Document ID: EPA-HQ-ORD-2005-0530-0020
Agency: epa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Application for Reference and Equivalent Method Determination (Renewal)
Posted Date: 2021-02-12T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 28 (Friday, February 12, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9337-9338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-02847]

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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-ORD-2005-0530; FRL-10018-98-ORD]

Proposed Information Collection Request; Comment Request; 
Application for Reference and Equivalent Method Determination (Renewal)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit an 
information collection request (ICR), Application for Reference and 
Equivalent Method Determination'' (EPA ICR No. 0559.14, OMB Control No. 
2080-0005) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and 
approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. Before doing 
so, EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the 
proposed information collection as described below. This is a proposed 
extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through June 20, 
2021. 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.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before April 13, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-
2005-0530, online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), by 
email to ord-docket@epa.gov, or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460.
    EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the 
public docket without change including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes profanity, threats, information 
claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert W. Vanderpool, Environmental 
Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Measurements and

[[Page 9338]]

Modeling, Air Methods and Characterization Division, Ambient Air 
Branch, Mail Drop D205-03, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; telephone 
number: 919-541-7877; fax number: 919-541-4848; email address 
vanderpool.robert@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supporting documents which explain in detail 
the information that the EPA will be collecting are available in the 
public docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at 
www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West, 
Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC. The telephone 
number for the Docket Center is 202-566-1744. For additional 
information about EPA's public docket, visit http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA is soliciting 
comments and information to enable it to: (i) 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; (ii) 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; (iii) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (iv) 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. 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. At that time, EPA will issue another Federal Register notice 
to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to 
submit additional comments to OMB.
    Abstract: To determine compliance with the National Ambient Air 
Quality Standards (NAAQS), State air monitoring agencies are required 
to use, in their air quality monitoring networks, air monitoring 
methods that have been formally designated by the EPA as either 
reference or equivalent methods under EPA regulations at 40 CFR part 
53. A manufacturer or seller of an air monitoring method (e.g., an air 
monitoring sampler or analyzer) that seeks to obtain such EPA 
designation of one of its products must carry out prescribed tests of 
the method. The test results and other information must then be 
submitted to the EPA in the form of an application for a reference or 
equivalent method determination in accordance with 40 CFR part 53. The 
EPA uses this information, under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, to 
determine whether the particular method should be designated as either 
a reference or equivalent method. After a method is designated, the 
applicant must also maintain records of the names and mailing addresses 
of all ultimate purchasers of all analyzers or samplers sold as 
designated methods under the method designation. If the method 
designated is a method for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) 
and coarse particulate matter (PM10-2.5), the applicant must 
also submit a checklist signed by an ISO-certified auditor to indicate 
that the samplers or analyzers sold as part of the designated method 
are manufactured in an ISO 9001-registered facility. Also, an applicant 
must submit a minor application to seek approval for any proposed 
modifications to previously designated methods.
    Form Numbers: None.
    Respondents/affected entities: Private manufacturers, states.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: Required to obtain the benefit 
of EPA designation under 40 CFR part 53. Submission of some information 
that is claimed by the applicant to be confidential business 
information may be necessary to make a reference or equivalent method 
determination. The confidentiality of any submitted information 
identified as confidential business information by the applicant will 
be protected in full accordance with 40 CFR 53.15 and all applicable 
provisions of 40 CFR part 2.
    Estimated number of respondents: 22 (total).
    Frequency of response: Annual.
    Total estimated burden: 7,492 hours (per year). Burden is defined 
at 5 CFR 1320.03(b).
    Total estimated cost: $746,029 (per year), includes $152,152 
annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs.
    Changes in Estimates: There is no change in hours in the total 
estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently approved by 
OMB.

    Dated: January 27, 2021.
Timothy Watkins,
Director, Center for Environmental Measurements and Modeling.
[FR Doc. 2021-02847 Filed 2-11-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P