Certificates of Confidentiality provided research participants with an additional layer of protection by allowing researchers with a CoC to refuse compelled disclosure of identifying information about participants. NIH, through its 24 funding Institutes and Centers (ICs), has issued Certificates of Confidentiality since 1997 to researchers who request this protection. In 2015, to imporve the efficency of the CoC process, NIH launched an on-line application system for researchers to request a CoC from all the NIH ICs. The system allows researchers to submit an application with all required documentation, track its status and receive automatic email alerts when the status changes. It also allows NIH staff to move the application through each ICâs review and approval process, to generate the Certificate for IC signature, to maintain a record of all CoC requests and to generate basic system metrics.
US Code:
42 USC 241(d)
Name of Law: US Public Health Service Act
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.