The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) states national environmental objectives and imposes upon each Federal agency the duty to consider the environmental effects of its actions. NEPA requires the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) for every major Federal action that will significantly affect the quality of the human environment.
Firms wishing to manufacture and market substances regulated under statutes for which FDA is responsible must, in most instances, submit applications requesting approval. Environmental information must be included in such applications for the purpose of determining whether the proposed action may have a significant impact on the environment. Where significant adverse effects cannot be avoided, the agency uses the submitted information as the basis for preparing and circulating to the public an EIS, made available through a Federal Register notices also filed for comment at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If the agency finds that no significant environmental effects are expected, the agency prepares a finding of no significant impact. This collection of information is used by FDA to assess the environmental impact of agency actions. The final EIS, including the comments received, is reviewed by the agency to weigh environmental costs and benefits in determining whether to pursue the proposed action or some alternative that would reduce expected environmental impact.
US Code:
42 USC 4321-4347
Name of Law: National Environmental Policy Act
The revised projected burden is expected to increase by 42,794 hours (231,224 projected burden hours minus 188,430 currently approved burden hours). (The revised estimates are the result of updated data from each of FDA’s Centers, and are based on the updated Center information summarized below for claims for categorical exclusions and EAs submitted during 2014 and on the addition of burden for environmental assessments for tobacco products added to this collection.
$1,360,000
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Ila Mizrachi 301 796-7726 ila.mizrachi@fda.hhs.gov
No
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.