[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 133 (Friday, July 10, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41627-41628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14845]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Wage and Hour Division


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; 
Information Collections: High-Wage Components of the Labor Value 
Content Requirements Under the USMCA

AGENCY: Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting comments 
concerning a proposed extension of the information collection request 
(ICR) titled, ``High-Wage Components of the

[[Page 41628]]

Labor Value Content Requirements under the USMCA.'' This comment 
request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork 
and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (PRA). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be 
provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial 
resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, 
and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be 
properly assessed. A copy of the proposed information request can be 
obtained by contacting the office listed below in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this Notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section below on or before September 8, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Control Number 1235-
0032, by either one of the following methods: Email: 
[email protected]; Mail, Hand Delivery, Courier: Division of 
Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation, Wage and Hour, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Room S-3502, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20210.
    Instructions: Please submit one copy of your comments by only one 
method. All submissions received must include the agency name and 
Control Number identified above for this information collection. 
Because we continue to experience delays in receiving mail in the 
Washington, DC area, commenters are strongly encouraged to transmit 
their comments electronically via email or to submit them by mail 
early. Comments, including any personal information provided, become a 
matter of public record. They will also be summarized and/or included 
in the request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of 
the information collection request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Waterman, Division of 
Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation, Wage and Hour Division, 
U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-3502, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-0406 (this is not a toll-
free number). Copies of this notice may be obtained in alternative 
formats (Large Print, braille, Audio Tape, or Disc), upon request, by 
calling (202) 693-0023 (not a toll-free number). TTY/TTD callers may 
dial toll-free (877) 889-5627 to obtain information or request 
materials in alternative formats.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background: In accordance with section 
210(b) of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act, 
the U.S. Department of Labor issued regulations necessary to administer 
the high-wage components of the labor value content requirements as set 
forth in section 202A of that Act (85 FR 39782, July 1, 2020). The Act 
implements the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Section 
202A of the Act, codified at 19 U.S.C. 4532, in part implements Article 
7 of the Automotive Appendix of the USMCA. The USMCA establishes labor 
value content (LVC) requirements for passenger vehicles, light trucks, 
and heavy trucks, pursuant to which an importer can only obtain 
preferential tariff treatment for a covered vehicle if the covered 
vehicle meets certain high-wage component requirements. The Act 
requires importers who claim preferential tariff treatment under the 
USMCA for goods imported into the United States from a USMCA Country, 
and vehicle producers whose goods are the subject of a claim for 
preferential tariff treatment under the USMCA, to make, keep, and, 
pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary, render 
for examination and inspection records and supporting documents related 
to the LVC requirements. See 19 U.S.C. 1508(b)(4). The Act further 
grants the Secretary authority during the course of a verification to 
request any records relating to wages, hours, job responsibilities, or 
any other information in any plant or facility relied on by a producer 
of covered vehicles to demonstrate that the production of those 
vehicles meets the high-wage components of the LVC requirements. See 19 
U.S.C. 4532(e)(4)(B). The Act grants authority to the Secretary to 
issue regulations.
    The Department issued the interim final rule to carry out the 
purposes of the USMCA. This interim final rule published in the Federal 
Register on July 1, 2020 (85 FR 39782). As part of OMB's consideration 
of the interim final rule, the Department submitted an emergency 
processing request for the PRA package associated with the interim 
final rule. Where OMB approves the collection of information on an 
emergency basis, the approval is time-limited and the agency must 
publish notice and comment on the collection to give the public 
opportunity to respond. Pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.13, OMB assigned control 
number 1235-0032 to this collection and approved the request on July 2, 
2020 with an expiration of January 31, 2021.
    II. Review Focus: The Department of Labor is particularly 
interested in comments which:
     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;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     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 submissions of responses.
    III. Current Actions: The Department of Labor seeks an approval for 
the extension of this information collection in order to ensure 
effective administration of the High-Wage Components of the Labor Value 
Content Requirements under the USMCA.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Wage and Hour Division.
    Title: High-Wage Components of the Labor Value Content Requirements 
under the USMCA.
    OMB Control Number: 1235-0032.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 9,455.
    Total Annual Responses: 5,796,460.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 205,911.
    Estimated Time per Response: Varies with type of request (1.25-20 
minutes):
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operation/maintenance): $.

    Dated: July 6, 2020.
Amy DeBisschop,
Director, Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation.
[FR Doc. 2020-14845 Filed 7-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-27-P