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 information collection currently
requires RIN applicants to submit for approval their RIN
application and the pre-approval inspection report generated by an
IIA. However, in this request, and based on a Notice of
Administrative Discretion and Guidance, PHMSA is authorizing
alternative documentation in lieu of the pre-approval inspection
report, when an IIA inspection cannot be completed. Therefore,
PHMSA is submitting a request for a non-substantive change to this
burden request.
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 a final rule issued by PHMSA on May 11, 2020. The
final rule harmonizes the regulations with international standards.
In the final rule, PHMSA added a special provision requiring
additional testing and subsequent approval of certain Division 1.4S
explosive materials. The increase in responses, responses, and
respondents is due to this new requirement.
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.