Production, Import, Export, Recycling, Destruction, Transhipment, and Feedstock Use of Ozone-Depleting Substances (Final Rule)
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
Approved without change
04/23/2020
04/21/2020
In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
04/30/2023
36 Months From Approved
09/30/2021
1,903
0
2,929
2,939
0
3,763
7,400
0
13,082
This ICR covers provisions under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Montreal Protocol) and Title VI of the CAA that establish limits on total U.S. production, import, and export of class I and class II ODS (or controlled substances). Production and import of class I controlled substances (chlorofluorocarbons and others) was phased out in the United States. The phaseout excludes exemptions for essential uses, critical uses of methyl bromide, quarantine and pre-shipment uses of methyl bromide, previously used material, and material that will be transformed or destroyed. There are also use restrictions and reduction schedules leading to the eventual phaseout of class II controlled substances, with exemptions for previously used material and material that will be transformed or destroyed.
This ICR requires the use of electronic reporting for certain reporting forms. In addition to the quantifiable cost savings, the EPA believes that this rule results in other benefits. For example, electronic reporting allows for faster review and transmission of submissions to the EPA. For reports containing CBI, electronic reporting also improves security and transmission of CBI data to the EPA. Additionally, all information submitted electronically is linked to the ODSTS, which facilitates document management efforts. This allows companies to manage past and future submissions easier. Even accounting for the one-time burden associated with the transition to electronic reporting (i.e., CDX registration), the electronic reporting results in overall burden reduction for respondents. Similarly, the estimated Agency burden hours and labor costs have also decreased even when the annual CDX O&M costs are taken into account.
For the production, import, and export of HCFCs, there was a decrease in the total estimated respondent burden compared with the burden currently approved by OMB. The reason for the decrease in burden hours is the prohibition of production and import of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b by 2020, and the prohibition of exports of HCFCs to Article 5 countries as per 40 CFR 82.16 to phase out HCFCs in a stepwise reduction consistent with the CAA. The EPA estimates there to be a 27 percent decrease in respondent activities for imports, exports, trades, and requests for additional consumption allowances as a result of these prohibitions in 2020.
For methyl bromide critical users, there was a decrease in the total estimated respondent burden hours compared with the burden currently approved by OMB primarily due to a decrease in the number of applicants, end users, and distributors of methyl bromide since the last ICR for CUE.
For the petitions process and for the new certification to import for destruction there was a decrease in the total estimated respondent burden. This reduction is a result of the reduction in reporting requirements for imports for destruction relative to the petition process. Specifically, the number of reporting elements for importers for destruction has been reduced from 13 to 8. The EPA assumes this will result in a reduction in burden hours per response. In addition, the EPA assumes that the number of responses per respondent will decrease by one as a result of the exemption of halon 1211 used in aircraft bottles from the petition process. Similarly, the estimated Agency burden hours and labor costs have also decreased as a result of the reduction in reporting requirements for petitions.
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.
Reporting for the Production, Import, Export, Destruction, Transhipment, and Feedstock Use of Ozone-Depleting Substances