Notice2024-27816
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal of an Existing ICR Collection and Request for Comment; Assessment of Environmental Performance Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Procurement
Primary source
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Published
November 27, 2024
Issuing agencies
Environmental Protection Agency
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this document announces the availability of and solicits public comment on the following Information Collection Request (ICR) that EPA is planning to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): "Assessment of Environmental Performance Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Procurement," identified by EPA ICR No. 2516.05 and OMB Control No. 2070-0199. This ICR represents a renewal of an existing ICR that is currently approved through September 30, 2025. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval under the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the information collection that is summarized in this document. The ICR and accompanying material are available in the docket for public review and comment.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 229 (Wednesday, November 27, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 93574-93575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27816]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2014-0838; FRL-12379-01-OCSPP]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal of an
Existing ICR Collection and Request for Comment; Assessment of
Environmental Performance Standards and Ecolabels for Federal
Procurement
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this
document announces the availability of and solicits public comment on
the following Information Collection Request (ICR) that EPA is planning
to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): ``Assessment of
Environmental Performance Standards and Ecolabels for Federal
Procurement,'' identified by EPA ICR No. 2516.05 and OMB Control No.
2070-0199. This ICR represents a renewal of an existing ICR that is
currently approved through September 30, 2025. Before submitting the
ICR to OMB for review and approval under the PRA, EPA is soliciting
comments on specific aspects of the 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 January 27, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2014-0838, through the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the online instructions
for submitting comments. Do not submit electronically any information
you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Additional
instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more
information about dockets generally, is available at <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dockets">https://www.epa.gov/dockets</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carolyn Siu, Mission Support Division
(7602M), Office of Program Support, Office of Chemical Safety and
Pollution Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number:
(703) 719-1649; email address: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#64170d114a0705160b081d0a240114054a030b12"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a9dac0dc87cac8dbc6c5d0c7e9ccd9c887cec6df">[email protected]</span></a>.
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,
[[Page 93575]]
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: Assessment of Environmental Performance Standards and
Ecolabels for Federal Procurement.
EPA ICR No.: 2516.05.
OMB Control No.: 2070-0199.
ICR status: This ICR is currently approved through September 30,
2025. Under the PRA, 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
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: This ICR covers the information collection activities
associated with the Agency's evaluation of private sector standards and
ecolabels per EPA's Framework for the Assessment of Environmental
Performance Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing (Framework),
formerly referred to as the Guidelines. EPA's goal in developing this
Framework is to create a transparent, fair, and consistent approach to
selecting product environmental performance standards and ecolabels to
support the Agency's mission and federal sustainable acquisition goals
and mandates. The fundamental aim of this Framework is to establish a
cross-sector approach to be used in recognizing private sector
environmental performance standards (and consequently, environmentally
preferable products and services meeting these standards) for use in
federal purchasing.
Burden statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 8.5
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 are
standard development organizations, ecolabel programs, and
certification entities that manage product or service environmental
performance standards and/or ecolabels that could be considered for use
in United States federal sustainable procurement efforts.
Respondent's obligation to respond: Voluntary. See 15 U.S.C. 3701
and 42 U.S.C. 13103(b)(11).
Forms: EPA Form No. 9600-038.
Frequency of response: On Occasion.
Total estimated number of potential respondents: 100.
Total estimated average number of responses for each respondent: 2.
Total estimated annual burden hours: 613 hours.
Total estimated annual respondent costs: $49,284 which includes $0
for capital investment or maintenance and operational costs.
III. Are there changes in the estimates from the last approval?
There is a decrease in burden of 94 hours. The burden decrease is a
result of the decrease of respondents that were not previously assessed
per EPA Framework. This change is an adjustment.
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 person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
Dated: November 21, 2024.
Michal Freedhoff,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2024-27816 Filed 11-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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