Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Request for Appointment of a Technical Advisory Committee
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Commerce wants to know what people think about how they collect information to make sure it's not too hard to do. They are asking for comments to help them figure out better ways to gather important details for dealing with business rules.
Summary AI
The Department of Commerce invites public and federal agency comments on its information collection practices, in line with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This initiative, managed by the Bureau of Industry and Security, seeks input on reducing reporting burdens while maintaining necessary data collection for export control matters. Requests for forming Technical Advisory Committees, which assist with export regulations, should be sent to the Secretary of Commerce. Public comments will be open until March 15, 2021, and are subject to public record inclusion.
Abstract
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Department of Commerce, through the Bureau of Industry and Security, outlines a request for public comment regarding information collection practices associated with export control matters. This initiative follows the guidelines of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, aiming to minimize unnecessary reporting burdens while ensuring the necessary data collection continues for governmental purposes. Public comments are encouraged until March 15, 2021, and are intended to help refine these processes.
General Summary
The Department of Commerce is engaging with the public and other federal entities to gather input on its processes related to information collection for export control. This is in order to streamline operations and reduce the burden on those who provide information. A critical aspect of this process involves the Technical Advisory Committees (TACs), which offer expert advice on export regulations and contribute to the management of controlled products and licensing procedures.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One notable issue in the document is the estimated number of respondents, set at just one. This figure appears unusually low, potentially raising questions about the process's overall utility and the breadth of participation it encourages. This could signal either an oversight or a deeply specialized field with limited engagement opportunities. Without further clarification, stakeholders might wonder about the genuine expectations of participation and feedback.
Additionally, while the document states that there are no estimated costs to the public in terms of financial burden, there is an expectation of five hours of dedication for each response. This time investment represents an implicit cost not reflected in the document's analysis, and it may impact the willingness of businesses or individuals to participate.
Furthermore, there is a risk that despite instructions to exclude confidential or sensitive information in submissions, such data might inadvertently be included. The document does not guarantee the confidentiality of personal information submitted, which could deter potential respondents concerned about privacy.
The document also uses technical language, especially in sections discussing the advisory committees and data collection methodologies. Such complexity could be a barrier for laypersons wishing to understand or participate in the comment process.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, the document represents an effort to engage citizens in governmental processes that impact international trade. However, the complexity and technicality may limit broad public inclusion, possibly reducing the diversity of perspectives received during the comment period.
Impact on Stakeholders
For specific stakeholders such as businesses involved in exporting, the document presents both an opportunity and a challenge. On the positive side, they have a chance to shape the policies that directly affect their operations and compliance requirements. However, the apparent administrative burden, represented by the time commitment requested, might discourage smaller entities from participating if they feel their input will require too much effort for too little influence.
Overall, the document illustrates an essential governmental process aimed at transparency and efficiency but raises questions about participation and clarity that need addressing to achieve its full potential.
Issues
• The document mentions an estimated number of respondents being 1, which seems unusually low and could raise questions about the validity and necessity of the information collection process.
• There is no estimated total annual cost to the public listed despite the estimated time per response involving 5 hours, which may imply an oversight in cost analysis.
• The submission guidelines request comments not to include Confidential Business Information or sensitive information, yet there is a risk of such information being included inadvertently without guarantees of privacy.
• The language used under 'Supplementary Information' and 'Request for Comments' could be considered overly complex or technical, potentially making it difficult for a layperson to fully understand the implications and procedures described.