[NCEH] National Environmental Assessment Reporting System (NEARS)

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
NEARS Manager Interview Form (Retail Food) Form and Instruction	New
NEARS Food Safety Program Registration Form and Instruction	Modified
NEARS Manager Interview Form and Instruction	Modified
NEARS Data Recording and Manager Interview Web Entry Form and Instruction	Modified
NEARS Data Recording Form Form and Instruction	Modified
NEARS e-Learning Form and Instruction	Modified
NEARS Food Safety Program Training (Webinar) Form and Instruction	Modified
Att10A NEARS in DFWED OES System 11-25.pdf Supplementary Document	2026-01-27
Att10 PIA DFWED OES System 11-25.pdf Supplementary Document	2026-01-27
Att9 STARS determination form 11-25.pdf Supplementary Document	2026-01-27
Att2 60-day FRN 11-25.pdf Supplementary Document	2026-01-27
Att1B Authorizing Legislation 21USC2201 11-25.pdf Supplementary Document	2026-01-27
Att1A Authorizing Legislation USC241 11-25.pdf Supplementary Document	2026-01-27
1-NCEH-ATSDR SSB 11-25_final.docx Supporting Statement B	2026-01-27
1-NCEH-ATSDR SSA 11-25 clean_final.docx Supporting Statement A	2026-01-27

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
278879	NEARS Manager Interview Form (Retail Food) Form and Instruction	New
255142	NEARS Food Safety Program Registration Form and Instruction	Modified
221097	NEARS Manager Interview Form and Instruction	Modified
221096	NEARS Data Recording and Manager Interview Web Entry Form and Instruction	Modified
221095	NEARS Data Recording Form Form and Instruction	Modified
221094	NEARS e-Learning Form and Instruction	Modified
221093	NEARS Food Safety Program Training (Webinar) Form and Instruction	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0920-0980	ICR Reference No: 202601-0920-006
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202208-0920-003
Agency/Subagency: HHS/CDC	Agency Tracking No: 0920-0980
Title: [NCEH] National Environmental Assessment Reporting System (NEARS)
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 01/28/2026

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	02/28/2026
Responses	3,611	1,951
Time Burden (Hours)	1,524	1,371
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: Reducing the number of foodborne illness outbreaks requires identification and understanding of the environmental factors that cause these outbreaks. CDC has developed the National Environmental Assessment Reporting System (NEARS) to obtain data from environmental assessments routinely conducted by food safety program officials in response to foodborne illness outbreaks will be reported. The data reported will provide timely information on the causes of outbreaks, including environmental factors associated with outbreaks. This Revision requests minor changes to collection instruments, project supporting documents, and respondent numbers and burden.

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Authorizing Statute(s): EO: EO 13985 Name/Subject of EO: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government
   US Code: 21 USC 2201 Name of Law: Food Safety Modernization Act
   US Code: 42 USC 241 Name of Law: PHSA
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 47762	10/02/2025
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 3504	01/27/2026
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 7

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
NEARS e-Learning	n/a	Environmental Assessment Training
NEARS Data Recording Form	n/a	Data Recording Form
NEARS Data Recording and Manager Interview Web Entry	n/a	Data Reporting Web Screenshots
NEARS Food Safety Program Registration	n/a	Registration Form
NEARS Food Safety Program Training (Webinar)	n/a	Food Safety Training Program
NEARS Manager Interview	n/a	Manager Interview
NEARS Manager Interview Form (Retail Food)	n/a	Manager Interview

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	3,611	1,951	0	1,660	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	1,524	1,371	0	153	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Short Statement: The burden was adjusted due to lower than anticipated new programs and better estimates of burden for certain collections.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $713,567

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 01/28/2026

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