framework

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 11, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to: David Ritchie or Nick Enz, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration, U.S.-EU & U.S.-Swiss Safe Harbor 
Programs, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 20007, Washington, DC 
20230; (or via the Internet at [email protected]); tel. 202-482-
4936 or 202-482-1512.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The following concerns the voluntary survey that U.S. organizations 
are asked to complete and submit to the U.S. Department of Commerce 
(DOC) when they self-certify their compliance with the U.S.-EU Safe 
Harbor Framework and/or the U.S.-Swiss Safe Harbor Framework.
    The DOC's International Trade Administration (ITA) administers the 
U.S.-EU Safe Harbor program and U.S.-Swiss Safe Harbor program. The 
U.S.-EU Safe Harbor Framework and U.S.-Swiss Safe Harbor Framework 
provide eligible U.S. organizations with a streamlined means of 
complying with the relevant requirements of the European Union's Data 
Protection Directive and the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection. The 
Safe Harbor Frameworks help facilitate the flow of personal data worth 
critical to billions of dollars in trade between the United States and 
the EU and Switzerland.
    In line with President Obama's National Export Initiative, the DOC 
is interested in gathering information from U.S. organizations that 
participate in one or both of the Safe Harbor programs to: (a) Better 
evaluate how the Safe Harbor Frameworks support U.S. exports, and (b) 
potentially identify areas for improvement. The voluntary survey 
provides participants, including small businesses, in the Safe Harbor 
programs with an opportunity to communicate directly with the DOC 
regarding these programs.
    The information collected through this survey will not be made 
public, except at the aggregate level. The information will be obtained 
via a survey using the following questions:
    (1) Does your organization's participation in the U.S.-EU or U.S.-
Swiss Safe Harbor programs help your organization increase U.S. exports 
and support U.S. jobs?
    (2) Please specify the approximate amount of exports in United 
States Dollars (USD) facilitated by your organization's participation 
in the U.S.-EU or U.S.-Swiss Safe Harbor programs (please include any 
sales or contracts that were won or retained as a result of your 
participation in the programs).
    (3) Does your organization currently have a contract that is 
dependent on self-certification to the U.S.-EU or U.S.-Swiss Safe 
Harbor programs? If so, what is the value of that contract(s)?
    (4) What do the U.S.-EU and U.S.-Swiss Safe Harbor programs mean to 
your organization in terms of business opportunities in Europe?
    (5) Tell us what you think about the U.S.-EU and U.S.-Swiss Safe 
Harbor programs?

 II. Method of Collection

    The DOC offers U.S. organizations the opportunity to complete this 
voluntary survey via the DOC's Safe Harbor Web site, located at http://export.gov/safeharbor.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0625-0268.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved information collection).
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,284.
    Estimated Time per Response: 20 minutes for completion of survey 
responses submitted with initial self-

[[Page 26934]]

certification or recertification submission via DOC's Safe Harbor Web 
site).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 428.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: May 6, 2014.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-10719 Filed 5-9-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P