2020-14845. Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Information Collections: High-Wage Components of the Labor Value Content Requirements Under the USMCA  

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    AGENCY:

    Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor.

    ACTION:

    Notice.

    SUMMARY:

    The Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting comments concerning a proposed extension of the information collection request (ICR) titled, “High-Wage Components of the Start Printed Page 41628Labor Value Content Requirements under the USMCA.” This comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. A copy of the proposed information request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this Notice.

    DATES:

    Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the ADDRESSES section below on or before September 8, 2020.

    ADDRESSES:

    You may submit comments identified by Control Number 1235-0032, by either one of the following methods: Email: WHDPRAComments@dol.gov; Mail, Hand Delivery, Courier: Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation, Wage and Hour, U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-3502, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210.

    Instructions: Please submit one copy of your comments by only one method. All submissions received must include the agency name and Control Number identified above for this information collection. Because we continue to experience delays in receiving mail in the Washington, DC area, commenters are strongly encouraged to transmit their comments electronically via email or to submit them by mail early. Comments, including any personal information provided, become a matter of public record. They will also be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the information collection request.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Robert Waterman, Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation, Wage and Hour Division, U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-3502, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-0406 (this is not a toll-free number). Copies of this notice may be obtained in alternative formats (Large Print, braille, Audio Tape, or Disc), upon request, by calling (202) 693-0023 (not a toll-free number). TTY/TTD callers may dial toll-free (877) 889-5627 to obtain information or request materials in alternative formats.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    I. Background: In accordance with section 210(b) of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act, the U.S. Department of Labor issued regulations necessary to administer the high-wage components of the labor value content requirements as set forth in section 202A of that Act (85 FR 39782, July 1, 2020). The Act implements the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Section 202A of the Act, codified at 19 U.S.C. 4532, in part implements Article 7 of the Automotive Appendix of the USMCA. The USMCA establishes labor value content (LVC) requirements for passenger vehicles, light trucks, and heavy trucks, pursuant to which an importer can only obtain preferential tariff treatment for a covered vehicle if the covered vehicle meets certain high-wage component requirements. The Act requires importers who claim preferential tariff treatment under the USMCA for goods imported into the United States from a USMCA Country, and vehicle producers whose goods are the subject of a claim for preferential tariff treatment under the USMCA, to make, keep, and, pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary, render for examination and inspection records and supporting documents related to the LVC requirements. See 19 U.S.C. 1508(b)(4). The Act further grants the Secretary authority during the course of a verification to request any records relating to wages, hours, job responsibilities, or any other information in any plant or facility relied on by a producer of covered vehicles to demonstrate that the production of those vehicles meets the high-wage components of the LVC requirements. See 19 U.S.C. 4532(e)(4)(B). The Act grants authority to the Secretary to issue regulations.

    The Department issued the interim final rule to carry out the purposes of the USMCA. This interim final rule published in the Federal Register on July 1, 2020 (85 FR 39782). As part of OMB's consideration of the interim final rule, the Department submitted an emergency processing request for the PRA package associated with the interim final rule. Where OMB approves the collection of information on an emergency basis, the approval is time-limited and the agency must publish notice and comment on the collection to give the public opportunity to respond. Pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.13, OMB assigned control number 1235-0032 to this collection and approved the request on July 2, 2020 with an expiration of January 31, 2021.

    II. Review Focus: The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which:

    • 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;
    • Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
    • 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;
    • 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 submissions of responses.

    III. Current Actions: The Department of Labor seeks an approval for the extension of this information collection in order to ensure effective administration of the High-Wage Components of the Labor Value Content Requirements under the USMCA.

    Type of Review: Extension.

    Agency: Wage and Hour Division.

    Title: High-Wage Components of the Labor Value Content Requirements under the USMCA.

    OMB Control Number: 1235-0032.

    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

    Total Respondents: 9,455.

    Total Annual Responses: 5,796,460.

    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 205,911.

    Estimated Time per Response: Varies with type of request (1.25-20 minutes):

    Frequency: On occasion.

    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

    Total Burden Cost (operation/maintenance): $.

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    Dated: July 6, 2020.

    Amy DeBisschop,

    Director, Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation.

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    [FR Doc. 2020-14845 Filed 7-9-20; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4510-27-P

Document Information

Published:
07/10/2020
Department:
Wage and Hour Division
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
2020-14845
Dates:
Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
Pages:
41627-41628 (2 pages)
PDF File:
2020-14845.Pdf