[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 17, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2946-2947]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00740]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0456; FRL-10821-01-OCSPP]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal of an
Existing ICR Collection and Request for Comment; Formaldehyde Standards
for Composite Wood Products Act
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this
document announces the availability of and solicits public comment on
the following Information Collection Request (ICR) that EPA is planning
to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): ``Formaldehyde
Standards for Composite Wood Products Act,'' identified by EPA ICR No.
2446.04 and OMB Control No. 2070-0185. This ICR represents a renewal of
an existing ICR that is currently approved through September 30, 2024.
Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval under the PRA,
EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the 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 March 18, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0456, through https://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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katherine Sleasman, Mission Support
Division (7602M), Office of Program Support, Office of Chemical Safety
and Pollution Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number:
(202) 556-1204; email address: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 2947]]
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 ICR does this action apply to?
Title: Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act.
EPA ICR No.: 2446.04.
OMB Control No.: 2070-0185.
ICR status: This ICR is currently approved through September 30,
2024. Under the PRA, 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
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 ICR renewal covers the recordkeeping and reporting
requirements for all aspects of the TSCA Title VI implementing
regulations and regulations relating to accreditation bodies (ABs) and
third-party certifiers (TPCs) that wish to participate in this third-
party certification program.
Burden statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average
456,296 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 the
ICR include respondents who are producers, fabricators, distributors,
importers, retailers of regulated composite wood products and finished
goods containing regulated composite wood products, as well as
accreditation bodies and third-party certifiers. The Agency identifies
these entities by North American Industrial Classification System
(NAICS) codes that have been provided in the ICR to assist entities in
determining whether the ICR might apply to them.
Respondent's obligation to respond: Mandatory, per 40 CFR 770.
Forms: 9600-049.
Frequency of response: Occasional.
Total estimated number of potential respondents: 881,597.
Total estimated average number of responses for each respondent:
1.4.
Total estimated annual burden hours: 456,296 hours.
Total estimated annual costs: $121.806,311. This includes an
estimated burden cost of $9,461,560 and an estimated cost of
$112,389,751 for capital investment or maintenance and operational
costs.
III. Are there changes in the estimates from the last approval?
There is an overall increase of 371,503 hours for the total
estimated combined respondent burden from that which is currently
approved by OMB. This difference is due to adjustments in EPA's
estimates of the costs and burden. Several adjustments to the estimates
were made, including revisions to the estimates for producers, TPC and
AB; and revisions to labor and cost estimates to reflect 2022 and 2023;
and inclusion of 2,241 laminators still using resins that are expected
to incur costs and burden starting in 2024.
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. Accordingly, EPA updated the Supporting
Statement for this ICR to reflect the 18-question format. In doing so,
the Agency does not expect the change in format has resulted in
substantive changes to the information collection activities or related
estimated burden and costs. Comments are specifically sought on the
format and presentation of the estimates.
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: January 10, 2024.
Michal Freedhoff,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2024-00740 Filed 1-16-24; 8:45 am]
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