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Notification of Chemical Exports - TSCA Section 12(b); Request for Comment on Renewal of Information Collection Activities

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

 

[Federal Register: August 19, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 160)]
[Notices]
[Page 53792-53794]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19au02-57]


[[Page 53792]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPPT-2002-0048; FRL-7192-7]

 
Notification of Chemical Exports - TSCA Section 12(b); Request 
for Comment on Renewal of Information Collection Activities

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), EPA is seeking public comment on the following 
Information Collection Request (ICR): Notification of Chemical Exports 
- TSCA Section 12(b) (EPA ICR No. 0795.11, OMB Control No. 2070-0030). 
This ICR involves a collection activity that is currently approved and 
scheduled to expire on January 31, 2003. The information collected 
under this ICR relates to reporting requirements found at 40 CFR part 
707, subpart D, with respect to companies exporting certain chemicals 
from the United States to foreign countries. Before submitting this ICR 
to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval 
under the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the 
collection.

DATES: Written comments, identified by the docket ID number OPPT-2002-
0048, must be received on or before October 18, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, electronically, or in 
person. Please follow the detailed instructions for each method as 
provided in Unit III. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. To ensure 
proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket ID 
number OPPT-2002-0048 in the subject line on the first page of your 
response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information contact: 
Barbara Cunningham, Acting Director, Environmental Assistance Division 
(7408M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone number: (202) 554-1404; e-mail address: TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.
    For technical information contact: Keith Cronin, Chemical Control 
Division (7405M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564-8102; fax number: 
(202) 564-4775; e-mail address: cronin.keith@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you are a company 
that exports or engages in wholesale sales of chemical substances or 
mixtures. Potentially affected categories and entities may include, but 
are not limited to:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Type of business                        NAICS codes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chemical manufacturing                      325
Petroleum refineries                        32411
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 
guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this 
action. Other types of entities not listed in this table could also be 
affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) 
codes are provided to assist you and others in determining whether or 
not this action might apply to certain entities. If you have any 
questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular 
entity, consult the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

II. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of this 
Document and Other Related Documents?

A. Electronically

    You may obtain electronic copies of this document, and certain 
other related documents that might be available electronically, from 
the EPA Internet Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/. On the Home Page 
select ``Laws and Regulations,'' ``Regulations and Proposed Rules,'' 
and then look up the entry for this document under the ``Federal 
Register--Environmental Documents.'' You can also go directly to the 
Federal Register listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.

B. Fax-on-Demand

    Using a faxphone call (202) 564-3119 and select item 4098 for a 
copy of the ICR.

C. In Person

    The Agency has established an official record for this action under 
docket ID number OPPT-2002-0048. The official record consists of the 
documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments 
received during an applicable comment period, and other information 
related to this action, including any information claimed as 
Confidential Business Information (CBI). This official record includes 
the documents that are physically located in the docket, as well as the 
documents that are referenced in those documents. The public version of 
the official record does not include any information claimed as CBI. 
The public version of the official record, which includes printed, 
paper versions of any electronic comments submitted during an 
applicable comment period, is available for inspection in the TSCA 
Nonconfidential Information Center, North East Mall Rm. B-607, 
Waterside Mall, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC. The Center is open from 
noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The 
telephone number for the Center is (202) 260-7099.

III. How Can I Respond to this Action?

A. How and to Whom Do I Submit the Comments?

    You may submit comments through the mail, in person, or 
electronically. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that 
you identify docket ID number OPPT-2002-0048 on the subject line on the 
first page of your response.
    1. By mail. Submit your comments to: Document Control Office 
(7407M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460.
    2. In person or by courier. Deliver your comments to: OPPT Document 
Control Office (DCO) in EPA East Building Rm. 6428, 1201 Constitution 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The DCO is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number 
for the DCO is (202) 564-8930.
    3. Electronically. Submit your comments and/or data electronically 
by e-mail to: oppt.ncic@epa.gov, or mail your computer disk to the 
address identified in Units III.A.1. and 2. Do not submit any 
information electronically that you consider to be CBI. Electronic 
comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the use of special 
characters and any form of encryption. Comments and data will also be 
accepted on standard disks in WordPerfect 6.1/8.0 or ASCII file format. 
All comments in electronic form must be identified by docket ID number 
OPPT-2002-0048. Electronic comments may also be filed online at many 
Federal Depository Libraries.

B. How Should I Handle CBI that I Want to Submit to the Agency?

    Do not submit any information electronically that you consider to 
be CBI. You may claim information that

[[Page 53793]]

you submit to EPA in response to this document as CBI by marking any 
part or all of that information as CBI. Information so marked will not 
be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR 
part 2. In addition to one complete version of the comment that 
includes any information claimed as CBI, a copy of the comment that 
does not contain the information claimed as CBI must be submitted for 
inclusion in the public version of the official record. Information not 
marked confidential will be included in the public version of the 
official record without prior notice. If you have any questions about 
CBI or the procedures for claiming CBI, please consult the technical 
person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

C. 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.
    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 in this 
notice.
    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.

D. What Information is EPA Particularly Interested in?

    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA specifically 
solicits comments and information to enable it to:
    1. Evaluate whether the proposed collections of information are 
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 burdens 
of the proposed collections of information.
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected.
    4. Minimize the burden of the collections of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated 
or electronic collection technologies or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

IV. What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does this Action Apply 
to?

    EPA is seeking comments on the following ICR:
    Title: Notification of Chemical Exports - TSCA Section 12(b).
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 0795.11, OMB Control No. 2070-0030.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on January 
31, 2003. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to a collection of information that is subject to 
approval under PRA, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control 
number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's information collections 
appear on the collection instruments or instructions, in the Federal 
Register notices for related rulemakings and ICR notices, and, if the 
collection is contained in a regulation, in a table of OMB approval 
numbers in 40 CFR part 9.
    Abstract: Section 12(b)(2) of the Toxic Substances Control Act 
(TSCA) requires that any person who exports or intends to export to a 
foreign country a chemical substance or mixture that is regulated under 
TSCA sections 4, 5, 6, and/or 7 submit to EPA notification of such 
export or intent to export. Upon receipt of notification, EPA will 
advise the government of the importing country of the United States 
regulatory action with respect to that substance. EPA uses the 
information obtained from the submitter via this collection to advise 
the government of the importing country.
    Responses to the collection of information are mandatory (see 40 
CFR part 707). Respondents may claim all or part of a document 
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.

V. What are EPA's Burden and Cost Estimates for this ICR?

    Under the PRA, ``burden'' means the total time, effort, or 
financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, 
or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal Agency. For this 
collection it 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; 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 in this notice. The annual public burden for 
this collection of information is estimated to average 0.993 hours per 
response. The following is a summary of the estimates taken from the 
ICR:
    Respondents/affected entities: Respondents or affected entities are 
expected to include companies that export from the United States to 
foreign countries, or that engage in wholesale sales of, chemical 
substances or mixtures.
    Estimated total number of potential respondents: 500.
    Frequency of response: Annually.
    Estimated average number of responses for each respondent: 15.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 7,450.
    Estimated total annual burden costs: $452,055.

VI. Are There Changes in the Estimates from the Last Approval?

    There is a decrease of 2,950 hours (from 10,400 hours to 7,450 
hours) in the total estimated respondent burden compared with that 
identified in the information collection request most recently approved 
by OMB. This change reflects EPA's experience over the past 3 years, in 
which there has been an increase in the number of reporting firms but a 
decrease in the number of notices per firm than anticipated at the time 
of the last approval of this information collection. The net result is 
a decrease in burden hours (adjustment).

VII. 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

[[Page 53794]]

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 8, 2002.
Susan B. Hazen,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic 
Substances.

[FR Doc. 02-20993 Filed 8-16-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S

 
 

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