81 FR 24091 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Assessment of Environmental Performance Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Procurement; Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 79 (April 25, 2016)

Page Range		24091-24092
FR Document		2016-09519

EPA has submitted the following information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA): ``Assessment of Environmental Performance Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Procurement'' and identified by EPA ICR No. 2516.01 and OMB Control No. 2070-NEW. The ICR is available in the docket along with other related materials, including details of the pilot assessment criteria for assessing volunteer standards and ecolabels, and the assessment tool for conducting the assessments. The ICR provides a detailed explanation of the collection activities and the burden estimate that is only briefly summarized in this document. EPA has addressed the comments received in response to the previously provided public review opportunity issued in the Federal Register on March 19, 2015 (80 FR 14372). With this submission, EPA is providing an additional 30 days for public review. In addition, EPA is seeking volunteer standards development organizations and ecolabel programs applicable to paints/coatings, flooring, and/or furniture to be assessed against the pilot criteria for potential EPA recommendation to federal purchasers per Executive Order 13693.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 79 (Monday, April 25, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 79 (Monday, April 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24091-24092]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09519]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2014-0838; FRL-9932-80-OEI]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Assessment of 
Environmental Performance Standards and Ecolabels for Federal 
Procurement; Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: EPA has submitted the following information collection request 
(ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and 
approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA): 
``Assessment of Environmental Performance Standards and Ecolabels for 
Federal Procurement'' and identified by EPA ICR No. 2516.01 and OMB 
Control No. 2070-NEW. The ICR is available in the docket along with 
other related materials, including details of the pilot assessment 
criteria for assessing volunteer standards and ecolabels, and the 
assessment tool for conducting the assessments. The ICR provides a 
detailed explanation of the collection activities and the burden 
estimate that is only briefly summarized in this document. EPA has 
addressed the comments received in response to the previously provided 
public review opportunity issued in the Federal Register on March 19, 
2015 (80 FR 14372). With this submission, EPA is providing an 
additional 30 days for public review. In addition, EPA is seeking 
volunteer standards development organizations and ecolabel programs 
applicable to paints/coatings, flooring, and/or furniture to be 
assessed against the pilot criteria for potential EPA recommendation to 
federal purchasers per Executive Order 13693.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 25, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2014-0838, to both EPA and OMB as follows:
     To EPA online using http://www.regulations.gov (our 
preferred method) or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental 
Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., 
Washington, DC 20460.
     To OMB via email to [email protected]. Address 
comments to OMB Desk Officer for EPA.
    EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the 
docket without change, including any personal information provided, 
unless the comment includes profanity, threats, information claimed to 
be Confidential Business Information (CBI), or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit electronically any 
information you consider to be CBI or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute.
    To volunteer a standard or ecolabel to be assessed, please email 
the pilot effort's independent assessment entity under contract with 
EPA, Industrial Economics, Inc. at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alison Kinn Bennett, Chemistry, 
Economics, and Sustainable Strategies Division (7409M), Office of 
Pollution

[[Page 24092]]

Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 
(202) 564-8859; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Docket: Supporting documents, including the ICR that explains in 
detail the information collection activities and the related burden and 
cost estimates that are summarized in this document, are available in 
the docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, West William 
Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., 
Washington, DC. The telephone number for the Docket Center is (202) 
566-1744. For additional information about EPA's public docket, visit 
http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
    ICR status: This ICR is for a new information collection activity. 
Under PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., an agency may not conduct or 
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of 
information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. 
The OMB control numbers are displayed either by publication in the 
Federal Register or by other appropriate means, such as on the related 
collection instrument or form, if applicable. The display of OMB 
control numbers for certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR 
part 9.
    Abstract: EPA is engaging in this collection pursuant to the 
authority in the Pollution Prevention Act (42 U.S.C. 13103(b)(11)), 
which requires EPA to ``[i]dentify opportunities to use Federal 
procurement to encourage source reduction,'' and section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 
note), which requires Federal agencies to ``use technical standards 
that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies, 
using such technical standards as a means to carry out policy 
objectives or activities.'' Federal agencies need this assessment per 
the draft guidelines to determine which, among sometimes dozens of 
private sector standards within a single purchase category, are 
appropriate and effective in meeting Federal procurement goals and 
mandates.
    Federal agencies must comply with multiple sustainability-related 
purchasing mandates. While Federal purchasing policy is clear for the 
several standards and eco-labels that are listed in statute, 
regulation, or Executive Order, the lack of independently assessed 
information about and Federal guidance on using other product 
environmental performance standards and eco-labels often results in an 
inconsistent approach by Federal purchasers and confusion and 
uncertainty for vendors and manufacturers.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by 
this ICR are standards development organizations, eco-labeling 
programs, and environmental certification entities.
    Respondent's obligation to respond: Responses to the collection of 
information are voluntary. Respondents may claim all or part of a 
response confidential. EPA will disclose information that is covered by 
a claim of confidentiality only to the extent permitted by, and in 
accordance with, the procedures in TSCA section 14 and 40 CFR part 2.
    Estimated total number of potential respondents: 20.
    Frequency of response: Once during the 2016 pilot and a to-be-
determined frequency depending upon learnings from the pilot.
    Estimated total burden: 340 hours (per year). Burden is defined at 
5 CFR 1320.3(b).
    Estimated total costs: $ 24,711 (per year), includes no annualized 
capital investment or maintenance and operational costs.
    Changes in the estimates: This is a request for a new approval from 
OMB.

    Authority:  44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

Courtney Kerwin,
Acting Director, Collection Strategies Division.
[FR Doc. 2016-09519 Filed 4-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 79 / Monday, April 25, 2016 / Notices 24091

extension of the ICR, which is currently the affected facilities must submit an in accordance with the Paperwork
approved through April 30, 2016. Public initial notification report, performance Reduction Act (PRA): ‘‘Assessment of
comments were previously requested tests, and periodic reports and results. Environmental Performance Standards
via the Federal Register (80 FR 32116) Owners or operators are also required to and Ecolabels for Federal Procurement’’
on June 5, 2015 during a 60-day maintain records of the occurrence and and identified by EPA ICR No. 2516.01
comment period. This notice allows for duration of any startup, shutdown, or and OMB Control No. 2070–NEW. The
an additional 30 days for public malfunction in the operation of an ICR is available in the docket along with
comments. A fuller description of the affected facility, or any period during other related materials, including details
ICR is given below, including its which the monitoring system is of the pilot assessment criteria for
estimated burden and cost to the public. inoperative. Reports, at a minimum, are assessing volunteer standards and
An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, required semiannually. ecolabels, and the assessment tool for
and a person is not required to respond Form Numbers: None. conducting the assessments. The ICR
to, a collection of information unless it Respondents/affected entities: provides a detailed explanation of the
displays a currently valid OMB control Facilities in the printing and publishing collection activities and the burden
number. industry. estimate that is only briefly summarized
DATES: Additional comments may be Respondent’s obligation to respond: in this document. EPA has addressed
submitted on or before May 25, 2016. Mandatory (40 CFR part 63, subpart the comments received in response to
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, KK). the previously provided public review
referencing Docket ID Number EPA– Estimated number of respondents: opportunity issued in the Federal
HQ–OECA–2012–0666, to: (1) EPA 352 (total). Register on March 19, 2015 (80 FR
online using www.regulations.gov (our Frequency of response: Initially, 14372). With this submission, EPA is
preferred method), or by email to occasionally and semiannually. providing an additional 30 days for
docket.oeca@epa.gov, or by mail to: EPA Total estimated burden: 59,800 hours public review. In addition, EPA is
Docket Center, Environmental (per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR seeking volunteer standards
Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1320.3(b). development organizations and ecolabel
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Total estimated cost: $6,420,000 (per programs applicable to paints/coatings,
Washington, DC 20460; and (2) OMB via year), which includes $414,000 in flooring, and/or furniture to be assessed
email to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov. annualized capital/startup and/or against the pilot criteria for potential
Address comments to OMB Desk Officer operation & maintenance costs. EPA recommendation to federal
for EPA. Changes in the Estimates: There is an purchasers per Executive Order 13693.
EPA’s policy is that all comments adjustment increase in labor hour DATES: Comments must be received on
received will be included in the public burden in this ICR from the most or before May 25, 2016.
docket without change including any recently-approved ICR. This is not due ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
personal information provided, unless to program changes. The increase identified by docket identification (ID)
the comment includes profanity, threats, occurred because this ICR assumes all number EPA–HQ–OPPT–2014–0838, to
information claimed to be Confidential existing sources will have to re- both EPA and OMB as follows:
Business Information (CBI) or other familiarize with the regulatory • To EPA online using http://
information whose disclosure is requirements each year when www.regulations.gov (our preferred
restricted by statute. calculating respondent labor hours and method) or by mail to: EPA Docket
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: costs. Center, Environmental Protection
Patrick Yellin, Monitoring, Assistance, Courtney Kerwin, Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200
and Media Programs Division, Office of Acting Director, Collection Strategies Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,
Compliance, Mail Code 2227A, Division. DC 20460.
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 [FR Doc. 2016–09522 Filed 4–22–16; 8:45 am]
• To OMB via email to oira_
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, submission@omb.eop.gov. Address
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
DC 20460; telephone number: (202) comments to OMB Desk Officer for EPA.
564–2970; fax number: (202) 564–0050; EPA’s policy is that all comments
email address: yellin.patrick@epa.gov. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION received will be included in the docket
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AGENCY without change, including any personal
Supporting documents which explain in information provided, unless the
detail the information that the EPA will [EPA–HQ–OPPT–2014–0838; FRL–9932–80– comment includes profanity, threats,
OEI] information claimed to be Confidential
be collecting are available in the public
docket for this ICR. The docket can be Business Information (CBI), or other
Agency Information Collection information whose disclosure is
viewed online at www.regulations.gov Activities; Assessment of
or in person at the EPA Docket Center, restricted by statute. Do not submit
Environmental Performance Standards electronically any information you
WJC West, Room 3334, 1301 and Ecolabels for Federal
Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, consider to be CBI or other information
Procurement; Submitted to OMB for whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
DC. The telephone number for the Review and Approval; Comment
Docket Center is 202–566–1744. For To volunteer a standard or ecolabel to
Request be assessed, please email the pilot
additional information about EPA’s
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

public docket, visit: http:// AGENCY: Environmental Protection effort’s independent assessment entity
www.epa.gov/dockets. Agency (EPA). under contract with EPA, Industrial
Abstract: The affected entities are ACTION: Notice.
Economics, Inc. at epapilotassessment@
subject to the General Provisions of the indecon.com.
NESHAP at 40 CFR part 63, subpart A, SUMMARY: EPA has submitted the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
and any changes, or additions, to the following information collection request Alison Kinn Bennett, Chemistry,
Provisions are specified at 40 CFR part (ICR) to the Office of Management and Economics, and Sustainable Strategies
63, subpart KK. Owners or operators of Budget (OMB) for review and approval Division (7409M), Office of Pollution

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24092 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 79 / Monday, April 25, 2016 / Notices

Prevention and Toxics, Environmental guidance on using other product (Renewal)’’ (EPA ICR No. 1893.07, OMB
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania environmental performance standards Control No. 2060–0430), to the Office of
Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001; and eco-labels often results in an Management and Budget (OMB) for
telephone number: (202) 564–8859; inconsistent approach by Federal review and approval in accordance with
email address: kinn.alison@epa.gov. purchasers and confusion and the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: uncertainty for vendors and 3501 et seq.). This is a proposed
Docket: Supporting documents, manufacturers. extension of the ICR, which is currently
including the ICR that explains in detail Respondents/Affected Entities: approved through April 30, 2016. Public
the information collection activities and Entities potentially affected by this ICR comments were previously requested
the related burden and cost estimates are standards development via the Federal Register (80 FR 32116)
that are summarized in this document, organizations, eco-labeling programs, on June 5, 2015 during a 60-day
are available in the docket for this ICR. and environmental certification entities. comment period. This notice allows for
The docket can be viewed online at Respondent’s obligation to respond: an additional 30 days for public
http://www.regulations.gov or in person Responses to the collection of comments. A fuller description of the
at the EPA Docket Center, West William information are voluntary. Respondents ICR is given below, including its
Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 may claim all or part of a response estimated burden and cost to the public.
Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, confidential. EPA will disclose An Agency may neither conduct nor
DC. The telephone number for the information that is covered by a claim sponsor, and a person is not required to
Docket Center is (202) 566–1744. For of confidentiality only to the extent respond to, a collection of information
additional information about EPA’s permitted by, and in accordance with, unless it displays a currently valid OMB
public docket, visit http://www.epa.gov/ the procedures in TSCA section 14 and control number.
dockets. 40 CFR part 2. DATES: Additional comments may be
ICR status: This ICR is for a new Estimated total number of potential submitted on or before May 25, 2016.
information collection activity. Under respondents: 20. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., an agency Frequency of response: Once during referencing Docket ID Number EPA–
may not conduct or sponsor, and a the 2016 pilot and a to-be-determined HQ–OECA–2012–0680, to: (1) EPA
person is not required to respond to, a frequency depending upon learnings online using www.regulations.gov (our
collection of information, unless it from the pilot. preferred method), or by email to
displays a currently valid OMB control Estimated total burden: 340 hours docket.oeca@epa.gov, or by mail to: EPA
number. The OMB control numbers are (per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR Docket Center, Environmental
displayed either by publication in the 1320.3(b). Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T,
Federal Register or by other appropriate Estimated total costs: $ 24,711 (per 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,
means, such as on the related collection year), includes no annualized capital Washington, DC 20460; and (2) OMB via
instrument or form, if applicable. The investment or maintenance and email to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov.
display of OMB control numbers for operational costs. Address comments to OMB Desk Officer
certain EPA regulations is consolidated Changes in the estimates: This is a for EPA.
in 40 CFR part 9. request for a new approval from OMB. EPA’s policy is that all comments
Abstract: EPA is engaging in this Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. received will be included in the public
collection pursuant to the authority in docket without change including any
Courtney Kerwin, personal information provided, unless
the Pollution Prevention Act (42 U.S.C.
Acting Director, Collection Strategies the comment includes profanity, threats,
13103(b)(11)), which requires EPA to Division.
‘‘[i]dentify opportunities to use Federal information claimed to be Confidential
[FR Doc. 2016–09519 Filed 4–22–16; 8:45 am] Business Information (CBI) or other
procurement to encourage source
reduction,’’ and section 12(d) of the BILLING CODE 6560–50–P information whose disclosure is
National Technology Transfer and restricted by statute.
Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
272 note), which requires Federal Patrick Yellin, Monitoring, Assistance,
AGENCY
agencies to ‘‘use technical standards and Media Programs Division, Office of
that are developed or adopted by [EPA–HQ–OECA–2012–0680; FRL–9945– Compliance, Mail Code 2227A,
voluntary consensus standards bodies, 27–OEI] Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
using such technical standards as a Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,
means to carry out policy objectives or Information Collection Request DC 20460; telephone number: (202)
activities.’’ Federal agencies need this Submitted to OMB for Review and 564–2970; email address:
assessment per the draft guidelines to Approval; Comment Request; yellin.patrick@epa.gov.
determine which, among sometimes Emission Guidelines and Compliance SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
dozens of private sector standards Times for Existing Municipal Solid Supporting documents which explain in
within a single purchase category, are Waste Landfills (Renewal) detail the information that the EPA will
appropriate and effective in meeting AGENCY: Environmental Protection be collecting are available in the public
Federal procurement goals and Agency (EPA). docket for this ICR. The docket can be
mandates. viewed online at www.regulations.gov
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

ACTION: Notice.
Federal agencies must comply with or in person at the EPA Docket Center,
multiple sustainability-related SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection EPA West, Room 3334, 1301
purchasing mandates. While Federal Agency has submitted an information Constitution Ave. NW., Washington,
purchasing policy is clear for the several collection request (ICR), ‘‘Emission DC. The telephone number for the
standards and eco-labels that are listed Guidelines and Compliance Times for Docket Center is (202) 566–1744. For
in statute, regulation, or Executive Existing Municipal Solid Waste additional information about EPA’s
Order, the lack of independently Landfills (40 CFR part 60, subpart Cc public docket, visit: http://
assessed information about and Federal and 40 CFR part 62, subpart GGG) www.epa.gov/dockets.

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Document Created: 2016-04-23 01:38:56
Document Modified: 2016-04-23 01:38:56

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Comments must be received on or before May 25, 2016.
Contact		Alison Kinn Bennett, Chemistry, Economics, and Sustainable Strategies Division (7409M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number:
FR Citation		81 FR 24091