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.
US Code:
49 USC 5101-5127 Name of Law: Hazardous Materials
Regulations
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