This information collection is voluntary, but is required when persons wish to conduct transportation activities requiring approval from the Associate Administrator, including becoming an approval or certification agency, obtaining clearance to manufacture a package with a variance from the general requirements, or manufacturing and transporting a new explosive material. There HMR contains more than 100 approval provisions, which specifies that a person must apply for an approval from the Associate Administrator, to receive authorization for that action. An entity that wishes to perform a function requiring approval from the Associate Administrator, is required to respond to this information collection. The types of entities widely range, such as persons who manufacture explosives, persons wishing to transport various quantities and types of hazardous materials by aircraft, or persons wishing to become a cylinder approval agency. This information collection is a reporting requirement, in which an entity subject to the requirement must apply for an approval when they first want to perform the function subject to approval requirements. The person may also need to reapply for an approval at a frequency, which is specified by the type of approval itself. For example, some classification approvals may never expire, while others may require renewal every 5 years. Each approval application requires that an applicant demonstrate an equivalent level of safety, in addition to information pertinent to the type of approval they are requesting. For example, classification approvals require test data, while cylinder visual inspection approvals require training records, names of persons performing inspections, and facility location. An applicant will be eligible to perform their requested activity or transport their requested material, with a formal approval letter issued by PHMSA. This collection, which is only required for a small portion of hazardous materials transportation operations, ensures that PHMSA is aware of those persons conducting specific operations, while also ensuring the continued safe transportation of hazardous materials.
This request includes an increase in annual burden hours based on the publication of an interim final rule, which requires approval for the transportation of lithium ion cells and batteries at a state of charge greater than 30 percent on cargo aircraft.
The burdens under this OMB control number are being revised due to regulatory changes associated with an interim final rule (IFR) issued by PHMSA on March 6, 2019. The IFR aligns the Hazardous Materials Regulations with current international standards for the transportation of lithium batteries. The IFR limits the transportation of lithium ion cells and batteries at a state of charge greater than 30 percent on cargo aircraft. Those persons who wish to offer lithium ion cells and batteries at great than 30 percent state of charge must apply for an approval. This change in burden accounts for the expected increase in approval applications from this new restriction.
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.
HM-224I 2137-0557 Renewal ICR Breakdown.xlsx
2137-0557 Justification HM224I 8.27.2019.docx
Lithium Battery State of Charge Approval