[NCEH] National Environmental Assessment Reporting System (NEARS)

OMB Control No: 0920-0980	ICR Reference No: 202601-0920-006
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 202208-0920-003
Agency/Subagency: HHS/CDC	Agency Tracking No: 0920-0980
Title: [NCEH] National Environmental Assessment Reporting System (NEARS)
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 03/03/2026
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 01/28/2026
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	03/31/2029	36 Months From Approved	03/31/2026
Responses	3,611	0	1,951
Time Burden (Hours)	1,524	0	1,371
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: Reducing the number of foodborne illness outbreaks requires identification and understanding of the environmental factors that cause these outbreaks. CDC has developed the National Environmental Assessment Reporting System (NEARS) to obtain data from environmental assessments routinely conducted by food safety program officials in response to foodborne illness outbreaks will be reported. The data reported will provide timely information on the causes of outbreaks, including environmental factors associated with outbreaks. This Revision requests minor changes to collection instruments, project supporting documents, and respondent numbers and burden.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 21 USC 2201 Name of Law: Food Safety Modernization Act    US Code: 42 USC 241 Name of Law: PHSA    EO: EO 13985 Name/Subject of EO: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 47762	10/02/2025
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 3504	01/27/2026
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 7

IC Title Form No. Form Name NEARS e-Learning n/a Environmental Assessment Training NEARS Data Recording Form n/a Data Recording Form NEARS Data Recording and Manager Interview Web Entry n/a Data Reporting Web Screenshots NEARS Food Safety Program Registration n/a Registration Form NEARS Food Safety Program Training (Webinar) n/a Food Safety Training Program NEARS Manager Interview n/a Manager Interview NEARS Manager Interview Form (Retail Food) n/a Manager Interview

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	3,611	1,951	0	1,660	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	1,524	1,371	0	153	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Short Statement: The burden was adjusted due to lower than anticipated new programs and better estimates of burden for certain collections.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $713,567

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

Agency Contact: Kevin Joyce 404 639-1944 [email protected]

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(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;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
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.
Certification Date: 01/28/2026

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