Overview
Title
Information Collection Request to Office of Management and Budget; OMB Control Number: 1625-0024
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The U.S. Coast Guard wants to keep checking if big boxes (cargo containers) are safe, and they are asking people what they think about it. People can share their thoughts online, and everyone can see them by April 19, 2021.
Summary AI
The U.S. Coast Guard aims to extend the approval of an information collection concerning the safety approval of cargo containers. This request is part of compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, requiring input from the public before proceeding. The Coast Guard is seeking comments about the necessity, utility, accuracy, and burden of this information collection. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit their comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal by April 19, 2021.
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0024, Safety Approval of Cargo Containers; without change. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Before submitting this ICR to OIRA, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
In this document from the Federal Register, the U.S. Coast Guard is seeking an extension from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its information collection process regarding the safety approval of cargo containers. This process is part of the effort to adhere to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, aiming to include public input in governmental procedures. The Coast Guard invites comments from the public about the necessity, utility, accuracy, and burden of collecting this information. Individuals interested in submitting their opinions are requested to do so by April 19, 2021.
General Summary
The document primarily serves as a notice to the public regarding the Coast Guard's intent to extend an existing information collection request. This request pertains to the safety approval of cargo containers, a subject governed by international agreements that the U.S. is a part of. The Coast Guard needs this approval to align with the International Convention for Safe Containers. The document outlines how interested parties can provide input through the Federal eRulemaking Portal.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several significant concerns arise from this document. First, the text is heavy with bureaucratic and legal jargon, which may be difficult for a general audience to understand. The document mentions the information collection requirement is tied to international conventions, but it does not clearly articulate what specific information is being sought or why it is crucial for safety.
Additionally, while the increased hour burden from 117,271 to 129,345 hours is disclosed, there is no explanation provided for this rise. The absence of a detailed explanation could point to possible inefficiencies in the process worth investigating.
There is also a concern regarding privacy. While the Coast Guard accepts anonymous comments, the document states all comments will be posted without change, which could inadvertently expose personal information.
Public Impact
The document's implications for the general public are tied to ensuring that cargo containers used in the U.S. meet safety standards set by international laws. For the average person, this process helps maintain safety in the transportation of goods, which could impact consumers by preserving product quality and consistency in the supply chain.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Owners and manufacturers of cargo containers are notably affected, as they are responsible for complying with these safety rules. Organizations delegated by the Coast Guard to act as approval authorities also bear significant responsibility. For these stakeholders, this document represents a regulatory matter requiring them to maintain or adjust their practices in collecting and maintaining records on container safety.
On the other hand, there are no explicit financial implications laid out in the document, which could be an area of concern for stakeholders worried about the potential financial burden of compliance.
In summary, while the document outlines the Coast Guard's good faith effort to involve the public in aligning with international safety standards, the approach is vulnerable to misunderstandings and lacks transparency in certain areas, such as the cost and privacy concerns.
Issues
• The document does not specify what 'information' is being collected or why it is necessary, aside from stating compliance with the International Convention for Safe Containers, which may be unclear to a general audience.
• The document's title and summary use a jargon-heavy approach that may not be easily understood by individuals not familiar with bureaucratic or legal processes.
• There is no mention of specific costs associated with the collection or whether there are any financial implications for respondents, which could imply potential oversight regarding financial transparency.
• The increase in the estimated burden from 117,271 hours to 129,345 hours is stated without an explanation or justification, which might be seen as an oversight in ensuring efficiency or exploring alternative methods to reduce this burden.
• The document encourages anonymous comments but indicates that all comments will be posted without change, potentially exposing unintended personal information, which raises privacy concerns.