82 FR 39993 - Notice of Intent To Establish Voluntary Criteria for Radon Credentialing Organizations

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 162 (August 23, 2017)

Page Range		39993-39997
FR Document		2017-17860
Since 1988, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has administered a statutorily-mandated program under the Indoor Radon Abatement Act to reduce exposure to indoor radon by promoting awareness, testing, installation of radon mitigation systems in existing homes, and use of radon-resistant new construction techniques. EPA works with state programs, industry and the public to reduce human exposure to radon and thereby reduce deaths due to lung cancer. Access to quality service providers responsible for measuring indoor radon levels and conducting mitigation when necessary is essential to this mission. Historically, EPA operated a program, the Radon Proficiency Program (RPP), to identify qualified radon service providers, a service to assist consumers and states receiving indoor radon grants. Upon its discontinuation, two organizations qualified to be designated as responsible parties for credentialing radon service providers in the absence of a state-run process established under a state's regulatory requirements. Since that time, there has not been an ongoing and open evaluation process for organizations wanting to credential radon service providers. As the Federal agency responsible for implementing the national radon program, and in response to the needs of our state and private partners, EPA intends to establish voluntary criteria outlining a standard of competence for organizations that credential radon service providers. This notice provides interested parties with an opportunity to provide feedback on the Agency's proposed approach.
Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 162 (Wednesday, August 23, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 162 (Wednesday, August 23, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39993-39997]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17860]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0430; FRL-9966-07-OAR]


Notice of Intent To Establish Voluntary Criteria for Radon 
Credentialing Organizations

AGENCY:  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:  Notice of availability; opening of a 60-day public comment 
period.

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SUMMARY: Since 1988, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has 
administered a statutorily-mandated program under the Indoor Radon 
Abatement Act to reduce exposure to indoor radon by promoting 
awareness, testing, installation of radon mitigation systems in 
existing homes, and use of radon-resistant new construction techniques. 
EPA works with state programs, industry and the public to reduce human 
exposure to radon and thereby reduce deaths due to lung cancer. Access 
to quality service providers responsible for measuring indoor radon 
levels and conducting mitigation when necessary is essential to this 
mission. Historically, EPA operated a program, the Radon Proficiency 
Program (RPP), to identify qualified radon service providers, a service 
to assist consumers and states receiving indoor radon grants. Upon its 
discontinuation, two organizations qualified to be designated as 
responsible parties for credentialing radon service providers in the 
absence of a state-run process established under a state's regulatory 
requirements. Since that time, there has not been an ongoing and open 
evaluation process for organizations wanting to credential radon 
service providers. As the Federal agency responsible for implementing 
the national radon program, and in response to the needs of our state 
and private partners, EPA intends to establish voluntary criteria 
outlining a standard of competence for organizations that credential 
radon service providers. This notice provides interested parties with 
an opportunity to provide feedback on the Agency's proposed approach.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 23, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2017-0430, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or withdrawn. The 
EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not 
submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must 
be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered 
the official comment and should include discussion of all points you 
wish to make. The EPA will generally not consider comments or comment 
contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e. on the web, 
cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission 
methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or 
multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective 
comments, please visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katrin Kral, Indoor Environments 
Division, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air 6609T, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460; 
202-343-9454; [email protected].

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    This notice is directed to stakeholders working to reduce exposure 
to indoor radon. It may, however, be of particular interest to those 
involved with promoting and/or conducting testing and installation of 
radon mitigation systems, including, but not limited to:
     Organizations credentialing radon service providers and 
other building construction and/or maintenance related providers.
     Radon service providers.
     Organizations who provide third-party accreditation to the 
ISO/IEC 17024:2012.
     Organizations representing state health and environmental 
programs, green building initiatives, and the radon services industry.
     State radon programs.
     Federal agencies who own, influence or control housing.

B. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?

    1. Tips for Preparing Your Comments. When submitting comments, 
remember to:
     Identify the notice by docket number, subject heading, 
Federal Register date and page number.
     Follow directions--EPA may ask you to respond to specific 
questions or organize comments by including a specific reference.
     Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternatives 
and substitute language for your requested changes.
     Describe any assumptions and provide any technical 
information and/or data that you used.
     If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how 
you arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow it to be 
reproduced.
     Illustrate your concerns with specific examples and 
suggest alternatives.
     Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the 
use of profanity or personal threats.
     Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period 
deadline identified.

C. How can I learn more about this?

    To learn more, please visit www.epa.gov/radon. Depending on 
interest and questions received, EPA may host a question and answer 
session via webinar during the comment period. Please visit the Web 
site regularly for updates.

[[Page 39994]]

D. Description of Terms Used in This Notice

    Accreditation: Third party validation that a conformity assessment 
body complies with established standards. Under the International 
Organization for Standardization (ISO), accreditation refers to the 
formal recognition by an independent body, generally known as an 
accreditation body, that a conformity assessment body operates 
according to international standards.
    Accreditation Body/Organization: Authoritative body that performs 
accreditation.
    Certification: The provision by an independent body of written 
assurance (a certificate) that the product, personnel, service or 
system in question meets specific requirements.
    Certification Scheme: Component of ISO/IEC 17024:2012 that outlines 
competence and other requirements related to specific occupational or 
skilled categories of persons including a scope of certification, job 
and task description (JTA), abilities (when applicable), prerequisites 
(when applicable), and a code of conduct (when applicable). Criteria 
for the initial certification and recertification must be part of the 
scheme and includes a description of the assessment methods, and the 
criteria for suspending and withdrawing the certification.
    Competence: Ability to apply knowledge and skills to achieve 
intended results.
    Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD): 
501(c)(3) nonprofit non-governmental professional organization 
dedicated to radiation protection. CRCPD's primary membership is made 
up of radiation professionals in state and local government that 
regulate the use of radiation sources.
    Credential: Recognition of qualification or competence issued to a 
person by an organization.
    Credentialing: Term applied to processes used to designate that an 
individual, program, institution or product have met established 
standards set by an agent (governmental or non-governmental) recognized 
as qualified to carry out this task. Licensure, registration, 
accreditation, approval, certification, recognition or endorsement may 
be used to describe different credentialing processes.
    Credentialing Organization, Certification Body: Third-party 
conformity assessment body operating certification schemes for persons 
under ISO/IEC 17024:2012. A certification body can be non-governmental 
or governmental with or without regulatory authority.
    EPA Proficiency Program: Voluntary program established under 15 
U.S.C. 2665(a)(2) and run by EPA that assessed the proficiency of 
individuals and organizations and granted them a listing according to 
their measurement or mitigation service capabilities. The Radon 
Measurement Proficiency (RMP) Program was established in 1986, followed 
by the Radon Contractor Proficiency (RCP) Program in 1989. These two 
programs were consolidated into the Radon Proficiency Program (RPP) in 
1995.
    Guidance on Federal Conformity Assessment (15 CFR part 287): 
Provides guidance for each Federal agency to use in evaluating the 
efficacy and efficiency of its conformity assessment activities. Each 
agency should coordinate its conformity assessment activities with 
those of other appropriate government agencies and with those of the 
private sector to reduce unnecessary duplication. The guidance is 
intended to help Federal agencies improve the management and 
coordination of their own conformity assessment activities with respect 
to other government entities and the private sector.
    International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): International 
organization that prepares and publishes international standards for 
all electrical, electronic and related technologies.
    Indoor Radon Abatement Act (IRAA; 1988): Subchapter III of the 
Toxic Substances Control Act, or TSCA. Provides the authority for EPA's 
indoor radon activities.
    International Organization for Standardization (ISO): Independent, 
non-governmental international organization with a membership of 161 
national standards bodies. Through its members, it brings together 
experts to share knowledge and develop voluntary, consensus-based, 
market relevant international standards that support innovation and 
provide solutions to global challenges.
    ISO/IEC: Joint technical committee of the International 
Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International 
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Its purpose is to develop, maintain 
and promote voluntary consensus standards.
    ISO/IEC 17024:2012, Conformity assessment: General requirements for 
bodies operating certification of persons: Voluntary international 
consensus standard containing principles and requirements for a body 
certifying persons against specific requirements, and includes the 
development and maintenance of a certification scheme for persons.
    Job Task Analysis: Foundational requirement of ISO/IEC 17024:2012, 
included with the certification scheme. Helps to identify the core 
knowledge areas, critical work functions, and/or skills that are common 
across the representative sampling of current practitioners.
    License: An official document that gives you permission to own, do, 
or use something.
    The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA): 
Directs Federal agencies with respect to their use of and participation 
in the development of voluntary consensus standards. The Act directs 
Federal agencies to adopt voluntary consensus standards, wherever 
possible, in lieu of creating proprietary, non-consensus standards. The 
Act also directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
(NIST) to coordinate the conformity assessment activities of Federal 
agencies, as well as state and local governments with the private 
sector in order to reduce unnecessary duplication and complexity of 
conformity assessment schemes.
    Office of Management and Budget Circular A-119 (OMB A-119): 
Establishes policies on Federal use and development of voluntary 
consensus standards and on conformity assessment activities.
    Personnel Certification: Voluntary process by which a non-
governmental entity grants a time-limited recognition and use of a 
credential to an individual after verifying that he or she has met 
predetermined and standardized criteria.
    Radon Service Providers (also referred to as ``radon providers'' or 
``providers''): Individuals who perform measurement and/or mitigation 
of radon.
    State Indoor Radon Grant (SIRG, also referred to as ``indoor radon 
grants''): States and tribes receive grant funds from EPA that help 
finance their radon risk reduction programs; recipients must provide a 
minimum of 40% in matching funds. The Indoor Radon Abatement Act 
provides statutory authority for EPA to run the grant program under 15 
U.S.C. 2666 (a-j).
    Voluntary Consensus Standards (VCS): Standard developed or adopted 
by voluntary consensus standards bodies, through the use of a voluntary 
consensus standards development process, as defined in OMB A-119.

II. Background

A. What authority does EPA have to establish voluntary criteria for 
radon credentialing organizations?

    The 1988 Indoor Radon Abatement Act (See Toxic Substances Control 
Act,

[[Page 39995]]

Title III; 15 U.S.C. 2661-2671) addresses risks associated with indoor 
radon levels and establishes provisions that focus on voluntary 
activities, including education and grant and technical assistance to 
states for radon programs. Under 15 U.S.C. 2665(a)(2), EPA was granted 
authority to operate a voluntary proficiency program for rating, among 
other things, the effectiveness of radon measurement and mitigation 
devices and methods, and ``the effectiveness of private firms and 
individuals offering radon-related architecture, design, engineering, 
measurement, and mitigation services.'' Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 
2666(h)(3), state grant recipients are required to maintain, and make 
available to the public, a list of firms and individuals receiving a 
passing rating under such a program.

B. What is the history of EPA's voluntary Radon Proficiency Program for 
radon service providers?

    In February 1986, EPA established the Radon Measurement Proficiency 
(RMP) Program to assist consumers in identifying organizations capable 
of providing reliable radon measurement analysis services. The Radon 
Contractor Proficiency (RCP) Program was established in 1989 to 
evaluate the proficiency of radon mitigators in residences and provide 
information to the public on proficient mitigators. In 1994, EPA began 
working to consolidate the RMP and RCP into one streamlined program to 
better meet industry needs and reduce costs. The consolidated program 
officially became the Radon Proficiency Program (RPP) in October 1995.
    In response to stakeholder feedback as part of the RPP development-
process, the Agency also began investigating the feasibility of 
transitioning oversight of the proficiency program away from EPA. The 
Agency tasked the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors 
(CRCPD) with drafting a document containing the necessary components of 
a proficiency program. As part of this effort, a series of stakeholder 
meetings were held in 1997. Feedback was collected in five key areas 
critical to discontinuation of the EPA's RPP: (1) Radon tester; (2) 
radon mitigator; (3) approval and accreditation requirements for radon 
and radon decay product measurement devices, radon chambers, and radon 
laboratories; (4) the operational board and committees; and (5) the 
transition to private proficiency programs.
    Ultimately, CRCPD developed a final document outlining a plan for 
transitioning oversight of the proficiency program outside of the 
Federal government, entitled: ``Criteria for Certification of Radon 
Service Providers, the Accreditation of Radon Chambers and 
Laboratories, and the Approval of Measurement Devices.'' This plan was 
used to conduct a one-time evaluation and identify two organizations 
that sufficiently addressed components of EPA's RPP in the early 2000s. 
These two organizations--the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP; 
initially affiliated with the National Environmental Health Association 
and currently affiliated with the American Association of Radon 
Scientists and Technologists, or AARST) and the National Radon Safety 
Board (NRSB)--became responsible for credentialing radon service 
providers in the absence of a state run process established under a 
state's regulatory requirements. This service assisted consumers by 
identifying qualified radon providers. In addition, it assisted states 
receiving indoor radon grants, which are required to maintain and make 
available a list of qualified service providers to the public. Since 
the discontinuation of the RPP, the Agency has relied on NRPP, NRSB and 
state run certification programs to provide the national proficiency 
platform in the radon marketplace.

C. What is the framework for EPA's consideration of voluntary consensus 
standards and conformity assessment activities?

    Taken together, the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act (NTTAA, Pub. L. 104-113), Office of Management and Budget Circular 
A-119 (OMB A-119) and Guidance on Federal Conformity Assessment (15 CFR 
part 287) direct Federal agencies to use voluntary consensus standards 
(VCS) wherever possible as the basis of regulation and other programs, 
to participate in the development of VCS, and to coordinate conformity 
assessment activities (testing, certification, etc.) with the private 
sector to avoid duplication. OMB A-119 outlines considerations Federal 
agencies should make when addressing the need for conformity 
assessment, and considerations agencies should take into account when 
designing conformity assessment programs.
    Personnel certification has become an important element of 
verifying the competence of an increasingly mobile and global 
workforce. In response to this growing need, a joint technical 
committee of the International Organization for Standardization and the 
International Electrotechnical Commission (the ISO/IEC) developed an 
international standard to establish uniform procedures for certifying 
the competence of personnel in different occupations or professions. 
The ISO/IEC 17024:2012 standard is designed to help ensure that 
personnel certification programs run by credentialing organizations 
(also referred to as a certifying body) operate in a consistent, 
comparable, impartial and reliable manner. In addition to ensuring the 
validity of individual certification programs, the ISO/IEC standard is 
intended to help ensure competence and quality of a workforce and 
promote consumer and public confidence. Key areas addressed in the 
standard include: The structure and governance of the certifying body 
and the characteristics of the certification program as it relates 
specifically to a job type (e.g., a certification scheme) and the 
assessment and recertification requirements.
    To verify compliance with ISO/IEC standard 17024:2012, 
credentialing organizations may seek accreditation from a third party. 
An organization accredited by a third party demonstrates ongoing 
compliance with a set of business standards and the necessary core 
competencies to perform the certification of persons and/or training 
functions. As a requirement of continuous accreditation recognition, an 
organization must demonstrate ongoing compliance with ISO/IEC standard 
17024:2012 by periodically maintaining accreditation.

III. Subject and Purpose of This Notice

    Radon exposure causes approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths every 
year and is the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths. Many 
state programs and private industry stakeholders have, for years, 
asserted their belief that EPA should maintain a standard of competence 
for organizations credentialing radon service providers that reflect 
current industry standards and best practices. There is no current 
formal process to assess quality and competence of organizations 
wanting to credential radon service providers. The Agency believes it 
is necessary to establish an ongoing and open evaluation process moving 
forward and anticipates that it will take two to four years to 
establish a process and ensure ample opportunities for stakeholder 
involvement. Criteria establishing a standard of competence for 
organizations credentialing radon service provides will help ensure 
continued and sustained access to a qualified workforce.
    EPA recently issued a special term and condition to SIRG grantees 
clarifying guidance in the State and

[[Page 39996]]

Tribal Indoor Radon Grants Program Guidance and Handbook https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-08/documents/guidance_and_handbook.pdf related to satisfying requirements for 15 
U.S.C. 2666(h)(3). Specifically, the Agency clarified that, to remain 
in compliance with 15 U.S.C. 2666(h)(3) requirements, states receiving 
SIRG funding must maintain and provide the public with a list of only 
those radon service providers who are credentialed either through:
    (1) An existing state-run process established under a state's 
regulatory requirements for credentialing radon service providers 
(e.g., state license), or
    (2) one of the two currently-recognized national radon proficiency 
programs (i.e., NRPP or NRSB).
    The term and condition will remain in effect until the Agency 
issues voluntary criteria, at which time, states receiving SIRG funding 
would list only those radon service providers credentialed by 
organizations meeting the criteria.

A. What specific comments are being sought?

    While all comments regarding any aspect related to the development 
of voluntary criteria for radon credentialing organizations are 
welcomed, comments on the following key areas are specifically 
requested.
1. Overall Approach
    While EPA cannot require that radon credentialing bodies take any 
particular action in order to conduct business, EPA does have authority 
to require that states receiving indoor radon grants list only 
providers who meet certain standards of competence. By establishing 
criteria for organizations credentialing radon service providers, EPA 
would help states ensure high-quality radon services are available to 
their citizens. States receiving SIRG funding would be required to list 
only radon service providers who are certified by organizations meeting 
these criteria (possibly including state-run credentialing programs).
    To satisfy the criteria, organizations that credential radon 
service providers would need to demonstrate and maintain compliance 
with ISO/IEC standard 17024:2012 through independent, third party 
accreditation. The voluntary criteria would specify a timeframe for 
organizations to demonstrate compliance with ISO/IEC 17024:2012 through 
third party accreditation.
    As a condition of continuous accreditation recognition, an 
organization would need to demonstrate ongoing compliance with ISO/IEC 
17024:2012 by periodically reapplying and earning accreditation.
    Credentialing organizations accredited to ISO/IEC 17024:2012 have 
to ensure that certificate holders meet requirements outlined in the 
certification scheme. The credentialing organization may use 
recertification to bring those who do not meet the current requirements 
into compliance. In this case, recertification may be required for 
service providers previously credentialed by one of the two national 
credentialing organizations.
    EPA is seeking comments on the overall feasibility, appropriateness 
and potential impacts of these criteria, in particular as they relate 
to: Time-frame for demonstrating compliance through third-party 
accreditation and options for a phased-in approach, maintaining 
continuous accreditation, and recertification as a means to bring 
existing certificate holders into compliance.
2. Application of Voluntary Criteria to State-Run Programs
    Currently, approximately twenty-three states have regulatory 
requirements in place for credentialing of radon service providers and 
implement a process accordingly (e.g., state license). While some of 
these states require certification by one of the two currently 
recognized national credentialing organizations (i.e., NRPP and/or 
NRSB), there are states operating processes that do not require this 
certification.
    EPA is seeking comments on the feasibility, appropriateness and 
potential impacts of requiring states that operate independent programs 
(i.e., currently do not require certification by one of two recognized 
national credentialing organizations) to meet the criteria if receiving 
SIRG funding.
3. Requirements for Accreditation Organizations
    Organizations providing independent, third party accreditation may 
be required to demonstrate compliance with ISO/IEC 17011:2004 as a 
signatory of the International Accreditation Forum's Multilateral 
Recognition Agreement, or MRA.
    EPA is seeking feedback on the value of including conditions for 
organizations providing independent, third party accreditation.
4. Development of ISO/IEC 17024:2012 Program-Related Components
    To help reduce the burden to credentialing organizations seeking 
accreditation to the ISO/IEC 17024:2012 and to standardize competency 
and testing requirements for radon service providers, EPA recognizes 
that there may be value in the Agency supporting development of the 
certification scheme, a requirement of ISO/IEC 17024:2012. It should be 
noted that the choice of what role EPA plays ultimately will depend on 
both what the community needs and what resources the Agency can 
sustainably support.
    EPA is seeking comments on the feasibility, appropriateness, and 
potential impacts of each possible scenario presented below:
    (a) EPA develops basic framework for credentialing organizations to 
follow.
    EPA would define parameters for the certification scheme (e.g., 
scope(s) of practice, use of existing American National Standards 
Institute/American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists 
(ANSI/AARST) measurement and mitigation voluntary consensus standards 
when developing the job task analysis (JTA), recertification 
requirements).
    Credentialing organizations might enter into a Memorandum of 
Understanding with EPA committing to develop and maintain a 
certification scheme in compliance with specified parameters.
    (b) EPA supports development of initial certification scheme.
    EPA would support development of the initial certification scheme 
and then would transfer ownership of the scheme to a third party or 
individual credentialing organization(s) after a specified time-frame 
(e.g., five years). In this case, new scheme owners might sign a 
licensing agreement transferring ownership of the certification scheme 
and stipulating conditions for use and maintenance of the scheme. For 
example, the licensing agreement may specify that the scheme owner may 
only make changes to the scheme that are deemed more stringent.
    (c) EPA supports development and maintenance of certification 
scheme.
    EPA would retain ownership of the certification scheme, including 
development and maintenance. Organizations seeking accreditation to 
ISO/IEC 17024:2012 might enter into a licensing agreement with the 
Agency which would specify requirements for use of the certification 
scheme.
5. Scope of This Effort
    EPA's RPP addressed labs and devices in addition to radon testing 
and mitigation service providers. The proposed approach outlined above 
does not directly address labs and devices. If the Agency were to 
address labs, a different ISO/IEC standard would apply

[[Page 39997]]

(17025) and would require an independent process. Device requirements 
for certified radon service providers will be incorporated within the 
scope of this effort. (e.g., device must have demonstrated compliance 
with the voluntary consensus standard MS-PC 2015, Performance 
Specifications for Instrumentation Systems Designed to Measure Radon 
Gas in Air).
    EPA is seeking comments on the proposed scope for this effort, 
including the planned approach for including devices. Comments are also 
welcomed on job titles and scopes that should be included for radon 
testing and mitigation providers.

    Dated: August 3, 2017.
David Rowson,
Director, Indoor Environments Division.
[FR Doc. 2017-17860 Filed 8-22-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
39996 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 162 / Wednesday, August 23, 2017 / Notices

Tribal Indoor Radon Grants Program ongoing compliance with ISO/IEC and to standardize competency and
Guidance and Handbook https:// 17024:2012 by periodically reapplying testing requirements for radon service
www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/ and earning accreditation. providers, EPA recognizes that there
2014-08/documents/guidance_and_ Credentialing organizations may be value in the Agency supporting
handbook.pdf related to satisfying accredited to ISO/IEC 17024:2012 have development of the certification
requirements for 15 U.S.C. 2666(h)(3). to ensure that certificate holders meet scheme, a requirement of ISO/IEC
Specifically, the Agency clarified that, requirements outlined in the 17024:2012. It should be noted that the
to remain in compliance with 15 U.S.C. certification scheme. The credentialing choice of what role EPA plays
2666(h)(3) requirements, states receiving organization may use recertification to ultimately will depend on both what the
SIRG funding must maintain and bring those who do not meet the current community needs and what resources
provide the public with a list of only requirements into compliance. In this the Agency can sustainably support.
those radon service providers who are case, recertification may be required for EPA is seeking comments on the
credentialed either through: service providers previously feasibility, appropriateness, and
(1) An existing state-run process credentialed by one of the two national potential impacts of each possible
established under a state’s regulatory credentialing organizations. scenario presented below:
requirements for credentialing radon EPA is seeking comments on the (a) EPA develops basic framework for
service providers (e.g., state license), or overall feasibility, appropriateness and credentialing organizations to follow.
(2) one of the two currently- potential impacts of these criteria, in EPA would define parameters for the
recognized national radon proficiency particular as they relate to: Time-frame certification scheme (e.g., scope(s) of
programs (i.e., NRPP or NRSB). for demonstrating compliance through practice, use of existing American
The term and condition will remain third-party accreditation and options for National Standards Institute/American
in effect until the Agency issues a phased-in approach, maintaining Association of Radon Scientists and
voluntary criteria, at which time, states continuous accreditation, and Technologists (ANSI/AARST)
receiving SIRG funding would list only recertification as a means to bring measurement and mitigation voluntary
those radon service providers existing certificate holders into consensus standards when developing
credentialed by organizations meeting compliance. the job task analysis (JTA),
the criteria. recertification requirements).
2. Application of Voluntary Criteria to Credentialing organizations might
A. What specific comments are being State-Run Programs enter into a Memorandum of
sought? Currently, approximately twenty- Understanding with EPA committing to
While all comments regarding any three states have regulatory develop and maintain a certification
aspect related to the development of requirements in place for credentialing scheme in compliance with specified
voluntary criteria for radon of radon service providers and parameters.
credentialing organizations are implement a process accordingly (e.g., (b) EPA supports development of
welcomed, comments on the following state license). While some of these states initial certification scheme.
key areas are specifically requested. require certification by one of the two EPA would support development of
currently recognized national the initial certification scheme and then
1. Overall Approach
credentialing organizations (i.e., NRPP would transfer ownership of the scheme
While EPA cannot require that radon and/or NRSB), there are states operating to a third party or individual
credentialing bodies take any particular processes that do not require this credentialing organization(s) after a
action in order to conduct business, certification. specified time-frame (e.g., five years). In
EPA does have authority to require that EPA is seeking comments on the this case, new scheme owners might
states receiving indoor radon grants list feasibility, appropriateness and sign a licensing agreement transferring
only providers who meet certain potential impacts of requiring states that ownership of the certification scheme
standards of competence. By operate independent programs (i.e., and stipulating conditions for use and
establishing criteria for organizations currently do not require certification by maintenance of the scheme. For
credentialing radon service providers, one of two recognized national example, the licensing agreement may
EPA would help states ensure high- credentialing organizations) to meet the specify that the scheme owner may only
quality radon services are available to criteria if receiving SIRG funding. make changes to the scheme that are
their citizens. States receiving SIRG deemed more stringent.
funding would be required to list only 3. Requirements for Accreditation (c) EPA supports development and
radon service providers who are Organizations maintenance of certification scheme.
certified by organizations meeting these Organizations providing independent, EPA would retain ownership of the
criteria (possibly including state-run third party accreditation may be certification scheme, including
credentialing programs). required to demonstrate compliance development and maintenance.
To satisfy the criteria, organizations with ISO/IEC 17011:2004 as a signatory Organizations seeking accreditation to
that credential radon service providers of the International Accreditation ISO/IEC 17024:2012 might enter into a
would need to demonstrate and Forum’s Multilateral Recognition licensing agreement with the Agency
maintain compliance with ISO/IEC Agreement, or MRA. which would specify requirements for
standard 17024:2012 through EPA is seeking feedback on the value use of the certification scheme.
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independent, third party accreditation. of including conditions for
The voluntary criteria would specify a 5. Scope of This Effort
organizations providing independent,
timeframe for organizations to third party accreditation. EPA’s RPP addressed labs and devices
demonstrate compliance with ISO/IEC in addition to radon testing and
17024:2012 through third party 4. Development of ISO/IEC 17024:2012 mitigation service providers. The
accreditation. Program-Related Components proposed approach outlined above does
As a condition of continuous To help reduce the burden to not directly address labs and devices. If
accreditation recognition, an credentialing organizations seeking the Agency were to address labs, a
organization would need to demonstrate accreditation to the ISO/IEC 17024:2012 different ISO/IEC standard would apply

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 162 / Wednesday, August 23, 2017 / Notices 39997

(17025) and would require an Do not submit electronically any ICR Number: EPA ICR No. 2288.03.
independent process. Device information you consider to be OMB control number: OMB Control
requirements for certified radon service Confidential Business Information (CBI) No. 2070–0174.
providers will be incorporated within or other information whose disclosure is ICR Status: This ICR is currently
the scope of this effort. (e.g., device restricted by statute. scheduled to expire on August 31, 2017.
must have demonstrated compliance • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental An Agency may not conduct or sponsor,
with the voluntary consensus standard Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/ and a person is not required to respond
MS–PC 2015, Performance DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. to, a collection of information, unless it
Specifications for Instrumentation NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001. displays a currently valid OMB control
Systems Designed to Measure Radon • Hand Delivery: To make special number. The OMB control numbers for
Gas in Air). arrangements for hand delivery or EPA’s regulations in title 40 of the Code
EPA is seeking comments on the delivery of boxed information, please of Federal Regulations (CFR), after
proposed scope for this effort, including follow the instructions at http:// appearing in the Federal Register when
the planned approach for including www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html. approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9,
devices. Comments are also welcomed Additional instructions on are displayed either by publication in
on job titles and scopes that should be commenting or visiting the docket, the Federal Register or by other
included for radon testing and along with more information about appropriate means, such as on the
mitigation providers. dockets generally, is available at http:// related collection instrument or form, if
Dated: August 3, 2017. www.epa.gov/dockets. applicable. The display of OMB control
David Rowson, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: numbers for certain EPA regulations is
Cameo Smoot, Field and External consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.
Director, Indoor Environments Division. Abstract: This ICR covers the
[FR Doc. 2017–17860 Filed 8–22–17; 8:45 am] Affairs Division (7506P), Office of
Pesticide Programs, Environmental information collection activities
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania associated with the issuance of data-
Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001; call-ins (DCIs) under section 3(c)(2)(B)
telephone number: (703) 305–5454, mail of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide,
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
AGENCY address: smoot.cameo@epa.gov.
Burden Statement: The annual public
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: reporting and recordkeeping burden for
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0109; FRL–9944–78]
I. What information is EPA particularly this collection of information is
Agency Information Collection interested in? estimated to average between 20 hours
Activities; Proposed Renewal of an and 8,182 hours per response. Burden is
Existing Collection (EPA ICR No. Pursuant to PRA section 3506(c)(2)(A)
defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(b). The ICR,
2288.03); Comment Request (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), EPA
which is available in the docket along
specifically solicits comments and
with other related materials, provides a
AGENCY: Environmental Protection information to enable it to:
detailed explanation of the collection
Agency (EPA). 1. Evaluate whether the proposed
activities and the burden estimate that
ACTION: Notice. collection of information is necessary
is only briefly summarized here:
for the proper performance of the Respondents/Affected Entities:
SUMMARY: In compliance with the functions of the Agency, including
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this Entities potentially affected by this ICR
whether the information will have are pesticide registrant and are
document announces that EPA is practical utility.
planning to submit an Information identified by the North American
2. Evaluate the accuracy of the Industrial Classification System
Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Agency’s estimates of the burden of the
Management and Budget (OMB) and (NAICS) code 325320 (Pesticide and
proposed collection of information, Other Agricultural Chemical
provides an opportunity for public including the validity of the
comment. The ICR, entitled: ‘‘Pesticide Manufacturing).
methodology and assumptions used. Estimated Total Number of Potential
Data Call-in Program’’ and identified by 3. Enhance the quality, utility, and
EPA ICR No. 2288.03 and OMB Control Respondents: 122.
clarity of the information to be Frequency of Response: On occasion.
No. 2070–0174, represents the renewal collected. Estimated Total Average Number of
of an existing ICR that is scheduled to 4. Minimize the burden of the Responses for Each Respondent: 1.
expire on August 31, 2017. Before collection of information on those who Estimated Total Annual Burden
submitting the ICR to OMB for review are to respond, including through the Hours: 615,447 hours.
and approval, EPA is soliciting use of appropriate automated electronic, Estimated Total Annual Costs:
comments on specific aspects of the mechanical, or other technological $43,792,523.
proposed information collection that is collection techniques or other forms of There are no capital investment or
summarized in this document. The ICR information technology, e.g., permitting maintenance and operational costs
and accompanying material are electronic submission of responses. In associated with this collection.
available in the docket for public review particular, EPA is requesting comments
and comment. III. Are there changes in the estimates
from very small businesses (those that
DATES: Comments must be received on from the last approval?
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES

employ less than 25) on examples of
or before October 23, 2017. specific additional efforts that EPA There is an increase of 353,146 hours
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, could make to reduce the paperwork in the total estimated respondent
identified by docket identification (ID) burden for very small businesses burden compared with that identified in
number EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0109, by affected by this collection. the ICR currently approved by OMB.
one of the following methods: This increase is a result of the program
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// II. What information collection activity implementing new methodologies to
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online or ICR does this action apply to? calculate respondent burden, the
instructions for submitting comments. Title: Pesticide Data Call-in Program. inclusion of a new IC group—

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Document Created: 2017-08-22 23:51:34
Document Modified: 2017-08-22 23:51:34
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 of availability; opening of a 60-day public comment period.
Dates		Comments must be received on or before October 23, 2017.
Contact		Katrin Kral, Indoor Environments Division, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air 6609T, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460; 202-343-9454; [email protected]
FR Citation		82 FR 39993