In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
08/31/2018
36 Months From Approved
08/31/2015
3,880
0
1,096
201,037
0
174,186
17,371,993
0
7,828,640
For this ICR, EPA is seeking a revision to an existing package with a three year extension. Under ICR 1684.18, EPA collects information regarding heavy-duty on-highway engines and vehicles, nonroad compression-ignition engines, and categories 1 and 2 marine compression-ignition engines (collectively referred to here as "engines" for simplicity). Please note that category 3 marine engines and locomotives are covered under separate ICRs.
Title II of the Clean Air Act, (42 U.S.C. 7521 et seq.; CAA), charges the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with issuing certificates of conformity for those engines that comply with applicable emission standards. Such a certificate must be issued before engines may be legally introduced into commerce. The information collected is necessary to (1) issue certificates of compliance with emissions standards and requirements; and (2) verify compliance with various programs and regulatory provisions. To apply for a certificate of conformity, manufacturers are required to submit descriptions of their planned production engines, including detailed descriptions of emission control systems and test data. This information is organized by "engine family" groups. Engines within an engine family are expected to have similar emission characteristics.
The emission values achieved during certification testing may also be used in the Averaging, Banking, and Trading (ABT) Program. The program allows engine manufacturers to bank credits for engine families that emit below the standard and use the credits to certify engine families that emit above the standard. They may also trade banked credits with other manufacturers. Participation in the ABT program is voluntary.
The CAA also mandates EPA to verify that manufacturers have successfully translated their certified prototypes into mass produced engines; and that these engines comply with emission standards throughout their useful lives. EPA verifies this through 'Compliance Programs' which include Production Line Testing (PLT), In-use Testing and Selected Enforcement Audits, (SEAs). Not all programs apply to all industries included in this ICR. PLT, which only applies to marine engines, is a self-audit program that allows engine manufacturers to monitor their products' emissions profile with statistical certainty and minimize the cost of correcting errors through early detection. In-use testing allows manufacturers and EPA to verify compliance with emission standards throughout an engine family's useful life. Through SEAs, EPA verifies that test data submitted by engine manufacturers is reliable and testing is performed according to EPA regulations.
There are varying recordkeeping and labeling requirements under all certification and compliance programs.
In this ICR, former ICR 1826.05 ("Transition Program for Equipment Manufacturers (TPEM)", OMB Control Number 2060-0369) was incorporated into ICR 1684.18. This action was undertaken to consolidate compliance information requirements for nonroad compression ignition engines and equipment under a single ICR for simplification. With this consolidation, we combined most of the certification and compliance burden associated with the nonroad compression-ignition engine and equipment industries. Under TPEM, nonroad equipment manufacturers are allowed to delay compliance with Tier 4 standards for up to seven years as long as they comply with certain limitations. The program seeks to ease the impact of new emission standards on equipment manufacturers. This is achieved by allowing additional time for equipment manufacturers to redesign their products as needed in response to changes in engine designs. Participation in the program is voluntary. Participating equipment manufacturers and the engine manufacturers who provide TPEM engines are required to keep records and submit annual reports.
US Code:
42 USC 7521
Name of Law: Clean Air Act, Title II
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.