[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 10, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46984-46985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21781]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2017-0297; FRL-9963-91]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal of an 
Existing Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this 
document announces that EPA is planning to submit an Information 
Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). 
The ICR, entitled: ``Safer Detergent Stewardship Initiative (SDSI) 
Program'' and identified by EPA ICR No. 2261.04 and OMB Control No. 
2070-0171, represents the renewal of an existing ICR that is scheduled 
to expire on March 31, 2018. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for 
review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of 
the proposed information collection that is summarized in this 
document. The ICR and accompanying material are available in the docket 
for public review and comment.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 11, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2017-0297, by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit 
electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business 
Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted 
by statute.
     Mail: Document Control Office (7407M), Office of Pollution 
Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
     Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand 
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the 
instructions at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
    Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along 
with more information about dockets generally, is available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    For technical information contact: Chen Wen, Chemistry, Economics & 
Sustainable Strategies Division (7409-M), Office of Pollution 
Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 
(202) 564-8849; email address: [email protected].
    For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 
422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202) 
554-1404; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. What information is EPA particularly interested in?

    Pursuant to PRA section 3506(c)(2)(A) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), 
EPA specifically solicits comments and information to enable it to:
    1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
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 burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used.
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected.
    4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from 
very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of 
specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork 
burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.

II. What information collection activity or ICR does this action apply 
to?

    Title: Safer Detergent Stewardship Initiative (SDSI) Program.
    ICR number: EPA ICR No. 2261.04.
    OMB control number: OMB Control No. 2070-0171.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on March 31, 
2018. 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 in title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), after 
appearing in the Federal Register when approved, are listed in 40 CFR 
part 9, are displayed either by publication in the Federal Register or 
by other appropriate means, such as on the related collection 
instrument or form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers 
for certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.
    Abstract: The Safer Detergent Stewardship Initiative (SDSI) is a 
voluntary program administered by the EPA to offer resources and 
recognition to businesses involved in the transition to safer 
surfactants. Surfactants are a major ingredient in cleaning products 
such as detergents, cleaners, airplane deicers and fire-fighting foams. 
Safer surfactants are those that break down quickly to non-polluting 
compounds. Under SDSI, businesses that have fully transitioned to safer 
surfactants, or (for non-profits, academic institutions, etc.), and 
document outstanding efforts to encourage the use of safer surfactants, 
are granted Champion status. At this level, the participant is listed 
on the EPA SDSI Web site as a champion and may use a special logo in 
their literature to help explain their participation in the program. 
Businesses that commit to a full and timely transition to safer 
surfactants, and/or (for non-profits, academic institutions, etc.), 
document outstanding efforts to encourage the use of safer surfactants, 
are granted Partner status. This category provides recognition of 
significant accomplishments towards the use of safer surfactants. 
Partners will be listed on the EPA SDSI Web site and may be granted 
recognition as a Champion in the future if appropriate. This 
information collection addresses reporting activities that support the 
administration of the SDSI program.
    Responses to this collection of information are voluntary. 
Respondents may claim all or part of a response confidential. EPA will 
disclose information that is covered by a claim of confidentiality only 
to the extent permitted by, and in accordance with, the procedures in 
TSCA section 14 and 40 CFR part 2.
    Burden statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 10 
hours per response. Burden is defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(b).
    The ICR, which is available in the docket along with other related 
materials, provides a detailed explanation of the collection activities 
and the burden estimate that is only briefly summarized here:
    Respondents/Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by 
this ICR are establishments or organizations engaged in formulating, 
producing, purchasing or distributing surfactants or products 
containing surfactants.

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    Estimated total number of potential respondents: 4.
    Frequency of response: On occasion.
    Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 40 hours.
    Estimated total annual costs: $2,788. This includes an estimated 
burden cost of $2,788 and an estimated cost of $0 for capital 
investment or maintenance and operational costs.

III. Are there changes in the estimates from the last approval?

    There is a decrease of 100 hours in the total estimated respondent 
burden compared with that identified in the ICR currently approved by 
OMB. This decrease reflects EPA's expectation, based on past 
experience, that significantly fewer respondents will apply for 
recognition as Champions or Partners in the next three years. This 
change is an adjustment.

IV. 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 document 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 technical person listed under 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

    Dated: September 22, 2017.
Louise P. Wise,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2017-21781 Filed 10-6-17; 8:45 am]
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