SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through August 31, 2026. 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.

Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on February 25, 2026 during a 60-day comment period (91 FR 19250). This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. Supporting documents, which explain in detail the information that the EPA will be collecting, are available in the public docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West, Room 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 www.epa.gov/​dockets.

Abstract: EPA is renewing the information collection concerning the assertion and maintenance of claims of business confidentiality (also known as Confidential Business Information or “CBI”) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), 15 U.S.C. 2601, et seq. The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, Pub. L. 114-182 referred to in this Notice as “Lautenberg”), made significant amendments to TSCA including new provisions governing the assertion of CBI claims and requirements concerning Agency review and treatment of confidentiality claims. Among the changes to TSCA are new provisions on EPA review, submitter maintenance, time limitations for CBI claims, and an option to extend confidentiality claims for up to 10 additional years. 40 CFR 703 specifies Agency procedures for reviewing and communicating with TSCA submitters about confidentiality claims, including requirements for submitters to maintain contact information, procedures EPA will use to provide notices to submitters concerning their claims, and the manner in which EPA will notify submitters concerning the impending expiration of certain claims.

The ICR, which is available in the docket along with other related materials, provides a detailed explanation of the collection activities and the burden estimate that is only briefly summarized here:

Form Numbers: PFN-7710-56; 6300-017; 7710-25; 7710-56; 9600-010; 9600-030; 9600-031; 9600-032; 9600-034; 9600-035; 9600-036; 9600-049; and 9600-060.

Respondents/affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this ICR include Entities potentially affected by this ICR include North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes identified in question 12 of the ICR.

Respondent's obligation to respond: Mandatory. 15 U.S.C. 2713 and 40 CFR 703.

Estimated number of respondents: 1,504 (total).

Frequency of response: On occasion.

Total estimated burden: 623 hours (per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.03(b).

Total estimated cost: $53,050 (per year), which includes $0 annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs.

Changes in the Estimates: There is a decrease of 709 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently approved by OMB. This change, which is discussed in more detail in the ICR, reflects EPA's successful implementation of the Lautenberg provisions governing the assertion of CBI claims through the finalization of the Confidential Business Information Claims Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) rule published on June 7, 2023 (88 FR 37155) which amended and reorganized requirements concerning Agency review and treatment of confidentiality claims. This information collection also accounts for provisions that allow submitters the opportunity to request an extension of CBI claims and for EPA to review time limitations for CBI claims and extension of confidentiality claims for up to 10 additional years. This change is an adjustment.

91 FR 55340