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                INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUEST NUMBER 2078.08:
                "EPA'S ENERGY STAR[(R)] PRODUCT LABELING" 
                                       
                                       





                              September 30, 2021


                                 Prepared by:

                     U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                          Office of Air and Radiation
                   Climate Protection Partnerships Division







                               Table of Contents
                                       
1	IDENTIFICATION OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTION	3
1.a	TITLE OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTION	3
1.b	SHORT CHARACTERIZATION/ABSTRACT	3
2	NEED FOR AND USE OF THE COLLECTION	5
2.a	NEED/AUTHORITY FOR THE COLLECTION	5
2.b	PRACTICAL UTILITY/USERS OF THE DATA	5
3	NONDUPLICATION, CONSULTATIONS, AND OTHER COLLECTION CRITERIA	6
3.a	NONDUPLICATION	6
3.b	PUBLIC NOTICE REQUIRED PRIOR TO ICR SUBMISSION TO OMB	6
3.c	CONSULTATIONS	6
3.d	EFFECTS OF LESS FREQUENT COLLECTION	8
3.e	GENERAL GUIDELINES	8
3.f	CONFIDENTIALITY	9
3.g	SENSITIVE QUESTIONS	9
4	THE RESPONDENTS AND THE INFORMATION REQUESTED	9
4.a	RESPONDENTS AND NAICS CODES	9
4.b	INFORMATION REQUESTED	10
5	INFORMATION COLLECTED: AGENCY ACTIVITIES, COLLECTION METHODOLOGY, AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT	14
5.a	AGENCY ACTIVITIES	14
5.b	COLLECTION METHODOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT	16
5.c	SMALL ENTITY FLEXIBILITY	17
5.d	COLLECTION SCHEDULE	17
6	ESTIMATING THE BURDEN AND COST OF THE COLLECTION	17
6.a	ESTIMATING RESPONDENT BURDEN	17
6.b	ESTIMATING RESPONDENT COSTS	17
6.c	ESTIMATING AGENCY BURDEN AND COSTS	18
6.d	ESTIMATING THE RESPONDENT UNIVERSE AND TOTAL BURDEN AND COSTS	19
6.e	BOTTOM LINE BURDEN HOURS AND COSTS	27
6.f	REASONS FOR CHANGE IN BURDEN	28
6.g	BURDEN STATEMENT	31

 1	IDENTIFICATION OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTION

      1.a	TITLE OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTION

	This ICR is entitled "EPA's ENERGY STAR[(R)] Product Labeling." (EPA ICR No. 2078.08, OMB Control Number 2060-0528)
		
      1.b	SHORT CHARACTERIZATION/ABSTRACT

	Section 324 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act directs the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy to implement "a voluntary program to identify and promote energy - efficient products and buildings in order to reduce energy consumption, improve energy security, and reduce pollution through voluntary labeling of other forms of communication about products and buildings that meet the highest energy efficiency standards." Operating under this authority, EPA's ENERGY STAR program is a voluntary public/private partnership program that creates self-sustaining markets for energy efficient products. The centerpiece of the program is the ENERGY STAR label, a registered certification label that helps consumers identify products that save energy, save money, and help protect the environment without sacrificing quality or performance. In order to protect the integrity of the label and enhance its effectiveness in the marketplace, EPA must ensure that products carrying the label meet appropriate program requirements.

 	EPA partners with retailers, energy efficiency program sponsors (EEPS), and product brand owners who wish to use the ENERGY STAR label to differentiate products as more energy efficient.  Retailers, EEPS, and product brand owners sign and submit a Partnership Agreement Form and Participation Form to indicate that they voluntarily agree to fulfill the relevant program requirements. These forms are collectively referenced in this ICR as a Partnership Application (PA). Products that are labeled as ENERGY STAR by product brand owner partners undergo third-party certification. EEPS Partners agree to promote energy efficiency as an easy and desirable option for organizations and consumers to prevent pollution, protect the global environment, and save on energy bills.  Retail partners sell, market, and promote ENERGY STAR certified products. 
 
 	Prior to labeling a product as ENERGY STAR, partners have eligible products tested in an EPA-recognized laboratory and certified by an EPA-recognized third-party certification body (CB).  To minimize the burden on Partners, EPA maintains an automated data exchange with CBs.  The CBs share information with EPA on products they review from EPA-recognized laboratories during the certification process.  The XML-based data exchange allows the CBs to automatically transmit information on certified products to EPA from their database via web services.  This automated system eliminates the need for paper submissions.  EPA runs a series of automated validations to ensure the integrity of the data and confirm the credentials of the organizations associated with the data prior to incorporating it into the ENERGY STAR product database.  EPA then provides the relevant information to consumers and purchasers in user-friendly formats that facilitate the purchase of energy efficient products. 
 
 	The certification process also includes requirements for CBs to report to EPA products that were reviewed, but not eligible for certification, as well as to conduct post-market verification testing of a sampling of ENERGY STAR certified products.  CBs complete a minimum amount of verification testing and share information with EPA on products verified twice a year.  CBs report to EPA any post-market test data indicating a product may no longer meet the program requirements.  This process helps maintain consumer confidence in the ENERGY STAR label and protect the investment of Partners.
 
	While most product-related information is provided by CBs, Partners are asked to submit to EPA annual unit shipment data for their ENERGY STAR certified products.  EPA is flexible as to the methods Partners may use to submit unit shipment data.  For example, if Partners already submit this type of information to a third party, such as a trade association, they are given the option of arranging for shipment data to be sent to EPA via this third party to avoid duplication of efforts and to ensure confidentiality.
 
 	Finally, Partners that wish to receive recognition for their efforts in ENERGY STAR may submit an application for the Partner of the Year Award. Partners that have ENERGY STAR certified central air conditioners, air-source heat pumps, furnaces, geothermal heat pumps, and windows that meet the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient criteria may submit an application to gain ENERGY STAR Most Efficient recognition.

          Today, more than 90% of the American public recognizes the ENERGY STAR label.  Thus, even though participation in the ENERGY STAR program is voluntary, most producers seek to satisfy its criteria.  Currently ENERGY STAR has approximately 2,000 manufacturing Partners covering more than 60,000 certified product models in more than 75 product categories. Americans purchased more than 300 million ENERGY STAR certified products and more than 300 million ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs in 2019. Partners see the ENERGY STAR label as a useful and effective marketing tool for highlighting the energy efficiency of their products to consumers and others.  In addition, ENERGY STAR provides Partners with recognition as environmental leaders. More than 840 utilities, state and local governments, and nonprofits leverage ENERGY STAR in their efficiency programs, reaching roughly 97% of households in all 50 states. By choosing ENERGY STAR, a typical household can save about $450 on their energy bills. With the help of ENERGY STAR, Americans prevented approximately 170 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and $23 billion in energy costs in 2019 alone.

          
2	NEED FOR AND USE OF THE COLLECTION
 
      2.a	NEED/AUTHORITY FOR THE COLLECTION
Section103(g) of the Clean Air Act directs EPA to "develop, evaluate, and demonstrate nonregulatory strategies and technologies for air pollution prevention... with opportunities for participation by [stakeholders]... including SOx, NOx... CO2... including end-use efficiency, and fuel-switching to cleaner fuels." (42 USC Section 7403g)
In 2005, Congress enacted the Energy Policy Act. Section 131 of the Act amends Section 324 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, and directed the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy to implement "a voluntary program to identify and promote energy - efficient products and buildings in order to reduce energy consumption, improve energy security, and reduce pollution through voluntary labeling of or other forms of communication about products and buildings that meet the highest energy efficiency standards."  The Act further directs EPA and DOE to "(1) promote ENERGY STAR compliant technologies as the preferred technologies in the marketplace for (A) achieving energy efficiency; (B) and reducing pollution; (2) work to enhance public awareness of the ENERGY STAR label, including providing special outreach to small businesses; (3) preserve the integrity of the ENERGY STAR label; (4) regularly update Energy Star product criteria for product categories;" and to solicit comments from interested parties prior to establishing/revising ENERGY STAR product categories, specifications, or criterion. (42 USC Section 6294a)
Collecting information from ENERGY STAR Partners and their representatives is necessary to achieve this mandate and document results.	
      2.b	PRACTICAL UTILITY/USERS OF THE DATA
 
      EPA uses information from organizations joining the program to ascertain basic identification information about them and verify their commitment to the program. EPA may also use partnership information for program implementation purposes, such as maintaining up-to-date listings of products and services available to the public. Further, ENERGY STAR's tools (e.g., Product Finder, EPA-Recognized Bodies Search Tool, Rebate Finder) are available online for the public to find and compare ENERGY STAR certified product performance, third-party EPA-recognized bodies, and rebate offerings. Finally, EPA uses certified product data primarily to document and inform consumers about which products qualify for the ENERGY STAR label, fulfilling a fundamental purpose of the program  -  making it easy for consumers to identify and choose energy efficient products that are good for the environment.  This data also informs the process by which ENERGY STAR performance specifications are established and revised, and factors into EPA's assessment of whether and how the ENERGY STAR label can continue to effectively differentiate efficient products in the market. EPA and others use this information to evaluate ENERGY STAR and ensure continued success and benefits to Partners. EPA recognition enhances the image of organizations as national leaders in energy performance.
      
 
3	NONDUPLICATION, CONSULTATIONS, AND OTHER COLLECTION CRITERIA
 						
	3.a	NONDUPLICATION
 
 	The information collected under this ICR is not collected by any other organization.  In addition, the information collected is based on a particular point in time; therefore, information that is not up to date is not sufficient. EPA ensures that the information collected will not duplicate any ongoing recordkeeping or reporting functions requested under other Agency programs. For example, Energy Efficiency Program Sponsors (EEPS) can participate in one or more ENERGY STAR programs (e.g., Products, C&I). EPA designed its Partnership Agreement to enable an EEPS to complete and submit it once and select the specific program(s) it wants to partner with, rather than submitting it to each program separately.
 
      3.b	PUBLIC NOTICE REQUIRED PRIOR TO ICR SUBMISSION TO OMB
 
 	In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, EPA solicited public comments on this ICR through an announcement in the Federal Register on May 26, 2021 (86 FR 28339). No comments were received on this notice. 
 
      3.c	CONSULTATIONS
 
 	In May 2021, EPA contacted four individuals in Partner organizations to request their input on the ICR's burden estimates. The purpose of the consultations was to determine if the burden estimates (e.g., EPA recognition applications) should be updated or revised in preparing ICR 2078.08. The table identifies the points of contact (POCs) and their organizations. EPA selected these organizations because of their substantial experience in carrying out collections under the ENERGY STAR program. Generally, the estimates provided by the Partners were consistent with EPA expectations of the labor burden. EPA took consultation results into consideration as compared to 2019 estimates. EPA determined the differences between existing estimates and 2021 partner responses were not significant enough to warrant a change in burden estimates. 
 
 
 POC Name
 Organization Name
 Phone Number
 Email
 Arturo Thur De Koos
 Fujitsu General America, Inc. 
  973-303-0843
 athurdekoos@fujitsugeneral.com 
 Mark Mikkelson 
 Andersen Corporation  
 651-264-5570
 mark.mikkelson@andersencorp.com 
 Jenny Giron
 Intertek
 847-871-1054 
 jenny.giron@intertek.com
 David Piecuch
 UL LLC
 847-664-3760 
 David.Piecuch@ul.com
 
 	
      Following is a summary of EPA's questions, POCs' comments and EPA's responses (e.g., if and how the Agency incorporated the comments into ICR 2078.08):
      
Joining the ENERGY STAR program and Related Activities: 
EPA provided two POCs with the ICR's burden estimates for completing a Product Brand Owner Partnership Application and asked if they are reasonable. EPA provided two POCs with the ICR burden estimates for completing an Application for Lab Recognition, Application for Lab Scope Expansion, Application for Witnessed/Supervised Manufacturing Testing Laboratories (W/SMTL) Recognition, Application for CB Recognition, and Application for CB Scope Expansion and asked if they are reasonable. The POCs discussed their experiences conducting these activities and indicated that the estimates are reasonable. EPA did not revise its estimates. The POC's indicated that no capital or operations and maintenance costs are involved with these activities because the materials are downloaded and completed online and submitted to EPA via email.
         
Certified Product Maintenance Activities: EPA provided two POCs with the ICR's burden estimates for third-party certified product information activities and asked if they are reasonable. The third-party certified product information activities include submitting certified model data, submitting verification testing data, submitting testing failure information, and submitting ineligible product information. EPA provided one POC with the ICR's burden estimates for Unit Shipment Data. The POCs discussed their experiences conducting these activities and indicated that the burden estimates are reasonable. EPA did not revise its estimates. The POCs indicated that no capital or operations and maintenance costs are involved with these activities because the materials are downloaded and completed online and submitted to EPA via email or via EPA's XML-based qualified product exchange (QPX) system for certification bodies (CBs) to submit information on products certified as ENERGY STAR via web services. 

POY and ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Recognition: EPA provided one POC with the ICR's burden estimates for the POY Application and the ENEGY STAR Most Efficient HVAC Narrative Guide and asked if they are reasonable. The POC discussed their experience conducting the activities and indicated that the burden estimates are reasonable. EPA did not revise its estimate. EPA provided one POC with the ICR's burden estimate for the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Windows Application and asked if it is reasonable. The POC discussed their experience conducting the activity and indicated that the burden estimate is reasonable. EPA did not revise its estimate. The POCs indicated that no capital or operations and maintenance costs are involved with these activities because the materials are downloaded and completed online and submitted to EPA via email or EPA's XML-based qualified product exchange (QPX) system.
 		
 
      3.d	EFFECTS OF LESS FREQUENT COLLECTION
 
 	EPA has carefully considered the information collection burden under the ENERGY STAR program. EPA is confident that those activities requested of respondents are necessary, and to the extent possible, the Agency has minimized the burden. A number of the requested activities, for example, will be performed once (e.g., one-time submittal of a Partnership Application). In addition, respondents can satisfy many of the collections in this ICR by submitting readily available information. For example, brand owner partners submit Unit Shipment Data on an annual basis in order to monitor and evaluate the program annually to ensure continued program success and benefits to Partners. EPA believes strongly that, if the information collections in this ICR are not performed at the requested frequency, EPA's ability to implement the ENERGY STAR program and the public's ability to benefit from the program's tools and resources could be hampered significantly.
 	
      3.e	GENERAL GUIDELINES
 
      With the following exception, information collections performed under this clearance will follow all of OMB's General Guidelines regarding federal data collection.
                              
 
      3.f	CONFIDENTIALITY
 
      Participation in the ENERGY STAR program is voluntary and may be terminated by participants or EPA at any time. If a claim of confidential business information (CBI) is asserted, EPA will manage that information in accordance with EPA's provisions on confidentiality. 40 CFR Part 2, Subpart B establishes EPA's general policy on the public disclosure of information and procedures for handling CBI claims.
 				
      3.g	SENSITIVE QUESTIONS
 
      No questions of a sensitive nature are asked of participants under the ENERGY STAR program. 
 
 
4	THE RESPONDENTS AND THE INFORMATION REQUESTED
 
      4.a	RESPONDENTS AND NAICS CODES
 
 	Respondents for this information collection request include ENERGY STAR Partners, who are product manufacturers.  The following list of North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes includes, but is not limited to industry segments which may be potential respondents to the information collections.
                                        
 NAICS
 Industries
 221111
 Hydroelectric Power Generation
 313320
 Fabric Coating Mills
 322211
 Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing
 323113
 Commercial Screen Printing
 324122
 Asphalt Shingle and Coating Materials Manufacturing
 325992
 Photographic Film, Paper, Plate, and Chemical Manufacturing
 327123
 Other Structural Clay Product Manufacturing
 327211
 Flat Glass Manufacturing
 327993
 Mineral Wool Manufacturing
 332321
 Metal Window and Door Manufacturing  
 333298
 All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing
 333311
 Automatic Vending Machine Manufacturing
 333313
 Office Machinery Manufacturing
 333319
 Other Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing
 333414
 Heating Equipment (except Warm Air Furnaces) Manufacturing
 333415
 Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing
 334113
 Computer Terminal Manufacturing
 334119
 Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing
 334210
 Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing
 334220
 Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
 334310
 Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing
 334512
 Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use
 335110
 Electric Lamp Bulb and Part Manufacturing
 335121
 Residential Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing 
 335129
 Other Lighting Equipment Manufacturing
 335222
 Household Refrigerator and Home Freezer Manufacturing
 335224
 Household Laundry Equipment Manufacturing
 423440
 Other Commercial Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
 423740
 Refrigeration Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
 441310
 Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores
 443111
 Household Appliance Stores
 443120
 Computer and Software Stores
 444110
 Home Centers
 493120
 Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage
 541380
 Testing Laboratories
                                        
                                        
      4.b	INFORMATION REQUESTED
 
 	This section describes the information collections under this ICR, including data items and respondent activities.
 
 JOINING THE ENERGY STAR PROGRAM AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
 
 Partnership Application (PA) 
 

 Data Item

 Partner name
 Programs for which they are partnering with EPA (participation form)
 Information on main contact person
 Information on marketing/PR contact person
 Signature of company official
 
 	Recordkeeping Item	
 	There are no recordkeeping data items required pertaining to the Partnership Application.
 

 ii	Respondent Activity
 Review the instructions of the PA
 Complete and review the information requested by the PA
 Submit the PA
 Submit the joint statement between the brand owner and licensee, if applicable
 
             Joint Statement between Brand Owner and Licensee, if applicable 
             
            
             Data Item
            
             Partner and Brand Owner name
             Information on brand involved in license agreement
             Information on expiration date of license agreement
             Information on main contact person at each organization
             Signatures of company officials
             
             	Recordkeeping Item	
                   There are no recordkeeping data items required pertaining to the Joint Statement.
             
            
             ii	Respondent Activity
             Review the joint statement template
             Complete and review information requested in the template
             Submit as a supplement to the Partnership Application if applicable
 
Application for AB, CB, Lab, and W/SMTL Recognition and Scope Expansion
 

 i	Data Item

 Organization's name 
 Organization's address
 Contact name, address, email, phone
 Preparer's name, title, date
 Programs (product categories) for which they are partnering with EPA
 Organization's relevant reference documents  
 
 	Recordkeeping Items
       The Accreditation Body maintains a record of quality management documentation as required by ISO 17011.
The Laboratory maintains a record of their accreditation certificate and scope of accreditation.
The Certification Body maintains a record of their accreditation certificate and scope of accreditation.
 
 ii	Respondent Activity


 Review the instructions in the application
 Complete and review application
 Submit the application

 
 
 CERTIFIED PRODUCT MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES
 

 Third-Party Certified Product Information 
 

 i	Data Item

 Company Name
 Product Name and model number
 Product energy consumption attributes
 Other key product specific information according to the relevant ENERGY STAR product Eligibility Requirements 
 Certified laboratories and certification bodies associated with the product.
 
 	Recordkeeping Items
       The Certification Body maintains a certification record, and test reports on file for all products that undergo certification testing. 
 	
 ii	Respondent Activity


 Organize certified model data into format for automated submission
 Submit summary of verification testing data 
 Submit testing failure information 
 Submit information on ineligible products
 
 Partner Response Forms (PRFs)
 
 i	Data Item

 Company name and contact information
 Case number
 Product name and model number
 OEM name
 Notification date
 Manufactured dates and sales information
 Downstream distribution chain information
 Additional affected model numbers and sales information
 Representative signature
 
 	Recordkeeping Items
      There are no recordkeeping data items required pertaining to Partner Response Forms.
      
 ii	Respondent Activity
 Complete and submit "Disputable" version of the PRF
 Complete and submit "Non-disputable" version of the PRF
 Complete and submit Certification Error PRF
 Complete and submit CFL Disputable PRF
 
 Unit Shipment Data
 
 i	Data Item	

 Number of ENERGY STAR certified units shipped that year by product sub-type
 Total U.S. shipments that year (requested but not required)


 	Recordkeeping item
 	There are no recordkeeping data items required pertaining to Unit Shipment Data.
 
 ii	Respondent Activity

 Review instructions regarding Unit Shipment Data
 Gather annual Unit Shipment Data
 Compile and review USD by ENERGY STAR product category
 Submit Unit Shipment Data form 

 
 PARTNER OF THE YEAR (POY) AND MOST EFFICIENT RECOGNITION
 
 Partner of the Year Application
 
 i	Data Item

 Name of the organization
 Name of the organization as it should appear on the award
 Information on the primary contact person
 Information on the communications contact
 Information on the organization CEO
 Information on the organization headquarters
 Information on the award category
 Information on the number of products labeled, number of ENERGY STAR certified homes built, benchmarks reached or surpassed in energy management, benchmarks reached or surpassed in EE program delivery
 Information on training, communication and outreach efforts
 Information on other special endeavors or services provided

 
 	Recordkeeping Item
 	There are no recordkeeping data items required pertaining to Partner of the Year award applications.
 
 ii	Respondent Activity

 Review the eligibility requirements and instructions on the application
 Gather data
 Complete and review the information and narrative descriptions in the application
 Submit the application
 Submit original examples of communication materials

 
 ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Windows Application
 
 i	Data Item

 Company Name
 Contact's name, address, and email
 Company's Most Efficient webpage
 Product line name(s) and model number(s)
 Product energy consumption attributes
 Other key product specific information
 
 	Recordkeeping Items
      There are no recordkeeping data items required pertaining to the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Windows Application.
      
 ii	Respondent Activity


 Review the eligibility requirements for model recognition and instructions on application
 Gather data and test report
 Complete the and review the information on the application
 Submit the application and NAFS test report cover page(s)
 
 ENERGY STAR Most Efficient HVAC Narrative Guide
 
 i	Data Item

 Product Name and model number
 Narrative description of automatic setup capabilities
 Narrative description of access to system fault history
 Narrative description of alerts of servicing
 Narrative description of capabilities to facilitate installation and maintenance
 Narrative description of compressor(s) and staging
 Narrative description of capability to measure external static pressure
 
 	Recordkeeping Items
      There are no recordkeeping data items required pertaining to the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient HVAC Narrative Guide.
      
 ii	Respondent Activity


 Review the eligibility requirements and instructions on the application
 Gather data
 Complete and review the narrative descriptions in the application
 Submit the application 


5	INFORMATION COLLECTED: AGENCY ACTIVITIES, COLLECTION METHODOLOGY, AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
 
      5.a	AGENCY ACTIVITIES
 	
 	This section describes EPA's activities under ENERGY STAR. 
 
 JOINING THE ENERGY STAR PROGRAM AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
 
 Partnership Application 
 
 EPA must perform the following activities related to the Partnership Application:
 

 Modify PA to be submitted by applicants
 Post the PA templates on the website
 Review the completed PA
 Send the joint statement template for the brand licensee and brand owner to sign, if a brand licensee is applying for partnership
 Enter the information contained in the PA into EPA database.  (Include information from the joint statement, if applicable.)
 Send email welcoming them to the program

 
 Application for AB, CB, Lab, and W/SMTL Recognition and Scope Expansion 
 
 EPA must perform the following activities related to recognition of these entities:
 

 Modify application to be submitted by AB/CB/Labs
 Disseminate via the internet
 Review the completed application 
 Enter the information into EPA database

 CERTIFIED PRODUCT MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES
 
Third-Party Certified Product Information

 EPA must perform the following activities related to third-party certified product information:

 Maintain web services and incorporate model data from CBs into database
 Review and ensure accuracy of testing failure information  
 Review and ensure accuracy of verification testing
 Review and ensure accuracy of verification testing summary report
 Maintain ineligible products list
 
 Partner Response Forms:
 
 EPA must perform the following activities related to Partner Response Forms:
 Review "Disputable" version of the PRF
 Review "Non-disputable" version of the PRF
 Review Certification Error PRF
 Review CFL Disputable PRF
 
 Unit Shipment Data
 
 EPA must perform the following activities related to Unit Shipment Data: 
 Review Unit Shipment Data
 Compile information in aggregate form per product category

 Evaluate aggregate data to determine ENERGY STAR success and/or need for program adjustment
 
 PARTNER OF THE YEAR (POY) AND ENERGY STAR MOST EFFICIENT RECOGNITION
 
 Partner of the Year Application
 
 EPA must perform the following activities related to Partner of the Year application:
 Update the award criteria
 Post application on the website
 Review submitted awards applications
 Send a letter of award or loss

 ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Windows Application
 
 EPA must perform the following activities related to Most Efficient Windows Application:
 Develop the Most Efficient criteria
 Review the submitted applications
 Email a letter of recognition to the partner
 
 ENERGY STAR Most Efficient HVAC Narrative Guide
 
 EPA must perform the following activities related to Most Efficient HVAC Narrative Guide:
 Develop the Most Efficient criteria
 Review the submitted narrative guides
 Email a letter of recognition to the partner
 
      5.b	COLLECTION METHODOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
 
 	In collecting and analyzing the information associated with this ICR, EPA will use a telephone system, personal computers, the Internet, and applicable database software.  EPA will ensure accuracy and completeness of collected information by reviewing and validating each submittal.  Respondents can submit the information electronically (e.g., via email), without the use of postal mail. EPA will enter the information obtained into a database and will aggregate data obtained in order to make that information available to the public and monitor the progress of program implementation. For example, all certified products are made available to the public on EPA's Product Finder Tool(https://www.energystar.gov/productfinder/); results of the unit shipment data collection process are summarized in a report found on EPA's website (https://www.energystar.gov/partner_resources/products_partner_resources/brand_owner_resources/unit_shipment_data); and results of the verification testing of products is posted on EPA's website (https://www.energystar.gov/partner_resources/products_partner_resources/brand_owner_resources/verification_testing_products).  In addition, EPA posts award winners online at https://www.energystar.gov/awardwinners.
 
      5.c	SMALL ENTITY FLEXIBILITY
 	
 	EPA expects that small entities will participate in ENERGY STAR product labeling.  EPA has designed information requirements to minimize respondent burden while obtaining sufficient and accurate information.  Under EPA's ENERGY STAR product certification process, EPA gives organizations the flexibility to use their own in-house laboratory for testing or contract with an independent laboratory. EPA believes this ensures small businesses have plenty of options when searching for a third-party entity to conduct testing and certification of their products. Third-party certification bodies and laboratories submit certifications directly to EPA, reducing the burden on brand owner partners from needing to submit certification information.
 
      5.d	COLLECTION SCHEDULE
 
 	EPA collects initial information in the Partnership Agreement, which is completed and submitted by every Partner participating in ENERGY STAR.  EPA also collects from brand licensees a joint statement with the brand owner prior to signing the Partnership agreement.  In order to be recognized by EPA as an ENERGY STAR appropriate Accreditation Body, Laboratory and/or Certification Body, entities must provide EPA with the relevant documentation to provide assurance of their competence to perform these tasks.  CBs must provide EPA with a summary of verification testing completed twice a year and report information on ineligible products and products that fail verification testing as they occur.  EPA also requests that Product Brand Owner Partners submit information on their unit shipments of ENERGY STAR labeled products annually by March 1[st] for shipments during the previous calendar year.  EPA requests this information the first week of January and reminds partners in February in advance of the annual deadline.  Partners interested in receiving recognition for their efforts on ENERGY STAR submit a Partner of the Year Award application.     


6	ESTIMATING THE BURDEN AND COST OF THE COLLECTION
 
      6.a	ESTIMATING RESPONDENT BURDEN
 
 	EPA conducted consultations with ENERGY STAR Partners to estimate respondent burden hours for the activities covered by this ICR.  The responses EPA received were averaged to estimate the hourly burden for each activity.  Exhibit 1 presents the estimated annual respondent burden for information collection activities associated with ENERGY STAR product labeling.  
 
      6.b	ESTIMATING RESPONDENT COSTS
 
	Exhibit 1 presents the estimated annual respondent costs for information collection activities associated with ENERGY STAR product labeling.  The estimated annual respondent costs are discussed below.

Estimating Labor Costs
 
 	EPA estimates an average hourly respondent labor cost ($2,021) of $116.99/hr for legal staff, $98.78/hr for managerial staff, $47.83/hr for technical staff, and $31.75/hr for clerical staff. To derive these hourly estimates, EPA referred to the May 2020 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This publication summarizes the unloaded (base) hourly rate for major occupational groups. EPA then applied the standard government overhead factor of 1.6 to the unloaded rate to derive loaded hourly rates. Finally, EPA updated the loaded hourly rates to March 2021 levels using Employment Cost Indexes developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Estimating Capital and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Costs
 
 	EPA does not expect Partners to incur capital or operations and maintenance costs to meet the information requests of ENERGY STAR, because Partners conduct the activities online and work with their certification bodies submit the information via email or EPA's XML-based QPX system.

      6.c	ESTIMATING AGENCY BURDEN AND COSTS
 
 	The hourly Agency labor rates used in this ICR were obtained from the 2021 Salary Tables for federal civilian employees, which are published by the Office of Personnel Management.  EPA estimates an average hourly labor cost of $84.69/hr for legal staff, $79.20/hr for managerial staff, $58.06/hr for technical staff, and $23.31/hr for clerical staff. The labor costs are based on the following GS levels and steps: legal labor rates were based on GS Level 15, Step 1, managerial labor rates were based on GS Level 14, Step 4, technical labor rates were based on GS Level 12, Step 5, and clerical labor rates were based on GS Level 5, Step 1. To derive hourly estimates, EPA multiplied hourly rates by the standard government overhead factor of 1.6. Agency burden and costs are estimated in Exhibit 2.
 
 	EPA anticipates one instance of Agency O&M costs associated with ENERGY STAR product labeling information collection activities.  This corresponds to the cost of $0.55 to mail a letter of congratulations to the executive management team of Partners who are awarded Sustained Excellence - Partner of the Year as part of the annual ENERGY STAR Awards.  EPA continues the practice of sending these letters to executives because it strengthens the recognition benefit of the partnership. They are well received by partners, which the agency considers a valuable gain relative to the small cost 
 
      6.d	ESTIMATING THE RESPONDENT UNIVERSE AND TOTAL BURDEN AND COSTS
 
	In this section, EPA describes its estimates of the number of respondents carrying out the information collections under the ENERGY STAR product labeling program. In developing its estimates, EPA referred to its databases and other documentation in order to understand historical trends in the number of new and existing respondents. While number of respondents will vary from year to year, based on these resources, EPA has estimated the average annual number of respondents associated with each of the information collections under the program.
      
      In total, EPA estimates approximately 2,732 respondents participate under the ENERGY STAR products labeling program annually. In deriving this estimate, EPA referred to its databases to determine the current number of respondent Partners, including Product Brand Owners, Retailers, EEPS, ABs, CBs, and Labs. EPA notes that most respondents in this ICR are current Partners. EPA next identified the number of new organizations expected to join the program each year for the next three years, based on historical trends over the last three years.
      
      These organizations are discussed further below.	
 
 JOINING THE ENERGY STAR PROGRAM AND RELATED ACTIVITIES (EXHIBIT 1)
 
 Partnership Application
 
 	EPA has developed a Partnership Application process for product brand owners, retailers, and EEPS wishing to join the ENERGY STAR product labeling program, which consists of a partnership agreement form and a participation form.  It is expected that 250 new brand owner, retailers, and EEPS Partners will join each year for the three years of this ICR, as reflected in Exhibit 1.  One joint statement template for brand owners and brand licensees has been developed by EPA for ENERGY STAR product labeling.  It is expected that 15 Brand Owner templates will be submitted along with the Partnership Application each year, for the three years of this ICR.
 
 Partnership Type
 Number of Annual Respondents
 Product Brand Owner
 200
 Retailer
 35
 EEPS
 15
 Total
 250
 
 Application for AB, CB, and Lab Recognition and Scope Expansion 	
 
 	As reflected in Exhibit 1, EPA estimates that it will receive 25 applications for lab recognition, 40 applications for lab scope expansion, and 15 applications for W/SMTL recognition each year.
 
 	Further, the number of Accreditation Bodies and Certification Bodies has changed minimally over the last three years because most interested stakeholders are already participants. EPA estimates that it will receive 1 application from an AB over the next three years, and 2 applications from CBs each year over the next three years.  Because this ICR estimates annual burden over a 3-year period, EPA has annualized the one AB application over three years, to estimate that 0.33 applications will be received annually on average.
 
 CERTIFIED PRODUCT MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES (EXHIBIT 2)
 
 Third Party Certified Product Information
 	
 	Product specifications for over 75 different products are developed and maintained by EPA under the ENERGY STAR product labeling program.  Each product category has specific qualifying product information that must be reviewed, certified and shared by the CB. An average of 13,000 products are certified and labeled with the ENERGY STAR annually.  
 
 	As reflected in Exhibit 1, EPA estimates that 20 CBs will organize their certified model data into a format for automated submission. EPA updates the lists of certified models daily to reflect the most current information that has been transmitted to the EPA database via web services. CBs conduct verification and challenge testing on an ongoing basis and verify a minimum sampling of products each year. Specifically, in 2020, 19 CBs submitted the summary of the testing they conducted for the year. In prior years 20 CBs have submitted summary data, which supports the estimated number of entities EPA expects to report this information every year. On average CBs reported 355 product failures to EPA in the last three years. This number tends to fluctuate annually and could decrease in future years as product quality control increases. CBs report to EPA information on products reviewed for certification, but not eligible for ENERGY STAR.  Based on the average number of ineligible products reported to EPA in the past three years, EPA expects 21 ineligible products to be reported each year under this ICR. 
 
 Partner Response Forms
 
 	Upon receipt of an official testing failure or delisted product letter from EPA, brand owner Partners complete and submit to EPA a Partner Response Form. There are several versions of this form (e.g., "Disputable" version, "Non-disputable" version).  In total, EPA expects 161 Partner Response Forms to be submitted each year under this ICR.
 
 Unit Shipment Data 
 
 	Each year, ENERGY STAR Partners are asked to submit unit shipment data for their ENERGY STAR labeled products.  Based on historical trends of data, EPA estimates that it will receive 1,727 unit shipment reports each year.  Unit shipment data will be aggregated for each of the product categories covered by EPA under ENERGY STAR.  These estimates are based on aggregates across the 75 product categories.
 
 POY AND MOST EFFICIENT RECOGNITION (EXHIBIT 3)
 
 Partner of the Year Application
 
 	As reflected in Exhibit 1, EPA expects to receive 51 Products Partner of the Year Award applications annually.
 
 ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Windows Application
 
 	ENERGY STAR brand owner partners who have ENERGY STAR certified window models that meet the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Windows Recognition Criteria and wish to apply to gain Most Efficient recognition submit a Most Efficient Windows application. EPA expects to receive 5 Most Efficient Windows applications each year.
 
 ENERGY STAR Most Efficient HVAC Narrative Guide
       
       ENERGY STAR brand owner partners who have ENERGY STAR certified central air conditioner and air source heat pump, furnace, or geothermal heat pump models that meet the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Recognition Criteria and wish to apply to gain Most Efficient recognition submit an ENERGY STAR Most Efficient HVAC Narrative Guide. EPA expects to receive 36 Most Efficient HVAC Narrative Guides each year. 


 Exhibit 1:
       
 Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost
 ENERGY STAR Program: Joining the ENERGY STAR Program and Related Activities
       
 Exhibit 2:
       
 Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost
 ENERGY STAR Program: Certified Product Maintenance Activities
  
       
 Exhibit 3:
       
 Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost
 ENERGY STAR Program: Partner of the Year (POY) and ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Recognition
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Exhibit 4: 
 
 Estimated Annual Agency Burden and Cost
 
                                       
 Exhibit 4 Cont.: 
 
 Estimated Annual Agency Burden and Cost


 Exhibit 4 Cont.: 
 
 Estimated Annual Agency Burden and Cost


6.e	BOTTOM LINE BURDEN HOURS AND COSTS
 	
      (i)	Respondent Tally

      As shown in Table 1, EPA estimates the total annual hour and cost burden to respondents to be 40,391 hours and $2,546,557. The burden to respondents over the three years of this ICR is estimated to be 121,173 hours and $7,639,671.74. 
 
 Table 1:  Total Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost Summary
 
                                        
       
      (ii)	Agency Tally

      As shown in Table 2, EPA estimates the total annual hour and cost burden to the Agency to be 11,241 hours and $506,774. The bottom-line burden to the Agency over the three years of this ICR is estimated to be 33,723 hours and $1,520,322.
      
 Table 2:  Total Estimated Annual Agency Burden and Cost Summary
      
                                          






      6.f	REASONS FOR CHANGE IN BURDEN
 	
 	EPA estimates a total annual respondent burden in this ICR, 2078.08, of 40,391 hours. This is equivalent to the hours from the currently approved burden of 40,391 hours in ICR 2078.07. 

      Table 3 presents the total annual hours estimated in ICR 2078.07 and ICR 2078.08 for each information collection (see columns 1-3). The table then compares their respective hours for each collection to derive the change in hours, and indicates whether this hour-change resulted from a program change and/or adjustment (see column 4). The table also briefly describes the program change and/or adjustment (see column 5). Finally, the table sums up all hour-changes to derive the total annual change in hours for all collections (see the bottom row of the table).

      As shown, there were no hour changes due to adjustments and no program changes. 
       
 	 
 
      
 
      



Table 3:  Comparison of Total Annual Respondent Hours Under ICR 2078.06 and ICR 2078.07




      6.g	BURDEN STATEMENT 
 
 	
 	This collection of information is approved by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. (OMB Control No. 2060-0528). Responses to this collection of information are voluntary (Section103(g) of the Clean Air Act). 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 public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to [be xx hours] per response. Send comments on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden to the Regulatory Support Division Director, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2821T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20460. Include the OMB control number in any correspondence. Do not send the completed form to this address.
 
 
 
 

