Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, 60783-60786 [2020-21318]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 188 / Monday, September 28, 2020 / Notices
Allowance-for-Funds-Used-During
Construction; and (4) employ the GAAP
standard of materiality. Rate-of-return
carriers receiving cost-based support
must determine materiality consistent
with the general materiality guidelines
promulgated by the Auditing Standards
Board. Price cap carriers with a
continuing Part 32 accounting
obligation must maintain continuing
property records necessary to track
substantial assets and investments in an
accurate, auditable manner. The carriers
must make such property information
available to the Commission upon
request. Carriers subject to Part 32 must
continue to comply with the USOA’s
depreciation procedures and its rules for
cost of removal-and-salvage accounting.
Pursuant to the October 24, 2018
Rate-of-Return Business Data Services
Report and Order, WC Docket No. 17–
144, FCC 18–146, rate-of-return carriers
currently receiving model-based or
other fixed high-cost support may
voluntarily elect to transition their
business services offerings from rate-ofreturn to incentive regulation. Thus,
electing carriers that choose to use
GAAP instead of the Uniform System of
Accounts are relieved of virtually all of
the filing and recordkeeping
requirements of the Uniform System of
Accounts, with the sole exception of the
same data provisioning requirements for
the calculation of pole attachment rates
as price cap carriers.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020–21315 Filed 9–25–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
[OMB 3060–0057; FRS 17100]
Information Collection Being Reviewed
by the Federal Communications
Commission
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
As part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork burdens, and as
required by the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC or
Commission) invites the general public
and other Federal agencies to take this
opportunity to comment on the
following information collections.
Comments are requested concerning:
Whether the proposed collection of
SUMMARY:
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information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Commission, including whether the
information shall have practical utility;
the accuracy of the Commission’s
burden estimate; ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information collected; ways to minimize
the burden of the collection of
information on the respondents,
including the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology; and ways to
further reduce the information
collection burden on small business
concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
The FCC may not conduct or sponsor
a collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) control
number. No person shall be subject to
any penalty for failing to comply with
a collection of information subject to the
PRA that does not display a valid OMB
control number.
DATES: Written PRA comments should
be submitted on or before November 27,
2020. If you anticipate that you will be
submitting comments, but find it
difficult to do so within the period of
time allowed by this notice, you should
advise the contact listed below as soon
as possible.
ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to
Nicole Ongele, FCC, via email PRA@
fcc.gov and to Nicole.Ongele@fcc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
additional information about the
information collection, contact Nicole
Ongele, (202) 418–2991.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
OMB Control Number: 3060–0057.
Title: Application for Equipment
Authorization, FCC Form 731.
Form Number: FCC 731.
Type of Review: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other forprofit.
Number of Respondents and
Responses: 11,305 respondents; 24,873
responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 8.11
hours (rounded up).
Frequency of Response: On occasion
reporting requirement; one-time
reporting requirement and third-party
disclosure requirement.
Obligation to Respond: Required to
obtain or retain benefits. Statutory
authority for this information collection
is contained in the 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 301,
302, 303(e), 303(f) and 303(r).
Total Annual Burden: 201,603 hours.
Total Annual Costs: $50,155,140.
Privacy Act Impact Assessment: Yes.
The personally identifiable information
(PII) in this information collection is
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60783
covered by a Privacy Impact Assessment
(PIA), Equipment Authorizations
Records and Files Information System.
It is posted at: https://www.fcc.gov/
general/privacy-act-information#pia.
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:
Minimal exemption from the Freedom
of Information Act (FOIA) under 5
U.S.C. 552(b)(4) and FCC rules under 47
CFR 0.457(d) is granted for trade secrets
which may be submitted as attachments
to the application FCC Form 731. No
other assurances of confidentiality are
provided to respondents.
Needs and Uses: The Commission
will submit this revised information
collection to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) after this 60-day
comment period to obtain the three-year
clearance.
The December 2019 radiofrequency
(RF) exposure Second Report and Order,
ET Docket Nos. 03–137 and 13–184,
FCC 19–126, included amendments to
rule sections 1.1307, 2.1091, and 2.1093
requiring approval by OMB under the
Paperwork Reduction Act. Revision to
information collection effected by
amendments to rule sections 2.1091 and
2.1093 is reported herein. Revision to
information collection effected by
amendments to rule section 1.1307 is
reported separately under OMB 3060–
0004.
In amendments to rule sections
2.1091 and 2.1093, the Commission
revised its implementing rules to reflect
modern technology and today’s uses.
We replaced a requirement which relied
on consideration of the rule part under
which the equipment would operate,
the portion of the electromagnetic
spectrum where the equipment is
designed to operate, and technical
characteristics of the equipment to
determine if the equipment would be
subject to routine environmental
evaluation for RF exposure prior to
equipment authorization. The rule
modifications adopted a formula for
evaluation of compliance with RF
exposure limits and determination
whether an environmental assessment
would need to be prepared if the limits
are exceeded. The amended rules
provide more efficient, practical, and
consistent RF exposure evaluation
procedures and mitigation measures to
help ensure compliance with the
existing RF exposure limits.
RF equipment manufacturers must
comply with the requirements of rule
sections 2.1091 and 2.1093 when
submitting an application for
certification under rule section 2.1033.
The changes to rule sections 2.1091 and
2.1093 will not affect the number of
respondents or number of responses
associated with this information
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 188 / Monday, September 28, 2020 / Notices
collection. Although the new rules will
modify the way applicants evaluate RF
compliance when they apply for
equipment authorization, we believe
that it will take, on average, the same
time that it takes for applicants to make
this evaluation under our existing rules.
The latest RF exposure Second Report
and Order, ET Docket Nos. 03–137 and
13–184, FCC 19–126, amended rule
sections 2.1091 by revising paragraphs
(b), (c), (d)(1), and (d)(2) and 2.1093 by
revising paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) to
read as follows:
§ 2.1091 Radiofrequency Radiation
Exposure Evaluation: Mobile Devices.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) For purposes of this Section, the
definitions in Section 1.1307(b)(2) of
this chapter shall apply. A mobile
device is defined as a transmitting
device designed to be used in other than
fixed locations and to generally be used
Pth(mW) = ERP2 ocm (mW)=
(2) For multiple mobile or portable RF
sources within a device operating in the
same time averaging period, routine
environmental evaluation is required if
the formula in Section
1.1307(b)(3)(ii)(B) of this chapter is
applied to determine the exemption
ratio and the result is greater than 1.
(3) Unless otherwise specified in this
chapter, any other single mobile or
multiple mobile and portable RF
source(s) associated with a device is
exempt from routine environmental
evaluation for RF exposure prior to
equipment authorization or use, except
as specified in Sections 1.1307(c) and
1.1307(d) of this chapter.
(d)(1) Applications for equipment
authorization of mobile RF sources
subject to routine environmental
evaluation must contain a statement
confirming compliance with the limits
specified in Section 1.1310 of this
chapter as part of their application.
Technical information showing the
basis for this statement must be
submitted to the Commission upon
request. In general, maximum timeaveraged power levels must be used for
evaluation. All unlicensed personal
communications service (PCS) devices
and unlicensed NII devices shall be
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power of 1 mW or more than the ERP
listed in Table 1 of Section
1.1307(b)(3)(i)(C), whichever is greater.
For mobile devices not exempt by
Section 1.1307(b)(3)(i)(C) at distances
from 20 centimeters to 40 centimeters
and frequencies from 0.3 GHz to 6 GHz,
evaluation of compliance with the
exposure limits in Section 1.1310 of this
chapter is necessary if the ERP of the
device is greater than ERP20cm in the
formula below. If the ERP of a single RF
source at distances from 20 centimeters
to 40 centimeters and frequencies from
0.3 GHz to 6 GHz is not easily obtained,
then the available maximum timeaveraged power may be used (i.e.,
without consideration of ERP) in
comparison with the following formula
only if the physical dimensions of the
radiating structure(s) do not exceed the
electrical length of l/4 or if the antenna
gain is less than that of a half-wave
dipole (1.64 linear value).
in such a way that a separation distance
of at least 20 centimeters is normally
maintained between the RF source’s
radiating structure(s) and the body of
the user or nearby persons. In this
context, the term ‘‘fixed location’’
means that the device is physically
secured at one location and is not able
to be easily moved to another location
while transmitting. Transmitting
devices designed to be used by
consumers or workers that can be easily
re-located, such as wireless devices
associated with a personal desktop
computer, are considered to be mobile
devices if they meet the 20-centimeter
separation requirement.
(c)(1) Evaluation of compliance with
the exposure limits in Section 1.1310 of
this chapter, and preparation of an EA
if the limits are exceeded, is necessary
for mobile devices with single RF
sources having either more than an
available maximum time-averaged
2040[
0.3 GHz~ f
3060
1.5 GHz
1
~
subject to the limits for general
population/uncontrolled exposure.
(2)(i) For purposes of analyzing
mobile transmitting devices under the
occupational/controlled criteria
specified in Section 1.1310 of this
chapter, time averaging provisions of
the limits may be used in conjunction
with the maximum duty factor to
determine maximum time-averaged
exposure levels under normal operating
conditions.
(2)(ii) Such time averaging provisions
based on maximum duty factor may not
be used in determining exposure levels
for devices intended for use by
consumers in general population/
uncontrolled environments as defined
in Section 1.1310 of this chapter.
However, ‘‘source-based’’ time
averaging based on an inherent property
of the RF source is allowed over a time
period not to exceed 30 minutes. An
example of this is the determination of
exposure from a device that uses digital
technology such as a time-division
multiple-access (TDMA) scheme for
transmission of a signal.
*
*
*
*
*
Section 2.1093 is amended by revising
paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) to read as
follows:
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f
< 1.5 GHz
~
6 GHz
§ 2.1093 Radiofrequency Radiation
Exposure Evaluation: Portable Devices
*
*
*
*
*
(b) For purposes of this section, the
definitions in Section 1.1307(b)(2) of
this chapter shall apply. A portable
device is defined as a transmitting
device designed to be used in other than
fixed locations and to generally be used
in such a way that the RF source’s
radiating structure(s) is/are within 20
centimeters of the body of the user.
(c)(1) Evaluation of compliance with
the exposure limits in Section 1.1310 of
this chapter, and preparation of an EA
if the limits are exceeded, is necessary
for portable devices having single RF
sources with more than an available
maximum time-averaged power of 1
mW, more than the ERP listed in Table
1 of Section 1.1307(b)(3)(i)(C), or more
than the Pth in the following formula,
whichever is greater. The following
formula shall only be used in
conjunction with portable devices not
exempt by Section 1.1307(b)(3)(i)(C) at
distances from 0.5 centimeters to 20
centimeters and frequencies from 0.3
GHz to 6 GHz.
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EN28SE20.001</GPH>
60784
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 188 / Monday, September 28, 2020 / Notices
ERP20 cm (d/20 cm)x
pth
(mW)=
IERP
20 cm
60785
d :5 20 cm
20 cm< d :5 40 cm
Where
=-
log 10
(
ERP20 cm (mW)=
d = the minimum separation distance (cm) in
any direction from any part of the device
antenna(s) or radiating structure(s) to the
body of the device user.
(2) For multiple mobile or portable RF
sources within a device operating in the
same time averaging period, evaluation
is required if the formula in Section
1.1307(b)(3)(ii)(B) of this chapter is
applied to determine the exemption
ratio and the result is greater than 1.
(3) Unless otherwise specified in this
chapter, any other single portable or
multiple mobile and portable RF
source(s) associated with a device is
exempt from routine environmental
evaluation for RF exposure prior to
equipment authorization or use, except
as specified in Sections 1.1307(c) and
1.1307(d) of this chapter.
(d)(1) Applications for equipment
authorization of portable RF sources
subject to routine environmental
evaluation must contain a statement
confirming compliance with the limits
specified in Section 1.1310 of this
chapter as part of their application.
Technical information showing the
basis for this statement must be
submitted to the Commission upon
request. The SAR limits specified in
Sections 1.1310(a) through (c) of this
chapter shall be used for evaluation of
portable devices transmitting in the
frequency range from 100 kHz to 6 GHz.
Portable devices that transmit at
frequencies above 6 GHz shall be
evaluated in terms of the MPE limits
specified in Table 1 of Section
1.1310(e)(1) of this chapter. A minimum
separation distance applicable to the
operating configurations and exposure
conditions of the device shall be used
for the evaluation. In general, maximum
time-averaged power levels must be
used for evaluation. All unlicensed
personal communications service (PCS)
devices and unlicensed NII devices
shall be subject to the limits for general
population/uncontrolled exposure.
(2) Evaluation of compliance with the
SAR limits can be demonstrated by
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J7)
60
ERP2ocm f
and f is in GHz;
0.3 GHz :5 f
3060
1.5 GHz :5 f :5 6 GHz
1
either laboratory measurement
techniques or by computational
modeling. The latter must be supported
by adequate documentation showing
that the numerical method as
implemented in the computational
software has been fully validated; in
addition, the equipment under test and
exposure conditions must be modeled
according to protocols established by
FCC-accepted numerical computation
standards or available FCC procedures
for the specific computational method.
Guidance regarding SAR measurement
techniques can be found in the Office of
Engineering and Technology (OET)
Laboratory Division Knowledge
Database (KDB). The staff guidance
provided in the KDB does not
necessarily represent the only
acceptable methods for measuring RF
exposure or RF emissions, and is not
binding on the Commission or any
interested party.
(3) For purposes of analyzing portable
RF sources under the occupational/
controlled SAR criteria specified in
Section 1.1310 of this chapter, time
averaging provisions of the limits may
be used in conjunction with the
maximum duty factor to determine
maximum time-averaged exposure
levels under normal operating
conditions.
(4) The time averaging provisions for
occupational/controlled SAR criteria,
based on maximum duty factor, may not
be used in determining typical exposure
levels for portable devices intended for
use by consumers, such as cellular
telephones, that are considered to
operate in general population/
uncontrolled environments as defined
in Section 1.1310 of this chapter.
However, ‘‘source-based’’ time
averaging based on an inherent property
of the RF source is allowed over a time
period not to exceed 30 minutes. An
example of this would be the
determination of exposure from a device
that uses digital technology such as a
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Frm 00034
Fmt 4703
< 1.5 GHz
2040[
Sfmt 4703
time-division multiple-access (TDMA)
scheme for transmission of a signal.
(5) Visual advisories (such as labeling,
embossing, or on an equivalent
electronic display) on portable devices
designed only for occupational use can
be used as part of an applicant’s
evidence of the device user’s awareness
of occupational/controlled exposure
limits. Such visual advisories shall be
legible and clearly visible to the user
from the exterior of the device. Visual
advisories must indicate that the device
is for occupational use only, refer the
user to specific information on RF
exposure, such as that provided in a
user manual and note that the advisory
and its information is required for FCC
RF exposure compliance. Such
instructional material must provide
users with information on how to use
the device and to ensure users are fully
aware of and able to exercise control
over their exposure to satisfy
compliance with the occupational/
controlled exposure limits. A sample of
the visual advisory, illustrating its
location on the device, and any
instructional material intended to
accompany the device when marketed,
shall be filed with the Commission
along with the application for
equipment authorization. Details of any
special training requirements pertinent
to mitigating and limiting RF exposure
should also be submitted. Holders of
grants for portable devices to be used in
occupational settings are encouraged,
but not required, to coordinate with
end-user organizations to ensure
appropriate RF safety training.
(6) General population/uncontrolled
exposure limits defined in Section
1.1310 of this chapter apply to portable
devices intended for use by consumers
or persons who are exposed as a
consequence of their employment and
may not be fully aware of the potential
for exposure or cannot exercise control
over their exposure. No communication
with the consumer including either
visual advisories or manual instructions
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60786
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 188 / Monday, September 28, 2020 / Notices
will be considered sufficient to allow
consumer portable devices to be
evaluated subject to limits for
occupational/controlled exposure
specified in Section 1.1310 of this
chapter.
*
*
*
*
*
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020–21318 Filed 9–25–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH
REVIEW COMMISSION
Sunshine Act Meeting
10:00 a.m., Thursday,
October 8, 2020.
PLACE: This meeting will be conducted
through a videoconference involving all
Commissioners. Any person wishing to
listen to the proceeding may call the
number listed below.
STATUS: Open.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The
Commission will consider and act upon
the following in open session: Secretary
of Labor v. Consol Pennsylvania Coal
Co., LLC, Docket No. PENN 2018–0169
(Issues include whether the Judge erred
in ruling that a citation was ‘‘significant
and substantial’’ and in finding that two
other citations should be upheld).
Any person attending this meeting
who requires special accessibility
features and/or auxiliary aids, such as
sign language interpreters, must inform
the Commission in advance of those
needs. Subject to 29 CFR 2706.150(a)(3)
and 2706.160(d).
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Emogene Johnson, (202) 434–9935/(202)
708–9300 for TDD Relay/1–800–877–
8339 for toll free.
Phone Number for Listening to
Meeting: 1–(866) 236–7472.
Passcode: 678–100.
TIME AND DATE:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552b.
Dated: September 22, 2020.
Sarah L. Stewart,
Deputy General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2020–21275 Filed 9–24–20; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 6735–01–P
FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH
REVIEW COMMISSION
Sunshine Act Meeting
10:00 a.m., Wednesday,
October 7, 2020.
PLACE: This argument will be conducted
through a videoconference involving all
TIME AND DATE:
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18:25 Sep 25, 2020
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Commissioners. Any person wishing to
listen to the proceeding may call the
number listed below.
STATUS: Open.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The
Commission will hear oral argument in
the matter Secretary of Labor v. Consol
Pennsylvania Coal Co., LLC, Docket No.
PENN 2018–0169. (Issues include
whether the Judge erred in ruling that a
citation was ‘‘significant and
substantial’’ and in finding that two
other citations should be upheld.)
Any person attending this oral
argument who requires special
accessibility features and/or auxiliary
aids, such as sign language interpreters,
must inform the Commission in advance
of those needs. Subject to 29 CFR
2706.150(a)(3) and 2706.160(d).
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Emogene Johnson (202) 434–9935/(202)
708–9300 for TDD Relay/1–800–877–
8339 for toll free.
Phone Number for Listening to
Meeting: 1–(866) 236–7472.
Passcode: 678–100.
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552b.
Dated: September 22, 2020.
Sarah L. Stewart,
Deputy General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2020–21277 Filed 9–24–20; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 6735–01–P
Comments regarding each of these
applications must be received at the
Reserve Bank indicated or the offices of
the Board of Governors, Ann E.
Misback, Secretary of the Board, 20th
Street and Constitution Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20551–0001, not later
than October 13, 2020.
A. Federal Reserve Bank of New York
(Ivan Hurwitz, Senior Vice President) 33
Liberty Street, New York, New York
10045–0001. Comments can also be sent
electronically to
Comments.applications@ny.frb.org:
1. The Vanguard Group, Inc.,
Malvern, Pennsylvania, on behalf of
itself, its subsidiaries and affiliates,
including investment companies
registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, other pooled
investment vehicles, and institutional
accounts that are sponsored, managed,
or advised by Vanguard; to acquire
additional voting shares of M&T Bank
Corporation, Buffalo, New York, and
thereby indirectly acquire additional
voting shares of Manufacturers and
Traders Trust Company, also of Buffalo,
New York, and Wilmington Trust,
Wilmington, Delaware.
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System, September 23, 2020.
Yao-Chin Chao,
Assistant Secretary of the Board.
[FR Doc. 2020–21375 Filed 9–25–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
Change in Bank Control Notices;
Acquisitions of Shares of a Bank or
Bank Holding Company
The notificants listed below have
applied under the Change in Bank
Control Act (Act) (12 U.S.C. 1817(j)) and
§ 225.41 of the Board’s Regulation Y (12
CFR § 225.41) to acquire shares of a
bank or bank holding company. The
factors that are considered in acting on
the applications are set forth in
paragraph 7 of the Act (12 U.S.C.
1817(j)(7)).
The public portions of the
applications listed below, as well as
other related filings required by the
Board, if any, are available for
immediate inspection at the Federal
Reserve Bank(s) indicated below and at
the offices of the Board of Governors.
This information may also be obtained
on an expedited basis, upon request, by
contacting the appropriate Federal
Reserve Bank and from the Board’s
Freedom of Information Office at
https://www.federalreserve.gov/foia/
request.htm. Interested persons may
express their views in writing on the
standards enumerated in paragraph 7 of
the Act.
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
Formations of, Acquisitions by, and
Mergers of Bank Holding Companies
The companies listed in this notice
have applied to the Board for approval,
pursuant to the Bank Holding Company
Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841 et seq.)
(BHC Act), Regulation Y (12 CFR part
225), and all other applicable statutes
and regulations to become a bank
holding company and/or to acquire the
assets or the ownership of, control of, or
the power to vote shares of a bank or
bank holding company and all of the
banks and nonbanking companies
owned by the bank holding company,
including the companies listed below.
The public portions of the
applications listed below, as well as
other related filings required by the
Board, if any, are available for
immediate inspection at the Federal
Reserve Bank(s) indicated below and at
the offices of the Board of Governors.
This information may also be obtained
on an expedited basis, upon request, by
contacting the appropriate Federal
Reserve Bank and from the Board’s
Freedom of Information Office at
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 188 (Monday, September 28, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60783-60786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-21318]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[OMB 3060-0057; FRS 17100]
Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal
Communications Commission
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens,
and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the
general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to
comment on the following information collections. Comments are
requested concerning: Whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the
Commission, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected;
ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the
information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer
than 25 employees.
The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for
failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA
that does not display a valid OMB control number.
DATES: Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before November
27, 2020. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but
find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this
notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.
ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Nicole Ongele, FCC, via email
[email protected] and to [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the
information collection, contact Nicole Ongele, (202) 418-2991.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
OMB Control Number: 3060-0057.
Title: Application for Equipment Authorization, FCC Form 731.
Form Number: FCC 731.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents and Responses: 11,305 respondents; 24,873
responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 8.11 hours (rounded up).
Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement; one-time
reporting requirement and third-party disclosure requirement.
Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits.
Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in the
47 U.S.C. 154(i), 301, 302, 303(e), 303(f) and 303(r).
Total Annual Burden: 201,603 hours.
Total Annual Costs: $50,155,140.
Privacy Act Impact Assessment: Yes. The personally identifiable
information (PII) in this information collection is covered by a
Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA), Equipment Authorizations Records and
Files Information System. It is posted at: https://www.fcc.gov/general/privacy-act-information#pia.
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: Minimal exemption from the
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) under 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4) and FCC
rules under 47 CFR 0.457(d) is granted for trade secrets which may be
submitted as attachments to the application FCC Form 731. No other
assurances of confidentiality are provided to respondents.
Needs and Uses: The Commission will submit this revised information
collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) after this 60-
day comment period to obtain the three-year clearance.
The December 2019 radiofrequency (RF) exposure Second Report and
Order, ET Docket Nos. 03-137 and 13-184, FCC 19-126, included
amendments to rule sections 1.1307, 2.1091, and 2.1093 requiring
approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Revision to
information collection effected by amendments to rule sections 2.1091
and 2.1093 is reported herein. Revision to information collection
effected by amendments to rule section 1.1307 is reported separately
under OMB 3060-0004.
In amendments to rule sections 2.1091 and 2.1093, the Commission
revised its implementing rules to reflect modern technology and today's
uses. We replaced a requirement which relied on consideration of the
rule part under which the equipment would operate, the portion of the
electromagnetic spectrum where the equipment is designed to operate,
and technical characteristics of the equipment to determine if the
equipment would be subject to routine environmental evaluation for RF
exposure prior to equipment authorization. The rule modifications
adopted a formula for evaluation of compliance with RF exposure limits
and determination whether an environmental assessment would need to be
prepared if the limits are exceeded. The amended rules provide more
efficient, practical, and consistent RF exposure evaluation procedures
and mitigation measures to help ensure compliance with the existing RF
exposure limits.
RF equipment manufacturers must comply with the requirements of
rule sections 2.1091 and 2.1093 when submitting an application for
certification under rule section 2.1033. The changes to rule sections
2.1091 and 2.1093 will not affect the number of respondents or number
of responses associated with this information
[[Page 60784]]
collection. Although the new rules will modify the way applicants
evaluate RF compliance when they apply for equipment authorization, we
believe that it will take, on average, the same time that it takes for
applicants to make this evaluation under our existing rules.
The latest RF exposure Second Report and Order, ET Docket Nos. 03-
137 and 13-184, FCC 19-126, amended rule sections 2.1091 by revising
paragraphs (b), (c), (d)(1), and (d)(2) and 2.1093 by revising
paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) to read as follows:
Sec. 2.1091 Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure Evaluation: Mobile
Devices.
* * * * *
(b) For purposes of this Section, the definitions in Section
1.1307(b)(2) of this chapter shall apply. A mobile device is defined as
a transmitting device designed to be used in other than fixed locations
and to generally be used in such a way that a separation distance of at
least 20 centimeters is normally maintained between the RF source's
radiating structure(s) and the body of the user or nearby persons. In
this context, the term ``fixed location'' means that the device is
physically secured at one location and is not able to be easily moved
to another location while transmitting. Transmitting devices designed
to be used by consumers or workers that can be easily re-located, such
as wireless devices associated with a personal desktop computer, are
considered to be mobile devices if they meet the 20-centimeter
separation requirement.
(c)(1) Evaluation of compliance with the exposure limits in Section
1.1310 of this chapter, and preparation of an EA if the limits are
exceeded, is necessary for mobile devices with single RF sources having
either more than an available maximum time-averaged power of 1 mW or
more than the ERP listed in Table 1 of Section 1.1307(b)(3)(i)(C),
whichever is greater. For mobile devices not exempt by Section
1.1307(b)(3)(i)(C) at distances from 20 centimeters to 40 centimeters
and frequencies from 0.3 GHz to 6 GHz, evaluation of compliance with
the exposure limits in Section 1.1310 of this chapter is necessary if
the ERP of the device is greater than ERP20cm in the formula
below. If the ERP of a single RF source at distances from 20
centimeters to 40 centimeters and frequencies from 0.3 GHz to 6 GHz is
not easily obtained, then the available maximum time-averaged power may
be used (i.e., without consideration of ERP) in comparison with the
following formula only if the physical dimensions of the radiating
structure(s) do not exceed the electrical length of [lambda]/4 or if
the antenna gain is less than that of a half-wave dipole (1.64 linear
value).
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28SE20.001
(2) For multiple mobile or portable RF sources within a device
operating in the same time averaging period, routine environmental
evaluation is required if the formula in Section 1.1307(b)(3)(ii)(B) of
this chapter is applied to determine the exemption ratio and the result
is greater than 1.
(3) Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, any other single
mobile or multiple mobile and portable RF source(s) associated with a
device is exempt from routine environmental evaluation for RF exposure
prior to equipment authorization or use, except as specified in
Sections 1.1307(c) and 1.1307(d) of this chapter.
(d)(1) Applications for equipment authorization of mobile RF
sources subject to routine environmental evaluation must contain a
statement confirming compliance with the limits specified in Section
1.1310 of this chapter as part of their application. Technical
information showing the basis for this statement must be submitted to
the Commission upon request. In general, maximum time-averaged power
levels must be used for evaluation. All unlicensed personal
communications service (PCS) devices and unlicensed NII devices shall
be subject to the limits for general population/uncontrolled exposure.
(2)(i) For purposes of analyzing mobile transmitting devices under
the occupational/controlled criteria specified in Section 1.1310 of
this chapter, time averaging provisions of the limits may be used in
conjunction with the maximum duty factor to determine maximum time-
averaged exposure levels under normal operating conditions.
(2)(ii) Such time averaging provisions based on maximum duty factor
may not be used in determining exposure levels for devices intended for
use by consumers in general population/uncontrolled environments as
defined in Section 1.1310 of this chapter. However, ``source-based''
time averaging based on an inherent property of the RF source is
allowed over a time period not to exceed 30 minutes. An example of this
is the determination of exposure from a device that uses digital
technology such as a time-division multiple-access (TDMA) scheme for
transmission of a signal.
* * * * *
Section 2.1093 is amended by revising paragraphs (b), (c), and (d)
to read as follows:
Sec. 2.1093 Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure Evaluation: Portable
Devices
* * * * *
(b) For purposes of this section, the definitions in Section
1.1307(b)(2) of this chapter shall apply. A portable device is defined
as a transmitting device designed to be used in other than fixed
locations and to generally be used in such a way that the RF source's
radiating structure(s) is/are within 20 centimeters of the body of the
user.
(c)(1) Evaluation of compliance with the exposure limits in Section
1.1310 of this chapter, and preparation of an EA if the limits are
exceeded, is necessary for portable devices having single RF sources
with more than an available maximum time-averaged power of 1 mW, more
than the ERP listed in Table 1 of Section 1.1307(b)(3)(i)(C), or more
than the Pth in the following formula, whichever is greater. The
following formula shall only be used in conjunction with portable
devices not exempt by Section 1.1307(b)(3)(i)(C) at distances from 0.5
centimeters to 20 centimeters and frequencies from 0.3 GHz to 6 GHz.
[[Page 60785]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN28SE20.002
d = the minimum separation distance (cm) in any direction from any
part of the device antenna(s) or radiating structure(s) to the body
of the device user.
(2) For multiple mobile or portable RF sources within a device
operating in the same time averaging period, evaluation is required if
the formula in Section 1.1307(b)(3)(ii)(B) of this chapter is applied
to determine the exemption ratio and the result is greater than 1.
(3) Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, any other single
portable or multiple mobile and portable RF source(s) associated with a
device is exempt from routine environmental evaluation for RF exposure
prior to equipment authorization or use, except as specified in
Sections 1.1307(c) and 1.1307(d) of this chapter.
(d)(1) Applications for equipment authorization of portable RF
sources subject to routine environmental evaluation must contain a
statement confirming compliance with the limits specified in Section
1.1310 of this chapter as part of their application. Technical
information showing the basis for this statement must be submitted to
the Commission upon request. The SAR limits specified in Sections
1.1310(a) through (c) of this chapter shall be used for evaluation of
portable devices transmitting in the frequency range from 100 kHz to 6
GHz. Portable devices that transmit at frequencies above 6 GHz shall be
evaluated in terms of the MPE limits specified in Table 1 of Section
1.1310(e)(1) of this chapter. A minimum separation distance applicable
to the operating configurations and exposure conditions of the device
shall be used for the evaluation. In general, maximum time-averaged
power levels must be used for evaluation. All unlicensed personal
communications service (PCS) devices and unlicensed NII devices shall
be subject to the limits for general population/uncontrolled exposure.
(2) Evaluation of compliance with the SAR limits can be
demonstrated by either laboratory measurement techniques or by
computational modeling. The latter must be supported by adequate
documentation showing that the numerical method as implemented in the
computational software has been fully validated; in addition, the
equipment under test and exposure conditions must be modeled according
to protocols established by FCC-accepted numerical computation
standards or available FCC procedures for the specific computational
method. Guidance regarding SAR measurement techniques can be found in
the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) Laboratory Division
Knowledge Database (KDB). The staff guidance provided in the KDB does
not necessarily represent the only acceptable methods for measuring RF
exposure or RF emissions, and is not binding on the Commission or any
interested party.
(3) For purposes of analyzing portable RF sources under the
occupational/controlled SAR criteria specified in Section 1.1310 of
this chapter, time averaging provisions of the limits may be used in
conjunction with the maximum duty factor to determine maximum time-
averaged exposure levels under normal operating conditions.
(4) The time averaging provisions for occupational/controlled SAR
criteria, based on maximum duty factor, may not be used in determining
typical exposure levels for portable devices intended for use by
consumers, such as cellular telephones, that are considered to operate
in general population/uncontrolled environments as defined in Section
1.1310 of this chapter. However, ``source-based'' time averaging based
on an inherent property of the RF source is allowed over a time period
not to exceed 30 minutes. An example of this would be the determination
of exposure from a device that uses digital technology such as a time-
division multiple-access (TDMA) scheme for transmission of a signal.
(5) Visual advisories (such as labeling, embossing, or on an
equivalent electronic display) on portable devices designed only for
occupational use can be used as part of an applicant's evidence of the
device user's awareness of occupational/controlled exposure limits.
Such visual advisories shall be legible and clearly visible to the user
from the exterior of the device. Visual advisories must indicate that
the device is for occupational use only, refer the user to specific
information on RF exposure, such as that provided in a user manual and
note that the advisory and its information is required for FCC RF
exposure compliance. Such instructional material must provide users
with information on how to use the device and to ensure users are fully
aware of and able to exercise control over their exposure to satisfy
compliance with the occupational/controlled exposure limits. A sample
of the visual advisory, illustrating its location on the device, and
any instructional material intended to accompany the device when
marketed, shall be filed with the Commission along with the application
for equipment authorization. Details of any special training
requirements pertinent to mitigating and limiting RF exposure should
also be submitted. Holders of grants for portable devices to be used in
occupational settings are encouraged, but not required, to coordinate
with end-user organizations to ensure appropriate RF safety training.
(6) General population/uncontrolled exposure limits defined in
Section 1.1310 of this chapter apply to portable devices intended for
use by consumers or persons who are exposed as a consequence of their
employment and may not be fully aware of the potential for exposure or
cannot exercise control over their exposure. No communication with the
consumer including either visual advisories or manual instructions
[[Page 60786]]
will be considered sufficient to allow consumer portable devices to be
evaluated subject to limits for occupational/controlled exposure
specified in Section 1.1310 of this chapter.
* * * * *
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-21318 Filed 9-25-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
