[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18313-18314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06392]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OLEM-2018-0392, FRL-10847-01-OMS]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Requirements and Exemptions for Specific RCRA Wastes (Renewal)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an 
information collection request (ICR), Requirements and Exemptions for 
Specific RCRA Wastes (EPA ICR Number 1597.14, OMB Control Number 2050-
0145) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and 
approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This is a 
proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through 
March 31, 2023. Public comments were previously requested via the 
Federal Register on July 15, 2022 during a 60-day comment period. This 
notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments.

DATES: Comments may be submitted on or before April 27, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-
OLEM-2018-0392 to EPA online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred 
method or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection 
Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 
20460. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in 
the public docket without change including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes profanity, threats, information 
claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
    Submit written comments and recommendations to OMB for the proposed 
information collection within 30 days of publication of this notice to 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Vyas, Environmental Protection 
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone 
number: 202-566-0453; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a proposed extension of the ICR, 
which is currently approved through March 31, 2023. 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.
    Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register 
on July 15, 2022 during a 60-day comment period (87 FR 42462). This 
notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. Supporting 
documents,

[[Page 18314]]

which explain in detail the information that the EPA will be 
collecting, are available in the public docket for this ICR. The docket 
can be viewed online at www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA 
Docket Center, WJC West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, 
Washington, DC. The telephone number for the Docket Center is 202-566-
1744. For additional information about EPA's public docket, visit 
http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
    Abstract: In 1995, EPA promulgated regulations at 40 CFR part 273 
that govern the collection and management of widely generated hazardous 
wastes known as ``Universal Wastes''. Universal Wastes are generated in 
a variety of non-industrial settings and are present in non-hazardous 
waste management systems. Examples of Universal Wastes include certain 
batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing lamps, and thermostats. The 
part 273 regulations are designed to ensure facilities collect these 
wastes and properly manage them in an appropriate hazardous waste 
management system. EPA needs to collect notifications of Universal 
Waste management to obtain general information on these handlers and to 
facilitate enforcement of the part 273 regulations. EPA promulgated 
labeling and marking requirements and accumulation time limits to 
ensure that Universal Waste is being accumulated responsibly. EPA needs 
to collect information on illegal Universal Waste shipments to enforce 
compliance with applicable regulations. Finally, EPA requires tracking 
of Universal Waste shipments to help ensure that Universal Waste is 
being properly treated, recycled, or disposed.
    In 2001, EPA promulgated regulations in 40 CFR part 266 that 
provide increased flexibility to facilities managing wastes commonly 
known as ``Mixed Waste.'' Mixed Wastes are low-level mixed waste (LLMW) 
and naturally occurring and/or accelerator-produced radioactive 
material (NARM) containing hazardous waste. These wastes are also 
regulated by the Atomic Energy Act. As long as specified eligibility 
criteria and conditions are met, LLMW and NARM are exempt from the 
definition of hazardous waste as defined in part 261. Although these 
wastes are exempt from RCRA manifest, transportation, and disposal 
requirements, facilities must still comply with the manifest, 
transportation, and disposal requirements under the NRC (or NRC-
Agreement State) regulations. Section 266.345(a) requires that 
generators or treaters notify EPA or the Authorized State that they are 
claiming the Transportation and Disposal Conditional Exemption prior to 
the initial shipment of a waste to a LLRW disposal facility.
    In 1992, EPA finalized management standards for used oils destined 
for recycling. The Agency codified the used oil management standards at 
40 CFR part 279. The regulations at 40 CFR part 279 establish, among 
other things, streamlined procedures for notification, testing, 
labeling, and recordkeeping. They also establish a flexible self-
implementing approach for tracking off-site shipments that allow used 
oil handlers to use standard business practices (e.g., invoices, bill 
of lading). In addition, part 279 sets standards for the prevention and 
cleanup of releases to the environment during storage and transit. EPA 
believes these requirements will minimize potential mismanagement of 
used oils, while not discouraging recycling. Used oil transporters must 
comply with all applicable packaging, labeling, and placarding 
requirements of 49 CFR parts 173, 178, and 179. In addition, used oil 
transporters must report discharges of used oil according to existing 
49 CFR part 171 and 33 CFR part 153 requirements.
    Form Numbers: None.
    Respondents/affected entities: Private sector and State, local, or 
Tribal governments.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: Mandatory (40 CFR part 273), 
required to obtain or retain a benefit (40 CFR parts 266 and 279).
    Estimated number of respondents: 27,127 (total).
    Frequency of response: On occasion.
    Total estimated burden: 530,478 hours (per year). Burden is defined 
at 5 CFR 1320.03(b)
    Total estimated cost: $56,792,139 (per year), which includes $950 
in annualized capital and $10,013,038 in annualized operation & 
maintenance costs.
    Changes in the Estimates: There is a decrease in the burden of 
264,872 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with 
the ICR currently approved by OMB. This decrease is a result of a 
significant downturn in the number of Universal Waste handlers (down to 
25,343 from 131,898), likely due in part to the effects of the COVID 
pandemic.

Courtney Kerwin,
Director, Regulatory Support Division.
[FR Doc. 2023-06392 Filed 3-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


