2735ss02

Supporting Statement for an Information Collection Request (ICR) Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Identification of the Information Collection – Title and Numbers

Title: Methylene Chloride; Regulation under TSCA Section 6(a) (Final Rule; RIN 2070-AK70)

EPA ICR No.: 2735.02

OMB Control No.: 2070-0229

Docket ID No.: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0465

Abstract

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing a rule under section 6 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to address the unreasonable risk to human health presented by methylene chloride under its conditions of use. EPA is issuing a final rule under TSCA section 6(a) to:

• Prohibit the manufacture, processing, and distribution in commerce of methylene chloride for all consumer use;

• Prohibit most industrial and commercial uses of methylene chloride and delay prohibition for two conditions of use;

• Require a workplace chemical protection program (WCPP), including inhalation exposure concentration limits and related workplace exposure monitoring and exposure controls, for 13 conditions of use of methylene chloride (including manufacture; processing; several industrial and commercial uses such as laboratory use; and disposal),);

• Identify a de minimis threshold for products containing methylene chloride;

• Require recordkeeping and downstream notification requirements for manufacturing, processing, and distribution in commerce of methylene chloride; and

• Provide a 10-year time-limited exemption under TSCA section 6(g) for emergency use of methylene chloride in furtherance of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s mission for specific conditions which are critical or essential and for which no technically and economically feasible safer alternative is available, with conditions for this exemption to include compliance with the WCPP.

The information collection activities contained in the final rule are:

• Downstream notification requirements though Safety Data Sheets (SDS),

• WCPP-related information generation, recordkeeping, and notification requirements, including:

• Development of exposure control plans;

• Exposure level monitoring and related recordkeeping;

• Development of documentation for a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) program and related recordkeeping;

• Development of documentation for a respiratory protection program and related recordkeeping;

• Development and notification to potentially exposed persons (employees and others in the workplace) about how they can access the exposure control plans, exposure monitoring records, PPE program implementation documentation, and respirator program documentation; and

• Related recordkeeping.

• Recordkeeping for interim requirements for use of methylene chloride for refinishing wood pieces of artistic, cultural, or historic value (including documentation of details related to the refinishing activity and records demonstrating compliance with the exposure reduction controls). The final rule requires that records be retained for 5 years from the date of generation.

Summary of Annual Burden and Costs

Activity	Number of Respondents	Average Annual Responses Per Respondent	Average Annual Burden Per Respondent	Average Annual Total Labor Burden	Average Annual Total Labor Costs	Average Annual Total Non-Labor Costs	Average Annual Total Costs
Agency Burden	-	-	-	-	-	-
Rule Familiarization (WCPP and Furniture Refinishing firms)	6,483	0.33	1.00	6,483	$462,368	-	$462,368
Rule Familiarization (prohibition firms)	231,486	0.33	0.33	76,390	$7,274,820	-	$7,274,820
Downstream Notification (SDS)	32	0.33	0.67	21	$2,021	-	$2,021
Respiratory Monitoring	6,483	2.25	7.04	45,627	$2,424,072	$4,451,405	$6,875,477
Respiratory Recordkeeping	6,483	2.25	2.90	18,769	$1,778,175	-	$1,778,175
Respiratory Notifications	6,483	2.25	0.28	1,799	$170,437	-	$170,437
All Activities	237,969	-	0.63	149,090	$12,111,893	$4,451,405	$16,563,299
Note: columns may not sum due to rounding

Legal authority: The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), 15 U.S.C. § 2605(a).

Respondents/affected entities: Persons that manufacture, process, use, distribute in commerce, or dispose of methylene chloride or products containing methylene chloride.

Respondent’s obligation to respond: Mandatory. 15 U.S.C. 2605(a) and 40 CFR part 751.

Confidentiality of responses: Not applicable.

Total Burden and Costs

Estimated total number of potential respondents: 237,969.

Frequency of response: On occasion.

Estimated total annual burden: 149,090 hours. Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b).

Estimated total annual costs: $16,563,299 includes $4,451,405 annualized capital or operation and maintenance costs, including ongoing monitoring costs incurred by respondents associated with monitoring equipment, laboratory analysis, and shipping costs, as presented under Q13.

Changes in the estimates: Not applicable. This is a request for a new OMB Control Number.

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

Under section 6(a) of TSCA (15 U.S.C. § 2605(a)), if EPA determines after risk evaluation that a chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, without consideration of costs or other non-risk factors, including an unreasonable risk to a potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulation identified as relevant to the risk evaluation, under the conditions of use, EPA must, by rule, apply one or more requirements to the extent necessary so that the chemical substance or mixture no longer presents such risk. Section 6(a) authorizes EPA to:

1. Prohibit or restrict manufacture, processing, or distribution in commerce,

2. Prohibit or restrict the manufacture, processing, or distribution in commerce of the chemical substance above a specified concentration,

3. Require minimum warnings or instructions with respect to use, distribution, or disposal,

4. Require manufacturers or processors to make and retain records,

5. Prohibit or regulate any manner of commercial use,

6. Prohibit or regulate any manner of disposal, and/or

7. Require manufacturers or processors to give notice of the unreasonable risk of injury, and to recall products if required.

Pursuant to TSCA section 6(b), EPA determined that methylene chloride presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health. Accordingly, to address the unreasonable risk, EPA is issuing this final rule under TSCA section 6(a) to:

1. Prohibit the manufacture, processing, and distribution of methylene chloride for all consumer use;

2. Prohibit most industrial and commercial uses of methylene chloride;

3. Require a WCPP, including inhalation exposure concentration limits and related workplace exposure monitoring, respirator protection, personal protective equipment, worker notification, recordkeeping, and exposure control plan for 13 conditions of use of methylene chloride (including manufacture; processing; several industrial and commercial uses such as laboratory use; disposal; and export);

4. Identify a de minimis threshold for products containing methylene chloride;

5. Require recordkeeping and downstream notification requirements for manufacturing, processing, and distribution in commerce of methylene chloride.

6. Provide a 10-year time-limited exemption under TSCA section 6(g) for use emergency use of methylene chloride in furtherance of NASA’s mission for specific conditions which are critical or essential and for which no technically and economically feasible safer alternative is available, with conditions for this exemption to include compliance with the WCPP.

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the Agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

The information collection activities covered by this ICR are necessary to mitigate the unreasonable risk from methylene chloride under the conditions of use.

Downstream Notification. Without the downstream notification requirement, there is a greater likelihood that non-prohibited uses of methylene chloride could be diverted to prohibited uses, or that users would buy or use materials that they do not realize are subject to the restrictions in the final rule. This would result in continuation of the risk that EPA has determined to be unreasonable. Downstream notification is required to be carried out by updates to the relevant SDS and is necessary for effective implementation and enforcement of the rule as it provides a record of notification on use restrictions throughout the supply chain. Downstream notification is required for manufacturers, processors, and distributors in commerce of methylene chloride, who would provide notice to companies downstream upon shipment of methylene chloride about the prohibitions. The information submitted to downstream companies through the SDS provides knowledge and awareness of the restrictions to these companies.

WCPP-related information generation, recordkeeping, and notification requirements. EPA has authority under section 6 of TSCA to require recordkeeping related to the regulatory requirements imposed by EPA. This is especially important where, as here, such records are needed for effective implementation and enforcement of the TSCA section 6 rule to eliminate unreasonable risk. Information collection activities for such records required by a WCPP provide potentially exposed persons in a workplace with clear and necessary information and provide EPA with a necessary evidential mechanism for effective enforcement. The regulated entities must develop, compile, and retain records that are necessary for implementing the exposure controls of the WCPP, provide workplace notification to potentially exposed persons, and serve as a reference for EPA or authorized entities. These records include WCPP records, general business records such as invoices or bills-of-lading, exposure monitoring records, and exposure control plan records. These records demonstrate that regulated entities are in compliance with the requirements in this rule. Compliance with the rule is required to mitigate the unreasonable risk to health identified by EPA for methylene chloride. These recordkeeping requirements are also necessary to permit the EPA to conduct its enforcement activities and to ensure compliance within the regulated community.

Recordkeeping for interim requirements for use of methylene chloride for refinishing wood pieces of artistic, cultural, or historic value. EPA is finalizing a compliance date of five years before prohibitions for the narrowly-described commercial use of methylene chloride for refinishing wood pieces of artistic, cultural, or historic value. During the interim period before prohibition, owners or operators must not only restrict refinishing using methylene chloride only to wood pieces, but also must meet a minimum standard of exposure control as well as maintain records relevant to their use of methylene chloride. Specifically, the owner or operator shall document each instance of refinishing wood pieces and shall include the date of the refinishing activity, the piece that was refinished, the owner of the refinished piece, and the methylene chloride product used. EPA expects this information to be part of normal business records.

EPA. This information collection activity will ensure the availability of information to EPA upon inspection. The final rule does not establish requirements that result in the submission of information to EPA.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

The final rule does not establish reporting requirements, so no information will be submitted to EPA. Therefore, there is no need for any technology facilitation under the final rule related to the information collection activities. The recordkeeping requirement does not specify a particular technology or method of retaining the required information; therefore, regulated entities may retain records in any manner that is convenient or cost-effective.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

The EPA’s collection pursuant to the TSCA section 6(a) regulations for this rulemaking do not duplicate any other information collection activity. EPA is requiring information to ensure the elimination of unreasonable risk that was identified in, and unique to, the June 2020 Methylene Chloride Risk Evaluation. Because there are no existing statutes that have established precedence in the regulation of methylene chloride with criteria similar to the authorities granted under TSCA, the information collection activity is not a duplication. Furthermore, the information collection activity identified by this rule establishes unique guidelines for methylene chloride that are removed from the 2019 Consumer Paint and Coating prohibition and its underlying provisions. Lastly, while this collection activity required by EPA is similar to those of other Federal agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), EPA is setting a lower exposure threshold than the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL); in this way, some entities who were not previously required to maintain certain records under the OSHA standard may be subject to recordkeeping requirements in order to demonstrate they have addressed unreasonable risks under TSCA. The requirements of this rulemaking also include regulated entities where OSHA requirements are not applicable (e.g., public sector workers not covered by an OSHA State plan, and self-employed workers). Thus, these are unprecedented and EPA-specific collection activity guidelines for the regulation of methylene chloride under TSCA and therefore has no duplicative requirements.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe the methods used to minimize burden.

At the recommendation of the Small Business Review Panel, EPA requested comment on the extent to which a regulation under TSCA section 6(a) could minimize requirements, such as testing and monitoring protocols, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements, which may exceed those already required under OSHA’s regulations for methylene chloride. In addition, EPA requested comment on reasonable compliance timeframes for small businesses, including timeframes for reformulation of products or processes containing methylene chloride; implementation of new engineering or administrative controls; changes to labels, SDSs, and packaging; implementation of new PPE, including training and monitoring practices; and supply chain management challenges.

EPA also requested comment on establishing differing compliance or reporting requirements or timetables that take into account the limited resources available to small entities.

Commenters on EPA’s proposed rule provided information in response to these requests. After considering comments regarding timeframes needed for implementing the WCPP, EPA has determined that the timeframes in the alternative regulatory action would ensure that the regulated community, including small businesses, has adequate time to assess, formulate, procure, and implement the required chemical safety program for methylene chloride, including the required recordkeeping and documentation. Similarly, several commenters raised concerns on the timeframe for complying with prohibitions from the proposed regulatory action, stating that it does not allow sufficient time to identify, research, test, qualify, and implement alternative substances or processes. After reviewing all of the comments, EPA modified the proposed prohibition compliance timeframe for industrial and commercial uses and has lengthened it in the final rule, to allow for successful implementation of the prohibitions. This extension will also provide additional time for industry, including small businesses, to consult with their supply chains and to make necessary adjustments.

Significantly, in response to small business concerns, EPA has determined that there currently is no technically or economically feasible safer alternative for use of methylene chloride in paint and coating removal for the refinishing of wooden pieces of artistic, cultural, or historic value, since the integrity or character of the piece would be compromised by alternatives to methylene chloride. Therefore, EPA’s final rule is delaying compliance with prohibitions for commercial use of methylene chloride for refinishing wooden pieces which are of artistic, cultural, or historic value, with interim requirements for exposure controls, based on best practices described by furniture refinishers. While requirements to reduce exposures and maintain records will take effect before the prohibitions, EPA expects this information to be part of normal business records.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

Under section 6(a) of TSCA (15 U.S.C. § 2605(a)), if EPA determines after risk evaluation that a chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, without consideration of costs or other non-risk factors, including an unreasonable risk to a potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulation identified as relevant to the risk evaluation, under the conditions of use, EPA must by rule apply one or more requirements, (see #1 above) to the extent necessary so that the chemical substance or mixture no longer presents such risk. EPA has authority under section 6 of TSCA to require recordkeeping related to the regulatory requirements imposed by EPA. This is important where, as here, such records and reports are necessary for effective implementation and enforcement of the section 6 rule.

Due to the nature of the triggering events that initiate information collection activities under the final rule (i.e., the exposure of potentially exposed persons, consumers, and bystanders to unreasonable risk) a shorter timeframe for record retention is not feasible. The information collection activities covered by this ICR are necessary in order to ensure the effective mitigation of unreasonable risk from methylene chloride. Due to EPA’s determination that methylene chloride presents an unreasonable risk to health, the risk management rule involves information collection activities that are intended to ensure that methylene chloride does not present an unreasonable risk, thus any associated burdens to the regulated entities are necessary for the implementation of a TSCA section 6(a) rulemaking. Should the records in this information collection activity not be maintained nor be made accessible in accordance with the rulemaking, effective implementation of the WCPP would be compromised and EPA would not be able to determine if unreasonable risk is mitigated, leading to the possibility of injury or death and will hinder investigative efforts by the regulated entity and by EPA.

7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a manner:

1. requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

2. requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

3. requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

4. requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records, for more than three years;

5. in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;

6. requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;

7. that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

8. requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

This rulemaking and information collection activity requires that regulated entities retain records for a duration of five years from the date of its inception such as downstream notification. EPA has tailored this timeframe to coincide with the statute of limitations for civil penalty enforcement (28 U.S.C. 2842). Though EPA does not require that regulated entities retain their records for 30 years as OSHA does in their methylene chloride standard, EPA expects that five-year retention of records for a WCPP is necessary for effective implementation and enforcement of this rulemaking.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency’s notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken in response to the comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside EPA to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years - even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

EPA has engaged in significant consultation and outreach with the regulated community and other affected entities during development of the proposed and final rulemaking. Comments were solicited on the proposed rule via the notice of proposed rulemaking published on May 3, 2023 (88 Fr 28284). Other key opportunities to obtain public input on the availability and type of data that should be required, frequency of monitoring, and methods for carrying out downstream notification include the outreach meetings with small entity representatives held as part of the Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel, where submitted exposure measurements indicated an ability to achieve a WCPP for certain uses; presentations to small business stakeholders and the general public in September 2021 and May 2023; and discussions with representatives from different industries, non-governmental organizations, technical experts and users of methylene chloride. A list of external meetings held during the development of the proposed and final rule is in the docket. The purpose of these discussions was to create awareness and educate stakeholders and regulated entities on the provisions for risk management required under section 6(a) of TSCA; obtain input from manufacturers, processors, distributors, users, academics, advisory councils, and members of the public health community about uses of methylene chloride; identify workplace practices, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE, and industrial hygiene plans currently in use or feasibly adoptable to reduce exposure to methylene chloride under the conditions of use; generate potential risk reduction strategies; and understand the type of recordkeeping, notifications, and reporting already ongoing.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

This collection does not provide any payment or gift to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy. If the collection requires a systems of records notice (SORN) or privacy impact assessment (PIA), those should be cited and described here.

EPA will not be collecting any information. Therefore, confidential information will not be submitted to EPA.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

The information collection activities do not include questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:

1. Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

2. If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens.

3. Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included under ‘Annual Cost to Federal Government’.

EPA’s Economic Analysis of the Final Regulation of Methylene Chloride (U.S. EPA, 2024) provides the detailed methodology for estimating the number of respondents.

The paperwork burden and associated costs include the activity types listed below. Note that not all entities will incur burden or costs from these activities because they may already be meeting the requirements under as part of their usual business practices.

• Rule familiarization

  • The 6,483 facilities with PRA burdens and costs associated with a WCPP or other respiratory protection requirements are assumed to incur an initial cost of $214 for a three-hour burden associated with rule familiarization.

• The 231,486 facilities with PRA burdens and costs associated with prohibition are assumed to incur an initial cost of $94 for a one-hour burden associated with rule familiarization.

• Downstream notification

  • Each person who processes or distributes in commerce methylene chloride or methylene chloride-containing products for any use must, prior to or concurrent with the shipment, notify companies to whom methylene chloride is shipped, in writing, of the restrictions on its use. It is assumed that 32 respondents (manufacturers, import, and repackage facilities) accomplish this by modifying the SDS to note the restrictions and the burden associated with the downstream notification requirements, including the related recordkeeping, is two hours, with an associated labor cost of $189. Shipment records are assumed to be kept as part of ordinary business practices, and therefore no incremental burden is estimated for this requirement.

• WCPP

  • Under the final rule, the 1,584 facilities complying with the rule through an WCPP are required to develop exposure control plans, monitor exposure levels, maintain records of this monitoring, provide employees with information about how they can access to the exposure control plans, exposure monitoring records, PPE program implementation documentation, and respirator program documentation, and obtain an acknowledgment from the employee that they have received the information. The estimated costs and burdens are as follows:

• The estimated burden and costs for the respiratory exposure monitoring plan and conducting exposure monitoring (generating the exposure monitoring results) depend on the methylene chloride levels determined by the monitoring and are described in Chapter 10 of the economic analysis of the final rule (certified industrial hygienist and technical specialist labor).

• The estimated burden and costs for recordkeeping related to respiratory exposure monitoring depend on the methylene chloride levels determined by the monitoring and are described in Chapter 10 of the economic analysis of the final rule (Manufacturing/Managerial labor).

• The estimated burden and costs for notifications related to exposure monitoring (notifying potentially exposed workers; providing them with access to exposure control plans, exposure monitoring records, PPE program implementation documentation, and respirator program documentation) depend on the methylene chloride levels determined by the monitoring and are described in Chapter 10 of the economic analysis of the final rule (Manufacturing/Managerial labor).

• Commercial furniture refinishing

• Under the final rule, 4,899 facilities engaged in commercial use of methylene chloride in paint and coating removal for the refinishing of wooden pieces of artistic, cultural, or historic value must maintain records detailing their use of methylene chloride; EPA expects these would be ordinary business records.

The table below presents the labor rates used to estimate the costs of the labor burdens under the ICR.

Industry Wage Rates (2021$)

Labor Category	Data Series	Date	Wage ($/hour)	Total Compen- sation	Overhead1	Hourly Loaded Wages
			(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)=(b)+(c)
Manufacturing/ Production Worker	BLS ECEC, Private Manufacturing Industries, “Production occupations”2	Dec-22	$21.79	$33.42	$6.68	$40.10
Manufacturing/ Managerial	BLS ECEC, Private Manufacturing industries, “Mgt, Business, and Financial”2	Dec- 21	$54.29	$78.95	$15.79	$94.74
Certified Industrial Hygienist	Wage: BLS OEWS Occupational Health & Safety Specialists (19-5011) Fringes as percent of wage: BLS ECEC, Private Manufacturing industries, “Professional and related occupations” 3,4	May-22	$39.47	$59.43	$11.89	$71.32
Technical Specialist	Wage: BLS OEWS Occupational Health & Safety Technicians (19-5012) Fringes as percent of wage: BLS ECEC, Private Manufacturing industries, “Professional and related occupations” 3,4	May-22	$27.67	$41.72	$8.34	$50.06
1 An overhead rate of 20% is used based on assumptions in Handbook on Valuing Changes in Time Use Induced by Regulatory Requirements and Other U.S. EPA Actions (EPA 2020f). 2 Source: Employer Costs for Employee Compensation Historical Supplementary Tables, National Compensation Survey: December 2022 (BLS 2023b). 3 Source: Occupational Employment Statistics (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics) for May 2022 (BLS 2023c). 4 Fringe benefits are not reported in the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS; BLS 2023c). It is therefore is assumed that fringes as a percentage of wages are 50.77 percent, based on the percentage for Private Manufacturing Industries, “Professional and related” in the BLS ECEC (BLS 2023b). 5 Fringe benefits are not reported in the BLS OEWS (BLS 2023c). It is therefore is assumed that fringes as a percentage of wages are 44 percent, based on the percentage for Health Care and Social Assistance Industry, “Professional and related” in the BLS ECEC (BLS 2023b).

The table below presents the summary of the average annual burden hours and costs per facility associated with the final rule. See Chapter 7 of the economic analysis (U.S. EPA, 2024) for a more detailed description of how the time burden and wage rates were estimated. The burden and cost estimates provided reflect the figures provided in the accompanying Information Collection Request (ICR) for the rule.

Summary of Three Year Average Incremental Burden Hours and Costs

Activity	Number of Respondents	Average Annual Responses Per Respondent	Average Annual Burden Per Respondent	Average Annual Total Labor Burden	Average Annual Total Labor Costs
Rule Familiarization (WCPP firms)	6,483	0.33	1.00	6,483	$462,368
Rule Familiarization (prohibition firms)	231,486	0.33	0.33	76,390	$7,274,820
Downstream Notification (SDS)	32	0.33	0.67	21	$2,021
Respiratory Monitoring	6,483	2.25	7.04	45,627	$2,424,072
Respiratory Recordkeeping	6,483	2.25	2.90	18,769	$1,778,175
Respiratory Notifications	6,483	2.25	0.28	1,799	$170,437
All Activities	237,969	-	0.63	149,090	$12,111,893
Note: columns may not sum due to rounding.

13. Provide an estimate for the total annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden already reflected on the burden worksheet).

1. The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start- up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

2. If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collections services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

3. Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

There are ongoing monitoring costs incurred by respondents associated with monitoring equipment,¹ laboratory analysis, and shipping costs. These costs are expected to vary depending on the extent to which monitoring results are below or above the existing chemical exposure limit (ECEL). EPA’s Economic Analysis of the Final Regulation of Methylene Chloride (U.S. EPA, 2024) describes these cost estimates in detail. These ongoing non-labor costs are summarized in the table below.

Paperwork Non-Labor Cost Associated with Respiratory Monitoring

Threshold	Number of Respondents	Average Events Per Respondent Annually	Number of Workers	Annual Per Respondent Non-Labor Costs (excludes costs estimated on a per-worker basis)	Annual Per-Worker Non-Labor Cost	Average Annual Per-Respondent Non-Labor Cost	Average Annual Total Non-Labor Cost
<Action Level	677	0.33	5,422	$80	$164	$1,394	$943,391
Between Action Level and Limit	148	2	1,119	$160	$328	$2,643	$390,788
< 10 times the ECEL	333	4	2,481	$320	$656	$5,211	$1,733,934
< 25 times the ECEL	58	4	412	$320	$656	$5,004	$288,490
< 50 times the ECEL	23	4	160	$320	$656	$4,895	$112,435
< 1,000 times the ECEL	346	4	1,329	$320	$656	$2,839	$982,366
< 10,000 times the ECEL	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
All Respondents	1,584	-	10,923	-	-	$2,810	$4,451,405
See Table 10-15 of the Economic Analysis. Note: columns may not sum due to rounding.

¹ Monitoring equipment is assumed to be rented, so it is an ongoing cost rather than a capital cost.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. Agencies may also aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.

There will be no agency collection activities under the final rule. There will only be third-party notification and recordkeeping requirements.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in hour or cost burden.

This is a new, rule-related information collection. Therefore, the reported burden reflects a program change.

16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

Not applicable.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons why display would be inappropriate.

Not applicable.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions.”

EPA does not request an exception to the certification of this information collection.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The annual public burden for this collection of information is estimated to average approximately 11.2 hours annually for respondents complying with a WCPP or other respiratory protection requirements (i.e., furniture refinishing firms) and 0.33 hours annually for respondents with only a rule familiarization burden. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act, “burden” means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. For this collection it includes the time needed to review and understand instructions; prepare and submit reports (including searching data sources); complete and review the collection of information; transmit the information; and keep records.

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

The attachments listed below can be found in the docket for this ICR or by using the hyperlink that is provided in the list below. The docket for this ICR is accessible electronically through http://www.regulations.gov using Docket ID Number: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0465.

Ref.	Title (hyperlink)
1.	TSCA section 6 (15 U.S.C. 2605)
2.	Final Rule
3.	Economic Analysis
4.	Stakeholder Meeting Index (Updated)