[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 143 (Thursday, July 27, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34861-34870]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15380]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 141

[EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284; FRL-9964-78-OW]

Expedited Approval of Alternative Test Procedures for the
Analysis of Contaminants Under the Safe Drinking Water Act; Analysis
and Sampling Procedures

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action announces the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA's) approval of alternative testing methods for use in
measuring the levels of contaminants in drinking water and determining
compliance with national primary drinking water regulations. The Safe
Drinking Water Act authorizes EPA to approve the use of alternative
testing methods through publication in the Federal Register. EPA is
using this streamlined authority to make 17 additional methods
available for analyzing drinking water samples. This expedited approach
provides public water systems, laboratories, and primacy agencies with
more timely access to new measurement techniques and greater
flexibility in the selection of analytical methods, thereby reducing
monitoring costs while maintaining public health protection.

DATES: This action is effective July 27, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284. All documents in the docket are
listed on the http://www.regulations.gov Web site. Although listed in
the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g.,
confidential business information (CBI) or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be
publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket
materials are available electronically through http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800)
426-4791 or Glynda Smith, Technical Support Center, Standards and Risk
Management Division, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (MS
140), Environmental Protection Agency, 26 West Martin Luther King
Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268; telephone number:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email
address<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    Public water systems are the regulated entities required to measure
contaminants in drinking water samples. In addition, EPA Regions as
well as states and tribal governments with authority to administer the
regulatory program for public water systems under the Safe Drinking
Water Act (SDWA) may measure contaminants in water samples. When EPA
sets a monitoring requirement in its national primary drinking water
regulations for a given contaminant, the agency also establishes (in
the regulations) standardized test procedures for analysis of the
contaminant. This action makes alternative testing methods available
for particular drinking water contaminants beyond the testing methods
currently established in the regulations. EPA is providing public water
systems, required to test water samples, with a choice of using either
a test procedure already established in the existing regulations or an
alternative testing method that has been approved in this action or in
prior expedited approval actions. Categories and entities that may
ultimately be affected by this action include:

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                   Category                        Examples of potentially regulated entities        NAICS \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State, local, & tribal governments............  State, local and tribal governments that analyze          924110
                                                 water samples on behalf of public water systems
                                                 required to conduct such analysis; state, local
                                                 and tribal governments that directly operate
                                                 community and non-transient non-community water
                                                 systems required to monitor.
Industry......................................  Private operators of community and non-transient          221310
                                                 non-community water systems required to monitor.
Municipalities................................  Municipal operators of community and non-                 924110
                                                 transient non-community water systems required
                                                 to monitor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ North American Industry Classification System.

    This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a
guide for readers regarding entities likely to be interested in this
action. This table lists the types of entities that EPA is now aware
could potentially be affected by

this action. Other types of entities not listed in the table could also
have some interest. To determine whether your facility is affected by
this action, you should carefully examine the applicability language in
the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR 141.2 (definition of a
public water system). If you have questions regarding the applicability
of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed in the
preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

Abbreviations and Acronyms Used In This Action

APHA: American Public Health Association
ATP: Alternate Test Procedure
CBI: Confidential Business Information
CFR: Code of Federal Regulations
EPA: United States Environmental Protection Agency
GWR: Ground Water Rule
HAA: Haloacetic Acid
HAA5: Haloacetic Acids (five) (sum of monochloroacetic acid,
dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and
dibromoacetic acid)
IC: Ion Chromatography
ISFETs: Ion Selective Field Effect Transistors
LED: Light Emitting Diode
NAICS: North American Industry Classification System
QC: Quality Control
RTCR: Revisions to the Total Coliform Rule
SDWA: The Safe Drinking Water Act
SM: Standard Method
TCR: Total Coliform Rule
VCSB: Voluntary Consensus Standard Bodies

II. Background

A. What is the purpose of this action?

    In this action, EPA is approving 17 analytical methods for
determining contaminant concentrations in drinking water samples
collected under SDWA. Regulated parties required to sample and monitor
may use either the testing methods already established in existing
regulations or the alternative testing methods being approved in this
action or in prior expedited approval actions. The new methods are
listed along with other methods similarly approved through previous
expedited actions in 40 CFR part 141, appendix A to subpart C and on
EPA's drinking water methods Web site at https://www.epa.gov/dwanalyticalmethods.

B. What is the basis for this action?

    When EPA determines that an alternative analytical method is
``equally effective'' (i.e., as effective as a method that has already
been promulgated in the regulations), SDWA allows EPA to approve the
use of the alternative testing method through publication in the
Federal Register (see section 1401(1) of SDWA). EPA is using this
streamlined approval authority to make 17 additional methods available
for determining contaminant concentrations in drinking water samples
collected under SDWA. EPA has determined that, for each contaminant or
group of contaminants listed in Section III, the additional testing
methods being approved in this action are as effective as one or more
of the testing methods already approved in the regulations for those
contaminants. Section 1401(1) of SDWA states that the newly approved
methods ``shall be treated as an alternative for public water systems
to the quality control and testing procedures listed in the
regulation.'' Accordingly, this action makes these additional 17
analytical methods legally available as options for meeting EPA's
monitoring requirements.
    This action does not add regulatory language, but does, for
informational purposes, update an appendix to the regulations at 40 CFR
part 141 that lists all methods approved under section 1401(1) of SDWA.
Accordingly, while this action is not a rule, it is updating CFR text
and therefore is being published in the ``Final Rules'' section of the
Federal Register.

III. Summary of Approvals

    EPA is approving 17 methods that are equally effective relative to
methods previously promulgated in the regulations. By means of this
action, these 17 methods are added to appendix A to subpart C of 40 CFR
part 141.

A. Methods Developed by EPA

    1. EPA Method 150.3, Determination of pH in Drinking Water (USEPA
2017). EPA Method 150.3 was developed in response to comments from
state regulators and utility operators that EPA Methods 150.1 (USEPA
1983a) and 150.2 (USEPA 1983b), currently approved at 40 CFR
141.23(k)(1) for standalone and continuous online pH monitoring,
respectively, do not address the current pH technologies available for
pH monitoring in drinking water utilities. Specifically, the
stakeholders requested that a new method address the different types of
pH analyzers and require calibration frequency, calibration
verification, sampling, and other analytical aspects to assure that the
procedure is robust and applicable to the monitoring configurations
that exist in drinking water public utilities.
    EPA Method 150.3 allows the use of bench-top, portable and
continuous monitoring pH meters including newer sensor technologies
that are designed for the analysis of pH (e.g., solid state ion
selective field effect transistors (ISFETs)), provided that the
required quality control (QC) acceptance criteria defined in the method
can be met. The calibration procedure in the older continuous
monitoring EPA Method 150.2 does not distinguish between pH electrodes
that can be easily removed from the process stream and electrodes that
cannot be easily removed. The new method simplifies the calibration of
continuous monitoring pH meters through the use of either direct or
indirect (grab sample) calibration techniques. EPA Method 150.3 defines
the frequencies for calibration and calibration verifications and the
required measurement acceptance criteria. In addition, the method
incorporates guidelines to assist operators with potential problems
such as the effect of temperature on pH measurement.
    EPA has determined that EPA Method 150.3 is equally effective for
measuring pH, relative to EPA Methods 150.1 and 150.2. The basis for
this determination is discussed in Adams (2017a). EPA is therefore
approving use of EPA Method 150.3 for standalone and continuous online
pH monitoring of drinking water. Available at the National Service
Center for Environmental Publications (www.epa.gov/nscep).

B. Methods Developed by Voluntary Consensus Standard Bodies (VCSB)

    1. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater
(Standard Methods). In 2007, the GA method (GA 2004) for determination
of radium-226 and radium-228 by gamma spectrometry was approved in the
drinking water regulations at 40 CFR 141.25(a). The method had
undergone evaluation through the drinking water Alternate Test
Procedure (ATP) program and was examined for acceptability through a
multi-laboratory validation study. The validation study assessed system
background, sensitivity, precision and accuracy for drinking water
samples drawn from multiple sources around the United States. Standard
Method 7500-Ra E published in the 22nd edition (APHA 2012) and its
identical online version, 7500-Ra E-07 (APHA 2007) were developed
directly from the GA gamma spectrometry method, and thus entail the
same sample collection and handling protocols, sample preparation,
detection procedure, and method performance data.
    EPA has determined that Standard Methods 7500-Ra E and 7500-Ra E-07
are equally effective, relative to the approved GA method. The basis
for this determination is discussed in Smith (2017a). EPA is therefore
approving Standard Methods 7500-Ra E and 7500-

Ra E-07 method for determining radium-226 and radium-228 in drinking
water by gamma spectrometry.
    An additional new online Standard Method 7110 D-17 (APHA 2017) was
submitted for evaluation as an alternative to the approved EPA Method
900.0 (USEPA 1980) for the analysis of gross alpha and gross beta
activity in drinking water. Standard Method 7110 D-17 involves the
simultaneous analysis of gross alpha and gross beta activities by
liquid scintillation counting using alpha/beta discrimination.
    EPA Method 900.0 was promulgated in the drinking water regulations
at 40 CFR 141.25(a) as a screening method to determine whether specific
radionuclide analyses are required. While technically simple to
perform, the accuracy of the results obtained with EPA Method 900.0 can
be affected by the radionuclides used for calibration, variability in
the drinking water dissolved solids, and the sample geometry. Sample
self-absorption occurs when radioactive emissions interact with the
solid film of residue, which results from evaporating the drinking
water samples to dryness. This significantly limits the level of
dissolved solids that can be tolerated.
    In the liquid scintillation method, self-absorption does not occur
as long as solids are dissolved and homogeneously mixed with the
scintillation cocktail. The performance of Standard Method 7110 D-17
was evaluated through a multi-laboratory study that assessed the
sensitivity, background, accuracy and precision in drinking water
matrices containing variable dissolved solids levels. EPA has
determined that Standard Method 7110 D-17 is equally as effective for
gross alpha and gross beta measurement as the approved EPA Method
900.0. The basis for this determination is discussed in Smith and
Wendelken (2017). EPA is therefore approving the use of Standard Method
7110 D-17 for gross alpha and gross beta determination in drinking
water.
    The online version is available at http://www.standardmethods.org.
    2. ASTM International. EPA compared the most recent versions of
seven ASTM International methods to the earlier versions of those
methods that are currently approved in 40 CFR part 141. The new
versions included changes such as:

 Additional sample handling and preservation instructions to
assure safety of field samplers (D 2972-15 B, C; D 3559-15 D; D 3645-15
B; and D 3859-15 A, B)
 Additional quality control (D 2972-15 B, C; D 3559-15 D; D
3645-15 B; D 3859-15 A, B; and D 6508-15)

    Changes between the earlier approved version and the most recent
version of each method are described more fully in Smith (2017b). The
additional revisions involve editorial changes (e.g., updated
references, definitions, terminology, procedural clarifications, and
reorganization of text). The revised methods are the same as the
approved versions with respect to sample collection and handling
protocols, sample preparation, analytical methodology, and method
performance data; thus, EPA finds they are equally effective relative
to the approved methods.
    EPA is thus approving the use of the following ASTM methods for the
contaminants and their respective regulations listed in the following
table:

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       ASTM revised version            Approved method          Contaminant                 Regulation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D 2972-15 B (ASTM 2015a)..........  D 2972-03 B (ASTM      Arsenic.............  40 CFR 141.23(k)(1).
                                     2003a).
D 2972-15 C (ASTM 2015a)..........  D 2972-03 C (ASTM      Arsenic.............  40 CFR 141.23(k)(1).
                                     2003a).
D 3559-15 D (ASTM 2015b)..........  D 3559-03 D (ASTM      Lead................  40 CFR 141.23(k)(1).
                                     2003b).
D 3645-15 B (ASTM 2015c)..........  D 3645-03 B (ASTM      Beryllium...........  40 CFR 141.23(k)(1).
                                     2003c).
D 3859-15 A (ASTM 2015d)..........  D 3859-03 A (ASTM      Selenium............  40 CFR 141.23(k)(1).
                                     2003d).
D 3859-15 B (ASTM 2015d)..........  D 3859-03 B (ASTM      Selenium............  40 CFR 141.23(k)(1).
                                     2003d).
D 6508-15 (ASTM 2015e)............  D 6508-00 (ASTM 2000)  Nitrate, Nitrite,     40 CFR 141.23(k)(1).
                                                            Orthophosphate.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An additional ASTM Method D 7283-17 (ASTM 2017) was submitted for
evaluation as an alternate test method to the approved EPA Method 900.0
(USEPA 1980) for the analysis of gross alpha and gross beta activity in
drinking water. ASTM Method D 7283-17 involves the simultaneous
analysis of gross alpha and gross beta activities by liquid
scintillation counting using alpha/beta discrimination.
    EPA Method 900.0 was promulgated in the drinking water regulations
at 40 CFR 141.25(a) as a screening method to determine whether specific
radionuclide analyses are required. While technically simple to
perform, the accuracy of the results obtained with EPA Method 900.0 can
be affected by the radionuclides used for calibration, variability in
the drinking water dissolved solids, and the sample geometry. Sample
self-absorption occurs when radioactive emissions interact with the
solid film of residue, which results from evaporating drinking water
samples to dryness. This significantly limits the level of dissolved
solids that can be tolerated.
    In the liquid scintillation method, self-absorption does not occur
as long as solids are dissolved and homogeneously mixed with the
scintillation cocktail. The performance of ASTM Method D 7283-17 was
evaluated through a multi-laboratory study that assessed the
sensitivity, background, accuracy and precision in drinking water
matrices containing variable dissolved solids levels. EPA has
determined that ASTM Method D 7283-17 is equally as effective for gross
alpha and gross beta measurement as the approved EPA Method 900.0. The
basis for this determination is discussed in Smith and Wendelken
(2017). EPA is therefore approving the use of ASTM D 7283-17 for gross
alpha and gross beta determination in drinking water.
    The ASTM methods are available from ASTM International, 100 Barr
Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959 or http://www.astm.org.

C. Methods Developed by Vendors

    1. Pathogen Detection Systems, Inc., ``TECTATM EC/TC
Medium and the TECTATM Instrument: A Presence/Absence Method
for the Simultaneous Detection of Total Coliforms and Escherichia coli
(E. coli) in Drinking Water, March 20, 2017, Version 2.0'' (Pathogen
Detection Systems, Inc., 2017). TectaTM EC/TC is a
microbiological method for the simultaneous detection of total
coliforms and E. coli in drinking water. This method detects the
presence/absence of total coliforms and E. coli in 100 mL samples of
drinking water by enzymatic cleavage of fluorogenic compounds, which
then yield a fluorescent response. The TECTATM TC/EC method
uses an automated instrument for incubation and detection of total
coliforms and E. coli. Approved drinking water methods for total

coliforms are listed at 40 CFR 141.852(a)(5) under the Revisions to the
Total Coliform Rule (RTCR). Methods approved for E. coli in drinking
water are listed at 40 CFR 141.402(c)(2) under the Ground Water Rule
(GWR), and at 40 CFR 141.852(a)(5) under the RTCR. TECTATM
EC/TC (``TECTATM EC/TC Medium and the TECTATM
Instrument: A Presence/Absence Method for the Simultaneous Detection of
Total Coliforms and Escherichia coli (E.coli) in Drinking Water, May
22, 2014, Version 1.0'' (Pathogen Detection Systems, Inc., 2014)) was
approved as being equally effective relative to the approved Standard
Method 9221 B for total coliforms under the Total Coliform Rule (TCR)
and RTCR, and Standard Method 9221 F for E. coli under the TCR, GWR,
and RTCR in the June 19, 2014, expedited methods approval action (USEPA
2014). This action is approving a modified version of this method. For
the latest version of this method, modifications were made to the TECTA
B16 unit. System mass was reduced by using reconfigured heating blocks;
components were simplified; and underutilized features were eliminated.
These modifications are described in the docket document ``Summary of
Hardware and Software Modifications TECTA B16 Rev 1.0 versus TECTA B16
Rev 2.0 November 12, 2015'' (Pathogen Detection Systems, Inc., 2015).
The modifications made for this method did not include any changes to
the detection algorithm. EPA reviewed the changes that were made and
determined that the modifications did not affect the performance of the
method. Therefore, EPA has determined that the TECTA EC/TC Version 2.0
method is equally as effective as the approved TECTA EC/TC Version 1.0
method. A more detailed description of the basis for this determination
is discussed in Sinclair (2017). Accordingly, EPA is approving this
revised method ``TECTATM EC/TC Medium and the
TECTATM Instrument: A Presence/Absence Method for the
Simultaneous Detection of Total Coliforms and Escherichia coli (E.
coli) in Drinking Water, March 20, 2017, Version 2.0'' for the
determination of total coliforms and E. coli in drinking water. TECTA
EC/TC is an automated and self-contained method, but is subject to the
requirements for certified laboratories described in 40 CFR 141.28. A
copy of the TECTA EC/TC method is available from Pathogen Detection
Systems, Inc., 382 King Street East, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7K
2Y2.
    2. Thermo Fisher Method 557.1--Determination of Haloacetic Acids in
Drinking Water using Two-Dimensional Ion Chromatography with Suppressed
Conductivity Detection (Thermo Fisher 2017a). Thermo Fisher Method
557.1 is a method for the determination of haloacetic acids (HAAs) in
drinking water using a multiple cut, two-dimensional ion chromatography
(IC) technology that separates the HAAs from matrix interferences in
the first dimension, followed by resolution of the HAAs on a small-bore
column in the second dimension. Detection and quantitation in the
second dimension are accomplished by suppressed conductivity
measurement.
    The sum of five HAAs (monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid,
trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid, and dibromoacetic acid) is
regulated as ``HAA5.'' The approved methods for HAA5 are listed at 40
CFR 141.131(b)(1). The performance of Thermo Fisher Method 557.1 for
each of the five regulated HAAs was compared to the performance
criteria established in the approved EPA Methods 552.2 (USEPA 1995) and
552.3, Revision 1.0 (USEPA 2003) for the same compounds. Performance
was demonstrated in a variety of drinking water samples derived from
both surface and ground water sources. Successful matrix elimination in
the first dimension was demonstrated by analysis of high ionic strength
matrices containing common anions in drinking water such as chloride,
sulfate, bicarbonate and nitrate. Performance results are summarized in
the method validation summary report (Thermo Fisher 2017b). EPA has
determined that Thermo Fisher Method 557.1 is equally effective for
measuring HAA5 relative to the approved EPA Methods 552.2 and 552.3.
The basis for this determination is discussed in Smith (2017c).
Therefore, EPA is approving Thermo Fisher Method 557.1 for determining
HAA5 in drinking water. A copy of the method is available from Thermo
Fisher Scientific, 490 Lakeside Dr., Sunnyvale, CA 94085
(Richard.jack@thermofisher.com).
    3. Tintometer Lovibond PTV 1000 Method--Continuous Measurement of
Drinking Water Turbidity Using a Lovibond PTV 1000 White Light LED
Turbidimeter (Tintometer 2016a). The Tintometer Lovibond PTV 1000
Method uses light emitting diode (LED) nephelometry to continuously
measure turbidity in drinking water. The LED emits white light in the
visible spectrum between 380 nm and 780 nm, with spectral peak response
between 400 nm and 600 nm. The method is based on a comparison of the
intensity of light scattered by a drinking water sample under defined
conditions with the intensity of light scattered by a standard
reference suspension. The PTV 1000 turbidimeter incorporates a sample
deaerator to remove air bubbles and uses heated optics to prevent
condensation.
    Approved methods for turbidity are listed at 40 CFR 141.74(a)(1).
The performance characteristics of the Lovibond PTV 1000 Method were
compared to the performance characteristics of the approved Hach Filter
Trak Method 10133 (Hach Company 2000). The validation study report
(Tintometer 2016b) summarizes the results obtained from the
turbidimeters placed online at three different utilities. Each utility
used surface water sources, but different treatment technologies.
Sampling was important to ensure representative tracking and response
times between the turbidimeters. The sample stream flowed to a manifold
that split it into equal streams, with one stream leading to each
instrument in the study.
    EPA has determined that the Lovibond PTV 1000 Method is equally
effective relative to Hach Filter Trak Method 10133. The basis for this
determination is discussed in Adams (2017b). Therefore, EPA is
approving the Lovibond PTV 1000 Method for determining turbidity in
drinking water. A copy of the method is available from Tintometer,
Inc., 6456 Parkland Drive, Sarasota, FL 34243 (http://lovibond.com/ptv1000/).
    4. Tintometer Lovibond PTV 2000 Method--Continuous Measurement of
Drinking Water Turbidity Using a Lovibond PTV 2000 660-nm LED
Turbidimeter (Tintometer 2016c). The Tintometer Lovibond PTV 2000
Method uses light emitting diode (LED) nephelometry to continuously
measure turbidity in drinking water. The 660 nm LED has a peak emitting
wavelength between 650 nm and 670 nm. Use of a 660 nm LED source
reduces interferences due to dissolved organics and sample color. The
method is based on a comparison of the intensity of light scattered by
a drinking water sample under defined conditions with the intensity of
light scattered by a standard reference suspension. The PTV 2000
turbidimeter incorporates a sample deaerator to remove air bubbles and
uses heated optics to prevent condensation.
    Approved methods for turbidity are listed at 40 CFR 141.74(a)(1).
The performance characteristics of the Lovibond PTV 2000 Method were
compared to the performance characteristics of the approved Hach

Filter Trak Method 10133 (Hach Company 2000). The validation study
report (Tintometer 2016b) summarizes the results obtained from the
turbidimeters placed online at three different utilities. Each utility
used surface water sources, but different treatment technologies.
Sampling was important to ensure representative tracking and response
times between the turbidimeters. The sample stream flowed to a manifold
that split it into equal streams, with one stream leading to each
instrument in the study.
    EPA has determined that the Lovibond PTV 2000 Method is equally
effective relative to Hach Filter Trak Method 10133. The basis for this
determination is discussed in Adams (2017c). Therefore, EPA is
approving the Lovibond PTV 2000 Method for determining turbidity in
drinking water. A copy of the method is available from Tintometer,
Inc., 6456 Parkland Drive, Sarasota, FL 34243 (http://lovibond.com/ptv1000/).
    5. Tintometer Lovibond PTV 6000 Method--Continuous Measurement of
Drinking Water Turbidity Using a Lovibond PTV 6000 Laser Turbidimeter
(Tintometer 2016d). The Tintometer Lovibond PTV 6000 Method uses laser
nephelometry to continuously measure turbidity in drinking water. The
method uses a 685 nm laser diode with a peak emitting center wavelength
between 650 nm and 690 nm. The incident laser light is a highly
collimated beam of high energy light and its small diameter reduces
stray light interference, resulting in improved method sensitivity. The
method is based on a comparison of the intensity of light scattered by
a drinking water sample under defined conditions with the intensity of
light scattered by a standard reference suspension. The PTV 6000
turbidimeter incorporates a sample deaerator to remove air bubbles and
uses heated optics to prevent condensation.
    Approved methods for turbidity are listed at 40 CFR 141.74(a)(1).
The performance characteristics of the Lovibond PTV 6000 Method were
compared to the performance characteristics of the approved Hach Filter
Trak Method 10133 (Hach Company 2000). The validation study report
(Tintometer 2016b) summarizes the results obtained from the
turbidimeters placed online at three different utilities. Each utility
used surface water sources, but different treatment technologies.
Sampling was important to ensure representative tracking and response
times between the turbidimeters. The sample stream flowed to a manifold
that split it into equal streams, with one stream leading to each
instrument in the study.
    EPA has determined that the Lovibond PTV 6000 Method is equally
effective relative to Hach Filter Trak Method 10133. The basis for this
determination is discussed in Adams (2017d). Therefore, EPA is
approving the Lovibond PTV 6000 Method for determining turbidity in
drinking water. A copy of the method is available from Tintometer,
Inc., 6456 Parkland Drive, Sarasota, FL 34243 (http://lovibond.com/ptv1000/ ).

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    As noted in Section II, under the terms of SDWA section 1401(1),
this streamlined method approval action is not a rule. Accordingly, the
Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, does not apply
because this action is not a rule for purposes of 5 U.S.C. 804(3).
Similarly, this action is not subject to the Regulatory Flexibility Act
because it is not subject to notice and comment requirements under the
Administrative Procedure Act or any other statute. In addition, because
this approval action is not a rule, but simply makes alternative
testing methods available as options for monitoring under SDWA, EPA has
concluded that other statutes and executive orders generally applicable
to rulemaking do not apply to this approval action.

V. References

Adams, W. 2017a. Memo to the record describing basis for expedited
approval of EPA Method 150.3 for determination of pH. February 2017.
(Available at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-
2017-0284.)
Adams, W. 2017b. Memo to the record describing basis for expedited
approval of Tintometer method for continuous measurement of drinking
water turbidity using a Lovibond PTV 1000 white light LED
turbidimeter. January 2017. (Available at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
Adams, W. 2017c. Memo to the record describing basis for expedited
approval of Tintometer method for continuous measurement of drinking
water turbidity using a Lovibond PTV 2000 660 nm LED turbidimeter.
January 2017. (Available at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID
No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
Adams, W. 2017d. Memo to the record describing basis for expedited
approval of Tintometer method for continuous measurement of drinking
water turbidity using a Lovibond PTV 6000 laser turbidimeter.
January 2017. (Available at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID
No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
American Public Health Association (APHA). 2007. Standard Method
7500-Ra E-07, Radium--Gamma Spectroscopy Method. Approved by
Standard Methods Committee 2007. Standard Methods Online (Available
at http://www.standardmethods.org)
American Public Health Association (APHA). 2012. 22nd Edition of
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater,
American Public Health Association, 800 I Street NW., Washington, DC
20001-3710.
American Public Health Association (APHA). 2017. Standard Method
7110 D-17. Liquid Scintillation Spectroscopic Method for Gross
Alpha-Beta. Approved by Standard Methods Committee 2017. Standard
Methods Online (Available at http://www.standardmethods.org)
ASTM International. 2000. ASTM D 6508-00. Standard Test Method for
Determination of Dissolved Inorganic Anions in Aqueous Matrices
Using Capillary Ion Electrophoresis and Chromate Electrolyte. ASTM
International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-
2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2003a. ASTM D 2972-03 B, C. Standard Test
Methods for Arsenic in Water. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor
Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2003b. ASTM D 3559-03 D. Standard Test Methods
for Lead in Water. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West
Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2003c. ASTM D 3645-03 B. Standard Test Methods
for Beryllium in Water. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive,
West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2003d. ASTM D 3859-03 A, B. Standard Test
Methods for Selenium in Water. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor
Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2015a. ASTM D 2972-15 B, C. Standard Test
Methods for Arsenic in Water. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor
Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2015b. ASTM D 3559-15 D. Standard Test Methods
for Lead in Water. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West
Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2015c. ASTM D 3645-15 B. Standard Test Methods
for Beryllium in Water. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive,
West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2015d. ASTM D 3859-15 A, B. Standard Test
Methods for Selenium in Water. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor
Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)

ASTM International. 2015e. ASTM D 6508-15. Standard Test Method for
Determination of Dissolved Inorganic Anions in Aqueous Matrices
Using Capillary Ion Electrophoresis and Chromate Electrolyte. ASTM
International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-
2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
ASTM International. 2017. Standard Test Method for Alpha and Beta
Activity in Water by Liquid Scintillation Counting. ASTM
International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-
2959. (Available at http://www.astm.org.)
GA. 2004. Method for the Determination of Radium-228 and Radium-226
in Drinking Water by Gamma-ray Spectrometry using HPGE or Ge(Li)
Detectors. December 2004. Revision 1.2. Environmental Resource
Center, Georgia Institute for Technology, 620 Cherry Street,
Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0335. (Available at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
Hach Company. 2000. Hach FilterTrak Method 10133--Determination of
Turbidity by Laser Nephelometry. January 2000. Revision 2.0. 5600
Lindbergh Drive, Loveland, Colorado 80539. (Available at http://www.hach.com.)
Pathogen Detection Systems, Inc. 2014. TECTATM EC/TC
Medium and the TECTATM Instrument: A Presence/Absence
Method for the Simultaneous Detection of Total Coliforms and
Escherichia coli (E. coli) in Drinking Water. May 22, 2014. Version
1.0. Pathogen Detection Systems, Inc. 382 King Street East,
Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7K 2Y2. (Available at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
Pathogen Detection Systems, Inc. 2015. Summary of hardware and
software modifications, TECTA B16 Rev. 1.0 versus TECTA B16 Rev.
2.0, November 12, 2015. Pathogen Detection Systems, Inc. 382 King
Street East, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7K 2Y2. (Available at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
Pathogen Detection Systems, Inc. 2017. TECTATM EC/TC
Medium and the TECTATM Instrument: A Presence/Absence
Method for the Simultaneous Detection of Total Coliforms and
Escherichia coli (E. coli) in Drinking Water. March 20, 2017.
Version 2.0. Pathogen Detection Systems, Inc. 382 King Street East,
Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7K 2Y2. (Available at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
Sinclair, J. 2017. Memo to the record describing basis for expedited
approval of TECTA EC/TC method, Version 2.0. February 14, 2017.
(Available at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-
2017-0284.)
Smith, G. 2017a. Memo to the record describing basis for expedited
approval of Standard Methods 7500-Ra E (22nd ed.) and 7500-Ra E-07.
February 28, 2017. (Available at http://www.regulations.gov; docket
ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
Smith, G. 2017b. Memo to the record describing basis for expedited
approval of updated methods from ASTM International. February 28,
2017. (Available at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID No. EPA-
HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
Smith, G. 2017c. Memo to the record describing basis for expedited
approval of Thermo Fisher Method 557.1 for determination of
haloacetic acids in drinking water. February 13, 2017. (Available at
http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
Smith, G. and Wendelken, S. 2017. Memo to the record describing
basis for expedited approval of Standard Method 7110 D-17 and ASTM
Method D 7283-17. June 5, 2017. (Available at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
Thermo Fisher. 2017a. Thermo Fisher Method 557.1: Determination of
Haloacetic Acids in Drinking Water using Two-Dimensional Ion
Chromatography with Suppressed Conductivity Detection. January 2017.
Version 1.0. Thermo Fisher Scientific, 490 Lakeside Drive,
Sunnyvale, CA 94085. (Available at http://www.regulations.gov;
docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
Thermo Fisher. 2017b. Validation Summary Report for Thermo Fisher
Method 557.1. May 11, 2017. Thermo Fisher Scientific, 490 Lakeside
Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94085. (Available at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
Tintometer. 2016a. Continuous Measurement of Drinking Water
Turbidity Using a Lovibond PTV 1000 White Light LED Turbidimeter--
The Lovibond White Light LED Method. December 2016. Revision 1.0.
Tintometer, Inc. 6456 Parkland Drive, Sarasota, FL 34243. (Available
at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
Tintometer. 2016b. Alternate Test Procedure (ATP) Validation Study
Report for the Measurement of Drinking Water Turbidity up to 10 NTU
using the Candidate Lovibond Turbidity Methods, Represented by the
PTV 1000, PTV 2000, and PTV 6000 Turbidimeters. December 20, 2016.
Tintometer, Inc. 6456 Parkland Drive, Sarasota, FL 34243. (Available
at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
Tintometer. 2016c. Continuous Measurement of Drinking Water
Turbidity Using a Lovibond PTV 2000 660-nm LED Turbidimeter--The
Lovibond 660-nm LED Method. December 2016. Revision 1.0. Tintometer,
Inc. 6456 Parkland Drive, Sarasota, FL 34243. (Available at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
Tintometer. 2016d. Continuous Measurement of Drinking Water
Turbidity Using a Lovibond PTV 6000 Laser Turbidimeter--The Lovibond
6000 Laser Method. December 2016. Revision 1.0. Tintometer, Inc.
6456 Parkland Drive, Sarasota, FL 34243. (Available at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
USEPA. 1980. EPA Method 900.0. Gross Alpha and Gross Beta
Radioactivity in Drinking Water in ``Prescribed Procedures for
Measurement of Radioactivity in Drinking Water,'' EPA-600/4-80-032,
August 1980. (Available at https://www.nemi.gov; docket ID No. EPA-
HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
USEPA. 1983a. EPA Method 150.1. pH in ``Methods for Chemical
Analysis of Water and Wastes,'' EPA/600/4-79-020, March 1983.
(Available at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-
2017-0284.)
USEPA. 1983b. EPA Method 150.2. pH, Continuous Monitoring
(Electrometric), in ``Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and
Wastes,'' EPA/600/4-79-020, March 1983. (Available at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284.)
USEPA. 1995. EPA Method 552.2, Rev. 1.0. ``Determination of
Haloacetic Acids and Dalapon in Drinking Water by Liquid-Liquid
Extraction, Derivatization and Gas Chromatography with Electron
Capture Detection,'' in Methods for the Determination of Organic
Compounds in Drinking Water, Supplement III, EPA/600/R-95/131,
August 1995. (Available at https://www.nemi.gov.)
USEPA. 2003. EPA Method 552.3, Determination of Haloacetic Acids and
Dalapon in Drinking Water by Liquid-Liquid Microextraction,
Derivatization and Gas Chromatography with Electron Capture
Detection, EPA 815-B-03-002, July 2003. (Available at https://www.nemi.gov.)
USEPA. 2014. Expedited Approval of Alternative Test Procedures for
the Analysis of Contaminants Under the Safe Drinking Water Act;
Analysis and Sampling Procedures, 79 FR 35081, June 19, 2014.
USEPA. 2017. EPA Method 150.3, Determination of pH in Drinking
Water, EPA 815-B-17-001, February 2017. (Available at http://www.regulations.gov; docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0284.)

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 141

    Environmental protection, Chemicals, Indians--lands,
Intergovernmental relations, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Water supply.

    Dated: July 5, 2017.
Peter Grevatt,
Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Environmental
Protection Agency amends 40 CFR part 141 as follows:

PART 141--NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 141 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300f, 300g-1, 300g-2, 300g-3, 300g-4, 300g-
5, 300g-6, 300j-4, 300j-9, and 300j-11.

0
2. Appendix A to subpart C of part 141 is amended as follows:
0
a. By revising the entries for ``Arsenic,'' ``Beryllium,'' ``Lead,''
``Nitrate,'' ``Nitrite,'' ``Orthophosphate,'' ``pH,'' and ``Selenium''
in the table entitled ``ALTERNATIVE TESTING METHODS FOR CONTAMINANTS
LISTED AT 40 CFR 141.23(k)(1).''
0
b. By revising the table entitled ``ALTERNATIVE TESTING METHODS FOR
CONTAMINANTS LISTED AT 40 CFR 141.25(a).''
0
c. By revising the entry for ``Turbidity'' in the table entitled
``ALTERNATIVE TESTING METHODS FOR CONTAMINANTS LISTED AT 40 CFR
141.74(a)(1).''
0
d. By revising the entry for ``HAA5'' in the table entitled
``ALTERNATIVE TESTING METHODS FOR CONTAMINANTS LISTED AT 40 CFR
141.131(b)(1).''
0
e. By revising the entry for ``E. coli'' in the table entitled
``ALTERNATIVE TESTING METHODS FOR CONTAMINANTS LISTED AT 40 CFR
141.402(c)(2).''
0
f. By revising the entries for ``Total Coliforms'' and ``Escherichia
coli'' in the table entitled ``ALTERNATE TESTING METHODS FOR
CONTAMINANTS LISTED AT 40 CFR 141.852(a)(5).''
0
g. By revising footnote 33.
0
h. By adding footnotes 43 through 48.
    The revisions and additions read as follows:

APPENDIX A TO SUBPART C OF PART 141--ALTERNATIVE TESTING METHODS
APPROVED FOR ANALYSES UNDER THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT

* * * * *

                                                           Alternative Testing Methods for Contaminants Listed at 40 CFR 141.23(k)(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                SM 21st edition    SM 22nd edition
           Contaminant                  Methodology             EPA method               \1\                \28\          SM online \3\          ASTM \4\                      Other
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                * * * * * * *
Arsenic..........................  Atomic Absorption;    .......................  3113 B...........  3113 B...........  3113 B-04, B-10.  D 2972-08 C, -15 C....
                                    Furnace.
                                   Hydride Atomic        .......................  3114 B...........  3114 B...........  3114 B-09.......  D 2972-08 B, -15 B....
                                    Absorption.
                                   Axially viewed        200.5, Revision 4.2.\2\
                                    inductively coupled
                                    plasma-atomic
                                    emission
                                    spectrometry (AVICP-
                                    AES).

                                                                                * * * * * * *
Beryllium........................  Inductively Coupled   .......................  3120 B...........  3120 B...........
                                    Plasma.
                                   Atomic Absorption;    .......................  3113 B...........  3113 B...........  3113 B-04, B-10.  D 3645-08 B, -15 B....
                                    Furnace.
                                   Axially viewed        200.5, Revision 4.2.\2\
                                    inductively coupled
                                    plasma-atomic
                                    emission
                                    spectrometry (AVICP-
                                    AES).

                                                                                * * * * * * *
Lead.............................  Atomic Absorption;    .......................  3113 B...........  3113 B...........  3113 B-04, B-10.  D 3559-08 D, -15 D....
                                    Furnace.
                                   Axially viewed        200.5, Revision 4.2.\2\
                                    inductively coupled
                                    plasma-atomic
                                    emission
                                    spectrometry (AVICP-
                                    AES).

                                                                                * * * * * * *
Nitrate..........................  Ion Chromatography..  .......................  4110 B...........  4110 B...........  ................  D 4327-11.............
                                   Automated Cadmium     .......................  4500-NO3- F......  4500-NO3- F......
                                    Reduction.
                                   Manual Cadmium        .......................  4500-NO3- E......  4500-NO3- E......
                                    Reduction.
                                   Ion Selective         .......................  4500-NO3- D......  4500-NO3- D......
                                    Electrode.
                                   Reduction/            .......................  .................  .................  ................  ......................  Systea Easy (1-Reagent) \8\
                                    Colorimetric.                                                                                NECi Nitrate-Reductase.\40\

                                                                                * * * * * * *
                                   Colorimetric; Direct  .......................  .................  .................  ................  ......................  Hach TNTplus\TM\ 835/836
                                                                                Method 10206.\23\
                                   Capillary Ion         .......................  .................  .................  ................  D 6508-15.............
                                    Electrophoresis.
Nitrite..........................  Ion Chromatography..  .......................  4110 B...........  4110 B...........  ................  D 4327-11.............
                                   Automated Cadmium     .......................  4500-NO3- F......  4500-NO3- F......
                                    Reduction.
                                   Manual Cadmium        .......................  4500-NO3- E......  4500-NO3- E......
                                    Reduction.
                                   Spectrophotometric..  .......................  4500-NO2- B......  4500-NO2- B......
                                   Reduction/            .......................  .................  .................  ................  ......................  Systea Easy (1-Reagent) \8\
                                    Colorimetric.                                                                                NECi Nitrate-Reductase.\40\

                                                                                * * * * * * *
                                   Capillary Ion         .......................  .................  .................  ................  D 6508-15.............
                                    Electrophoresis.
Orthophosphate...................  Ion Chromatography..  .......................  4110 B...........  4110 B...........  ................  D 4327-11.............
                                   Colorimetric,         .......................  4500-P E.........  4500-P E.........  4500-P E-99.....
                                    ascorbic acid,
                                    single reagent.
                                   Colorimetric,         .......................  4500-P F.........  4500-P F.........  4500-P F-99.....  ......................  Thermo Fisher Discrete
                                    Automated, Ascorbic                                                                                Analyzer.\41\
                                    Acid.

                                                                                * * * * * * *
                                   Capillary Ion         .......................  .................  .................  ................  D 6508-15.............
                                    Electrophoresis.
pH...............................  Electrometric.......  150.3 \48\.............  4500-H\+\ B......  4500-H\+\ B......  ................  D 1293-12.............
Selenium.........................  Hydride-Atomic        .......................  3114 B...........  3114 B...........  3114 B-09.......  D 3859-08 A, --15 A...
                                    Absorption.
                                   Atomic Absorption;    .......................  3113 B...........  3113 B...........  3113 B-04, B-10.  D 3859-08 B, -15 B....
                                    Furnace.
                                   Axially viewed        200.5, Revision 4.2.
                                    inductively coupled   \2\
                                    plasma-atomic
                                    emission
                                    spectrometry (AVICP-
                                    AES).

                                                                                * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

                                         Alternative Testing Methods for Contaminants Listed at 40 CFR 141.25(a)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Contaminant              Methodology      SM 21st edition \1\     SM 22nd edition \28\          ASTM \4\                  SM online \3\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naturally Occurring:
    Gross alpha and beta.....  Evaporation.....  7110 B.................  7110 B................
                               Liquid            .......................  ......................  D 7283-17.............  7110 D-17
                                Scintillation.
    Gross alpha..............  Coprecipitation.  7110 C.................  7110 C................
    Radium 226...............  Radon emanation.  7500-Ra C..............  7500-Ra C.............  D 3454-05.............
                               Radiochemical...  7500-Ra B..............  7500-Ra B.............  D 2460-07.............
                               Gamma             .......................  7500-Ra E.............  ......................  7500-Ra E-07
                                Spectrometry.
    Radium 228...............  Radiochemical...  7500-Ra D..............  7500-Ra D.............
                               Gamma             .......................  7500-Ra E.............  ......................  7500-Ra E-07
                                Spectrometry.
    Uranium..................  Radiochemical...  7500-U B...............  7500-U B..............
                               ICP-MS..........  3125...................  ......................  D 5673-05, 10.........
                               Alpha             7500-U C...............  7500-U C..............  D 3972-09.............
                                spectrometry.
                               Laser             .......................  ......................  D 5174-07.............
                                Phosphorimetry.
                               Alpha Liquid      .......................  D 6239-09.............
                                Scintillation
                                Spectrometry.
Man-Made:
    Radioactive Cesium.......  Radiochemical...  7500-Cs B..............  7500-Cs B.............
                               Gamma Ray         7120...................  7120..................  D 3649-06.............
                                Spectrometry.
    Radioactive Iodine.......  Radiochemical...  7500-I B...............  7500-I B..............  D 3649-06.
                                                 7500-I C...............  7500-I C,.............
                                                 7500-I D...............  7500-I D..............
                               Gamma Ray         7120...................  7120..................  D 4785-08.............
                                Spectrometry.
    Radioactive Strontium 89,  Radiochemical...  7500-Sr B..............  7500-Sr B.............
     90.
    Tritium..................  Liquid            7500-\3\''H B..........  7500-\3\ H B..........  D 4107-08.............
                                Scintillation.
    Gamma Emitters...........  Gamma Ray         7120...................  7120..................  D 3649-06.
                                Spectrometry.    7500-Cs B..............  7500-Cs B.............  D 4785-08.............
                                                 7500-I B...............  7500-I B..............
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       Alternative Testing Methods for Contaminants Listed at 40 CFR 141.74(a)(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Organism               Methodology      SM 21st edition \1\     SM 22nd edition \28\        SM online \3\                   Other
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                      * * * * * * *
Turbidity....................  Nephelometric     2130 B.................  2130 B................
                                Method.
                               Laser             .......................  ......................  ......................  Mitchell M5271.\10\ Mitchell
                                Nephelometry                                                                               M5331, Rev. 1.2.\42\ Lovibond
                                (online).                                                                                PTV 6000.\46\
                               LED Nephelometry  .......................  ......................  ......................  Mitchell M5331 \11\ Mitchell
                                (online).                                                                                M5331, Rev. 1.2.\42\ Lovibond
                                                                                PTV 2000.\45\
                               LED Nephelometry  .......................  ......................  ......................  AMI Turbiwell.\15\ Lovibond
                                (online).                                                                                PTV 1000.\44\
                               LED Nephelometry  .......................  ......................  ......................  Orion AQ4500.\12\
                                (portable).
                               360[deg]          .......................  ......................  ......................  Hach Method 10258.\39\
                                Nephelometry.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

                                                           Alternative Testing Methods for Contaminants Listed at 40 CFR 141.131(b)(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                SM 21st edition
           Contaminant                  Methodology             EPA method             ASTM \4\        SM online \3\           \1\         SM 22nd  edition \28\               Other
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                * * * * * * *
HAA5.............................  LLE (diazomethane)/   .......................  .................  6251 B-07........  6251 B..........  6251 B................
                                    GC/ECD.
                                   Ion Chromatography    557. \14\
                                    Electrospray
                                    Ionization Tandem
                                    Mass Spectrometry
                                    (IC-ESI-MS/MS).
                                   Two-Dimensional Ion   .......................  .................  .................  ................  ......................  Thermo Fisher 557.1.\47\
                                    Chromatography (IC)
                                    with Suppressed
                                    Conductivity
                                    Detection.

                                                                                * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

                                       Alternative Testing Methods for Contaminants Listed at 40 CFR 141.402(c)(2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     SM 20th edition      SM 21st         SM 22nd
            Organism                 Methodology           \6\          edition \1\    edition \28\       SM Online \3\                 Other
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E. coli........................  Colilert[supreg]..  ...............  9223 B........  9223 B........  9223 B-97, B-04.....
                                 Colisure[supreg]..  ...............  9223 B........  9223 B........  9223 B-97, B-04.....
                                 Colilert-18.......  9223 B.........  9223 B........  9223 B........  9223 B-97, B-04.....
                                 Readycult[supreg].  ...............  ..............  ..............  ....................  Readycult.[supreg] \20\
                                 Colitag...........  ...............  ..............  ..............  ....................  Modified Colitag.\TM\ \13\
                                 Chromocult[supreg]  ...............  ..............  ..............  ....................  Chromocult.[supreg] \21\
                                 EC-MUG............  ...............  ..............  9221 F........  9221 F-06...........
                                 Tecta EC/TC. \33\
                                  \43\

                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

                                       Alternative Testing Methods for Contaminants Listed at 40 CFR 141.852(a)(5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Methodology                                SM 20th, 21st  editions
           Organism                  category               Method                      1 6              SM 22nd edition \28\         SM online \3\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Coliforms...............  Lactose            Standard Total Coliform   ........................  9221 B.1, B.2..........  9221 B.1, B.2-06.
                                 Fermentation       Fermentation Technique.
                                 Methods.
                                Enzyme Substrate   Colilert[supreg]........  ........................  9223 B.................  9223 B-04.
                                 Methods.
                                                   Colisure[supreg]........  ........................  9223 B.................  9223 B-04.
                                                   Colilert-18.............  9223 B..................  9223 B.................  9223 B-04.
                                                   Tecta EC/TC. 33 43
Escherichia coli..............  Escherichia coli   EC-MUG medium...........  ........................  9221 F.1...............  9221 F.1-06.
                                 Procedure
                                 (following
                                 Lactose
                                 Fermentation
                                 Methods).
                                Enzyme Substrate   Colilert[supreg]........  ........................  9223 B.................  9223 B-04.
                                 Methods.
                                                   Colisure[supreg]........  ........................  9223 B.................  9223 B-04.
                                                   Colilert-18.............  9223 B..................  9223 B.................  9223 B-04.
                                                   Tecta EC/TC. 33 43

                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 21st edition (2005). Available from American Public Health Association, 800 I Street
  NW., Washington, DC 20001-3710.
\2\ EPA Method 200.5, Revision 4.2. ``Determination of Trace Elements in Drinking Water by Axially Viewed Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission
  Spectrometry.'' 2003. EPA/600/R-06/115. (Available at http://www.epa.gov/water-research/epa-drinking-water-research-methods.)
\3\ Standard Methods Online are available at http://www.standardmethods.org. The year in which each method was approved by the Standard Methods
  Committee is designated by the last two digits in the method number. The methods listed are the only online versions that may be used.
\4\ Available from ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959 or http://astm.org. The methods listed are the only
  alternative versions that may be used.
 * * * * * * *
\6\ Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 20th edition (1998). Available from American Public Health Association, 800 I Street
  NW., Washington, DC 20001-3710.
 * * * * * * *
\8\ Systea Easy (1-Reagent). ``Systea Easy (1-Reagent) Nitrate Method,'' February 4, 2009. Available at https://www.nemi.gov or from Systea Scientific,
  LLC., 900 Jorie Blvd., Suite 35, Oak Brook, IL 60523.
 * * * * * * *

\10\ Mitchell Method M5271, Revision 1.1. ``Determination of Turbidity by Laser Nephelometry,'' March 5, 2009. Available at https://www.nemi.gov or from
  Leck Mitchell, Ph.D., PE, 656 Independence Valley Dr., Grand Junction, CO 81507.
\11\ Mitchell Method M5331, Revision 1.1. ``Determination of Turbidity by LED Nephelometry,'' March 5, 2009. Available at https://www.nemi.gov or from
  Leck Mitchell, Ph.D., PE, 656 Independence Valley Dr., Grand Junction, CO 81507.
\12\ Orion Method AQ4500, Revision 1.0. ``Determination of Turbidity by LED Nephelometry,'' May 8, 2009. Available at https://www.nemi.gov or from
  Thermo Scientific, 166 Cummings Center, Beverly, MA 01915, http://www.thermo.com.
\13\ Modified ColitagTM Method. ``Modified ColitagTM Test Method for the Simultaneous Detection of E. coli and other Total Coliforms in Water (ATP D05-
  0035),'' August 28, 2009. Available at https://www.nemi.gov or from CPI International, 5580 Skylane Boulevard, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.
\14\ EPA Method 557. ``Determination of Haloacetic Acids, Bromate, and Dalapon in Drinking Water by Ion Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Tandem
  Mass Spectrometry (IC-ESI-MS/MS),'' September 2009. EPA 815-B-09-012. Available at the National Service Center for Environmental Publications
  (www.epa.gov/nscep). Search ``815B09012''.
\15\ AMI Turbiwell, ``Continuous Measurement of Turbidity Using a SWAN AMI Turbiwell Turbidimeter,'' August 2009. Available at https://www.nemi.gov or
  from Markus Bernasconi, SWAN Analytische Instrumente AG, Studbachstrasse 13, CH-8340 Hinwil, Switzerland.
 * * * * * * *
\20\ Readycult[supreg] Method, ``Readycult[supreg] Coliforms 100 Presence/Absence Test for Detection and Identification of Coliform Bacteria and
  Escherichia coli in Finished Waters,'' January, 2007. Version 1.1. Available from EMD Millipore (division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), 290
  Concord Road, Billerica, MA 01821.
\21\ Chromocult[supreg] Method, ``Chromocult[supreg] Coliform Agar Presence/Absence Membrane Filter Test Method for Detection and Identification of
  Coliform Bacteria and Escherichia coli in Finished Waters,'' November, 2000. Version 1.0. EMD Millipore (division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany),
  290 Concord Road, Billerica, MA 01821.
 * * * * * * *
\23\ Hach Company. ``Hach Company TNTplus\TM\ 835/836 Nitrate Method 10206--Spectrophotometric Measurement of Nitrate in Water and Wastewater,'' January
  2011. 5600 Lindbergh Drive, P.O. Box 389, Loveland, Colorado 80539. (Available at http://www.hach.com.)
 * * * * * * *
\28\ Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 22nd edition (2012). Available from American Public Health Association, 800 I Street
  NW., Washington, DC 20001-3710.
 * * * * * * *
\33\ Tecta EC/TC. ``Techta\TM\ EC/TC Medium and Techta\TM\ Instrument: A Presence/Absence Method for the Simultaneous Detection of Total Coliforms and
  Escherichia coli (E. coli) in Drinking Water,'' version 1.0, May 2014. Available from Pathogen Detection Systems, Inc., 382 King Street East,
  Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7K 2Y2.
 * * * * * * *
\39\ Hach Company. ``Hach Method 10258--Determination of Turbidity by 360[deg] Nephelometry,'' January 2016. 5600 Lindbergh Drive, P.O. Box 389,
  Loveland, CO 80539. (Available at http://www.hach.com.)
\40\ Nitrate Elimination Company Inc. (NECi). ``Method for Nitrate Reductase Nitrate-Nitrogen Analysis of Drinking Water,'' February 2016. Superior
  Enzymes Inc., 334 Hecla Street, Lake Linden, Michigan 49945.
\41\ Thermo Fisher. ``Thermo Fisher Scientific Drinking Water Orthophosphate Method for Thermo Scientific Gallery Discrete Analyzer,'' February 2016.
  Revision 5. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Ratastie 2, 01620 Vantaa, Finland.
\42\ Mitchell Method M5331, Revision 1.2. ``Determination of Turbidity by LED or Laser Nephelometry,'' February 2016. Available from Leck Mitchell,
  Ph.D., PE, 656 Independence Valley Dr., Grand Junction, CO 81507.
\43\ Tecta EC/TC. ``TectaTM EC/TC Medium and the TectaTM Instrument: A Presence/Absence Method for the Simultaneous Detection of Total Coliforms and
  Escherichia coli (E. coli) in Drinking Water,'' version 2.0, February 2017. Available from Pathogen Detection Systems, Inc., 382 King Street East,
  Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7K 2Y2.
\44\ Lovibond PTV 1000. ``Continuous Measurement of Drinking Water Turbidity Using a Lovibond PTV 1000 White Light LED Turbidimeter,'' December 2016.
  Revision 1.0. Available from Tintometer, Inc., 6456 Parkland Drive, Sarasota, FL 34243.
\45\ Lovibond PTV 2000. ``Continuous Measurement of Drinking Water Turbidity Using a Lovibond PTV 2000 660-nm LED Turbidimeter,'' December 2016.
  Revision 1.0. Available from Tintometer, Inc., 6456 Parkland Drive, Sarasota, FL 34243.
\46\ Lovibond PTV 6000. ``Continuous Measurement of Drinking Water Turbidity Using a Lovibond PTV 6000 Laser Turbidimeter,'' December 2016. Revision
  1.0. Available from Tintometer, Inc., 6456 Parkland Drive, Sarasota, FL 34243.
\47\ Thermo Fisher. ``Thermo Fisher Method 557.1: Determination of Haloacetic Acids in Drinking Water using Two-Dimensional Ion Chromatography with
  Suppressed Conductivity Detection,'' January 2017. Version 1.0. Available from Thermo Fisher Scientific, 490 Lakeside Dr., Sunnyvale, CA 94085
  (Richard.jack@thermofisher.com).
\48\ EPA Method 150.3. ``Determination of pH in Drinking Water,'' February 2017. EPA 815-B-17-001. Available at the National Service Center for
  Environmental Publications (www.epa.gov/nscep).

[FR Doc. 2017-15380 Filed 7-26-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 223 (Friday, November 18, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71449-71450]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29802]

========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each
week.

========================================================================

Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 223 / Friday, November 18, 2011 /
Rules and Regulations

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

17 CFR Part 200

[Release No. 34-65742]

Reporting Line for the Commission's Ethics Counsel

AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') is
amending its rules to reflect that the Commission's Office of the
Ethics Counsel is now a stand-alone Office of the Commission and that
the head of the Office, the Ethics Counsel, reports directly to the
Chairman of the Commission.

DATES: Effective Date: November 18, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shira Pavis Minton, Ethics Counsel, at
(202) 551-7938, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Discussion

    On September 16, 2011, the Commission's Office of the Inspector
General (``OIG'') issued a report recommending, among other things,
that the Commission's Ethics Counsel report directly to the Chairman,
rather than to the General Counsel.\1\ On October 14, 2011, pursuant to
Section 1 of Reorganization Plan No. 10 of 1950,\2\ the Chairman
implemented that recommendation and made the Office of the Ethics
Counsel a stand-alone Office of the Commission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Report of Investigation No. OIG-560, Sept. 16, 2011, pp.
116-117.
    \2\ 15 FR 3175, 64 Stat. 1265 (May 24, 1950).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    These amendments conform the Commission's regulations, in part 200
of Title 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations, to the changes to the
reporting line and organization of the Office of the Ethics Counsel.
They do so by removing several references to oversight of the Ethics
Counsel by the General Counsel. In addition, the amendments clarify
that the Ethics Counsel, not the General Counsel, serves as Counselor
to the Commission and its staff with regard to ethical and conflicts of
interest questions and acts as the Commission's liaison on such matters
with the Office of Administrative and Personnel Management, the Office
of the Inspector General and the Department of Justice.

II. Related Matters

A. Administrative Procedure Act and Other Administrative Laws

    The Commission has determined that these amendments to its rules
relate solely to the agency's organization, procedure, or practice.
Accordingly, the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act
regarding notice of proposed rulemaking and opportunity for public
participation are not applicable.\3\ The Regulatory Flexibility Act,
therefore, does not apply.\4\ Because these rules relate solely to the
agency's organization, procedure, or practice and do not substantially
affect the rights or obligations of non-agency parties, they are not
subject to the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act.\5\
Finally, these amendments do not contain any collection of information
requirements as defined by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as
amended.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
    \4\ 5 U.S.C. 601-612.
    \5\ 5 U.S.C. 804.
    \6\ 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Cost-Benefit Analysis

    The Commission is sensitive to the costs and benefits imposed by
its rules. The amendments adopted today are procedural in nature and
will produce the benefit of conforming the Commission's rules to the
changes to the reporting line and organizational structure of the
Office of the Ethics Counsel. The Commission also believes that these
rules will not impose any costs on non-agency parties, or that if there
are any such costs, they are negligible.

C. Consideration of Burden on Competition

    Section 23(a)(2) of the Exchange Act requires the Commission, in
making rules pursuant to any provision of the Exchange Act, to consider
among other matters the impact any such rule would have on competition.
The Commission does not believe that the amendments that the Commission
is adopting today will have any impact on competition.
Statutory Authority
    The amendments to the Commission's rules are adopted pursuant to 15
U.S.C. 77o, 77s, 77sss, 78d, 78d-1, 78d-2, 78w, 78ll(d), 78mm, 80a-37,
80b-11, and 7202.

List of Subjects in 17 CFR Part 200

    Administrative practice and procedure, Authority delegations
(Government agencies), Organization and functions (Government
agencies).

Text of Amendments

    In accordance with the preamble, the Commission hereby amends Title
17, Chapter II of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 200--ORGANIZATION; CONDUCT AND ETHICS; AND INFORMATION AND
REQUESTS

Subpart A--Organization and Program Management

0
1. The authority citation for Part 200, Subpart A, continues to read,
in part, as follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77o, 77s, 77sss, 78d, 78d-1, 78d-2, 78w,
78ll(d), 78mm, 80a-37, 80b-11, and 7202, unless otherwise noted.
* * * * *

0
2. In Sec.  200.21 paragraph (a), remove the 6th sentence, beginning
with ``He or she is responsible'', and the 7th sentence, beginning with
``He or she serves''.
0
3. In Sec.  200.21a:
0
a. In paragraph (a), remove the phrase ``within the Office of the
General Counsel of the Commission shall oversee compliance with subpart
M of this part and 5 CFR part 2635.'', and add in its place, ``is
responsible for administering the Commission's Ethics Program and for
interpreting subpart M of this part and 5 CFR part 2635. He or she
serves as Counselor to the Commission and its staff with regard to

ethical and conflicts of interest questions and acts as the
Commission's liaison on such matters with the Office of Administrative
and Personnel Management, the Office of the Inspector General and the
Department of Justice.'';
0
b. In paragraph (b), remove the phrase ``Subject to the oversight of
the General Counsel or his or her delegate, the'' and add in its place
the word ``The'';

Subpart M--Regulation Concerning Conduct of Members and Employees
and Former Members and Employees of the Commission

0
4. The authority citation for Part 200, Subpart M, continues to read as
follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77s, 77sss, 78w, 80a-37, 80b-11; E.O.
11222, 3 CFR, 1964-1965 Comp., p. 36; 5 CFR 735.104 and 5 CFR 2634;
and 5 CFR 2635, unless otherwise noted.

0
5. In Sec.  200.735-11, remove the words ``Commission's Office of the
General Counsel's'' in paragraphs (c), (d) and (e);
0
6. In Sec.  200.735-15:
0
(a) In paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d), remove the words ``General
Counsel'' wherever they appear and add in their place the words
``Ethics Counsel'';
0
(b) In paragraphs (b), (e), and (f), remove the phrase ``Commission's
Office of the General Counsel's''.
0
7. In Sec.  200.735-17, remove the phrase ``Under the general direction
of the General Counsel, the'', and add in its place the word ``The''.

     Dated: November 14, 2011.
Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-29802 Filed 11-17-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 82 (Tuesday, April 28, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23598-23600]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08949]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[U.S. DOT Docket No. NHTSA-2020-0006]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for
Comment; Government 5-Star Safety Ratings Label Consumer Research

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice and request for public comment on proposed collection of
information.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
invites public comments about our intention to request approval from
the Office of Management and Budget on a new collection of information.
Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the
public, it must receive approval from OMB. Under procedures established
by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval,
Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of
information, including extensions and reinstatements of previously
approved collections. This document describes one collection of
information for consumer information purposes for which NHTSA intends
to seek OMB approval.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before June 29, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the docket number
[NHTSA-2020-0006] in the heading of this document, by any of the
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on
the electronic docket site by clicking on ``Help'' or ``FAQ.''
     Mail or Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Regardless of how you submit comments, you should mention the
docket number of this document.
    You may call the Docket Management Facility at<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Instructions: For detailed instructions on submitting comments and
additional information on the information collection process, see the
Public Participation heading of the Supplementary Information section
of this document. Note that all comments received will be posted
without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal
information provided.
    Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit https://www.transportation.gov/privacy.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read comments received, go to
http://www.regulations.gov, or the street address listed above. Follow
the online instructions for accessing the dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Joyce, Marketing Specialist,
Office of Communications and Consumer Information (NCO-0200), National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, W52-
238, Washington, DC 20590. Mike Joyce's phone number is<PHONE_NUMBER>
and his email address is<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB
for approval, it must first publish a document in the Federal Register
providing a 60-day comment period and otherwise consult with members of
the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of
information. The OMB has promulgated regulations describing what must
be included in such a document. Under OMB's regulation (at 5 CFR
1320.8(d)), an agency must ask for public comment on the following:
    (i) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (ii) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
    (iii) how to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected;
    (iv) how to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses.
    In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks for public

comments on the following proposed collection of information for which
the agency is seeking approval from OMB:
    Title: Government 5-Star Safety Ratings Label Consumer Research
    Type of Request: Request for approval of a new information
collection
    Type of Review Requested: Regular
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from approval
date.
    Abstract: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) was established by the Highway Safety Act of 1970 (23 U.S.C.
101) to save lives prevent injury, and reduce motor vehicle crashes on
the Nation's highways. One of NHTSA's directives is to provide to the
public the following information about passenger motor vehicles: Damage
susceptibility; crashworthiness, crash avoidance, and any other areas
NHTSA determines will improve safety of passenger motor vehicles; and
the degree of difficulty of diagnosis and repair of damage to, or
failure of, mechanical and electrical systems. (49 U.S.C. 32302). Under
its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) and 5-Star Safety Ratings
Program, NHTSA conducts frontal crash, side crash and rollover
resistance tests to new vehicles and, based on the results, assigns
safety ratings to the tested vehicles. The ratings enable consumers to
consider and assess the relative safety of vehicles before deciding
which new vehicle they want to purchase.
    In 2005, Congress enacted SAFETEA-LU (Pub. L. 109-49), which
required the safety ratings assigned by NHTSA under NCAP or a statement
that the vehicle was not assigned safety ratings under NCAP to be
included on the window label for new vehicles, known as the Monroney
label.\1\ On December 4, 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's
Surface Transportation (FAST) Act which requires the Secretary of
Transportation (NHTSA by delegation) to issue a rule to ensure crash
avoidance information is provided next to crashworthiness information
on vehicle windows stickers.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The Automobile Information Disclosure Act of 1958, 15 U.S.C.
1231-1233, requires that new vehicles carry a sticker on a window
containing specified information about the vehicle.
    \2\ Section 24322 of Part II--Safety Through Informed Consumers
Act of 2015. Public Law 114-94.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In continuing support of its mission and to assist the agency in
meeting its FAST Act requirement, NHTSA proposes to conduct qualitative
research using focus groups in four geographic markets located across
the country to evaluate design and consumer information improvements to
the Government 5-Star Safety Ratings section of the Monroney label.\3\
This information collection will involve a one-time phone voluntary
survey involving members of the public to identify research
participants and a one-time, in-person, focus group. Participants in
the research program will be asked to evaluate design and consumer
information improvements to the Government 5-Star Safety Ratings
section of the vehicle window sticker. NHTSA will use the findings from
this research to support planned changes to the label and future
consumer communications on vehicle safety ratings and advanced crash
avoidance technology system performance assessments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The Automobile Information Disclosure Act of 1958, 15 U.S.C.
1231-1233, requires that new vehicles carry a sticker on a window
containing specified information about the vehicle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Summary of the Collection of Information: In this collection of
information, NHTSA is seeking approval to conduct qualitative focus
groups with 72 consumer participants. The focus groups aim to achieve
the following objectives:
    (1) Evaluate the overall appeal of each label concept and identify
specific likes and dislikes associated with specific components of the
label;
    (2) Measure the ease of comprehension for each label concept and
understand which visual and text features are most effective at
conveying vehicle safety information;
    (3) Assess the distinctiveness of how the information is displayed
and understand how best to make the vehicle safety information stand
out on the Monroney label; and,
    (4) Identify additional areas of improvement related to the three
main label sections relating to safety protection, safety technology
and overall vehicle safety performance.
    Description of the Need for the Information and the Proposed Use of
the Information: This collection of information will allow NHTSA to
obtain critical information needed to fulfill the 2015 Fixing America's
Surface Transportation (FAST) Act requirement that NHTSA issue a rule
to ensure crash avoidance information is provided next to
crashworthiness information on vehicle windows stickers.\4\
Specifically, the data from this collection will be used to not only
enhance consumer understanding of NHTSA's vehicle safety ratings and
advanced crash avoidance technology system performance assessments, but
also guide the development of communications that will help consumers
as they consider this information in their vehicle purchase decisions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Section 24322 of Part II--Safety Through Informed Consumers
Act of 2015 requires the Secretary of Transportation (NHTSA by
delegation) to issue a rule to ensure that crash avoidance
information is indicated next to crashworthiness information on
stickers placed on motor vehicles by their manufacturers. Public Law
114-94, December 4, 2015.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Affected Public: Members of the public.
    Number of Respondents: 560.
    For this information collection, NHTSA plans to conduct a total of
8 focus groups (2 groups in each of 4 markets), each lasting
approximately 90 minutes. NHTSA intends for each focus group to consist
of approximately 9 participants for a total of 72 participants in the
focus group sessions. Based on experience, NHTSA will need to recruit
up to 14 people per focus group in order to ensure that at least 9 will
appear at the focus group facility at the appointed time. If more than
9 participants show up at the facility for a given session, the
research team will select 9 participants based on their profile
information provided in the recruitment grid to seat. The remaining
participants will be paid their honorarium and sent home. Therefore, in
order to ensure that there are approximately 9 participants per focus
group session, a total of 112 potential participants (14 per focus
group) will be recruited via telephone screening calls, which are
estimated to take 5 minutes per call. In order to recruit 112 potential
participants, NHTSA estimates that it will be necessary to initially
reach out to and screen 560 people. This is based on experience that
demonstrates that of the people that are contacted, 20% will qualify
for the study, be available, and be interested in participating in the
focus group.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 154.7 hours.
    NHTSA estimates the total burden per person actually participating
in this focus group research is estimated to be 95 minutes (5 minutes
for the screening/recruiting telephone call plus 90 minutes in the
focus group discussion session). Additionally, the total burden per
person recruited (but not participating in the discussions) is 5
minutes. Therefore, the total annual estimated burden imposed by this
collection is approximately 154.7 hours.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Number of     Participation
                     Category of respondent                         respondents   time (minutes)  Burden (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recruit/Screening call (assumes 20% qualify; are available and               560               5            46.7
 interested in participating in the focus group)................
Participation in 90-minute group................................              72              90             108
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total Burden................................................  ..............  ..............           154.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Costs to Respondents: $2,484.00.
    The only cost burdens respondents will incur are costs related to
travel to and from the research location. The costs are minimal and are
expected to be offset by the honorarium that will be provided to all
research participants. NHTSA estimates that each of the focus group
participants will travel less than 30-miles one-way to the focus group
location. Using the IRS standard mileage rate of $0.575 per mile,\5\
each respondent is expected to incur no more than $34.50 in
transportation costs. Therefore, NHTSA estimates that the total costs
to all respondents will be $2,484.00.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ From Internal Revenue Services' 2020 Standard Mileage Rate
for business miles driven. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-20-05.pdf, last accessed March 26, 2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Public Comments Invited: The results of this research will be used
to inform communications for the New Car Assessment Program, also known
as the Government 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Comments are invited
on (1) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy
of the Department's estimate of the burden of the proposed information
collection; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on respondents, including the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology. The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in
the request for OMB's clearance of this information collection.

(Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter
35, as amended; 49 CFR 1.49; and DOT Order 1351.29)

    Issued on: April 22, 2020.
James Kenneth Schulte,
Acting Associate Administrator, Office of Communications and Consumer
Information.
[FR Doc. 2020-08949 Filed 4-27-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-59-P