In the course of administering environmental protection statutes, EPA collects data from thousands of facilities in many sectors of the U.S. economy. In many cases, industry marks the data it submits to EPA as Confidential Business Information (CBI). In addition, businesses submit information to EPA without the Agency requesting the information. EPA established the procedures described in 40 CFR part 2, subparts A and B, to protect the confidentiality of information as well as the rights of the public to obtain access to information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). In accordance with these regulations, when EPA finds it necessary to make a final confidentiality determination (e.g., in response to a FOIA request or in the course of rulemaking or litigation), or in advance confidentiality determination, it shall notify the effected business and provides an opportunity to comment (i.e., to submit a substantiation of confidentiality claim). This ICR relates to the collection of information that will assist EPA in determining whether previously submitted information is entitled to confidential treatment.
US Code:
5 USC 522
Name of Law: Freedom of Information Act
There is a decrease of 1,045 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently approved by OMB. This decrease is due to a change in program requirements which reduces the reporting burden. The number of respondents increased by 616, which was due to accounting for the 650 individual employees who sign confidentiality agreements.
$120,820
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Courtney Kerwin 202-566-1669
No
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.