[Federal Register: June 10, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 111)] [Notices] [Page 31216-31217] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr10jn99-85] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-6357-1 ] Agency Information Collection Activities; Health and Safety Data Reporting; Submission of ICR No. 0575.08 to OMB AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of submission to OMB. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) entitled: ``TSCA Section 8(d) Health and Safety Data Reporting, Submission of Lists and Copies of Health and Safety Studies,'' [EPA ICR No. 0575.08; OMB Control No. 2070-0004] has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval pursuant to the OMB procedures in 5 CFR 1320.12. The ICR, which is abstracted below, describes the nature of the information collection and its estimated cost and burden. The Agency is requesting that OMB renew for 3 years the existing approval for this ICR, which is scheduled to expire on July 31, 1999. A Federal Register document announcing the Agency's intent to seek the renewal of this ICR and the 60-day public comment opportunity, requesting comments on the request and the contents of the ICR, was issued on January 14, 1999 (64 FR 2488). EPA did not receive any comments on this ICR during the comment period. DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before July 12, 1999. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandy Farmer at EPA by phone on (202) 260-2740, by e-mail: ``farmer.sandy@epamail.epa.gov,'' or download a copy of the ICR off the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/icr/icr.htm and refer to EPA ICR No. 0575.08. ADDRESSES: Send comments, referencing EPA ICR No. 0575.08 and OMB Control No. 2070-0004, to the following addresses: Ms. Sandy Farmer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Regulatory Information Division (Mail Code: 2137), 401 M Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20460; And to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20503. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Review Requested: This is a request to renew a currently approved information collection pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. ICR Numbers: EPA ICR No. 0575.08; OMB Control No. 2070-0004. Current Expiration Date: Current OMB approval expires on July 31, 1999. Title: TSCA Section 8(d) Health and Safety Data Reporting, Submission of Lists and Copies of Health and Safety Studies. Abstract: Section 8(d) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and regulations at 40 CFR part 716 requires manufacturers and processors of chemicals to submit lists and copies of health and safety studies relating to the health and/or environmental effects of certain chemical substances and mixtures. In order to comply with the reporting requirements of section 8(d), respondents must search their records to identify any health and safety studies in their possession, copy and process relevant studies, list studies that are [[Page 31217]] currently in progress, and submit this information to EPA. EPA uses this information to construct a complete picture of the known effects of the chemicals in question, leading to determinations by EPA of whether additional testing of the chemicals is required. The information enables EPA to base its testing decisions on the most complete information available and to avoid demands for testing that may be duplicative. EPA will use information obtained via this collection to support its investigation of the risks posed by chemicals and, in particular, to support its decisions on whether to require industry to test chemicals under section 4 of TSCA. Responses to the collection of information are mandatory (see 40 CFR part 716). Respondents may claim all or part of a notice confidential. EPA will disclose information that is covered by a claim of confidentiality only to the extent permitted by, and in accordance with, the procedures in TSCA section 14 and 40 CFR part 2. Burden Statement: The annual public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to range between 2 hours and 32 hours per response, depending upon the requirements that the collection places on each respondent, for an estimated 1,203 respondents making one or more submissions of information annually. These estimates include 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. No person is required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for these regulations are displayed in 40 CFR Part 9. Respondents/Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are companies that manufacture, process, import, or distribute in commerce chemical substances or mixtures. Estimated No. of Respondents: 1,203. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,542 hours. Frequency of Collection: On occasion. Changes in Burden Estimates: There is a decrease (from 9,668 hours to 4,542 hours) in the total estimated respondent burden as compared with that identified in the information collection request most recently approved by OMB. This decrease reflects updated analyses of information related to the historical reporting patterns and the numbers of chemicals listed on the TSCA section 8(d) reporting rule, and EPA's revisions to section 8(d) reporting requirements. According to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12, EPA has submitted this ICR to OMB for review and approval. Any comments related to the renewal of this ICR should be submitted within 30 days of this document, as described above. Dated: June 4, 1999. Joseph Retzer, Director, Regulatory Information Division. [FR Doc. 99-14764 Filed 6-9-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-U