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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Environmental Protection Agency

EPA ID: [EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0504; FRL-8370-3]

NOTICE: NOTICES

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Partial Update of the TSCA Section 8(b) Inventory Data Base, Production and Site Reports; EPA ICR No. 1884.04, OMB Control No. 2070-0162

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 4, 2008.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR, entitled: ``Partial Update of the TSCA Section 8(b) Inventory Data Base, Production and Site Reports'' and identified by EPA ICR No. 1884.04 and OMB Control No. 20700162, is scheduled to expire on May 31, 2009. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection.

SUMMARY: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

I. What Information is EPA Particularly Interested in?

Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of PRA, 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. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns.

6. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.

7. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline identified under DATES.

8. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal Register citation.
III. What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does this Action Apply to?

Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are companies that manufacture, process, or import chemical substances, mixtures, or categories.

Title: Partial Update of the TSCA Section 8(b) Inventory Data Base, Production and Site Reports.

ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1884.04, OMB Control No. 20700162.

ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on May 31, 2009. 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 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 in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.

Abstract: The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requires EPA to compile and keep current a complete list of chemical substances manufactured or processed in the United States. EPA updates this inventory of chemicals every four years by requiring manufacturers, processors, and importers to provide production volume, plant site information and sitelimited status information. This information allows EPA to identify what chemicals are or are not currently in commerce and to take appropriate regulatory action as necessary. EPA also uses the information for screening chemicals for risks to human health or the environment, for prioritysetting efforts, and for exposure estimates. This ICR addresses the collection of inventory related information.

Responses to the collection of information are mandatory (see 40 CFR part 710). Respondents may claim all or part of a notice confidential. EPA will disclose information that is covered by a claim of confidentiality only to the extent permitted by, and in accordance with, the procedures in TSCA section 14 and 40 CFR part 2.

Burden statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to be 485 hours per response. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose
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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 which have subsequently changed; 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.

The ICR provides a detailed explanation of this estimate, which is only briefly summarized here:

Estimated total number of potential respondents: 4,190.

Frequency of response: Once every five years.

Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 1.0.

Estimated total annual burden hours: 432,274 hours.

Estimated total annual costs: $19,400,000. This includes an estimated burden cost of $19,400,000 and an estimated cost of $0 for capital investment or maintenance and operational costs.
IV. Are There Changes in the Estimates from the Last Approval?

There is an increase of 18,699 hours (from 413,575 hours to 432,274 hours) in the total estimated respondent burden compared with that identified in the ICR most recently approved by OMB. In the 2006 Inventory Update Rule (IUR) collection covered by the previous ICR, inorganic chemical were partially exempt and therefore, manufacturers (including importers) of inorganic chemicals completed only partial reports. However, in subsequent reporting periods, including the period covered by this ICR, manufacturers (including importers) of inorganic chemicals must complete full reports when the sitespecific production volume is 300,000 pounds or more. Full reports are estimated to take an additional 85 hours to complete. This represents a program change.

EPA used data reported to the 2006 IUR collection to estimate numbers of respondents. Total sites reporting are estimated to be 4,190 for this collection. In the previous ICR, the number of sites responding was estimated to be 3,026 sites. This reestimate is another reason for the change in burden hours. This change is an adjustment. V. 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 notice 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 technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

List of Subjects

Environmental protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Dated: August 28, 2008.
James B. Gulliford,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances.
[FR Doc. E820514 Filed 9408; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 656050S

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT For general information contact: Colby Lintner, Regulatory Coordinator, Environmental Assistance Division (7408M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460 0001; telephone number: (202) 5541404; email address: TSCA Hotline@epa.gov.

For technical information contact: Susan Sharkey, Chemical Control Division (7405M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 204600001; telephone number: (202) 5648789; fax number: (202) 5644775; email address: sharkey.susan@epa.gov.