The international treaty The Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Protocol) and
Title VI of the Clean Air Act Amendments established limits on
total U.S. production, import, and export of class I and class II
controlled ozone depleting substances. Under its Protocol
commitments, the United States was obligated to cease production
and import of class I controlled substances (e.g.,
chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs) with exemptions for essential uses,
critical uses, previously used material, and material that is
transformed, destroyed, or exported to developing countries. The
Protocol also establishes limits and reduction schedules leading to
the eventual phaseout of class II controlled substances (i.e.,
hydrochlorofluorocarbons or HCFCs). The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for administering the
phaseout. The limits and restrictions for individual U.S. companies
are monitored by EPA through the recordkeeping and reporting
requirements established in the regulations in 40 CFR part 82,
subpart A. The data submitted to EPA and helps the Agency: maintain
oversight over total production and consumption of controlled
substances; monitor compliance with limits and restrictions on
production, imports, and trades and specific exemptions from the
phaseout for individual U.S. companies; enforce against illegal
imports; and assess, and report on, compliance with the U.S.
phasedown caps established under the Montreal Protocol.
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.