E6-15253. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collections; Comment Requests; Information Requirements for Importation of Nonconforming Vehicles; EPA ICR No. 0010.11, OMB Control No. 2060-0095; Emission Control System Performance ...

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request to renew three existing approved Information Collection Requests (ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). These ICRs are scheduled to expire on March 31, 2007. Before submitting the ICRs to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collections as described below.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before November 13, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

Submit your comments, identified by the Docket ID numbers provided for each item in the text, by one of the following methods:

• www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Air and Radiation Docket, Mailcode 6102T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
• Hand Delivery: Docket Center, (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.

Instructions: Direct your comments identified by the Docket ID numbers provided for each item in the text. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at www.regulations.gov,, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The www.regulations.gov Web site is an “anonymous access” system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at http://www.epa.gov/​epahome/​dockets.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lynn Sohacki, Compliance and Innovative Strategies Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105; telephone number: 734-214-4851; fax number: 734-214-4869; e-mail address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

How Can I Access the Docket and/or Submit Comments?

EPA has established a public docket for each of the ICRs identified in this document (see the Docket ID numbers for each ICR that are provided in the text) which is available for online viewing at www.regulations.gov,, or in person viewing at the Air Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is 202-566-1744, and the telephone number for the Air Docket is 202-566-1742.

Use www.regulations.gov to obtain a copy of the draft collection of information, submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “search,” then key in the docket ID number identified in this document.

What Information Is EPA Particularly Interested in?

Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA specifically solicits comments and information to enable it to:

(i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(ii) Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(iv) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.

What Should I Consider When I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your comments:

1. Explain your views as clearly as possible and provide specific examples.

2. Describe any assumptions that you used.

3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used that support your views.

4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you arrived at the estimate that you provide.

5. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.

6. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline identified under DATES.

7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal Register citation.

What Is the Next Step in the Process for These ICRs?

EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. At that time, EPA will issue another Federal Register notice pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. If you have any questions about this ICR or the approval process, please contact the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

What Information Collection Activities or ICRs Does This Apply to?

Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0740

Affected entities: Importers (including Independent Commercial Importers) of light duty vehicles or engines, light duty trucks or engines, and highway motorcycles or engines.

Title: Information Collection Request Renewal for Importation of Nonconforming Vehicles.

ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 0010.11, OMB Control No. 2060-0095.

ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on March 31, 2007. 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 for EPA's regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the Federal Register when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, and 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 in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.

Abstract: Importers into the U.S. of light duty vehicles, light duty trucks, and on road motorcycles, or the corresponding engines, are required to report and keep records regarding the imports. The collection of this information is mandatory to insure compliance with Federal emissions requirements. Joint EPA and U.S. Customs Service regulations at 40 CFR 85.1501 et seq., 19 CFR 1273, and 19 CFR 1774, promulgated under the authority of Clean Air Act sections 203 and 208, give authority for the collection of this information. The information is used by program personnel to ensure that all Federal emissions requirements are met, and by State regulatory agencies, businesses, and individuals to verify whether vehicles are in compliance. Any information submitted to the Agency for which a claim of confidentiality is made is safeguarded according to policies set forth in title 40, chapter 1, part 2, subpart B—Confidentiality of Business Information (see 40 CFR part 2), and the public is not permitted access to information containing personal or organizational identifiers.

Burden Statement

The ICR provides a detailed explanation of the Agency's estimate, which is only briefly summarized here:

Estimated total number of potential respondents: 12,000.

Frequency of response: On occasion.

Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 1.

Estimated total annual burden hours: 10,216 hours.

Estimated total annual costs: $538,335. This includes an estimated burden cost of $431,765 and an estimated cost of $106,570 for capital investment or maintenance and operational costs.

Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0741

Affected entities: Manufacturers or builders of automotive aftermarket parts who seek voluntary EPA certification of an aftermarket part or parts.

Title: Emission Control System Performance Warranty Regulations and Voluntary Aftermarket Part Certification Program.

ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 0116.07, OMB Control No. 2060-0060.

ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on May 31, 2007. 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 for EPA's regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the Federal Register when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, and 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 in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.

Abstract: Under Section 206(a) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7521), on-highway engine and vehicle manufacturers may not legally introduce their products into U.S. commerce unless EPA has certified that their production complies with applicable emission standards. Per section 207(a), original vehicle manufacturers must warrant that vehicles are free from defects in materials and workmanship that would cause the vehicle not to comply with emission regulations during its useful life. Section 207(a) directs EPA to provide certification to those manufacturers or builders of automotive aftermarket parts that demonstrate that the installation and use of their products will not cause failure of the engine or vehicle to comply with emission standards. An aftermarket part is any part offered for sale for installation in or on a motor vehicle after such vehicle has left the vehicle manufacturer's production line (40 CFR 85.2113(b)). Participation in the aftermarket certification program is voluntary. Aftermarket part manufacturers or builders (manufacturers) electing to participate conduct emission and durability testing as described in 40 CFR part 85, subpart V, and submit data about their products and testing procedures.

The ICR provides a detailed explanation of the Agency's estimate, which is only briefly summarized here:

Estimated total number of potential respondents: 1.

Frequency of response: On occasion.

Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 1.

Estimated total annual burden hours: 547.

Estimated total annual costs: $19,519. This includes an estimated burden cost of $18,209 and an estimated cost of $1,519 for capital investment or maintenance and operational costs.

Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0742

Affected entities: Manufacturers or importers of passenger cars, motorcycles, light trucks, heavy duty truck engines, and non-road vehicles or engines required to receive a certificate of conformity from EPA prior to selling or introducing these products into commerce in the U.S.

Title: Information Collection Request Renewal for Motor Vehicle and Engine Compliance Program Fees.

ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 2080.03, OMB Control No. 2060-0545.

ICR status: This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on March 31, 2007. 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 for EPA's regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the Federal Register when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, and 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 in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.

Abstract: As required by the Clean Air Act, EPA has regulations establishing emission standards and other requirements for various classes of vehicles and engines. These regulations require that compliance be demonstrated prior to EPA granting a “Certificate of Conformity”. EPA charges fees for administering this certification program; in 2004 the fees program was expanded to include non-road categories of vehicles and engines, such as several categories of marine engines, locomotives, non-road recreational vehicles, and many non-road compression-ignition and spark-ignition engines. Manufacturers and importers of covered vehicles and engines are required to pay the applicable certification fees prior to their certification applications being reviewed. This ICR estimates the paperwork burden of complying with this fees requirement.

Burden Statement

The ICR provides a detailed explanation of the Agency's estimate, which is only briefly summarized here:

Estimated total number of potential respondents: 290.

Frequency of response: On occasion.

Estimated total average number of responses for each respondent: 7.35.

Estimated total annual burden hours: 2,132 hours.

Estimated total annual costs: $85,541. This includes an estimated burden cost of $76,840 and an estimated cost of $8,701 for maintenance and operational costs.

Dated: September 6, 2006.

Janet Cohen,

Acting Director, Compliance and Innovative Strategies Division.