OMB notes that
since this ICR was last approved, EPA has streamli ned the
underlying regulations to exempt small distributors from
classification as manufacturers merely because they introduce add
itional additives (primarily detergent) during distribution. OMB
commends this burden reduction action. However, OMB is concerned
about two comments filed during the pub lic comment period for
renewal of this ICR. One commenter sugges ted that all of the
information included in the annual manufactur ers reports on
gasoline can be extracted from much more detailed reports that are
now required to be submitted under the RFG rule. If true, the
collection of this information under this ICR would appear to
violate the certification requirements at 5 CFR 1320.9( b) that
collections of information not be unnecessarily duplicati ve of
information otherwise reasonably available to the agency. O MB thus
directs EPA to consider, prior to the next renewal of thi s ICR,
whether it is appropriate to discontinue the requirement f or
annual manufacturers reports under this ICR and instead obtain the
necessary data from the RFG reports. IF EPA decides to cont inue
the requirement in this ICR, the next renewal should clarify how
this is consistent with the requirement in 5 CFR 1320.9(b) re
ferenced above. Another commenter questioned the usefulness of the
quarterly manu facturers reports. These reports require production
volume figur es and additive concentration ranges for all fuels
produced durin g the quarter. EPA uses this information to track
additive use i n order to identify potential public health concerns
and ensure t hat fuel manufacturers are only using registered
additives at leg al concentrations. It appears, however, that only
a handful of t he 6300 additives that are currently being tracked
by these repor ts actually raise public health concerns, though EPA
notes that there have been instances where fuel manufacturers have
failed to update their registration additive list or inadvertently
used ad ditives beyond their legal limits, and this has been
identified b y EPA through review of the quarterly reports. OMB is
concerned that the ICR may violate the requirements at 5 CFR
1320.9(a) that the information collected have practical utility and
5 CFR 1320. 9(c) that it reduce to the extent practicable and
appropriate the burden on persons who shall provide information to
or for the ag ency. OMB thus directs EPA to consider, prior to the
next renewa l of this ICR, whether it is appropriate to modify the
current re quirements for quarterly reporting to reduce the burden
on respon dents. If EPA decides not to modify the current
requirements, th e next renewal should clarify how it is consistent
with the requi rements at 5 CFR 1320.9 (a) and (c) referenced
above. The following additional remarks were added on 01/17/1998.
This ICR is retroactively approved beginning on 1 July, 1997. On
June 16,1997, prior to the expiration of the prior approval on June
30, 1997, the agency requested an emergency 3-month extension in
order to allow time to complete the preparation of its normal
request for a three year extension. This request was misplaced by
the OMB desk officer in charge and never acted upon. In the normal
course of events, it would have been approved in order to allow the
agency to prepare a proper submission for the 3-year extension
request. Because the agency acted in good faith to prevent its
approval from lapsing, the recently approved 3-year extension is
being made retroactive to July 1, 1997.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
06/30/2000
06/30/2000
10,300
0
0
20,900
0
0
31,000
0
0
Manufactutrers of gasoline, diesel
fuel, and additivies for gasoline and/or diesel fuel are required
to have these products registered with the EPA prior to their
introduction into commerce. Registration involves providing a
chemical description of the fuel or additive, certain technical and
marketing information, and any health effects information in
possession of the manufacturer.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Registration of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Requirements for Manufacturers