Section 1320.9 - Agency certifications for proposed collections of informationAs part of the agency submission to OMB of a proposed collection of information, the agency (through the head of the agency, the Senior Official, or their designee) shall certify (and provide a record supporting such certification) that the proposed collection of information-
(a) Is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including that the information to be collected will have practical utility;(b) Is not unnecessarily duplicative of information otherwise reasonably accessible to the agency;(c) Reduces to the extent practicable and appropriate the burden on persons who shall provide information to or for the agency, including with respect to small entities, as defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601(6) ), the use of such techniques as:(1) Establishing differing compliance or reporting requirements or timetables that take into account the resources available to those who are to respond;(2) The clarification, consolidation, or simplification of compliance and reporting requirements; or(3) An exemption from coverage of the collection of information, or any part thereof;(d) Is written using plain, coherent, and unambiguous terminology and is understandable to those who are to respond;(e) Is to be implemented in ways consistent and compatible, to the maximum extent practicable, with the existing reporting and recordkeeping practices of those who are to respond;(f) Indicates for each recordkeeping requirement the length of time persons are required to maintain the records specified;(g) Informs potential respondents of the information called for under § 1320.8(b)(3) ;(h) Has been developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected, including the processing of the information in a manner which shall enhance, where appropriate, the utility of the information to agencies and the public;(i) Uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology appropriate to the purpose for which the information is to be collected; and(j) To the maximum extent practicable, uses appropriate information technology to reduce burden and improve data quality, agency efficiency and responsiveness to the public.