The agency is reminded to provide a robust description on why the burden has changed and separate the burden out due to agency discretion and estimates.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
02/28/2025
36 Months From Approved
02/28/2022
252
0
250
17,348
0
24,189
0
0
0
As directed in the June 2016 Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq., EPA is required to assist in the preparation and publication in the Federal Register of an inventory of mercury supply, use, and trade in the United States. 15 U.S.C. 2607(b)(10)(B) and (D). Based on the inventory of information collected through this ICR, the Agency is directed to identify any manufacturing processes or products that intentionally add mercury and recommend actions, including proposed revisions of Federal law or regulations, to achieve further reductions in mercury use. 15 U.S.C. 2607(b)(10)(C).
The primary purpose of this ICR is to support the development of that inventory. In turn, the inventory will help the Agency identify uses of mercury and recommend means to achieve further reductions of such uses in commerce. In addition, the Agency seeks to obtain the information necessary to achieve its goal to further reduce the use of mercury in products and certain manufacturing processes in order to prevent future releases to the environment, as well as assist the United States in reporting implementation under the Minamata Convention. EPA seeks to enhance its current information on how much mercury is used, in which products and manufacturing processes, and whether certain products are manufactured domestically, imported, or exported.
There is a decrease of 6,841 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with that currently approved by OMB. This change, which is discussed in more detail in the ICR, reflects a decrease in rule familiarization burden, a decrease in form completion burden due to mercury export prohibitions, and changes in the number of estimated respondents. This change is an adjustment.
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.