Document ID: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2021-0245-0001
Agency: epa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Safer Choice Program Product and Partner Recognition Activities; Comment Request
Posted Date: 2021-06-28T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 121 (Monday, June 28, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34006-34007]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13683]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2021-0245; FRL-10023-20]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal and 
Consolidation of Currently Approved Collections; EPA's Safer Choice 
Program Product and Partner Recognition Activities; 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 a request to renew 
and consolidate existing approved Information Collection Requests 
(ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Before submitting 
the consolidated 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 consolidated ICR is entitled: 
``Safer Choice Program Product and Partner Recognition Activities'' 
identified by EPA ICR No. 2692.01 and OMB Control No. 2070-[new]. The 
ICR and accompanying material are available in the docket for public 
review and comment.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 27, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2021-0245, online using the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at 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. Additional 
instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more 
information about dockets generally, is available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
    Due to the public health concerns related to COVID-19, the EPA 
Docket Center (EPA/DC) and Reading Room is closed to visitors with 
limited exceptions. The staff continues to provide remote customer 
service via email, phone, and webform. For the latest status 
information on EPA/DC and docket access, visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    For technical information contact: Linda Rutsch, Data Gathering and 
Analysis Division, 7406M, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, 
DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 343-9924; email address: 
rutsch.linda@epa.gov.
    For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 
422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202) 
554-1404; email address: TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.

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 should I consider when I prepare my comments for EPA?

    You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your 
comments:
    1. Explain your views as clearly as possible and provide specific 
examples.
    2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
    3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used 
that support your views.
    4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you 
arrived at the estimate that you provide.
    5. Submit your comments by the deadline identified under DATES.
    6. Identify the docket ID number assigned to the ICR in the subject 
line on the first page of your response. You may also provide the ICR 
title and related EPA and OMB numbers.

III. What do I need to know about the PRA?

    An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information subject to PRA approval 
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB 
control numbers for the EPA regulations in title 40 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR), after appearing in the preamble of the final 
rule, are further displayed either by publication in the Federal 
Register or by other appropriate means, such as on the related 
collection instruments or form, if applicable. The display of OMB 
control numbers for certain EPA regulations is consolidated in a list 
at 40 CFR 9.1.
    As used in the PRA context, burden is defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(b).

IV. What ICR does this request apply to?

    Title: EPA's Safer Choice Product and Partner Recognition 
Activities.
    ICR number: EPA ICR No. 2692.01.
    OMB control number: OMB Control No. 2070-[new].
    ICR status: This ICR reflects the consolidation of the following 
currently approved ICRs: ``Safer Choice Product Recognition Program'' 
(EPA ICR No. 2302.03, OMB Control No. 2070-0178) and ``Safer Choice 
Label Consultations'' (EPA ICR No. 2487.02, OMB Control No. 2070-0189. 
The ``Safer Choice Product Recognition Program'' (EPA ICR No. 2302.03, 
OMB Control No. 2070-0178); is scheduled to expire on May 31, 2022 and 
the ``Safer Choice Label Consultations'' (EPA ICR No. 2487.02, OMB 
Control No. 2070-0189) is scheduled to expire on November 31, 2022.
    Abstract: This ICR will cover the information collection activities 
associated with the reporting and recordkeeping requirements for 
individuals, businesses, organizations, and government entities 
participating in or collaborating with EPA's Safer Choice program. 
These components are

[[Page 34007]]

designed to: Improve data efficiency by electronic data collection via 
a cloud-based Salesforce system called the Safer Choice Community; 
monitor the public's awareness of the Safer Choice program and label; 
and, clarify the Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards application 
process and form.
    Burden statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .33 
to 16 hours per response. The consolidated ICR, a copy of which is 
available in the docket, provides a detailed explanation of this 
estimate, which is only briefly summarized here:
    Respondents/Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by 
this ICR include the following North American Industrial Classification 
System (NAICS) codes associated with industries most likely affected by 
the paperwork requirements:
     325180 Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing;
     325199 All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing 
(Primary);
     325320 Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical 
Manufacturing;
     325510 Paint and Coating Manufacturing;
     325520 Adhesive Manufacturing;
     3256 Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation 
Manufacturing;
     325611 Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing;
     325612 Polish and Other Sanitation Good Manufacturing;
     325613 Surface Active Agent Manufacturing (Primary);
     325620 Toilet Preparation Manufacturing;
     325910 Printing Ink Manufacturing;
     325992 Photographic Film, Paper, Plate, and Chemical 
Manufacturing;
     325998 All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and 
Preparation Manufacturing;
     423850 Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies 
Merchant Wholesalers (Primary);
     424490 Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant 
Wholesalers;
     424690 Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant 
Wholesalers (Primary);
     424990 Other Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Merchant 
Wholesalers;
     4451 Grocery Stores;
     445110 Supermarkets and Other Grocery (except Convenience) 
Stores (Primary);
     445299 All Other Specialty Food Stores;
     446110 Pharmacies and Drug Stores;
     453210 Office Supplies and Stationery Stores;
     453998 All Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers (except 
Tobacco Stores) (Primary);
     454110 Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses;
     481 Air Transportation;
     531120 Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings (except Mini-
warehouses);
     531312 Nonresidential Property Managers;
     541714 Research and Development in Biotechnology (except 
Nanobiotechnology) (Primary);
     561210 Facilities Support Services;
     561720 Janitorial Services;
     561740 Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services;
     611110 Elementary and Secondary Schools;
     611310 Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools;
     622110 General Medical and Surgical Hospitals;
     711310 Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar 
Events with Facilities;
     7211 Traveler Accommodation;
     722511 Full-Service Restaurants;
     8123 Dry cleaning and Laundry Services;
     813410 Civic and Social Organizations (Primary);
     813910 Business Associations (Primary);
     921190 Other General Government Support; and
     924110 Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid 
Waste Management Programs (Primary).
    Estimated total number of potential respondents: 7,566.
    Frequency of response: On occasion.
    Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 2,892 hours.
    Estimated total annual costs: $736,302. This includes an estimated 
burden cost of $190,702 and an estimated cost of $545,600 for non-
burden hour paperwork costs, e.g., capital investment or maintenance 
and operational costs.

V. Are there changes in the estimates from the last approvals?

    The consolidation of the currently approved ICRs is expected to 
result in an overall increase of 1,558 hours in the total estimated 
combined respondent burden that is currently approved by OMB. This 
information collection combines the burdens from two previously 
approved ICRs, EPA ICR No. 2302.03 and EPA ICR No. 2487.02. The 
difference between the current burden request and the previously 
approved requests is primarily due to the inclusion of Partner of the 
Year Awards collection activities when calculating the burden of this 
ICR. Additionally, minor adjustments were made in EPA's estimates of 
the number of respondents and of the burden.
    The total combined cost burden from these two previously approved 
ICRs was $2,045,616. The total cost burden requested for this ICR is 
$2,208,906. The difference between the current cost burden request and 
the previously approved requests are due to the inclusion of Partner of 
the Year Awards collection activities when calculating the burden, as 
well as adjustments in EPA's estimates of the number of respondents and 
of the burden. In addition to the adjustments listed above, the wage 
rates and material costs were revised to reflect 2020 dollars for this 
information collection request.
    In addition, OMB has requested that EPA move towards using the 18-
question format for ICR Supporting Statements used by other federal 
agencies and departments and is based on the submission instructions 
established by OMB in 1995, replacing the alternate format developed by 
EPA and OMB prior to 1995. The Agency does not expect the change in 
format to result in substantive changes to the information collection 
activities or related estimated burden and costs.

VI. What is the next step in the process for this ICR?

    EPA will consider the comments received and amend the consolidated 
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 for the 
public to submit additional comments for OMB consideration.
    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: June 22, 2021.
Michal Freedhoff,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2021-13683 Filed 6-25-21; 8:45 am]
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