On February 8, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of and solicited public comment on an Information Collection Request (ICR) that EPA is planning to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): “Notification of Substantial Risk of Injury to Health and the Environment under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA),” identified by EPA ICR No. 0794.17 and OMB Control No. 2070-0046. 87 Fed. Reg. 7173. The ICR represents the renewal of an existing ICR that is currently approved through October 31, 2022. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the information collection activities and burden estimates. Comments are due April 11, 2022.

Under TSCA Section 8(e), any person who manufactures (including imports), processes, or distributes in commerce a chemical substance or mixture and who obtains information that reasonably supports the conclusion that such substance or mixture presents a substantial risk of injury to health or the environment is required to inform EPA immediately of such information unless they have actual knowledge that EPA has been adequately informed of such information. There is also an option for those who wish to submit voluntarily “For Your Information” (FYI) notices. More information on TSCA Section 8(e) requirements is available in our TSCA frequently asked questions (FAQ).

EPA estimates that the total estimated number of potential respondents is 51 and that the total estimated average number of responses for each respondent is 343. There is a decrease of 3,847 hours from the last approval (from 21,412 to 17,565 hours). According to EPA, this reflects an overall decrease in the number of Section 8(e) and FYI submissions, which decreased from 408 to 343 Section 8(e) submissions and 13 to six FYI submissions, respectively. EPA has also increased the total annual costs due to an increase in the hourly wages and a change in the methodology to calculate loaded wages (wages plus fringe benefits and overhead).

EPA notes that in addition, OMB has requested that it move toward using the 18-question format for ICR Supporting Statements used by other federal agencies and departments that is based on the submission instructions established by OMB in 1995, replacing the alternate format developed by EPA and OMB prior to 1995. EPA states that it does not expect this change in format to result in substantive changes to the information collection activities or related estimated burden and costs.