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View ICR - OIRA Conclusion

OMB Control No: 2060-0703	ICR Reference No: 201908-2060-010
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 200909-2060-001
Agency/Subagency: EPA/OAR	Agency Tracking No: 2254.03
Title: Responsible Appliance Disposal Program
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR: No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 01/08/2021
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 08/30/2019
Terms of Clearance: OMB noted that EPA should be careful to not characterize data reported by Partner companies as an aggregate summary of emissions reductions resulting from the Program. EPA recognizes that some of the activities and emissions reductions reported by Partners may have been achieved in the absence of the Program. EPA also recognizes that there are emissions reductions occurring in the industry that have been a direct or indirect result of the influence of the Program, but are not being reported to EPA. As a result, EPA has been and will continue to be clear in any Program related communication that when providing a summary or an aggregation of emission reductions it is appropriately characterized as resulting from Partners’ reported activities. OMB understands that EPA is committed to improving its ability to meaningfully evaluate the contributions of voluntary programs characterized by the absence of readily available, high quality, or detailed data, particularly on non-participants. OMB will expect a progress report on these efforts when the next renewal for this ICR is submitted.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	01/31/2024	36 Months From Approved	01/31/2021
Responses	48	0	59
Time Burden (Hours)	292	0	325
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

Abstract: The Responsible Appliance Disposal program (RAD) is a voluntary partnership program sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that encourages partners to reduce emissions of ozone depleting substances (ODS) and their alternatives that can be attributed to improper disposal of appliances. Appliances may contain ozone-depleting refrigerants and foams as well as universal wastes such as mercury, used oil, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Federal law requires refrigerant recovery and proper management of universal waste but does not require the recovery of appliance foam. The RAD program works with utilities, retailers, manufacturers, state affiliates, and others to dispose of appliances using best environmental practices. To encourage reductions in emissions associated with appliance disposal in the United States, the EPA launched the RAD program. The RAD program supports Section 608 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and is an important component of the EPAs mission to protect the ozone layer by reducing emissions of ODS. RAD program partners reduce emissions of ODS and realize other benefits through recovery and destruction/reclamation of refrigerants and foam blowing agentsthe latter of which is not covered under existing Federal regulationsand by ensuring that all other hazardous and recyclable materials are handled using best environmental practices. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are avoided through recovery of both ODS and many non-ODS foam blowing agents not covered under existing regulations. Additionally, through the RAD program, the EPA is partnering with utilities, retailers, manufacturers, state agencies, and others to promote the retirement of old appliances and permanently remove energy inefficient units from the electricity grid, providing energy savings to consumers. Participation in the program begins with completion of a mutually agreed upon Partnership Agreement that outlines mutual responsibilities for participation in RAD program. By voluntarily joining the program, a partner agrees to complete an annual reporting form identifying the number and types of appliances handled and the fates of their individual components. The electronic reporting form automatically generates feedback for the user on the results of their participation in terms of emissions avoided, quantity of used oil/PCBs/mercury destroyed or recycled, energy savings achieved, and consumer savings realized. An annual report provides partners with information on their progress towards achieving emissions reductions and information about developments in the latest recycling technologies and practices. Through recognition of partner efforts, and the programs promotion of recycling best practices through webinars, web updates, fact sheets, and presentations, non-partners become aware of recycling best practices and can evaluate what best practices could work for them. The RAD program largely serves to disseminate information on recycling best practices and creates a platform for information sharing on recycling and waste management practices. The data collected are used as an indicator of whether industry is reducing emissions from end-of-life appliances.

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate
Annual Number of Responses	48	59	-11
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	292	325	-33
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is the first renewal of the ICR for the RAD program. Adjustments are made to the number of partners expected to participate in the RAD program during the three-year effective life of this renewal ICR reflecting industry changes since the original ICR (e.g., changes in recyclers providing services to RAD partners).

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $82,605

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

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. No

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: Sally Hamlin 202 343-9711 hamlin.sally@.epa.gov