Document ID: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2015-0436-0035
Agency: epa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Proposed Revision to an Existing Collection, Generic Clearance for TSCA Section 4 Test Rules, Test Orders, Enforceable Consent Agreements (ECAs), Voluntary Data Submissions, and Exemptions From Testing Requirements
Posted Date: 2021-11-02T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 209 (Tuesday, November 2, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60460-60461]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23830]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2015-0436; FRL-9088-01-OCSPP]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Revision to an 
Existing Collection, Generic Clearance for TSCA Section 4 Test Rules, 
Test Orders, Enforceable Consent Agreements (ECAs), Voluntary Data 
Submissions, and Exemptions From Testing Requirements; 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 the following 
Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB): ``Generic Clearance for TSCA Section 4 Test Rules, Test 
Orders, Enforceable Consent Agreements (ECAs), Voluntary Data 
Submissions, and Exemptions from Testing Requirements),'' and 
identified by EPA ICR No. 1139.25 and approved under OMB Control No. 
2070-0033. This ICR incorporates the activities and burdens recently 
approved under a separate ICR entitled ``User Guide for submitting TSCA 
Section 4 Test Order Information,'' and identified by EPA ICR No. 
2697.01 and approved under OMB Control No. 2070-0215, which is 
scheduled to expire on April 30, 2022. Merging these ICRs before that 
expiration is appropriate because the activities are integrated 
components of the same information collection program. Before 
submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval under the PRA, 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 January 3, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2015-0436, through 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) is by appointment only. For the latest status 
information on EPA/DC and docket access, visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Turk (7410M), Office of 
Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 
(202) 566-1527; 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: Generic Clearance for TSCA Section 4 Test Rules, Test 
Orders, Enforceable Consent Agreements (ECAs), Voluntary Data 
Submissions, and Exemptions from Testing Requirements (Revision).

[[Page 60461]]

    EPA ICR number: 1139.25.
    OMB control number: 2070-0033.
    ICR status: This ICR Revision incorporates the activities and 
burdens currently contained in another ICR that is scheduled to expire 
on April 30, 2022. The existing ICR that is being revised is currently 
scheduled to expire on December 31, 2023. 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: This generic ICR covers the information collection 
activities associated with the submission of information to EPA 
pursuant to TSCA section 4 regulatory actions. (15 U.S.C. 2603). Under 
TSCA, EPA has the authority to issue regulatory actions designed to 
gather or develop health and safety information and exposure 
information on chemical substances and mixtures, and to control 
unreasonable risks associated with new and existing chemical 
substances. TSCA section 4 authorities allow EPA to require the 
development of information related to chemicals and the use of 
prescribed ``protocols and methodologies'' in order to inform EPA and 
other federal agencies about chemical risks, which in turn will inform 
decision makers for purposes of prioritization for risk evaluation, 
risk evaluation and risk management of those chemicals as necessary.
    This revision incorporates the activities and burdens associated 
with the guidance documents and outreach to stakeholders about 
submitting Test Orders to the Agency that were recently approved under 
a separate ICR entitled ``User Guide for submitting TSCA Section 4 Test 
Order Information,'' and identified by EPA ICR No. 2697.01 and approved 
under OMB Control No. 2070-0215, which is scheduled to expire on April 
30, 2022. Merging these ICRs is appropriate because the activities are 
integrated components of the same information collection program. Upon 
approval of this revised Generic ICR, EPA will be able to discontinue 
that ICR because the activities and burden will be covered by this 
revised ICR.
    Burden statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to annual 
average 137 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 manufacturers (including imports) or processors of 
chemical substances of mixtures, which are mostly chemical companies 
classified under NAICS Code 325 and 324.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: Mandatory, 15 U.S.C 2603.
    Estimated total number of potential respondents: 175.
    Frequency of response: On occasion.
    Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 
1.5.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 32,435 hours.
    Estimated total annual costs: $8,072,601, includes $5,447,620 
annualized capital or operation and maintenance costs.

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

    There is an overall increase of 288 hours in the total respondent 
burden that is currently approved by OMB for this ICR. This increase 
reflects the incorporation of the activities and burdens associated 
with the addition of guidance documents and pre-issuance outreach for 
Test Orders recipients.

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 person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

    Dated: October 27, 2021.
Michal Freedhoff,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2021-23830 Filed 11-1-21; 8:45 am]
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