
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59773-59775]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25172]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2014-0736; FRL-9934-55]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this 
document announces that EPA is planning to submit an Information 
Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). 
The ICR, entitled: ``EPA's Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards 
Program'' and identified by EPA ICR No. 2450.02 and OMB Control No. 
2070-0184, represents the renewal of an existing ICR that is scheduled 
to expire on January 31, 2016. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for 
review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of 
the proposed information collection that is summarized in this 
document. The ICR and accompanying material are available in the docket 
for public review and comment.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 1, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2014-0736, by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit 
electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business 
Information (CBI)

[[Page 59774]]

or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
     Mail: Document Control Office (7407M), Office of Pollution 
Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
     Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand 
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the 
instructions at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
    Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along 
with more information about dockets generally, is available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    For technical information contact: Chen Wen, Chemistry, Economics & 
Sustainable Strategies Division (7409-M), Office of Pollution 
Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 
(202) 564-8849; email address: wen.chen@epa.gov.
    For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 
422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202) 
554-1404; email address: TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. What information is EPA particularly interested in?

    Pursuant to PRA section 3506(c)(2)(A) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), 
EPA specifically solicits comments and information to enable it to:
    1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility.
    2. Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimates of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used.
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected.
    4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from 
very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of 
specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork 
burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.

II. What information collection activity or ICR does this action apply 
to?

    Title: EPA's Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards Program.
    ICR number: EPA ICR No. 2450.02.
    OMB control number: OMB Control No. 2070-0184.
    ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on January 
31, 2016. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, a collection of information, unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's 
regulations in title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), after 
appearing in the Federal Register when approved, are listed in 40 CFR 
part 9, are displayed either by publication in the Federal Register or 
by other appropriate means, such as on the related collection 
instrument or form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers 
for certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.
    Abstract: EPA developed the Partner of the Year Awards to recognize 
Safer Choice stakeholders who have furthered the goals of Safer Choice 
through active and exemplary participation in and promotion of the 
Safer Choice program. Making the mission of the Safer Choice program 
known to the widest possible audience, through its safer product label 
and in other forms of communication, is critical to fully realizing the 
program's goals of protecting human health and the environment, 
promoting a sustainable economy, and creating green jobs, especially in 
the small business sector.
    The Partner of the Year Awards will be an annual event, with 
recognition for Safer Choice stakeholder organizations from five broad 
categories: (1) Formulators/product manufacturers (of both consumer and 
institutional/industrial (I/I) products), (2) purchasers and 
distributors, (3) retailers, (4) supporters (e.g., non-governmental 
organizations, including environmental and health advocates, trade 
associations, academia, sports teams, and others), and (5) innovators 
(e.g., chemical manufacturers, technology developers, and others). 
Within these categories and based on the criteria, EPA may elect to 
give additional awards in the subcategories of ``small business'' and 
``sustained excellence.'' This information collection activity 
addresses the reporting burden associated with making application to 
EPA for recognition in the Partner of the Year Awards program.
    Responses to this information collection are voluntary. Respondents 
may claim all or part of a response 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 and recordkeeping 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 15 
hours per response. Burden is defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(b).
    The ICR, which is available in the docket along with other related 
materials, provides a detailed explanation of the collection activities 
and the burden estimate that is only briefly summarized here:
    Respondents/Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by 
this ICR are establishments engaged in the production, use, and/or 
advancement of safer chemicals, that have furthered the goals of DfE 
through active and exemplary participation in and promotion of the 
program, and that wish to receive recognition for their achievements.
    Estimated total number of potential respondents: 50.
    Frequency of response: Annual.
    Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 750 hours.
    Estimated total annual costs: $45,486. This includes an estimated 
burden cost of $45,486 and an estimated cost of $0 for capital 
investment or maintenance and operational costs.

III. Are there changes in the estimates from the last approval?

    There is no change in the total estimated respondent burden 
compared with that identified in the ICR currently approved by OMB.

IV. What is the next step in the process for this ICR?

    EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as 
appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for 
review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. EPA will issue another 
Federal Register document pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to 
announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit 
additional comments to OMB. If you have any questions about this ICR or 
the approval process, please contact the technical person listed under 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.


[[Page 59775]]


    Dated: September 25, 2015.
James J. Jones,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2015-25172 Filed 10-1-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


