Partial Update of the TSCA Section 8(b) Inventory Data Base, Production and Site Reports; Request for Comment on Renewal of Information Collection Activities, 14677-14680 [05-5617]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 23, 2005 / Notices they manufacture, import, or process the substance for that use. EPA uses the information obtained through this collection to evaluate the health and environmental effects of the significant new use. EPA may take regulatory actions under TSCA section 5, 6, or 7 to control the activities for which it has received a SNUR notice. These actions include orders to limit or prohibit the manufacture, importation, processing, distribution in commerce, and use or disposal of chemical substances. If EPA does not take action, section 5 also requires EPA to publish a Federal Register notice explaining the reasons for not taking action. Responses to the collection of information are mandatory (see 40 CFR part 721). 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. III. What are EPA’s Burden and Cost Estimates for this ICR? Under 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 be 118.9 hours per response. The following is a summary of the estimates taken from the ICR: Respondents/affected entities: Companies that manufacture, process, import, or distribute in commerce chemical substances or mixtures. Estimated total number of potential respondents: 5. Frequency of response: On occasion. Estimated total/average number of responses for each respondent: 1. Estimated total annual burden hours: 861 hours. VerDate jul<14>2003 16:27 Mar 22, 2005 Jkt 205001 Estimated total annual burden costs: $51,030. IV. Are There Changes in the Estimates from the Last Approval? There is a decrease of 159 hours (from 1,020 hours to 861 hours) in the total estimated respondent burden compared with that identified in the information collection request most recently approved by OMB. This decrease reflects EPA’s updating of burden estimates for this collection based upon historical information on the number of chemicals per SNUR. Based upon revised estimates, the number of chemicals per SNUR has decreased from 65.5 to 41, with a corresponding decrease in the associated burden. The 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: March 7, 2005. Margaret N. Schneider, Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. [FR Doc. 05–5616 Filed 3–22–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 14677 Information Collection Request (ICR): Partial Update of the TSCA Section 8(b) Inventory Data Base, Production and Site Reports (EPA ICR No. 1884.03, OMB Control No. 2070–0162). This ICR involves a collection activity that is currently approved and scheduled to expire on December 31, 2005. The information collected under this ICR relates to the reporting of information to EPA for purposes of periodically updating the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 8(b) Inventory of Chemical Substances. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection activity and its expected burden and costs. 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 identification (ID) number OPPT–2005–0006, must be received on or before May 23, 2005. ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail, or through hand delivery/courier. Follow the detailed instructions as provided in Unit I. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. 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) 554–1404; e-mail address: TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov. For technical information contact: Susan Sharkey, Economics, Exposure and Technology Division (7406M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone number: (202) 564–8789; fax number: (202) 564–8893; e-mail address: sharkey.susan@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: [OPPT–2005–0006; FRL–7702–3] I. General Information Partial Update of the TSCA Section 8(b) Inventory Data Base, Production and Site Reports; Request for Comment on Renewal of Information Collection Activities A. Does this Action Apply to Me? You may be potentially affected by this action if you are a manufacturer, processor or importer of chemical substances, mixtures or categories. Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to: • Chemical Manufacturing (NAICS 325), e.g., Basic Chemical Manufacturing; Resin, Synthetic Rubber and Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing; Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C 3501 et seq.), EPA is seeking public comment on the following PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1 14678 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 23, 2005 / Notices Chemical Manufacturing; Paint, Coating, and Adhesive Manufacturing; Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation Manufacturing, etc. • Petroleum Refineries (NAICS 32411), e.g., Crude Oil Refining, Diesel Fuels Manufacturing, Fuel Oils Manufacturing, Jet Fuel Manufacturing, Kerosene Manufacturing, Petroleum Distillation, etc. This listing 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 unit could also be affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining whether this action might apply to certain entities. To determine whether you or your business may be affected by this action, you should carefully examine the applicability provisions in 40 CFR 710.28. 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. B. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information? 1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for this action under docket ID number OPPT–2005– 0006. The official public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments received, and other information related to this action. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official public docket is the collection of materials that is available for public viewing at the EPA Docket Center, Rm. B102-Reading Room, EPA West, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The EPA Docket Center Reading Room telephone number is (202) 566–1744 and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket, which is located in EPA Docket Center, is (202) 566–0280. 2. Electronic access.You may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the ‘‘Federal Register’’ listings at https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA’s electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may use EPA Dockets at https://www.epa.gov/edocket/ VerDate jul<14>2003 16:27 Mar 22, 2005 Jkt 205001 to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through the docket facility identified in Unit I.B.1. Once in the system, select ‘‘search,’’ then key in the appropriate docket ID number. Certain types of information will not be placed in the EPA Dockets. Information claimed as CBI and other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute, which is not included in the official public docket, will not be available for public viewing in EPA’s electronic public docket. EPA’s policy is that copyrighted material will not be placed in EPA’s electronic public docket but will be available only in printed, paper form in the official public docket. To the extent feasible, publicly available docket materials will be made available in EPA’s electronic public docket. When a document is selected from the index list in EPA Dockets, the system will identify whether the document is available for viewing in EPA’s electronic public docket. Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through the docket facility identified in Unit I.B.1. EPA intends to work towards providing electronic access to all of the publicly available docket materials through EPA’s electronic public docket. For public commenters, it is important to note that EPA’s policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing in EPA’s electronic public docket as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that material in the version of the comment that is placed in EPA’s electronic public docket. The entire printed comment, including the copyrighted material, will be available in the public docket. Public comments submitted on computer disks that are mailed or delivered to the docket will be transferred to EPA’s electronic public docket. Public comments that are mailed or delivered to the docket will be scanned and placed in EPA’s electronic public docket. Where practical, physical objects will be photographed, and the PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 photograph will be placed in EPA’s electronic public docket along with a brief description written by the docket staff. C. How and to Whom Do I Submit the Comments? You may submit comments electronically, by mail, or through hand delivery/courier. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the appropriate docket ID number in the subject line on the first page of your comment. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the specified comment period. Comments received after the close of the comment period will be marked ‘‘late.’’ EPA is not required to consider these late comments. If you wish to submit CBI or information that is otherwise protected by statute, please follow the instructions in Unit I.D. Do not use EPA Dockets or e-mail to submit CBI or information protected by statute. 1. Electronically. If you submit an electronic comment as prescribed in this unit, EPA recommends that you include your name, mailing address, and an email address or other contact information in the body of your comment. Also include this contact information on the outside of any disk or CD ROM you submit, and in any cover letter accompanying the disk or CD ROM. This ensures that you can be identified as the submitter of the comment and allows EPA to contact you in case EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties or needs further information on the substance of your comment. EPA’s policy is that EPA will not edit your comment, and any identifying or contact information provided in the body of a comment will be included as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and made available in EPA’s electronic public docket. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. i. EPA Dockets. Your use of EPA’s electronic public docket to submit comments to EPA electronically is EPA’s preferred method for receiving comments. Go directly to EPA Dockets at https://www.epa.gov/edocket/, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once in the system, select ‘‘search,’’ and then key in docket ID number OPPT–2005–0006. The system is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means EPA will not know your identity, e-mail address, or other contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. ii. E-mail. Comments may be sent by e-mail to oppt.ncic@epa.gov, Attention: E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 23, 2005 / Notices Docket ID Number OPPT–2005–0006. In contrast to EPA’s electronic public docket, EPA’s e-mail system is not an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system. If you send an e-mail comment directly to the docket without going through EPA’s electronic public docket, EPA’s e-mail system automatically captures your email address. E-mail addresses that are automatically captured by EPA’s e-mail system are included as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and made available in EPA’s electronic public docket. iii. Disk or CD ROM. You may submit comments on a disk or CD ROM that you mail to the mailing address identified in Unit I.C.2. These electronic submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect or ASCII file format. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption. 2. By mail. Send your comments to: Document Control Office (7407M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460– 0001. 3. By hand delivery or courier. Deliver your comments to: OPPT Document Control Office (DCO) in EPA East Bldg., Rm. 6428, 1201 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. Attention: Docket ID Number OPPT–2005–0006. 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. D. How Should I Submit CBI to the Agency? Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI electronically through EPA’s electronic public docket or by e-mail. You may claim information that you submit to EPA as CBI by marking any part or all of that information as CBI (if you submit CBI on disk or CD ROM, mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM as CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD ROM the specific information that is 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 docket and EPA’s electronic public docket. If you submit the copy that does not contain CBI on disk or CD ROM, mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM clearly that it does not contain CBI. Information not marked as CBI will be included in the public docket and EPA’s VerDate jul<14>2003 16:27 Mar 22, 2005 Jkt 205001 electronic public docket 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. E. 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. F. 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 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. II. What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does this Action Apply to? EPA is seeking comments on the following ICR: PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14679 Title: Partial Update of the TSCA Section 8(b) Inventory Data Base, Production and Site Reports. ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1884.03, OMB Control No. 2070-0162. ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on December 31, 2005. 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, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, and included on the related collection instrument or form, if applicable. Abstract: 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 priority-setting efforts, and for exposure estimates. 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. III. What are EPA’s Burden and Cost Estimates for this ICR? Under 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. E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1 14680 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 23, 2005 / Notices 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 range between 265 hours and 609 hours per response. The following is a summary of the estimates taken from the ICR: Respondents/affected entities: Companies that manufacture or import chemical substances, mixtures, or categories. Estimated total number of potential respondents : 3,026. Frequency of response: Once every four years. Estimated total/average number of responses for each respondent: 8.9 Estimated total annual burden hours: 413,575 hours. Estimated total annual burden costs : $28,362,706. IV. Are There Changes in the Estimates from the Last Approval? There is essentially no change in the total estimated burden for this request compared with that identified in the information collection request most recently approved by OMB. The estimate for this request is 413,575 hours whereas the estimate in the existing request is 413,577 hours. This minuscule difference is probably due to rounding error or some other nonsignificant factor. 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: March 7, 2005. Margaret Schneider, Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. [FR Doc. 05–5617 Filed 3–22–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–S VerDate jul<14>2003 16:27 Mar 22, 2005 Jkt 205001 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [OPP–2005–[0070]; FRL–7702–9] The Association of American Pesticide Control Officials (AAPCO)/State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG) Working Committee on Pesticide Operations and Management (WC/POM); Notice of Public Meeting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Association of American Pesticide Control Officials (AAPCO)/ State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG) Working Committee on Pesticide Operations and Management (WC/POM) will hold a 2– day meeting, beginning on April 4, 2005 and ending April 5, 2005. This notice announces the location and times for the meeting and sets forth the tentative agenda topics. DATES: The meeting will be held on Monday, April 4, 2005 through Tuesday, April 5, 2005 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; ends at 12 noon on Tuesday, April 5, 2005. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at The Ocean Plaza Beach Resort, Tybee Island, GA, Telephone number: (912) 786–7777. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georgia A. McDuffie, Field and External Affairs Division (7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460– 0001; telephone number: (703) 605– 0195; fax number: (703) 308–1850; email address: mcduffie.georgia@epa.gov or Philip H. Gray, SFIREG Executive Secretary, P.O. Box 1249, Hardwick, VT 05843–1249; telephone number: (802) 472–6956; fax (802) 472–6957; e-mail address: aapco@plainfield.bypass.com. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. General Information A. Does this Action Apply to Me? You may be potentially affected by this action if you all parties interested in SFIREG information exchange relationship with EPA regarding important issues related to human health, environmental exposure to pesticides, and insight into EPA’s decision-making process are invited and encouraged to attend the meetings and participate as appropriate. Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to: • Those persons who are or may be required to conduct testing of chemical PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 substances under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), or the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. B. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information? 1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for this action under docket identification (ID) number OPP–2005–0070. The official public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments received, and other information related to this action. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official public docket is the collection of materials that is available for public viewing at the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA. This docket facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The docket telephone number is (703) 305–5805. 2. Electronic access. You may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the ‘‘Federal Register’’ listings at https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA’s electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may use EPA Dockets at https://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through the docket facility identified in Unit I.B.1. Once in the system, select ‘‘search,’’ then key in the appropriate docket ID number. II. Tentative Agenda 1. Update on American Agricultural Stewardship Alliance activities 2. Consumer Label Improvement Efforts by the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee 3. 2,4-D Risk Mitigation E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14677-14680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5617]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPPT-2005-0006; FRL-7702-3]


Partial Update of the TSCA Section 8(b) Inventory Data Base, 
Production and Site Reports; Request for Comment on Renewal of 
Information Collection Activities

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

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): Partial Update of the TSCA 
Section 8(b) Inventory Data Base, Production and Site Reports (EPA ICR 
No. 1884.03, OMB Control No. 2070-0162). This ICR involves a collection 
activity that is currently approved and scheduled to expire on December 
31, 2005. The information collected under this ICR relates to the 
reporting of information to EPA for purposes of periodically updating 
the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 8(b) Inventory of 
Chemical Substances. The ICR describes the nature of the information 
collection activity and its expected burden and costs. 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 identification (ID) 
number OPPT-2005-0006, must be received on or before May 23, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail, or 
through hand delivery/courier. Follow the detailed instructions as 
provided in Unit I. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

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) 554-1404; e-mail address: TSCA-
Hotline@epa.gov.
    For technical information contact: Susan Sharkey, Economics, 
Exposure and Technology Division (7406M), Office of Pollution 
Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 
(202) 564-8789; fax number: (202) 564-8893; e-mail address: 
sharkey.susan@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you are a 
manufacturer, processor or importer of chemical substances, mixtures or 
categories. Potentially affected entities may include, but are not 
limited to:
     Chemical Manufacturing (NAICS 325), e.g., Basic Chemical 
Manufacturing; Resin, Synthetic Rubber and Artificial and Synthetic 
Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing; Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other 
Agricultural

[[Page 14678]]

Chemical Manufacturing; Paint, Coating, and Adhesive Manufacturing; 
Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation Manufacturing, etc.
     Petroleum Refineries (NAICS 32411), e.g., Crude Oil 
Refining, Diesel Fuels Manufacturing, Fuel Oils Manufacturing, Jet Fuel 
Manufacturing, Kerosene Manufacturing, Petroleum Distillation, etc.
    This listing 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 unit could also be 
affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) 
codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining 
whether this action might apply to certain entities. To determine 
whether you or your business may be affected by this action, you should 
carefully examine the applicability provisions in 40 CFR 710.28. 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.

B. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information?

     1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for this 
action under docket ID number OPPT-2005-0006. The official public 
docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this 
action, any public comments received, and other information related to 
this action. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket 
does not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official 
public docket is the collection of materials that is available for 
public viewing at the EPA Docket Center, Rm. B102-Reading Room, EPA 
West, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket 
Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
excluding legal holidays. The EPA Docket Center Reading Room telephone 
number is (202) 566-1744 and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket, 
which is located in EPA Docket Center, is (202) 566-0280.
     2. Electronic access.You may access this Federal Register document 
electronically through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register'' 
listings at https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.
    An electronic version of the public docket is available through 
EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may 
use EPA Dockets at https://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to submit or view public 
comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official 
public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that 
are available electronically. Although not all docket materials may be 
available electronically, you may still access any of the publicly 
available docket materials through the docket facility identified in 
Unit I.B.1. Once in the system, select ``search,'' then key in the 
appropriate docket ID number.
    Certain types of information will not be placed in the EPA Dockets. 
Information claimed as CBI and other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute, which is not included in the official public 
docket, will not be available for public viewing in EPA's electronic 
public docket. EPA's policy is that copyrighted material will not be 
placed in EPA's electronic public docket but will be available only in 
printed, paper form in the official public docket. To the extent 
feasible, publicly available docket materials will be made available in 
EPA's electronic public docket. When a document is selected from the 
index list in EPA Dockets, the system will identify whether the 
document is available for viewing in EPA's electronic public docket. 
Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you 
may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through 
the docket facility identified in Unit I.B.1. EPA intends to work 
towards providing electronic access to all of the publicly available 
docket materials through EPA's electronic public docket.
    For public commenters, it is important to note that EPA's policy is 
that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, 
will be made available for public viewing in EPA's electronic public 
docket as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment 
contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment 
containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that 
material in the version of the comment that is placed in EPA's 
electronic public docket. The entire printed comment, including the 
copyrighted material, will be available in the public docket.
    Public comments submitted on computer disks that are mailed or 
delivered to the docket will be transferred to EPA's electronic public 
docket. Public comments that are mailed or delivered to the docket will 
be scanned and placed in EPA's electronic public docket. Where 
practical, physical objects will be photographed, and the photograph 
will be placed in EPA's electronic public docket along with a brief 
description written by the docket staff.

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

    You may submit comments electronically, by mail, or through hand 
delivery/courier. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the 
appropriate docket ID number in the subject line on the first page of 
your comment. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the 
specified comment period. Comments received after the close of the 
comment period will be marked ``late.'' EPA is not required to consider 
these late comments. If you wish to submit CBI or information that is 
otherwise protected by statute, please follow the instructions in Unit 
I.D. Do not use EPA Dockets or e-mail to submit CBI or information 
protected by statute.
    1. Electronically. If you submit an electronic comment as 
prescribed in this unit, EPA recommends that you include your name, 
mailing address, and an e-mail address or other contact information in 
the body of your comment. Also include this contact information on the 
outside of any disk or CD ROM you submit, and in any cover letter 
accompanying the disk or CD ROM. This ensures that you can be 
identified as the submitter of the comment and allows EPA to contact 
you in case EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties 
or needs further information on the substance of your comment. EPA's 
policy is that EPA will not edit your comment, and any identifying or 
contact information provided in the body of a comment will be included 
as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, 
and made available in EPA's electronic public docket. If EPA cannot 
read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you 
for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment.
    i. EPA Dockets. Your use of EPA's electronic public docket to 
submit comments to EPA electronically is EPA's preferred method for 
receiving comments. Go directly to EPA Dockets at https://www.epa.gov/
edocket/, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. 
Once in the system, select ``search,'' and then key in docket ID number 
OPPT-2005-0006. The system is an ``anonymous access'' system, which 
means EPA will not know your identity, e-mail address, or other contact 
information unless you provide it in the body of your comment.
    ii. E-mail. Comments may be sent by e-mail to oppt.ncic@epa.gov, 
Attention:

[[Page 14679]]

Docket ID Number OPPT-2005-0006. In contrast to EPA's electronic public 
docket, EPA's e-mail system is not an ``anonymous access'' system. If 
you send an e-mail comment directly to the docket without going through 
EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system automatically 
captures your e-mail address. E-mail addresses that are automatically 
captured by EPA's e-mail system are included as part of the comment 
that is placed in the official public docket, and made available in 
EPA's electronic public docket.
    iii. Disk or CD ROM. You may submit comments on a disk or CD ROM 
that you mail to the mailing address identified in Unit I.C.2. These 
electronic submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect or ASCII file 
format. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption.
    2. By mail. Send your comments to: Document Control Office (7407M), 
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001.
    3. By hand delivery or courier. Deliver your comments to: OPPT 
Document Control Office (DCO) in EPA East Bldg., Rm. 6428, 1201 
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. Attention: Docket ID Number 
OPPT-2005-0006. 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.

D. How Should I Submit CBI to the Agency?

    Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI 
electronically through EPA's electronic public docket or by e-mail. You 
may claim information that you submit to EPA as CBI by marking any part 
or all of that information as CBI (if you submit CBI on disk or CD ROM, 
mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM as CBI and then identify 
electronically within the disk or CD ROM the specific information that 
is 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 docket and EPA's electronic public docket. If you submit 
the copy that does not contain CBI on disk or CD ROM, mark the outside 
of the disk or CD ROM clearly that it does not contain CBI. Information 
not marked as CBI will be included in the public docket and EPA's 
electronic public docket 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.

E. 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.

F. 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 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.

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

     EPA is seeking comments on the following ICR:
    Title: Partial Update of the TSCA Section 8(b) Inventory Data Base, 
Production and Site Reports.
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 1884.03, OMB Control No. 2070-0162.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on December 
31, 2005. 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, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, and included on the related 
collection instrument or form, if applicable.
    Abstract: 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 site-limited 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 priority-setting efforts, 
and for exposure estimates.
    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.

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

    Under 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.

[[Page 14680]]

    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 range between 265 hours 
and 609 hours per response. The following is a summary of the estimates 
taken from the ICR:
    Respondents/affected entities: Companies that manufacture or import 
chemical substances, mixtures, or categories.
    Estimated total number of potential respondents : 3,026.
    Frequency of response: Once every four years.
    Estimated total/average number of responses for each respondent: 
8.9
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 413,575 hours.
    Estimated total annual burden costs : $28,362,706.

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

    There is essentially no change in the total estimated burden for 
this request compared with that identified in the information 
collection request most recently approved by OMB. The estimate for this 
request is 413,575 hours whereas the estimate in the existing request 
is 413,577 hours. This minuscule difference is probably due to rounding 
error or some other non-significant factor.

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: March 7, 2005.
Margaret Schneider,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and 
Toxic Substances.
[FR Doc. 05-5617 Filed 3-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S
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