The Federal Trade Commission ("Commission" or "FTC") is amending the Hart-Scott-Rodino Premerger Notification Rules, the Premerger Notification and Report Form ("Form"), and associated Instructions in order to streamline the Form and capture new information that will help the FTC and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice conduct their initial review of a proposed transaction's competitive impact.
The amendments to the HSR Rules and Notification and Report Form should reduce the time required to prepare responses for non-index filings, with an estimated net reduction of 2 hours per filing. Cumulatively, however, owing to a projected increase in the number of such filings, total burden will increase from the currently cleared estimate of 33,298 hours to 53,756 hours.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.