Search Results for agency_names:"Agency Information Collection Activities

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing updates to the fees charged under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for fiscal years 2022 to 2024. This proposal aims to adjust existing fees and introduce new fee categories to ensure the fees offset a portion of the costs of the EPA's responsibilities under TSCA. New exemptions are also proposed for certain manufacturers to reduce the burden on smaller entities and those engaged in specific activities, like research and development. EPA seeks to redistribute the fees more equitably among manufacturers based on production volume, aiming to refine the fee process from previous implementations and ensure industries that contribute to chemical manufacturing support EPA's oversight and evaluation efforts.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a final rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to limit the use of pentachlorothiophenol (PCTP), a chemical identified as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic. The rule prohibits manufacturing, processing, and distributing PCTP and PCTP-containing products if the concentration exceeds 1% by weight. This restriction aims to lower the availability and exposure of PCTP, thereby reducing the potential risks to human health and the environment. By enforcing these limits, the EPA encourages the use of safer alternatives and reduces environmental and human exposure to PCTP.

The Department of Labor is inviting public comments on its information collection effort regarding employment information, specifically its Request for Employment Information form, CA-1027. The goal is to minimize paperwork and make sure information collection is necessary and practical, in line with the Paperwork Reduction Act. Comments must be submitted by May 12, 2025, and can be sent electronically or as written submissions. These comments will help the agency assess the impact of its data collection and improve the process.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted a request for review and approval of an information collection request related to municipal solid waste landfills to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This request is an extension for rules compliance and involves submitting notifications, conducting performance tests, and keeping records, affecting about 190 landfill operators. The EPA is seeking additional public comment for 30 days, and the estimated annual burden of this requirement is 176,000 hours, costing approximately $12.5 million. The number of respondents and overall burden has increased due to new landfills becoming subject to stricter standards.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the USDA plans to revise and extend the Annual Organic Survey, as noted in a recent announcement. This effort seeks to align data collection with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, focusing on organic agricultural practices and production. The survey will target certified organic operations, those exempt from certification, and those transitioning to organic certification across all states, with an estimated 27,000 operations contacted. Comments on the proposed information collection are being solicited to evaluate its necessity, accuracy, and potential burden on respondents.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is announcing its plan to revise and extend an information collection related to feral swine, as mandated by the 2014 Farm Bill. This survey aims to assess the damage caused by feral swine in several states to both crops and livestock, with past surveys indicating significant economic impact. NASS plans to gather data from farm and ranch operators via mail and phone, with a total estimated response burden of 9,700 hours annually. The survey supports a $20 million program to help states manage the rapidly growing population of feral swine. Public comments on this notice are invited until April 9, 2021.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is asking the public for feedback on how companies that provide financial services handle consumers' personal financial data. They want to understand how these companies collect, use, and share data from consumer payments. The information collected will help CFPB make decisions on whether to update regulations to better protect consumer privacy. Anyone interested can share their thoughts, and CFPB particularly wants to hear from consumers, advocates, researchers, and businesses by April 11, 2025.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public comments on an information collection process as part of its efforts to reduce paperwork burdens, following the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed collection aims to gather information necessary for the FCC's operations and improve the quality and efficiency of data collected. Comments are requested on various aspects, such as the necessity of the collection, the accuracy of burden estimates, and methods to reduce the burden on respondents, particularly small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Interested parties have until February 4, 2025, to submit their feedback.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted a request to renew the information collection requirements regarding public notifications for Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) in the Great Lakes Basin. This is aimed at ensuring that the public and relevant health departments are promptly informed about CSO discharges, which can carry health risks. The renewal would extend the current standards until April 30, 2021, allowing for continued monitoring and notification procedures. The EPA is seeking additional public comments on this proposal until March 26, 2021.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public comments on its efforts to reduce paperwork burdens, particularly focusing on small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC is interested in feedback on the necessity and effectiveness of information collection and how it might lessen the burden on small businesses. Public comments must be submitted by February 10, 2021, through the specified website and also by email to Cathy Williams at the FCC. This effort is part of the Commission's compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act and the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act.