Proficiency Testing Studies for Drinking Water Laboratories

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
2264ss01.doc Supporting Statement A	2007-07-17

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
181309	Proficiency Testing Studies for Drinking Water Laboratories	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2040-0276	ICR Reference No: 200707-2040-001
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: EPA/OW	Agency Tracking No: 2264.01
Title: Proficiency Testing Studies for Drinking Water Laboratories
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 12/31/2007
	Date Received in OIRA: 07/26/2007
Terms of Clearance: Requested approval is for one year. At that time, this will be transferred to another ICR.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	12/31/2008	36 Months From Approved
Responses	2,363	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	17,291	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	908,055	0	0

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Abstract: Proficiency Testing (PT) studies provide an objective demonstration that participating laboratories are capable of producing valid data for monitored pollutants. PT studies that relate to drinking water analyses are mandated under 40 CFR 141.23(k)(3), 141.24(f)(17) and 141.131(b)(2). EPA initiated these studies and originally administered them as part of the Agency's mandate to assure the quality of environmental monitoring data. Subsequently, all of these studies were privatized. PT vendors manufacture and distribute samples to the participating laboratories who then submit their analytical results to these vendors for evaluation. The PT vendors then send evaluations of the submitted data to the laboratory and any other designated certifying/accrediting authority.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 104 - 182 1316 Name of Law: Safe Drinking Water Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	72 FR 24582	05/03/2007
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	72 FR 41072	07/26/2007
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Proficiency Testing Studies for Drinking Water Laboratories

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	2,363	0	0	2,363	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	17,291	0	0	17,291	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	908,055	0	0	908,055	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: Another expiring ICR (Performance Evaluation Studies of Water and Wastewater Laboratories (OMB Control No. 2080 0021, EPA ICR No. 0234.08)) currently supports not only drinking water PT studies but also similar studies conducted for wastewater under the Discharge Monitoring Report Quality Assurance Study Program (DMRQA). The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA or EPA) Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW) has decided to initiate this new ICR in order to specifically address the drinking water PT studies. The ICR for the DMRQA is being addressed separately. Thus, the current increase in burden does not represent a change to the effective burden currently being imposed on the public, since it is offset by the decrease in burden in the DMRQA ICR.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 07/26/2007

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