01-26136. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

60-day notice of information collection under review: extension of a currently approved collection; reports of suspicious orders or theft/loss of listed chemicals/machines.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged with will be accepted for sixty days until December 17, 2001. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

If you have comments, especially on the estimated public burden or associated response time, suggestions, or need a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with instructions or additional information, please contact Patricia Good, 202-307-7297, Chief, Policy and Liaison Section, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington, DC 20537.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:

1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency/component, including whether the information will have practical utility;

2. Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies/components estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

4. 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.

Overview of This Information

(1) Type of information collection: Extension of a currently approved collection.

(2) The title of the form/collection: Reports of Suspicious Orders or Theft/Loss of Listed Chemicals/Machines.

(3) The agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department sponsoring the collection: Form No.: None. Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Department of Justice.

(4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract:

Primary: Business or other for-profit.

Other: Individuals or households.

The Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act of 1988 created, and the Domestic Chemical Diversion Control Act of 1993 amended, DEA's chemical reporting requirements to remove the exemption for certain drugs which contain ephedrine. The Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996 removed the exemption for combination ephedrine, psuedoephedrine and Phenylpropanolamine drug products. Persons who previously were not required to file reports regarding suspicious orders, thefts and loss of these products now must do so.

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond/reply: 199 respondents with an average 15 minutes per response.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: 499 annual burden hours.

If additional information is required contact: Mr. Robert B. Briggs, Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Information Management and Security Staff, Justice Management Division, United States Department of Justice, Patrick Henry Building, Suite 1600, 601 D Street NW., Washington, DC 20004.

Dated: October 12, 2001.

Robert B. Briggs,

Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice.