SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR
EPA INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUEST NUMBER 2455.01
“REVISION TO THE EXPORT PROVISIONS OF THE CATHODE
RAY TUBE (CRT) RULE - PROPOSED RULE”
FEBRUARY 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTION 4
1(a) Title and Number of the Information Collection 4
1(b) Short Characterization 4
2. NEED FOR AND USE OF THE COLLECTION 5
2(a) Need and Authority for the Collection 5
2(b) Practical Utility and Users of the Data 5
3. NONDUPLICATION, CONSULTATIONS, AND OTHER COLLECTION
CRITERIA 6
3(a) Nonduplication 6
3(b) Public Notice 6
3(c) Consultations 6
3(d) Effects of Less Frequent Collection 6
3(e) General Guidelines 7
3(f) Confidentiality 7
3(g) Sensitive Questions 7
4. THE RESPONDENTS AND THE INFORMATION REQUESTED 7
4(a) Respondents and SIC/NAICS Codes 7
4(b) Information Requested 10
5. THE INFORMATION COLLECTED—AGENCY ACTIVITIES, COLLECTION METHODOLOGY, AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT 12
5(a) Agency Activities 12
5(b) Collection Methodology and Management 13
5(c) Small Entity Flexibility 13
5(d) Collection Schedule 13
6. ESTIMATING THE HOUR AND COST BURDEN OF THE COLLECTION 14
6(a) Estimating Respondent Burden Hours 14
6(b) Estimating Respondent Costs 14
6(c) Estimating Agency Burden and Costs 15
6(d) Estimating the Respondent Universe and Total Burden and Costs 16
6(e) Bottom Line Burden Hours and Costs 18
6(f) Reasons for Change In Burden 18
6(g) Burden Statement 18
EXHIBITS
Estimated Respondent Burden and Cost for Reading the Rule…………………………………..20
Costs for New Annual Reporting by Exporters of CRTs for Recycling………………………….21
Costs for Meeting Proposed Reuse & Recycling Notification Changes…………………………22
(Asking for minor additional information)
1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTION
1(a) Title and Number of the Information Collection
This Information Collection Request (ICR) is entitled “Revision to the Export Provisions of the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Rule – Proposed Rule,” EPA ICR Number 2455.01.
1(b) Short Characterization
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated the CRT rule on July 28, 2006 (71 FR 42928). In that rule, EPA amended its regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to streamline the management requirements for used CRTs in an effort to encourage recycling and reuse of these materials rather than landfilling or possible incineration. The CRT rule also contained requirements for used CRTs exported for reuse or recycling. Exporters of used CRTs for recycling must notify EPA of an intended shipment before the shipment occurs. Notifications may cover exports extending over a 12-month or shorter period. The notification must include several items of information. When EPA receives this information, it notifies the receiving country. When the receiving country consents in writing to receive the CRTs, EPA forwards an Acknowledgement of Consent (AOC) to the exporter. The exporter may not ship the CRTs until he receives the AOC. With respect to CRTs that are exported for reuse, the CRT rule requires exporters to submit a one-time notification to EPA with contact information and a statement that they are exporting the CRTs for reuse. They must keep copies of normal business records demonstrating that each shipment will be reused. (See 40 CFR 261.39 and 261.41 for existing notification and recordkeeping requirements about used CRTs exported for reuse or recycling. The burden associated with these requirements is approved under EPA ICR Number 1189.24, and the OMB control number for this ICR is 2050-0053.)
EPA is proposing to revise the export provisions of the CRT rule. The purpose of these proposed revisions is to address certain implementation concerns with the current export provisions of the CRT rule. EPA is proposing a definition of “CRT exporter” that includes any intermediaries arranging for the export. Because CRTs are sometimes exported to more than one recycler in the receiving country, EPA is also proposing to require that the exporter state the name and address of the recycler or recyclers and the estimated quantity of CRTs to be sent to each facility, as well as the names of any alternate recyclers.
In addition, EPA is proposing to expand the current reuse notice and model the notice on that required for CRTs exported for recycling. Instead of a one-time notice, EPA is proposing to require that reuse notices be submitted to cover a twelve month or shorter period. EPA is also proposing to add additional items of information to the notice, including contact information about the exporter and the destination facility, the frequency or rate at which the CRTs would be exported, the quantity of CRTs, transport information, and a description of the manner in which the CRTs will be reused in the receiving country. Furthermore, EPA is proposing to require that the exporter sign a certification that the CRTs are fully functioning or capable of being functional after refurbishment. EPA believes that the proposed expanded notice will help the Agency determine whether the exported CRTs have been handled as products that are actually reused in the receiving country.
Finally, EPA is proposing to add a requirement that exporters of CRTs for recycling submit an annual report documenting the actual numbers of CRTs exported during the previous calendar year. This number may differ from the estimate submitted in the original notice. This information will help ensure that the shipments occurred under the terms approved by the receiving country, and would enable EPA to provide receiving countries with information that may help them to determine the quantity of CRTs that were received in a particular country for recycling.
In Sections 1 through 5 of this ICR, EPA presents a comprehensive description of the new information collection requirements in the proposed rule to revise the export provisions of the CRT rule. In Section 6, EPA estimates the total annual hour and cost burden to respondents and the Agency associated with these new information collection requirements.
In the following paragraphs, EPA briefly describes the new information collection requirements covered in this ICR.
2. NEED FOR AND USE OF THE COLLECTION
2(a) Need and Authority for the Collection
EPA is proposing the information collection under the authority of Sections 2002(a), 3001, 3002, 3004, and 3006 of RCRA, as amended. The proposed rule revises the notification that must be submitted to EPA when CRTs are exported for reuse or recycling and adds a requirement that exporters of CRTs for recycling submit an annual report documenting the actual numbers of CRTs exported during the previous calendar year. EPA believes the information collection requirements covered in this ICR are needed to ensure that CRTs exported for reuse or recycling are managed in compliance with the regulations.
2(b) Practical Utility and Users of the Data
Since promulgation of the CRT rule in 2006, it has become apparent that some CRTs ostensibly exported for reuse are actually disassembled and recycled when they reach the receiving country, sometimes under unsafe conditions. EPA will use the collected information to ensure exported CRTs have been handled as products that are actually reused in the receiving country. In addition, the collected information would enable EPA to provide receiving countries with information that may help them to determine the quantity of CRTs that were received in a particular country for recycling.
3. NONDUPLICATION, CONSULTATIONS, AND OTHER COLLECTION CRITERIA
3(a) Nonduplication
None of the information required by the proposed rule would duplicate information required by existing RCRA regulations.
3(b) Public Notice
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, EPA has issued a public notice in the Federal Register. The public comment period for this ICR is combined with the proposed rule, and it will run for 60 days. To assist the public in commenting on the proposal, EPA raised a few issues in the preamble to the proposed rule and asked for the public to comment on them. At the end of the comment period, EPA will review public comments received in response to the notice and will address comments received, as appropriate.
3(c) Consultations
The proposed revisions to the export provisions of the CRT rule were recommended by the Interagency Task Force on Electronics Stewardship (the “Task Force”) in its report titled National Strategy for Electronics Stewardship (July 20, 2011). Several federal agencies participated in drafting the recommendations of the National Strategy for Electronics Stewardship, including the General Services Administration, Office of the US Trade Representative, and the Departments of Commerce, Defense, and Energy. On behalf of the Task Force, EPA solicited public comment from stakeholders through a Federal Register notice. Also on behalf of the Task Force, the Council on Environmental Quality held three stakeholder listening sessions in March 2011 with state and local government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and industry, respectively. Comments provided through both of these methods were evaluated by the Task Force and considered in developing the National Strategy on Electronics Stewardship.
3(d) Effects of Less Frequent Collection
EPA has carefully considered the information collection burden imposed upon the regulated community by the proposed rule. EPA is confident that those activities required of respondents are necessary, and to the extent possible, the Agency has attempted to minimize the burden imposed. EPA believes strongly that, if the minimum information collection requirements of the proposed rule are not met, neither the respondents (e.g., exporters) nor EPA can ensure that CRTs exported for reuse or recycling are managed in compliance with the regulations. In addition, EPA would be unable to provide receiving countries the information that they would need to help ensure that CRTs are properly managed.
3(e) General Guidelines
This ICR adheres to the guidelines stated in the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, OMB’s implementing regulations, EPA’s ICR Handbook, and other applicable OMB guidance.
3(f) Confidentiality
Section 3007(b) of RCRA; 40 CFR part 2, subpart B; and 40 CFR 260.2 contain provisions for confidentiality. If a business asserts a claim of confidentiality covering any of the information collection requirements covered in this ICR, EPA must and will treat the information in accordance with the regulations cited above. EPA also will assure that this information collection complies with the Privacy Act of 1974 and OMB Circular 108.
3(g) Sensitive Questions
No questions of a sensitive nature are included in any of the information collection requirements.
THE RESPONDENTS AND THE INFORMATION REQUESTED
4(a) Respondents and SIC/NAICS Codes
The following is a list of Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes and corresponding North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes associated with industries most likely affected by the information collection requirements included in the existing CRT rule. The respondents for the proposed information collection requirements covered in this ICR are exporters of CRTs from these industries. The Agency estimates that a total of approximately 12 entities exported CRTs for recycling during 2011 (i.e., per EPA data on the number of approved exporters and the number of export notices that were submitted during 2011). However, far more entities are on record as being exporters of CRTs for purposes of reuse. Based on the number of CRT Reuse Notifications submitted during 2011, there exists approximately 126 such entities in the U.S. (i.e., according to data from Sept. 14th, 2011 published on EPA’s CRT informational website at [ http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/international/crts/recycling.htm ]).
Industry |
SIC Code |
NAICS Code |
AGRICULTURE |
||
Agricultural crop production |
01 |
111 |
Agricultural livestock production |
02 |
112 |
Agricultural services |
07 |
115, 311, 541, 561, 812 |
Forestry |
08 |
111, 113, 115 |
Fishing, hunting, trapping |
09 |
111, 112, 114 |
MINING |
||
Metal mining |
10 |
212, 213 |
Coal mining |
12 |
212, 213 |
Oil & gas extraction |
13 |
211, 213 |
Non-metallic minerals, except fuels |
14 |
212, 213 |
CONSTRUCTION |
||
General contractors |
15 |
233-235 |
Heavy construction |
16 |
233-235 |
Special trade contractors |
17 |
233-235 |
MANUFACTURING |
||
Food & kindred products |
20 |
111, 311, 312 |
Tobacco products |
21 |
312 |
Textile mill products |
22 |
313-315 |
Apparel & other textile products |
23 |
313-315, 336, 339 |
Lumber & wood products |
24 |
113, 321, 333 |
Furniture & fixtures |
25 |
336, 337, 339 |
Paper & allied products |
26 |
322, 326 |
Printing & publishing |
27 |
323, 511, 512 |
Chemicals & allied products |
28 |
211, 311, 325, 331 |
Petroleum and coal products |
29 |
324 |
Rubber & miscellaneous plastics products |
30 |
316, 325, 326, 337, 339 |
Leather & leather products |
31 |
315, 316, 321 |
Stone, clay, and glass products |
32 |
212, 327 |
Primary metal industries |
33 |
331 |
Fabricated metal products |
34 |
332, 337, 339 |
Industrial machinery & equipment |
35 |
331-335, 339 |
Electronic & other electronic equipment |
36 |
332-336, 512 |
Transportation equipment |
37 |
332, 333, 336, 488, 541, 811 |
Instrument & related products |
38 |
322, 325, 333, 334, 339 |
Miscellaneous manufacturing |
39 |
325, 336, 339, 488 |
TRANSPORTATION |
||
Local & inter-urban passenger transit |
41 |
485, 487 |
Trucking & warehousing |
42 |
493, 484, 488, 492, 531 |
U.S. postal service |
43 |
491 |
Water transportation |
44 |
483, 487, 488, 532 |
Transportation by air |
45 |
481, 488, 492, 561, 621 |
Pipelines, except natural gases |
46 |
486 |
Transportation services |
47 |
488, 532, 561, 722 |
Communication |
48 |
513 |
Electronic, gas, & sanitary services |
49 |
221, 488, 562 |
WHOLESALE TRADE |
||
Wholesale trade-durable goods |
50 |
421, 441-444, 446, 453 |
Wholesale trade-nondurable goods |
51 |
312, 313, 422, 444, 451, 454 |
Bldg. materials & garden supplies |
52 |
444, 453 |
RETAIL TRADE |
||
General merchandise store |
53 |
452 |
Food stores |
54 |
311, 445, 447, 722 |
Auto dealers & service station |
55 |
441, 447, 452 |
Apparel & accessory stores |
56 |
315, 448 |
Furniture & home furnishing stores |
57 |
337, 442, 451 |
Eating & drinking places |
58 |
722 |
Miscellaneous retail |
59 |
339, 443, 445, 446, 448, 451, 453, 454, 522, 722 |
FINANCE, INSURANCE, AND REAL ESTATE |
||
Depository institution |
60 |
521, 522 |
Nondepository institution |
61 |
522, 523 |
Security & commodity brokers |
62 |
523, 525, 533, 551, 813 |
Insurance carriers |
63 |
523-525 |
Insurance agents, brokers, & services |
64 |
523-525 |
Real estate |
65 |
233, 531, 711, 812 |
Holding & other investment offices |
67 |
523, 525, 533, 551, 813 |
SERVICES |
||
Hotels & other lodging places |
70 |
721 |
Personal services |
72 |
512, 532, 561, 611, 811, 812 |
Business services |
73 |
234, 313, 314, 323, 325, 334, 421, 443, 491, 511, 512, 514, 522, 532, 541, 561, 562, 711, 811, 812 |
Auto repair, services, & parking |
75 |
326, 488, 532, 811, 812 |
Misc. repair services |
76 |
115, 235, 335, 442, 443, 451, 488, 561, 562, 711, 811 |
Motion picture |
78 |
334, 421, 512, 514, 532, 541, 561, 711 |
Amusement & recreation services |
79 |
487, 532, 561, 611, 711, 712, 713 |
Health services |
80 |
339, 541, 621 |
Legal services |
81 |
541 |
Educational services |
82 |
514, 611 |
Social services |
83 |
623, 624, 813, 922 |
Museums, botanical, zoological gardens |
84 |
712 |
Membership organization |
86 |
561, 813, 912 |
Engineering & management service |
87 |
233, 234, 541, 561, 611 |
Private household services |
88 |
81 |
Services |
89 |
512, 541, 711 |
4(b) Information Requested
(1) Revised Export Notification for Used CRTs Destined for Recycling
Under existing 40 CFR 261.39(a)(5), exporters of used, broken CRTs must provide written notification to EPA of an intended export before the CRTs are scheduled to leave the U.S. The existing notice (40 CFR 261.39(a)(5)(F)) requires the exporter to state the name and address of the recycler and any alternate recycler. Because CRTs are sometimes exported to more than one recycler in the receiving country, EPA is proposing to replace this language with a requirement that the exporter state the name and address of the recycler or recyclers and the estimated quantity of CRTs to be sent to each facility, as well as the names of any alternate recyclers.
(2) Annual Report for CRTs Exported for Recycling
Under new 40 CFR 261.39(a)(5)(x), exporters must file with EPA no later than March 1 of each year, a report summarizing the quantities (in kilograms), frequency of shipment, and ultimate destination(s) of all CRTs exported during the previous calendar year. Such reports must also include the following:
The name, EPA ID number (if applicable), and mailing and site address of the exporter;
The calendar year covered by the report;
A certification signed by the exporter which states:
“I certify under penalty of law that I have personally examined and am familiar with the information submitted in this and all attached documents, and that based on my inquiry of those individuals immediately responsible for obtaining the information, I believe that the submitted information is true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information including the possibility of fine and imprisonment.”
(3) Revised Export Notification for Used CRTs Destined for Reuse
Under existing 40 CFR 261.41, exporters of used, intact CRTs for reuse must submit a one‑time notification with minimal information to EPA. To require exporters to submit more complete information about the purported reuse of the exported CRTs over a specific period of time, EPA is proposing to add items to the reuse notification that are modeled on those required in the notification for CRTs exported for recycling. This notification may cover export activities extending over a twelve (12) month or lesser period. The notification must be in writing, signed by the exporter, and include the following information:
Name, mailing address, telephone number and EPA ID number (if applicable) of the exporter of the CRTs.
The estimated frequency or rate at which the CRTs are to be exported and the period of time over which they are to be exported.
The estimated total quantity of CRTs specified in kilograms.
All points of entry to and departure from each transit country through which the CRTs will pass, a description of the approximate length of time the CRTs will remain in such country and the nature of their handling while there.
A description of the means by which each shipment of the CRTs will be transported (e.g., mode of transportation vehicle (air, highway, rail, water, etc.), type(s) of container (drums, boxes, tanks, etc.)).
The name and address of the ultimate destination facility or facilities and the estimated quantity of CRTs to be sent to each facility, as well as the name of any alternate destination facility or facilities.
A description of the manner in which the CRTs will be reused (including reuse after refurbishment) in the foreign country that will be receiving the CRTs.
A certification signed by the exporter which states:
“I certify under penalty of law that the CRTs described in this notice are fully functioning or capable of being functional after refurbishment. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information including the possibility of fine and imprisonment.
I certify under penalty of law that I have personally examined and am familiar with the information submitted in this and all attached documents, and that based on my inquiry of those individuals immediately responsible for obtaining the information, I believe that the submitted information is true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information including the possibility of fine and imprisonment.”
5. THE INFORMATION COLLECTED—AGENCY ACTIVITIES, COLLECTION METHODOLOGY, AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
The following section discusses how EPA or the implementing agency will collect and manage the information received from respondents. This section also includes a discussion of how EPA has taken steps to ensure that the information collections are not overly burdensome on small entities.
5(a) Agency Activities
(1) Export Notification for Used CRTs Destined for Recycling
Per the existing CRT rule, Agency activities associated with the conditional exclusion for used CRTs exported for recycling will continue as described below. There will be only minor additional information received under the proposed revised export notification for the Agency to review and process.
Receive and review notification submitted by an exporter of used CRTs to determine whether or not the notification is complete. A notification is complete when EPA determines that it satisfies the requirements of 40 CFR 261.39(a)(5)(i).
Solicit, from exporter, additional information requested by the receiving country.
Provide, in conjunction with the Department of State, the complete notification to the receiving country.
Forward the receiving/transit country’s written consent to the receipt of the used CRTs to the exporter.
Prepare and send written notification to the exporter if the receiving/transit country objects to the receipt of the used CRTs or withdraws a prior consent.
Keep copies of notifications, consents, and other related documents.
(2) Annual Report for CRTs Exported for Recycling
Agency activities associated with the new requirement for submission of an annual report for exporters of CRTs sent for recycling include the following:
Receive and record the report.
(3) Export Notification for Used CRTs Destined for Reuse
Per the existing CRT rule, Agency activities associated with the conditional exclusion for used CRTs exported for reuse will continue as described below. There will be additional information received under the proposed revised export notification, similar to the information contained in the notice for CRTs exported for recycling, for the Agency to review and process (see Exhibit 3).
Receive and process notification submitted by exporter of used CRTs.
Keep copy of notification.
5(b) Collection Methodology and Management
In collecting and analyzing the information submitted under 40 CFR 261.39(a)(5) and 261.41, EPA will use equipment such as personal computers and applicable database software, where appropriate. EPA will ensure the accuracy and completeness of the collected information by reviewing each submittal.
5(c) Small Entity Flexibility
In establishing the existing conditional exclusion for used CRTs, EPA considered the reporting and recordkeeping burden for small businesses. The conditional exclusion was a regulatory relief initiative that reduced hour and cost burden for generators and subsequent handlers of excluded CRTs, particularly small entities. These reductions in hour and cost burden under the existing exclusion will not be significantly impacted as result of the newly proposed information requirements.
5(d) Collection Schedule
(1) Export Notification for Used CRTs Destined for Recycling
Exporters of used CRTs destined for recycling must provide written notification to EPA of an intended export before the CRTs are scheduled to leave the U.S. A complete notification must be submitted 60 days before the initial shipment is intended to be shipped off site. This notification may cover export activities extending over a 12-month or lesser period. In addition, upon request by EPA, exporters must furnish to EPA any additional information that a receiving country requests in order to respond to a notification.
(2) Annual Report for CRTs Exported for Recycling
Exporters must file with EPA no later than March 1 of each year, a report summarizing the quantities (in kilograms), frequency of shipment, and ultimate destination(s) of all CRTs exported during the previous calendar year.
(3) Export Notification for Used CRTs Destined for Reuse
Exporters of used CRTs destined for reuse must send a notification to EPA. This notification may cover export activities extending over a 12-month or lesser period. In addition, they must keep, at the facility, copies of normal business records (e.g., contracts) demonstrating that each shipment of exported CRTs will be reused.
6. ESTIMATING THE HOUR AND COST BURDEN OF THE COLLECTION
6(a) Estimating Respondent Burden Hours
In Exhibits 1, 2 and 3, EPA estimates the respondent burden hours associated with the new information collection requirements in the proposed rule. Exhibit 1 includes estimates of burden hours (total and by labor type) per entity (exporter or respondent) for reading the rule. EPA estimates 3.5 hours per respondent for reading the rule and a universe of 138 respondents. This would result in a total of 483 hours for all of the respondents reading the rule. For a one-time activity like reading the rule, EPA annualizes the burden hours over a three year effective life of the ICR. This is done by dividing the number of respondents by three (138/3 = 46) and then calculating the total hours (46 x 3.5 = 161 hours). Exhibit 2 includes estimates of burden hours (total and by labor type) per respondent for the new annual reporting by exporters of CRTs for recycling. EPA estimates 3.4 hours per large exporter and 2.1 hours per small exporter. EPA also estimates 12 exporters of CRTs for recycling, and assumes that one-half (6) of the exporters are large exporters and one-half (6) are small exporters. This would result in a total of 33 hours for the new annual reporting by all 12 exporters. Exhibit 3 includes estimates of burden hours (total and by labor type) per notice prepared and submitted by a respondent under the modified reuse and recycling notification requirements. EPA estimates 0.15 hour per modified notice and a total of 233 to 435 reuse and recycling notices submitted by respondents each year. This would result in a total of 35 hours to 65 hours for preparation and submission of the modified reuse and recycling notices by respondents. Therefore, based on the above burden hour calculations, EPA estimates that the total annual respondent burden for the new information collection requirements in the proposed rule ranges from 229 to 259 hours.
6(b) Estimating Respondent Costs
EPA estimates that the total annual respondent cost for the new information collection requirements in the proposed rule to be $17,591 to $19,714. The total annual cost includes the cost for reading the rule, cost for new annual reporting by exporters of CRTs for recycling, and the cost for preparation and submission of the revised reuse and recycling notices by respondents. EPA’s estimates for costs to be incurred by respondents for the new information collection requirements in the proposed rule are included in Exhibits 1, 2 and 3.
Labor Costs
For purposes of this analysis, EPA estimates an average hourly respondent labor cost of $107.06 for managerial staff, $70.08 for technical staff, and $36.60 for clerical staff. These labor rates were originally obtained by relying on prior EPA Cost Assessments and then updated to 2011 using Employment Cost Indices developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (See “Economic Impacts Assessment for Proposed Revisions to the Export Provisions of the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Rule,” which is available in the public docket identified under Section 6(g)).
Annual Capital and Operation & Maintenance Costs
Capital costs usually include any produced physical good needed to provide the needed information, such as machinery, computers, and other equipment. EPA does not anticipate that respondents will incur capital costs in carrying out the information collection requirements in the proposed rule.
O&M costs are those costs associated with paperwork requirements incurred continually over the life of the ICR. They are defined by the EPA as “the recurring dollar amount of costs associated with O&M or purchasing services.” Minimal O&M costs were assumed to be associated with the preparation and submission of new Annual Reports and Notification requirements in the proposed rule. These costs are for mailing, copying, faxing, and for making telephone calls.
6(c) Estimating Agency Burden and Costs
In Exhibits 2 and 3, EPA provides estimates of the Agency hour and cost burden associated with the new information collection requirements covered in this ICR. EPA estimates an average hourly labor cost of $74.67 for managerial staff (GS-14, Step 1), $63.20 for technical staff (GS-13, Step 1), and $36.64 for clerical staff (GS-9, Step 1). To derive these hourly estimates, EPA referred to the General Schedule (GS) Salary Table 2011. This publication summarizes the unloaded (base) hourly rate for various labor categories in the Federal Government. EPA then applied the standard government overhead factor of 1.6 to the unloaded rate to derive these loaded hourly rates. (See “Economic Impacts Assessment for Proposed Revisions to the Export Provisions of the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Rule,” which is available in the public docket identified under Section 6(g)).
Receive and Record Annual Reports Submitted by Exporters of CRTs for Recycling
EPA estimates that it will receive 12 annual reports per year. EPA estimates that it will incur $24.64 to receive and record each annual report (see Exhibit 2). Thus, EPA estimates that the Agency will experience an annual cost of $295.68 (i.e., 12 annual reports/year x $24.64/report) to meet this requirement of the proposed rule.
Receive and Process Revised Reuse and Recycling Notifications
EPA estimates that it will incur an additional cost of $10.51 per notice to receive and process these notices (see Exhibit 3). Thus, EPA estimates that the Agency will experience a total incremental
annual cost in the range of $2,386 to $4,453 under the proposed rule.
6(d) Estimating the Respondent Universe and Total Burden and Costs
The Agency estimates that a total of approximately 12 entities exported CRTs for recycling during 2011 (i.e., per EPA data on the number of approved exporters and the number of export notices that were submitted during 2011). However, far more entities are on record as being exporters of CRTs for purposes of reuse. Based on the number of CRT Reuse Notifications submitted during 2011, there exists approximately 126 such entities in the U.S. (i.e., according to data from Sept. 14th, 2011 published on EPA’s CRT informational website at
[ http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/international/crts/recycling.htm ]). Therefore, as shown
below in Table 1, EPA estimates that 138 entities will be subject to the new information collection requirements covered in this ICR.
TABLE 1
NUMBER OF EXPORTER ENTITIES (RESPONDENTS)
POTENTIALLY AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED RULE
Type of Entity |
Number of Entities |
Exporter of CRTs for Recycling |
12 |
Exporter of CRTs for Reuse |
126 |
Total |
138 |
Respondent Burden and Cost
In the following paragraphs, EPA discusses the assumptions used in developing the respondent burden estimates associated with the new information collection requirements covered in Exhibits 1, 2, and 3 of this ICR.
Reading the Regulations
EPA estimates that 138 U.S. exporters will need to read the rule in order to understand and comply with the new requirements. For purposes of this analysis, we assumed that the hours required for reading/reviewing this new rule would be similar to the hours used in EPA’s assessment of the impacts associated with reading/reviewing the 2009 Final Rule governing the Exporting of Spent Lead-Acid Batteries (SLAB). In Exhibit 1, EPA estimates 3.5 hours per respondent for reading the rule for the 138 respondents. This would result in a total of 483 hours for all of the respondents reading the rule. As noted in Section 6(a), for a one-time activity like reading the rule, EPA annualizes the burden hours over a three year effective life of the ICR. This is done by dividing the number of respondents by three (138/3 = 46) and then calculating the total hours (46 x 3.5 = 161 hours).
New Annual Reporting by Exporters of CRTs for Recycling
As noted above in Section 6(d), EPA estimated that approximately 12 U.S. exporters of CRTs sent for recycling will be required to prepare and submit an annual report in accordance with this provision of the proposed rule. Furthermore, this new annual report for these exporters has been fashioned after other existing annual reporting requirements recently codified in the 2009 Final Rule governing the Exporting of Spent Lead-Acid Batteries (SLAB) from the U.S. Therefore, EPA used the cost estimates for annual reporting already available in the May 2009 Cost Assessment prepared for the “SLAB Rule”, as the best and most recent relevant reference (see Footnote 1 in “Economic Impacts Assessment for Proposed Revisions to the Export Provisions of the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Rule,” which is available in the public docket identified under Section 6(g)). Based on these figures, EPA estimates that the cost for a CRT exporter to prepare and submit an annual report ranges from $156.07 to $203.36, depending upon whether the size of the exporter is large vs. small. For purposes of analysis, EPA assumed a 50/50 distribution of these exporters (e.g. with half considered large and half considered small). Thus, EPA estimated that the total cost of the annual reporting requirement for exporting CRTs for recycling is $2,158.32 (i.e., $203.36/annual report x 6 Large Recycling Exporters, plus $156.07/annual report x 6 Small Recycling Exporters). (See Exhibit 2).
Revisions to Reuse and Recycling Notifications (Asking for additional Information)
Under the current CRT Rule, exporters already must submit notifications to EPA indicating their intent to export CRTs. The proposed CRT Rule revisions call for very minor additional reporting elements to the current CRT rule requirements. To calculate the notification-related cost impacts, EPA started by relying on the original burden hour estimates associated with the current notification requirements. EPA then adjusted these burden hour estimates to reflect our best estimate of the potential burden associated with the proposed changes in the notification requirements. Our best estimate is that these burden estimates would not exceed 10% of the burden attributable to the current notification requirements. Then EPA utilized the adjusted burden estimates and labor rates in combination with the projected quantity of CRT Notices to derive costs associated with the relevant proposed changes to the CRT notification process.
Based on the calculations above, EPA estimated that CRT exporters will submit between 233 and 435 notices each year. We estimated that each notice will cost an additional $10.26 (see Exhibit 3). In total, EPA estimates that the additional costs to exporters will be in the range of $2,386 to $4,453 (i.e., 233 to 435 notices per year x $10.26 per notice) under the proposed rule.
Total Respondent Burden and Cost
In Exhibits 1, 2, and 3, EPA presents a summary of the total annual respondent burden and costs associated with the new information collection requirements in the proposed rule. The specific information collection activities of the new paperwork requirements are described throughout this ICR.
6(e) Bottom Line Burden Hours and Costs
Respondent Tally
In Exhibits 1, 2 and 3, EPA presents the total annual respondent burdens and costs associated with the new information collection requirements in the proposed rule. As described specifically in Section 6(d) above, there are 138 respondents (12 U.S. exporters of CRTs sent for recycling and 126 U.S. exporters of CRTs sent for reuse) that will be subject to the new information collection requirements covered in this ICR. Based on the information in Exhibits 1, 2, and 3, the total annual respondent burden for the new paperwork requirements will range from 229 to 259 hours, and the total annual respondent cost for the new paperwork requirements will be approximately $17,600 to $19,700
6(f) Reasons for Change in Burden
EPA is proposing to revise certain export provisions of the CRT final rule published on July 28, 2006 (71 FR 42928) to ensure that CRTs are managed in compliance with the regulations.
These revisions will require exporters of CRTs to provide some additional information to EPA (see Section 6(d)).
6(g) Burden Statement
The estimated annual burden for this collection of information ranges from 0.15 to 3.5 hours per response for the 138 respondents. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. 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 are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR chapter 15.
To comment on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including the use of automated collection techniques, EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-RCRA-2011-1014, which is available for online viewing at www.regulations.gov, or in person viewing at the RCRA Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the RCRA Docket is (202) 566-0270. An electronic version of the public docket is available at www.regulations.gov. This site can be used to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. When in the system, select “search,” then key in the Docket ID Number identified above. Also, you can send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20503, Attention: Desk Officer for EPA. Please include the EPA Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-RCRA-2011-1014 and OMB Control Number 2050-NEW in any correspondence.
Exhibit 1
Estimated Respondent Burden and Cost for Reading the Rule
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Cost per Entity |
Cost of All Entities |
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Activity |
Managerial Staff Hours a |
Technical Staff Hours a |
Clerical Staff Hours a |
Hours |
Labor Cost b |
Materials Cost c |
Total Cost per Entity |
Number of Entities d |
Total Cost |
Reading the Regulations |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Exporters |
1.00 |
2.50 |
0.00 |
3.50 |
$282.26 |
$0.00 |
$282.26 |
138
|
$38,952 |
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NOTES: a Based on hourly burden estimates discussed in Section 3.3 of EIA (*). |
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b Based on hourly labor rates discussed in Section 3.2 of EIA.
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c Based on materials costs discussed in Section 3.4 of EIA.
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d Based on universe assumptions discussed in Section 3.1 of EIA.
(*) “Economic Impacts Assessment for Proposed Revisions to the Export Provisions of the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Rule.”
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Exhibit 2
Costs for New Annual Reporting by Exporters of CRTs for Recycling
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Cost per Entity |
Cost for all Entities |
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Activity |
Managerial Staff Hours a |
Technical Staff Hours a |
Clerical Staff Hours a |
Total Hours |
Total Labor Cost b |
Material Cost c |
Total Cost |
Number of Entities d |
Total Cost |
||
Annual Report |
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Large U.S. Exporters |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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||
Research specific export information |
0.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
2.00 |
$106.68 |
$0.00 |
$106.68 |
6 |
$640.08 |
||
Prepare and submit report |
0.10 |
1.00 |
0.30 |
1.40 |
$91.77 |
$5.20 |
$96.97 |
6 |
$581.82 |
||
Subtotal: |
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|
|
$198.45 |
$5.20 |
$203.65 |
|
|
6 |
$1,221.90 |
Small U.S. Exporters |
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|
|
|
|
|
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Research specific export information |
0.00 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
1.00 |
$70.08 |
$0.00 |
$70.08 |
6 |
$420.48 |
||
Prepare and submit report |
0.10 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
1.10 |
$80.79 |
$5.20 |
$85.99 |
6 |
$515.94 |
||
Subtotal: |
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|
$150.87 |
$5.20 |
$156.07 |
6 |
$936.42 |
||
Total for Exporters: |
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|
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$2,158.32 |
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EPA |
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Receive and record report |
0.00 |
0.10 |
0.50 |
0.60 |
$24.64 |
$0.00 |
$24.64 |
12 |
$295.68 |
||
Total for EPA: |
0.00 |
0.10 |
0.50 |
0.60 |
$24.64 |
$0.00 |
$24.64 |
12 |
$295.68 |
||
TOTAL: (for both Exporters & EPA) |
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$2,454 |
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NOTES: a Based on hourly burden estimates discussed in Section 3.3 of EIA (*). |
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b Based on hourly labor rates discussed in Section 3.2 of EIA. |
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c Based on material costs discussed in Section 3.4 of EIA.
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d Based on universe assumptions discussed in Section 3.1 of EIA, which reveal a total of approximately 12 CRT Recycling Exporters in the U.S. And, we assume there is a 50/50 Percent Ratio regarding the total number of Large vs. Small U.S. CRT Exporters, such that there are 6 of each type in the above calculations. (*) See Exhibit 1. |
Exhibit 3
Costs for Meeting Proposed Reuse & Recycling Notification Changes
(Asking for minor additional information)
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Cost per Notice |
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Cost of All Notices |
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Activity |
Manager Staff Hours a |
Technical Staff Hours a |
Clerical Staff Hours a |
Total Hours b (10% of Orig. Hours) |
Total Labor Cost c |
Total Material Costs d |
Total Cost per Notice |
Number of Entities e |
Estimated Number of Notices f |
Total Cost |
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U.S. Exporters |
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Prepare& submit notification Subtotal for Exporters: |
0.00 |
1.50 |
0.00 |
0.15 |
$10.51 |
$0.00 |
$10.51 |
138 |
233 to 435 |
$2,449 to $4,572 |
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EPA |
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Receive and process notification |
0.00 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
0.10 |
$6.32 |
$0.00 |
$6.32 |
138 |
233 to 435 |
$1,473 to $2,749 |
|||||
Prepare and transmit confirmation of receipt to U.S. exporter |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.25 |
0.025 |
$0.92 |
$0.00 |
$0.92 |
138 |
233 to 435 |
$213 to $398 |
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Forward notification to the competent authorities of the countries of import and transit |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.16 |
0.016 |
$0.59 |
$0.00 |
$0.59 |
138 |
233 to 435 |
$137 to $255 |
|||||
Receive and process Acknowledgement of Receipt from the competent authority of the country of import |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.25 |
0.025 |
$0.92 |
$0.00 |
$0.92 |
138 |
233 to 435 |
$213 to $398 |
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Receive and process consent/objection from the competent authorities of the countries of import and transit |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.16 |
0.016 |
$0.59 |
$0.00 |
$0.59 |
138 |
233 to 435 |
$137 to $255 |
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Forward written Acknowledgement of Consent or objection to U.S. exporter |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.25 |
0.025 |
$0.92 |
$0.00 |
$0.92 |
138 |
233 to 435 |
$213 to $398 |
|||||
Subtotal for EPA: |
0.00 |
1.00 |
1.07 |
0.207 |
$10.26 |
$0.00 |
$10.26 |
138 |
233 to 435 |
$2,386 to $4,453 |
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Total for both Exporters & EPA |
0.00 |
2.50 |
1.07 |
0.357 |
$20.77 |
$0.00 |
$20.77 |
138 |
233 to 435 |
$4,835 to $9,025 |
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Notes: a Staff level hourly burden estimates are discussed in Section 3.3 of EIA (*). |
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b Total final hourly burden estimates are conservatively assumed to only involve an additional burden equal to 10% of the overall burden from |
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the notification requirements under the current CRT Rule. |
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c Based on hourly labor rates discussed in Section 3.2 of EIA. |
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d Since entities are already required to submit Recycling and Reuse Notices, the effected entities face no additional costs associated with mailings, |
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copies, facsimiles, etc. due to the newly proposed modifications to the existing notices. |
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e The projections for the total number of entities potentially impacted by the rule are discussed in Section 3.1 of EIA.
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f The projections for the total number of notifications that may be submitted annually is discussed in Section 3.5 of EIA.
(*) See Exhibit 1.
File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
Author | EPA |
File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
File Created | 2021-01-31 |