﻿Supporting Statement for an Information Collection Request (ICR) 
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Identification of the Information Collection  -  Title and Numbers
      Title: EPA's Safer Choice Program Product and Partner Recognition Activities
      EPA ICR No.: 2692.01
      OMB Control No.: 2070-[new]
      EPA Form Numbers: EPA Form 9600-023: Safer Choice Program Partner of the Year Application Form; EPA Form 9600-017: Product and Ingredient Submission; EPA Form 9600-018: Private Label Submission; EPA Form 9600-019: General Adult Questionnaire; EPA Form 9600-020: Leaning Green Questionnaire; EPA Form 9600-021: Moderator guide; EPA Form 9600-022: General Adult Population Survey; and EPA Form 9600-023: Safer Choice Program Partner of the Year Awards Application Form  
      Docket ID No.: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2021-0245

Abstract

This ICR will cover the information collection activities associated with the reporting and recordkeeping requirements for individuals, businesses, organizations, and government entities participating in or collaborating with EPA's Safer Choice program. These components are designed to:

Improve data efficiency by electronic data collection via a cloud-based Salesforce system called the Safer Choice Community;
Monitor the public's awareness of the Safer Choice program and label; and,
Clarify the Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards application process and form.
   
Legal authority: Section 6604(b)(5) of the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA), 42 U.S.C. 13103(b)(5) (see Attachment A) and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.). More details are provided in section 1(a) of this Supporting Statement.

Respondents/affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this ICR include current and potential voluntary participants in the Safer Choice program, and any purchasers or users of chemical products. 

Respondent's obligation to respond: Although participation in the Safer Choice program is voluntary, certain responses and submission of materials are mandatory under TSCA and required by the Safer Choice program.

      Confidentiality of responses: Respondents may claim all or part of a document submitted to be 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.

Summary Total Burden and Costs

IC Summary Table: Annual Burden and Cost over the Three-Year ICR Period
IC Category
Responses
Burden
Total Cost
Respondents
IC #1: Safer Choice program
157
1,596
$666,806
IC #2: Safer Choice label redesign consultations
2,330
771
$35,466
IC #3: Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards
35
525
$34,030
Annual Total
2,522
2,892
$736,302 
Agency
IC #1: Safer Choice program
N/A
658
$46,664
IC #2: Safer Choice label redesign consultations
N/A
15
$20,884
IC #3: Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards
N/A
54
$3,960
Annual Total
N/A
727
$71,508 



Supporting Statement
Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

Related Legal and/or Administrative Requirements

The related legal authority derives from Section 6604(b)(5) of the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA), (42 U.S.C. 13103(b)(5) (Attachment A), which directs EPA to facilitate the adoption of source-reduction techniques by businesses, and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.), which encourages safety through technological innovation in chemistry. EPA has developed the Safer Choice program in recognition of this statutory directive, and through consultation with a broad range of stakeholders.

Necessity of the Information Collection

The information collection activities covered by this ICR are necessary components of the Safer Choice program established under PPA and TSCA mandates.

Safer Choice information collection activities will assist the Agency in meeting the goals of the PPA by: (1) providing resources and recognition for individuals, businesses, organizations, and government entities committed to the design, manufacture, selection, promotion, sale, and use of  products with safer chemical ingredients and to innovation in safer chemistry; (2) ensuring that the Safer Choice label and educational activities effectively communicate the Agency's missions under the PPA and TSCA; and (3) recognizing the leadership contributions of Safer Choice partners and stakeholders who, over the past year, have shown achievement in the design, manufacture, selection, promotion, sale, and use of products with safer chemical ingredients, that further outstanding or innovative source reduction. In turn, the Safer Choice program will help businesses meet corporate sustainability goals by providing the means to, and an objective measure of, environmental stewardship. Investment analysts and advisers seek these types of measures in evaluating a corporation's sustainability profile and investment worthiness. It is not surprising, then, that EPA has heard from many organizations that Safer Choice program partnership is an important impetus for prioritizing and completing the transition to safer chemical products. The Safer Choice program is also needed to increase demand for and encourage the development of safer chemical-based products, to the benefit of consumers, including low income and minority communities, manufacturing partners, retailers, other stakeholders, and the environment.

Safer Choice has carefully tailored its request for information to ensure that it only asks for information essential for verifying applicant and product eligibility for recognition (e.g., via the Safer Choice Community cloud-based Salesforce system), testing the qualities of the selected label concepts and outreach efforts, and verifying an applicant's eligibility for award or recognition (e.g., via the Safer Choice Program Partner of the Year application form).

Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used.  Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the Agency has made of the information received from the current collection.
The information collected by the Safer Choice program is not designed or intended to support regulatory decision-making by EPA. EPA will use the information collected to: (1) promote the program's scientific basis and the human health and environmental benefits of using products with safer chemical ingredients, (2) increase consumer recognition of certified products with safer ingredients carrying the Safer Choice label, (3) recognize businesses and others already involved in the Safer Choice program and encourage additional businesses to participate in the Safer Choice program, and (4) further drive innovation and the development of products with safer chemical ingredients that protect human health and the environment.

Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

In order to facilitate collection activities, the Safer Choice program has implemented the Safer Choice Community cloud-based Salesforce system that houses application, review, and notification processes. This system is a centralized location for information collected as part of the Safer Choice program's various activities. In addition, the Agency will accept more traditional methods of delivery (mail, commercial delivery service, or hand delivery) as well as faxed and e-mailed application forms. 

Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

Respondents will not be asked to provide information that has been or is currently being collected by EPA, other federal or state agencies, or proprietary sources. The information collected by the Safer Choice program is unique and is not duplicative of previous information collection requests. EPA also checked with potential respondents to confirm that the information being collected does not exist elsewhere. 

If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe the methods used to minimize burden.

EPA expects that some of the participants will be small entities. EPA has designed its application forms to minimize respondent burden while obtaining sufficient and accurate information. In addition, given the voluntary nature of the collection, EPA expects that respondents will participate only if the benefits of participation outweigh the information collection burden.

Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

The application forms included in this ICR are designed to be one-time information submissions for organizations that wish to participate in or be recognized by the Safer Choice program. In relation to using the Safer Choice label, this means that once every three years, the organization will submit a renewal application to confirm that no changes have been made to ingredients; this step is done in response to correspondence from Safer Choice that reminds organizations of the terms of their partnership agreements. The consumer online survey to test awareness of the Safer Choice label will be conducted annually to measure trends in consumer recognition of the label. The Partner of the Year Awards application form is designed to be an annual information submission for only those organizations interested in being considered for the award.

Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner: 
requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly; 
requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it; 
requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document; 
requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records, for more than three years; 
in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;
requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB; 
that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or
requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.  

Not applicable.

If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken in response to the comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden. 
   Describe efforts to consult with persons outside EPA to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.
   Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years - even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

Pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1) in proposing to submit this ICR, EPA will publish a notice in the Federal Register that will provide a 60-day public comment period. The comments received and any additional public comment for this action will be posted in the docket.

As required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), in addition to the public notice EPA staff will contact appropriate stakeholders and ask them for their assessment of the regulatory burden estimates expressed by the Agency in this ICR. A summary of these consultations will be provided in the supporting statement during the second comment period. The full consultation will be reserved in Attachment K.

This is a new ICR that summarizes the information collection activities for the Safer Choice program  -  a voluntary program administered by the EPA. Currently the Safer Choice program has two ICRs that are approved by the OMB under the separate OMB control numbers identified: 

OMB Control No. 2070-0178; EPA ICR No. 2302.03; entitled "Safer Choice Product Recognition Program (Renewal)"; approved through 05/31/2022
OMB Control No. 2070-0189; EPA ICR No. 2487.02; entitled "Safer Choice Label Consultations (Renewal)"; approved through 11/30/2022.
      
Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

For the purposes of this data collection, we anticipate the total incentive/travel reimbursement offered to each consumer focus group participant to be $100. For further information, refer to Supporting Statement B of EPA ICR No. 2487.02 (OMB Control No. 2070-0189).

Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy. If the collection requires a systems of records notice (SORN) or privacy impact assessment (PIA), those should be cited and described here.

Some information collected by EPA through the Safer Choice program involves confidential business or trade secret information. The Safer Choice program handles all information claimed as such as confidential business information in accordance with Agency confidentiality procedures (see 40 CFR part 2, subpart B). The Safer Choice program uses information provided by businesses solely for the purposes related to forming partnerships and discloses the information only to EPA employees and EPA contractors cleared for confidential information with a specific need to know.

Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

The information collection activities discussed in this document do not involve any sensitive questions involving sexuality, religious beliefs, political affiliation, or other matters considered private, as referred to in the Supporting Statement for PRA Submissions in the document "Guidance on Agency Survey and Statistical Information Collections," from January 20, 2006. EPA will adhere to its Privacy Policy (EPA classification number 2151) that establishes requirements for safeguarding the collection, access, use, dissemination, and storage of personally identifiable information (PII) and Privacy Act information in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the E-Government Act of 2002, the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), and policy and guidance issued by the President and Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should: 
Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.
If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens. 
Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included under `Annual Cost to Federal Government'.  

For each respondent category, this section of the ICR describes the respondents, the information collection activities and related estimates for hour burden and costs associated with those activities. See Attachment J for detailed calculations of burden and cost.

12(a).Methodology for Estimating Respondent Burden and Costs

The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes associated with industries most likely affected by the paperwork requirements are described below: 

325180 Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing
325199 All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing (Primary)
325320 Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing
325510 Paint and Coating Manufacturing
325520 Adhesive Manufacturing
3256 Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation Manufacturing
325611 Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing
325612 Polish and Other Sanitation Good Manufacturing
325613 Surface Active Agent Manufacturing (Primary)
325620 Toilet Preparation Manufacturing
325910 Printing Ink Manufacturing
325992 Photographic Film, Paper, Plate, and Chemical Manufacturing
325998 All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing
423850 Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (Primary)
424490 Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers
424690 Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (Primary)
424990 Other Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Merchant Wholesalers
4451 Grocery Stores
445110 Supermarkets and Other Grocery (except Convenience) Stores (Primary)
445299 All Other Specialty Food Stores
446110 Pharmacies and Drug Stores
453210 Office Supplies and Stationery Stores
453998 All Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers (except Tobacco Stores) (Primary)
454110 Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses
481 Air Transportation
531120 Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings (except Miniwarehouses)
531312 Nonresidential Property Managers
541714 Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (Primary)
561210 Facilities Support Services
561720 Janitorial Services
561740 Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services
611110 Elementary and Secondary Schools
611310 Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
622110 General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
711310 Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities
7211 Traveler Accommodation
722511 Full-Service Restaurants
8123 Dry cleaning and Laundry Services
813410 Civic and Social Organizations (Primary)
813910 Business Associations (Primary)
921190 Other General Government Support
924110 Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (Primary)

12(b).Estimated Respondent Burden and Costs by Information Collection

IC #1: Safer Choice product recognition program applications (Safer Choice program)

Respondent NAICS Codes:
325510 Paint and Coating Manufacturing
3256 Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation Manufacturing
325611 Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing
325612 Polish and Other Sanitation Good Manufacturing
325910 Printing Ink Manufacturing
325992 Photographic Film, Paper, Plate, and Chemical Manufacturing
325998 All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing
424690 Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers

Information Collection Activities:
Once a company with an interest in partnership with the Safer Choice program reviews the program materials and decides to apply, the next step for the organization is to submit the appropriate application.

Data items:
Applicants for this voluntary program submit information items that vary depending upon the class of product. The items include:

      Partnership Applications
      Product manufacturers will submit ingredient information, as described here, through the Safer Choice Community cloud-based Salesforce system, to a qualified third-party profiler before submittal to EPA. See Attachment B.

      Information submitted to third-party profilers:
Company name and website URL;
Number of employees;
Company headquarters address and manufacturing address;
Name, title, phone number, and e-mail address of the candidate's signatory contact person (e.g., CEO, or vice president for health and environment);
Name, title, phone number, and e-mail address of candidate's technical contact person;
Name, title, phone number, and e-mail address of candidate's marketing/outreach contact person;
Product information (name(s), UPC, GSA number, sector, production volume, pH, product form, product use);
Product characteristics on whether or not the product:
Is an EPA registered pesticide;
Is a direct release product;
Is a concentrate;
Contains enzymes, fragrance, or VOCs;
Requires hazard labeling;
Ingredient disclosure and performance data submitted;
Packaging information:
Container size and shapes;
Material;
Supplier;
Description of all chemical ingredients, including raw materials and alternative ingredients, in product:
CAS number;
Chemical name;
Trade name;
Percent composition;
Ingredient class;
Supplier name;
Other product information, including product packaging description, product flashpoint, and compostability;
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the product and each ingredient;
Product performance testing (any method of demonstrating product performance is acceptable as long as it is a commonly used industry standard); 
If available, any supplemental product or ingredient environmental health and safety information, such as:
Biodegradation tests on individual ingredients;
Acute aquatic toxicity tests on product as a whole or individual ingredients;
Human health and safety tests;
Description of the type of training the company provides to customers on environmental and worker safety matters.

      Information submitted to EPA:
Summary report, containing same data items as above

      Adding Private Label Partners, Products, and Alternate Product Names 
      Cleaning product manufacturers will submit information about private label additions to Safer Choice. To be label-eligible, private label products must contain ingredients identical to those in a Safer Choice-certified product. The three types of private label partners and products are private labels, licensees, and toll manufacturers. Cleaning product manufacturers will also submit information about alternate product names sold by the same manufacturer. To be label-eligible, alternate products must contain ingredients identical to those in a Safer Choice-certified product. See Attachment C.

Information submitted to EPA through the Safer Choice Community cloud-based Salesforce system includes:
Private label company name and website URL;
Number of employees;
Company headquarters address;
Name, title, phone number, and e-mail address of candidate's marketing/outreach contact person;
Current Safer Choice-certified product that is identical to the private label product;
Product information (name(s), UPC, GSA number, sector, production volume, pH, product form, product use); and
Product label and packaging information.

      Ingredient Submissions
      Product and/or chemical manufacturers will submit ingredient information as described here, through the Safer Choice Community cloud-based Salesforce system, to a qualified third-party profiler before submittal to EPA. See Attachment B. Chemicals and ingredients submitted to EPA are candidates for listing on the Safer Choice Safer Chemical Ingredients List, candidates for GreenBlue's CleanGredients(R) database, or are provided in support of customers' product reviews.
      
      Information submitted to third-party profilers:
Ingredient name/trade designation and alternate name(s);
Company name and website URL;
Company headquarters address;
Name, title, phone number, and e-mail address of candidate's technical contact person;
Description of all chemicals, including raw materials and alternatives, in the ingredient:
CAS number;
Chemical name;
Trade name;
Percent composition;
Ingredient class;
Supplier name;
Structural and chemical identity information including particle size;
Ingredient characteristics on whether or not the ingredient:
Contains preservatives, stabilizers, or antioxidants;
Contains residuals, impurities, or by-products;
Has proprietary biodegradation or toxicity test reports;
Is dry or in solution;
An SDS for the overall ingredient and each sub-ingredient;
If available, any supplemental product or ingredient environmental health and safety information, such as:
Biodegradation tests on individual ingredients;
Acute aquatic toxicity tests on product as a whole or individual ingredients; and
Human health and safety tests.
               
      Information submitted to EPA:
Summary report, containing same data items as above

Respondent activities:

      Applicants for Cleaning and Non-Cleaning Product Formulation Partnerships
Review program information, including instructions on submitting information to third-party profilers 
Submit information described in section 12(b) of this supporting statement to third-party profiler
Establish agreement with third-party profiler
Submit summary report to Safer Choice
Negotiate / establish Partnership Agreement with Safer Choice
Renew partnership, with no changes needed
Site and desk audit (See Attachment D)

      Adding Private Label Partners and Products and Alternate Product Names
Review program information
Submit information described in section 12(b) of this supporting statement to Safer Choice 

IC #1. Safer Choice product recognition program applications
Data Element
Form
Responses
Burden
Cost
(Hour Burden Only)
Establishing partnership agreements
N/A
44
704
$55,968
Renewals and audits
N/A
36
276
$18,576
Adding private label, licensee, and toll manufacturer partners and products
N/A
77
616
$46,662
Annual Total
157
1,596
$121,206

IC #2: Safer Choice label consultations and consumer awareness

Respondents:
Respondents will be adult members of the general population who are consumers, including consumers who consider the environment when making purchasing decisions, herein called leaning green consumers.

Information Collection Activities:
Respondents screened for focus group participation will listen to questions and provide answers to those questions. Those selected to participate in the focus groups will listen to directions, be presented with materials for discussion, participate in group discussions, and complete forms. Consumer online survey participants will read directions, answer questions, and submit the online survey.

IC #2. Safer Choice label redesign consultations
Data Element
Form
Responses
Burden
Cost
(Hour Burden Only)
Screening questionnaire for consumer focus groups
XXXX-XX
300
51
$2,346 
Consumer focus groups
XXXX-XX
30
60
$2,760
Awareness test of new visual mark  -  general adult population survey
XXXX-XX
          2,000
       660 
$30,360 
Annual Total
2,330
771
$35,466

IC #3: Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards program 

Respondent NAICS Codes:
325180 Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing
325199 All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing (Primary)
325320 Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing
325510 Paint and Coating Manufacturing
325520 Adhesive Manufacturing
325611 Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing
325612 Polish and Other Sanitation Good Manufacturing
325613 Surface Active Agent Manufacturing (Primary)
325620 Toilet Preparation Manufacturing
325910 Printing Ink Manufacturing
325992 Photographic Film, Paper, Plate, and Chemical Manufacturing
325998 All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing
423850 Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (Primary)
424490 Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers
424690 Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (Primary)
424990 Other Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Merchant Wholesalers
4451 Grocery Stores
445110 Supermarkets and Other Grocery (except Convenience) Stores (Primary)
445299 All Other Specialty Food Stores
446110 Pharmacies and Drug Stores
453210 Office Supplies and Stationery Stores
453998 All Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers (except Tobacco Stores) (Primary)
454110 Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses
481 Air Transportation
531120 Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings (except Miniwarehouses)
531312 Nonresidential Property Managers
541714 Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (Primary)
561210 Facilities Support Services
561720 Janitorial Services
561740 Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services
611110 Elementary and Secondary Schools
611310 Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
622110 General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
711310 Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities
7211 Traveler Accommodation
722511 Full-Service Restaurants
8123 Dry cleaning and Laundry Services
813410 Civic and Social Organizations (Primary)
813910 Business Associations (Primary)
921190 Other General Government Support
924110 Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (Primary)

Information Collection Activities:
Once a prospective organization reviews the Partner of the Year Awards materials and decides to apply, it should submit a Partner of the Year Awards Application Form (see Attachment I for complete form). All forms will be available in electronic format.  Participants can download PDF versions of the forms from the Safer Choice website at www.epa.gov/saferchoice. 

Data items:
The reporting items include:
Organization name and website URL;
Name, title, address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address of the candidate's primary contact person;
Recognition category (or categories) for which the candidate is applying;
Indication of whether the organization is a small business;
Indication of whether the organization should be considered for sustained excellence;
Descriptions of activities taken to qualify for recognition;
Signature, name, and title of senior company or organization authority (e.g., CEO, vice president for governmental affairs, division head, or other authorized signatory).

Respondent activities:
Candidates will conduct the following activities in order to complete and submit the Partner of the Year Awards Application Form:
Review the Partner of the Year Awards information;
Decide whether to apply for recognition, and in what recognition category or categories;
Select a primary contact person for the program;
Complete the Partner of the Year Awards Application Form, including obtaining the signature of a company or organization authority (e.g., CEO, vice president for governmental affairs, division head, or other authorized signatory);
Describe how their organization meets the evaluation criteria for the relevant recognition;
Fax, e-mail, or mail the form to EPA;
Provide relevant documentation to EPA upon request.

IC #3.  Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards Program
Data Element
Form
Responses
Burden
Cost
(Hour Burden Only)
Partner of the Year Awards Application Form for formulators/product manufacturers
9600-023
19
285
$18,473 
Partner of the Year Awards Application Form for innovators
9600-023
5
75
$4,861 
Partner of the Year Awards Application Form for retailers
9600-023
3
45
$2,917 
Partner of the Year Awards Application Form for supporters
9600-023
6
90
$5,834 
Partner of the Year Awards Application Form for purchasers and distributors
9600-023
2
30
$1,945 
Annual Total
35
525
$34,030 

12(c).Total Estimated Respondent Burden and Hour Burden Costs

IC Summary Table: Annual Burden and Cost over the Three-Year ICR Period
IC Category
Responses
Burden
Cost
(Hour Burden Only)
IC #1: Safer Choice program
157
1,596
$121,206
IC #2: Safer Choice label redesign consultations
2,330
771
$35,466
IC #3: Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards
35
525
$34,030
Annual Total
2,522
2,892
$190,702 

IC Summary Table: Total Burden and Cost over the Three-Year ICR Period
IC Category
Responses
Burden
Cost
(Hour Burden Only)
IC #1: Safer Choice program
471
4,788
$363,618
IC #2: Safer Choice label redesign consultations
6,990
2,313
$106,398
IC #3: Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards
105
1,575
$102,090
Total
7,566
8,676
$572,106 

Provide an estimate for the total annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden already reflected on the burden worksheet).
The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.
If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collections services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.
Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

As shown in Attachment J, the only operation and maintenance cost associated with this information collection is the respondents' cost of establishing an agreement with a third-party profiler. The cost associated with this activity is estimated to be $12,400 annually. This estimate assumes that the typical application submitted by a cleaning product manufacturer will contain four products, each with 2 ingredients ($650 each), 1 proprietary ingredient ($1,300), and a $500 administrative fee. The total cost per product is $3,100. The total will be $12,400 per company per application. Since 44 responses are expected under the Partnership Agreements collection activity (as explained in Attachment J), the total annual operation and maintenance cost is $545,600.

Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. Agencies may also aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.
   
   14(a). Agency Activities

The Safer Choice program consists of a variety of programs and initiatives that work together to meet the mission of the program. This change in name is intended to enhance public awareness of the program and its goals and increase overall participation in the program itself. As such, it is important to promote and recognize the efforts of dedicated partners.  This new ICR is part of an effort to integrate and streamline the individual collection activities across the program.  

Under the Safer Choice program, EPA engages in the following activities related to the application and decision process:
Answer questions posed by potential applicants, including product manufacturers regarding recognition under the program and ingredient manufacturers regarding qualification for use in Safer Choice-certified products;
Receive the completed applications, review for accuracy, and place any necessary follow-up calls;
Apply EPA's chemical tools and expertise to understand toxicological characteristics of chemical ingredients and to ensure that they are the safest within their functional use class;
Approve candidates for recognition and notify both successful and unsuccessful applicants of the decisions; and
Make final decisions about which products may be certified and carry the Safer Choice label.

EPA has developed the Safer Choice Community cloud-based Salesforce system to house applications and other information related to the Safer Choice program to reduce the public and Agency burden related to the application and decision process.

Under the Safer Choice program, EPA engages in the following activities in relation to consumer awareness and evaluation of the success of the Safer Choice label which was launched in March 2015:
Conduct consumer focus groups to test awareness and perception of the Safer Choice program;
Conduct annual consumer online surveys to evaluate consumer awareness and perceptions of the Safer Choice label;
Review and analyze consumer online survey results; and
Use results to measure consumer awareness and perceptions of the Safer Choice label.

Under the Safer Choice program, EPA engages in the following activities in relation to the Partner of the Year Awards:
Distribute the Awards Application Form to potential participants and maintain a downloadable PDF version on the Safer Choice website;
Answer questions posed by potential applicants regarding Partner of the Year Awards recognition;
Receive the completed forms, review for completeness, and place any necessary follow-up calls;
Screen award applicants to determine their history of civil or criminal EPA enforcement actions; and
Approve candidates for Partner of the Year Awards recognition based on evaluation criteria (see Attachment I, Section 2) and notify both successful and unsuccessful applicants of the decisions.

   14(b).Estimated Agency Costs
   
EPA estimates that it costs the agency approximately $214,523 ($71,508 annually) to carry out the activities associated with the information collection activities covered by this ICR. Agency labor costs are calculated based on hourly basic rates for federal employees in the Washington-Baltimore area published by the Office of Personnel Management effective January 2021. The average hourly labor rate for managerial staff is estimated as the rate for a GS-13 Step 5 employee, for technical staff as a GS-10 Step 10 employee, and for clerical staff as GS-5 Step 1. These GS-level assumptions are consistent with those used in past EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) ICRs. The hourly rates were multiplied by an assumed loading factor of 1.639 to reflect federal fringe benefits. This loading factor is from a study by the Congressional Budget Office, which is recommended in EPA's Handbook on Valuing Changes in Time Use Induced by Regulatory Requirements and Other U.S. EPA Actions as a useful source for estimating benefit values for federal government workers.

14(c).Collection Schedule

Collection schedules under each part of the ICR are as follows:
For the Safer Choice program, organizations may submit applications at any time during the three-year period. Once approved, the Safer Choice recognition lasts for a three-year period.
Consumer online surveys will be distributed at yearly intervals during the course of the three-year approval period.
For the Partner of the Year Awards program, organizations can submit an application for each of the three years.

Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in hour or cost burden.

This information collection combines the burdens from two previously approved ICRs, EPA ICR No. 2302.03 and EPA ICR No. 2487.02. The total combined burden from these two previously approved ICRs was 7,118 hours. The total burden requested for this ICR is 8,676 hours, or an increase of 1,558 hours from the previous total burden. The difference between the current burden request and the previously approved requests is primarily due to the inclusion of Partner of the Year Awards collection activities when calculating the burden of this ICR.  Additionally, minor adjustments were made in EPA's estimates of the number of respondents and of the burden.  
      
The total combined cost burden from these two previously approved ICRs was $2,045,616. The total cost burden requested for this ICR is $2,208,906. The difference between the current cost burden request and the previously approved requests are due to the inclusion of Partner of the Year Awards collection activities when calculating the burden, as well as adjustments in EPA's estimates of the number of respondents and of the burden. In addition to the adjustments listed above, the wage rates and material costs were revised to reflect 2020 dollars for this information collection request. 

Detailed breakdowns of the calculations for burden and cost estimates are available in Attachment J.

For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

Not applicable.

If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons why display would be inappropriate.

Not applicable.

Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions."

EPA does not request an exception to the certification of this information collection.

Supplemental Information

Under the PRA, burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b), The response burden for this ICR is estimated to range between 0.33 and 16 hours per response, depending on the particulars associated with the individual Data Call-In (DCI). The total annualized burden for this ICR is estimated to be 2,892 hours per year. The response cost is estimated to range between $15 and $4,247 per response, depending on the particulars associated with the individual DCI. The total annualized cost for this ICR is estimated to be $736,302 per year.

List of Attachments

The attachments listed below can be found in the docket for this ICR or by using the hyperlink that is provided in the list below. The docket for this ICR is accessible electronically through http://www.regulations.gov using Docket ID Number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2021-0245.

Ref.
Title
A
42 USC 13103  -  Pollution Prevention Act Section 6604
B
Safer Choice Program: Product and Ingredient Submissions in the Safer Choice Community cloud-based Salesforce system
C
Safer Choice Program: Private Label Submissions in the Safer Choice Community cloud-based Salesforce system
(Private Label Companies, Licensees, or Toll Manufacturers)
D
Safer Choice Program: Audit Process Guidance
E
Screening Questionnaire for General Adult Consumer Focus Group
F
Screening Questionnaire for "Leaning Green" Consumer Focus Group
G
Moderator's Guide for Consumer Focus Group Session
H
Survey to Test Awareness and Perceptions of EPA's Safer Choice Label: General Adult Population Survey
I
Safer Choice Program Partner of the Year Awards Application Form
J
Detailed Calculations of Burden and Cost Estimates

