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OMB Control No: 2040-0299	ICR Reference No: 202312-2040-001
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 202010-2040-003
Agency/Subagency: EPA/OW	Agency Tracking No: 2563.03
Title: Use of Lead Free Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder and Flux for Drinking Water (Renewal)
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 without change	Conclusion Date: 01/10/2025
	Date Received in OIRA: 12/28/2023
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, this information collection request is being conditionally approved with the understanding that future submissions will conform to the PRA requirements for information collection requests. EPA is required to include the following information in its submission for information collection request review and approval: (1) supporting statements to show compliance with requirements and other associated laws; (2) a description of the regulatory text applicable to the ICR including submission specifications; (3) a clear description of the data elements being collected under the ICR; (4) copies of the data collection instrument and/or screen shots of the electronic portal where the reporting requirements are submitted to EPA (with the control number and burden statement included); (5) a detailed discussion of how information is submitted and the extent to which electronic reporting is available; (6) evidence of consultation with respondents (by actively reaching out to stakeholders as permitted by the PRA) to ensure the supporting statement's accuracy on availability of data, frequency of collection, clarity of instructions, accuracy of burden estimate, relevance of data elements, and similar PRA matters; and (7) discussion of how EPA addressed substantive concerns raised by respondents and other stakeholders during consultation and in response to comments received on FR notices. In addition, supporting statement A should use the standard 18 question SS-A format. Additional information on formatting and compliance can be found at https://pra.digital.gov.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	01/31/2028	36 Months From Approved	01/31/2025
Responses	39,344	0	3,990
Time Burden (Hours)	97,187	0	77,838
Cost Burden (Dollars)	7,496,197	0	9,140,000

Abstract: The Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act of 2011 (RLDWA, the Act) modified the technical definition of lead free by lowering the maximum lead content of pipes, fittings, and fixtures from 8% to 0.25% and introduced greater complexity to calculating lead free by requiring that level be met based on a weighted average of wetted surfaces. The Act also created exemptions for certain plumbing products from pre-existing lead free requirements. The final rule establishes product certification requirements for products intended for potable use applications in public water systems and residential or non-residential facilities to demonstrate compliance with the lead free requirements. EPA expects that these requirements for lead content in plumbing materials used in new installations and repairs will result in fewer sources of lead in drinking water and, consequently, will reduce adverse health effects associated with exposure to lead in drinking water. Manufacturers with 10 or more employees or importers entering products purchased from or manufactured by manufacturers with 10 or more employees must demonstrate compliance with the lead free definition by obtaining third party certification by an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited, third party certification body. Firms with fewer than 10 employees can use a third party certification body or self-certify that their products conform to the Safe Drinking Water Acts (SDWA) lead free requirements. This self-certification option also extends to custom fabricated products regardless of a manufacturers number of employees. This rule imposes a burden on states to enforce the statutory provisions in SDWA Section 1417(a)(1), which cross references updated statutory definition of lead free within the meaning of SDWA Section 1417(d) according to the 2011 Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act and the 2013 Community Fire Safety Act.

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate
Annual Number of Responses	39,344	3,990	35,354
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	97,187	77,838	19,349
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	7,496,197	9,140,000	-1,643,803

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: There is an increase of 19,349 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently approved by OMB. This increase is a result of shifts in respondent activities required as the rule comes into full effect. Manufacturers have complied with initial requirements to conduct rule familiarization and initial product certifications and are now responsible for recertifications and recordkeeping. In the three-year period covered by this ICR, primacy agencies are responsible for developing and implementing oversight plans. These changes are considered adjustments because the parameters of this overall collection as defined by the September 2020 rule (85 FR 54235) have not been modified.

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