The DEA implements and enforces titles II and III of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, Pub. L. No. 91-513, 84 Stat. 1242 (1970), as amended (the âCSAâ). 21 U.S.C. 801â971. Through the enactment of the CSA and its amendments, Congress established a closed system of distribution making it unlawful to handle any controlled substance except in a manner authorized by the CSA. In order to maintain this closed system of distribution, the CSA generally requires all persons who handle controlled substances to obtain a registration issued by the Attorney General. 21 U.S.C. 822, 823, 957, and 958.
Changes reflect population adjustments and greater use of online applications, which take less time to complete. Although there was a slight increase in the percentage of applicants applying online, having a greater number of respondents from October 2017 to September 2018 results in a net increase in the annual burden hours. Although practitioners are registered for a three-year cycle and the number of registrants is not equally distributed between years of the cycle, October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018 is a reasonable approximation of the average annual burden as it is very close to the average of the three years. Additionally, the growth rate in the number of practitioners is low enough where the actual numbers for this period would not be materially different from the number expected for the next several years. Although there is a small increase in the burden hours, the increase in the annual cost is attributed to the mean hourly wage increase of physicians and surgeons. There have been no statutory or regulatory changes affecting this information collection.
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.