SUPPORTING STATEMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

1. Identification of the Information Collection

1(a) Title of the Information Collection

NSPS for the Graphic Arts Industry (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart QQ) (Renewal), 

EPA ICR Number 0657.10, OMB Control number 2060-0105 

1(b) Short Characterization/Abstract

The New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for the Graphic Arts Industry (40 CFR 

part 60, subpart QQ) were proposed on October 28, 1980, and promulgated on November 8, 

1982. These standards apply to the following affected facilities in NSPS subpart QQ: each 

publication rotogravure printing press (not including proof presses) commencing construction, 

modification or reconstruction after the date of a proposal. This information is being collected to 

assure compliance with 40 CFR part 60, subpart QQ.

Approximately 19 facilities are currently subject to the standard, and it is estimated that 

one additional facility will begin operations and will become subject to the standard over the next 

three years. It is assumed that 30 percent of those facilities will add or modify a press at their 

facility during the three-year period. 

The current ICR is based on the most recently approved Information Collection Request 

(ICR). The cost of this ICR will be $163,005 (rounded). All reports are sent to the delegated 

State, or local authority. In the event that there is no such delegated authority, the reports are sent 

directly to the EPA Regional Office.

OMB approved the currently active ICR without any “Terms of Clearance.”

2. Need for and Use of the Collection

2(a) Need/Authority for the Collection

The EPA is charged under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act (CAA), as amended, to 

establish standards of performance for new stationary sources that reflect: 

. . . application of the best technological system of continuous 

emissions reduction which (taking into consideration the cost of 

achieving such emissions reduction, or any non-air quality health 

and environmental impact and energy requirements) the 

Administrator determines has been adequately demonstrated. 

Section 111(a)(l).
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The Agency refers to this charge as selecting the best demonstrated technology (BDT). Section 

111 also requires that the Administrator review and, if appropriate, revise such standards every

eight years.

In addition, Section 114(a) states that the Administrator may require any owner or 

operator subject to any requirement of this Act to: 

(A) Establish and maintain such records; (B) make such reports; 

(C) install, use, and maintain such monitoring equipment, and use 

such audit procedures, or methods; (D) sample such emissions (in 

accordance with such procedures or methods, at such locations, at 

such intervals, during such periods, and in such manner as the 

Administrator shall prescribe); (E) keep records on control 

equipment parameters, production variables or other indirect data 

when direct monitoring of emissions is impractical; (F) submit 

compliance certifications in accordance with Section 114(a)(3); 

and (G) provide such other information as the Administrator may

reasonably require.

In the Administrator’s judgment, Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions from 

publication rotogravure printing presses cause or contribute to air pollution that may reasonably

be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. Therefore, the NSPS were promulgated for 

this source category at 40 CFR part 60, subpart QQ.

2(b) Practical Utility/Users of the Data

The control of emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from publication 

rotogravure printing presses requires not only the installation of properly designed equipment, 

but also the operation and maintenance of that equipment. Emissions of VOCs from publication 

rotogravure printing presses are the result of the operation of the affected facilities. The subject 

standards are achieved by the capture of VOC emissions using control technology and leak 

detection and repair procedures.

The recordkeeping and reporting requirements in the standard ensures compliance with 

the applicable regulations which where promulgated in accordance with the Clean Air Act. The 

collected information is also used for targeting inspections and as evidence in legal proceedings.

Performance tests are required in order to determine an affected facility’s initial capability

to comply with the emission standard. Continuous emission monitors are used to ensure 

compliance with the standard at all times.

The notifications required in the standard are used to inform the Agency or delegated 

authority when a source becomes subject to the requirements of the regulations. The reviewing 

authority may then inspect the source to check if the pollution control devices are properly

installed and operated and the standards are being met. The performance test may also be 
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observed. 

The required semiannual reports are used to determine periods of excess emissions, 

identify problems at the facility, verify operation/maintenance procedures, and for compliance 

determinations.

3. Non-duplication, Consultations, and Other Collection Criteria

The requested recordkeeping and reporting are required under 40 CFR part 60, 

subpart QQ.

3(a) Non-duplication

If the subject standards have not been delegated, the information is sent directly to the 

appropriate EPA regional office. Otherwise, the information is sent directly to the delegated 

state, or local agency. If a state or local agency has adopted its own similar standards to 

implement the Federal standards, a copy of the report submitted to the state, or local agency can 

be sent to the Administrator in lieu of the report required by the Federal standards. Therefore, no 

duplication exists.

3(b) Public Notice Required Prior to ICR Submission to OMB

An announcement of a public comment period for the renewal of this ICR was published 

in the Federal Register on July 8, 2009 (74 FR 32581). No comments were received on the 

burden published in the Federal Register.

3(c) Consultations

For this information collection, the previous ICR renewal was used to obtain burden 

estimates since this ICR renewal was processed under the “Expedited Approach” option provided 

in May 1, 2008 guidance. Per this guidance, all data and assumptions from the previous ICR 

renewal were used as the basis for estimating the hourly and cost burdens associated with this 

renewal.

It is our policy to respond after a thorough review of comments received since the last 

ICR renewal as well as those submitted in response to the first Federal Register notice. In this 

case, no comments were received. 

3(d) Effects of Less Frequent Collection

Less frequent information collection would decrease the margin of assurance that 

facilities are continuing to meet the standards. Requirements for information gathering and 

recordkeeping are useful techniques to ensure that good operation and maintenance practices are 

applied and emission limitations are met. If the information required by these standards was 

collected less frequently, the proper operation and maintenance of control equipment and the 
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possibility of detecting violations would be less likely.

3(e) General Guidelines

None of these reporting or recordkeeping requirements violates any of the regulations 

established by OMB at 5 CFR Part 1320, Section 1320.5.

3(f) Confidentiality

Any information submitted to the Agency for which a claim of confidentiality is made 

will be safeguarded according to the Agency policies set forth in Title 40, Chapter 1, Part 2, 

Subpart B - Confidentiality of Business Information (CBI) (see 40 CFR 2; 41 FR 36902, 

September 1, 1976; amended by 43 FR 40000, September 8, 1978; 43 FR 42251, September 20, 

1978; 44 FR 17674, March 23, 1979).

3(g) Sensitive Questions

The reporting or recordkeeping requirements in the standard do not include sensitive 

questions.

4. The Respondents and the Information Requested

4(a) Respondents/SIC and NAICS Codes

The respondents to the recordkeeping and reporting requirements are magnetic tape 

manufacturers. The SIC code for the respondents affected by the standards is SIC (United States 

Standard Industrial Classification) 2754 which corresponds to the NAICS (The North American 

Industry Classification System) 323111 for Graphic Arts Industry.

4(b) Information Requested

(i) Data Items

All data in this ICR that is recorded and/or reported is required by 40 CFR part 60, subpart QQ.

A source must make the following reports:

Notifications and Reports

Construction/reconstruction 60.7(a)(1)

Actual startup 60.7(a)(3)

Initial performance test results 60.8(a) and 60.433 

(e)(6)
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Notifications and Reports

Initial performance test 60.8(d)

Physical or operational change 60.7(a)(4)

Semiannual Reports 60.7(c)

A source must keep the following records:

Recordkeeping

Startups, shutdowns, malfunctions 60.7(b) 

Records necessary to determine conditions of the performance test. 60.7(f), 60.8(c), and 

60.433(a)(5)

Records showing information to make monthly calculations 

of emissions.

60.7(f), and 

60.434(a)

Records are required to be retained for two years. 60.7(f)

Electronic Reporting

Currently, sources are using monitoring equipment that provides parameter data in an 

automated way, e.g., solvent recovery systems or a solvent vapor capture system to control 

emissions. Although personnel at the source still need to evaluate the data, this type of 

monitoring equipment has significantly reduced the burden associated with monitoring and 

recordkeeping. In addition, some regulatory agencies are setting up electronic reporting systems 

to allow sources to report electronically which is reducing the reporting burden. However, 

electronic reporting systems are still not widely used by the regulatory agencies. It is estimated 

that approximately 10 percent of the respondents use electronic reporting.

ii. Respondent Activities

Respondent Activities

Read instructions.

Perform initial performance test, Reference Method 24A test, and repeat performance tests if 

necessary.

Write the notifications and reports listed above.
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Respondent Activities

Enter information required to be recorded above.

Submit the required reports developing, acquiring, installing, and utilizing technology and 

systems for the purpose of collecting, validating, and verifying information.

Develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purpose of processing and 

maintaining information.

Develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purpose of 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.

Transmit, or otherwise disclose the information.

Currently, sources are using automated monitoring equipment that provides parameter 

data. Although personnel at the source still need to evaluate the data, this type of monitoring 

equipment has significantly reduced the burden associated with monitoring and recordkeeping.

5. The Information Collected -- Agency Activities, Collection Methodology, and 

Information Management

5(a) Agency Activities

EPA conducts the following activities in connection with the acquisition, analysis, 

storage, and distribution of the required information.

Agency Activities

Observe initial performance tests and repeat performance tests if necessary.

Review notifications and reports, including performance test reports, and excess emissions 

reports, required to be submitted by industry.

Audit facility records.

Input, analyze, and maintain data in the Air Facility System (AFS).
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5(b) Collection Methodology and Management

Following notification of startup, the reviewing authority might inspect the source to 

determine whether the pollution control devices are properly installed and operated. 

Performance test reports are used by the Agency to discern a source’s initial capability to comply

with the emission standard, and note the operating conditions under which compliance was 

achieved. Data and records maintained by the respondents are tabulated and published for use in 

compliance and enforcement programs. 

Information contained in the reports is entered into the AFS which is operated and 

maintained by EPA’s Office of Compliance. AFS is EPA’s database for the collection, 

maintenance, and retrieval of compliance data for approximately 125,000 industrial and 

government-owned facilities. EPA uses the AFS for tracking air pollution compliance and 

enforcement by local and state regulatory agencies, EPA regional offices and EPA headquarters. 

EPA and its delegated Authorities can edit, store, retrieve and analyze the data.

The records required by this regulation must be retained by the owner or operator for two 

years.

5(c) Small Entity Flexibility

There are no small businesses affected by this standard.

5(d) Collection Schedule

The specific frequency for each information collection activity within this request is 

shown below in Table 1: Annual Respondent Burden and Cost for NSPS for the Graphic Arts 

Industry (40 CFR part 60, subpart QQ) (Renewal).

6. Estimating the Burden and Cost of the Collection

Table 1 documents the computation of individual burdens for the recordkeeping and 

reporting requirements applicable to the industry for the subpart included in this ICR. The 

individual burdens are expressed under standardized headings believed to be consistent with the 

concept of burden under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Where appropriate, specific tasks and 

major assumptions have been identified. Responses to this information collection are mandatory.

The 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.

6(a) Estimating Respondent Burden

The average annual burden to industry over the next three years from these recordkeeping 

and reporting requirements is estimated to be 1,718 (Total Labor Hours from Table 1). The 

recordkeeping hours shown in Table 1 are 1,353. The reporting requirement hours shown in 
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Table 1 are 365. These hours are based on Agency studies and background documents from the 

development of the regulation, Agency knowledge and experience with the NSPS program, the 

previously approved ICR, and any comments received.

6(b) Estimating Respondent Costs

(i) Estimating Labor Costs

This ICR uses the following labor rates: 

Managerial $114.49 ($54.52 + 110%) 

Technical $98.20 ($46.76 + 110%)

Clerical $48.53 ($23.11 + 110%)

These rates are from the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 

September 2009, “Table 2. Civilian Workers, by occupational and industry group.” The rates are 

from column 1, “Total compensation.” The rates have been increased by 110 percent to account 

for the benefit packages available to those employed by private industry.

(ii) Estimating Capital and Operations and Maintenance Costs

The only costs to the regulated industry resulting from information collection activities 

required by the subject standard are labor costs. There are no capital/startup or operation and 

maintenance costs.

(iii) Capital/Startup vs. Operating and Maintenance (O&M) Costs

The only types of industry cost associated with the information collection activity in the 

regulations are labor costs. There are no capital/startup or operation and maintenance costs, 

because the equipment used by the respondent is the same equipment used in their day-to-day

operations to maintain quality control over the surface coating produced for sale.

6(c) Estimating Agency Burden and Cost

The only costs to the Agency are those costs associated with analysis of the reported 

information. EPA’s overall compliance and enforcement program includes activities such as the 

examination of records maintained by the respondents, periodic inspection of sources of 

emissions, and the publication and distribution of collected information.

The average annual Agency cost during the three years of the ICR is estimated to be $13,797

(rounded). 

This cost is based on the average hourly labor rate as follows:
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Managerial $62.27 (GS-13, Step 5, $38.92 + 60%) 

Technical $46.21 (GS-12, Step 1, $28.88 + 60%)

Clerical $25.01 (GS-6, Step 3, $15.63 + 60%)

These rates are from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), 2010 General Schedule, which 

excludes locality rates of pay. The rates have been increased by 60 percent to account for the 

benefit packages available to government employees. Details upon which this estimate is based 

appear below in Table 2: Average Annual Agency Burden and Cost for NSPS for the Graphic 

Arts Industry (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart QQ) (Renewal).

.

6(d) Estimating the Respondent Universe and Total Burden and Costs

Based on our research for this ICR, approximately 19 existing sources currently are 

subject to the standard. It is estimated that one additional source per year will become subject to 

the regulation over the next three years. It is further assumed that and that 30 percent of the 

existing sources will be reconstructed or modified over the next three years.

Number of respondents is calculated using the following table which addresses the three 

years covered by this ICR.

Number of Respondents

Respondents That Submit Reports Respondents That Do 

Not Submit Any Reports

Year

(A)

Number of 

New

Respondents 

(B)

Number of 

Existing 

Respondents

(C)

Number of Existing 

Respondents That 

Keep Records but Do 

Not Submit Reports

(D)

Number of Existing 

Respondents That 

Are Also New 

Respondents

(E)

Number of 

Respondents

(E=A+B+C-D)

1

2.23 119 0 1.9 19.33

2

2.23 119 0 1.9 19.33

3

2.23 119 0 1.9 19.33

Average

2.23 119 0 1.9 19 (rounded)

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 One new facility will become subject to the standard and 5.7 facilities per year will be modified or 

reconstructed over the next three years. The average per year is 2.23.

To avoid double-counting respondents, column D is subtracted. As shown above, the 

average Number of Respondents over the three-year period of this ICR is 19.33.
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The total number of annual responses per year is calculated using the following table:

Total Annual Responses

(A)

Information Collection 

Activity

(B)

Number of 

Respondents 

(C)

Number of 

Responses

(D)

Number of Existing 

Respondents That Keep 

Records But Do Not 

Submit Reports

(E)

Total Annual 

Responses 

E=(BxC)+D

Notification of construction/ 

reconstruction

2.23 1 N/A 2.23

Notification of actual startup 2.23 1 N/A 2.23

Notification of initial 

performance test

2.23 1 N/A 2.23

Initial performance test report 2.23 1 N/A 2.23

Semiannual reports 19 2 N/A 38

Total 47 (rounded)

The number of Total Annual Responses is 47. 

The total annual labor costs are $163,005. Details regarding these estimates may be 

found below in Table 1: Annual Respondent Burden and Cost for NSPS for the Graphic Arts 

Industry (40 CFR part 60, subpart QQ) (Renewal).

Note that the total annual capital and O&M costs to the regulated entity are $0. These 

costs are detailed in Section 6(b)(iii), Capital/Startup vs. Operation and Maintenance (O&M) 

Costs.

6(e) Bottom Line Burden Hours and Cost Tables

The detailed bottom line burden hours and cost calculations for the respondents and the 

Agency are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below, respectively, and summarized below. 

(i) Respondent Tally

The total annual labor hours are 1,718. Details regarding these estimates may be found

below in Table 1: Annual Respondent Burden and Cost for NSPS for the Graphic Arts (40 CFR 

part 60, subpart QQ) (Renewal). Furthermore, the annual public reporting and recordkeeping 

burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 37 (rounded) hours per response.

There are no annual capital/startup and O&M costs to the regulated entity.
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(ii) The Agency Tally

The average annual Agency burden and cost over next three years is estimated to be 228 

labor hours at a cost of $13,797. See below Table 2: Average Annual Agency Burden and Cost 

for NSPS for the Graphic Arts Industry (40 CFR part 60, subpart QQ) (Renewal).

6(f) Reasons for Change in Burden

There is no change in the labor hours or cost to the respondents in this ICR compared to 

the previous ICR because the regulations have not changed over the past three years and are not 

anticipated to change over the next three years. Since this ICR renewal was approved to be 

processed under the “Expedited Approach” option, EPA has maintained the same estimate for the 

number of sources currently subject to this standard as indicated in the most recently approved 

ICR. Therefore, the labor hour figures in the previous ICR reflect the current burden to the 

respondents and are reiterated in this ICR.

6(g) Burden Statement

The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information 

is estimated to average 37 (rounded) hours per response. 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.

An agency may not conduct, or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a 

collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The OMB control 

numbers for EPA’s regulations are listed at 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR chapter 15.

To comment on the Agency’s need for this information, the accuracy of the provided 

burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including the 

use of automated collection techniques, EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under 

Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OECA-2009-0409. An electronic version of the public docket is 

available at http://www.regulations.gov/ which may be used to obtain a copy of the draft 

collection of information, submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the 

contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available 

electronically. When in the system, select “search,” then key in the docket ID number identified 

in this document. The documents are also available for public viewing at the Enforcement and 

Compliance Docket and Information Center in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, 
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Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public 

Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal 

holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone 

number for the Enforcement and Compliance Docket and Information Center Docket is (202) 

566-1752. Also, comments can be sent to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 

Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503, Attention: 

Desk Officer for EPA. Please include the EPA Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OECA-2009-0409

and OMB Control Number 2060-0105 in any correspondence.

Part B of the Supporting Statement

This part is not applicable because no statistical methods were used in collecting this 

information.