---
kind: "section"
citation: "44 U.S.C. § 3507"
title: "44"
title_heading: "Public Printing and Documents"
number: "3507"
heading: "Public information collection activities; submission to Director; approval and delegation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/44/3507"
units:
  - "Chapter 35 — Coordination of Federal Information Policy"
  - "Subchapter I — Federal Information Policy"
---

# §3507. Public information collection activities; submission to Director; approval and delegation

- (a) An [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) shall not conduct or sponsor the [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) unless in advance of the adoption or revision of the [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3)—
  - (1) the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) has—
    - (A) conducted the review established under [section 3506(c)(1)](/usc/44/3506.md?p=c-1);
    - (B) evaluated the public comments received under [section 3506(c)(2)](/usc/44/3506.md?p=c-2);
    - (C) submitted to the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) the certification required under [section 3506(c)(3)](/usc/44/3506.md?p=c-3), the proposed [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3), copies of pertinent statutory authority, regulations, and other related materials as the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) may specify; and
    - (D) published a notice in the Federal Register—
      - (i) stating that the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) has made such submission; and
      - (ii) setting forth—
        - (I) a title for the [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3);
        - (II) a summary of the [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3);
        - (III) a brief description of the need for the information and the proposed use of the information;
        - (IV) a description of the likely respondents and proposed frequency of response to the [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3);
        - (V) an estimate of the [burden](/usc/44/3502.md?p=2) that shall result from the [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3); and
        - (VI) notice that comments may be submitted to the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) and [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4);
  - (2) the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) has approved the proposed [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) or approval has been inferred, under the provisions of this section; and
  - (3) the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) has obtained from the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) a control number to be displayed upon the [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3).
- (b) The [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) shall provide at least 30 days for public comment prior to making a decision under subsection [(c)](#c), [(d)](#d), or [(h)](#h), except as provided under [subsection (j)](#j).
- (c)
  - (1) For any proposed [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) not contained in a proposed rule, the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) shall notify the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) involved of the decision to approve or disapprove the proposed [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3).
  - (2) The [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) shall provide the notification under [paragraph (1)](#c-1), within 60 days after receipt or publication of the notice under [subsection (a)(1)(D)](#a-1-D), whichever is later.
  - (3) If the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) does not notify the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) of a denial or approval within the 60-day period described under [paragraph (2)](#c-2)—
    - (A) the approval may be inferred;
    - (B) a control number shall be assigned without further delay; and
    - (C) the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) may collect the information for not more than 1 year.
- (d)
  - (1) For any proposed [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) contained in a proposed rule—
    - (A) as soon as practicable, but no later than the date of publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register, each [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) shall forward to the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) a copy of any proposed rule which contains a [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) and any information requested by the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) necessary to make the determination required under this subsection; and
    - (B) within 60 days after the notice of proposed rulemaking is published in the Federal Register, the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) may file public comments pursuant to the standards set forth in [section 3508](/usc/44/3508.md) on the [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) contained in the proposed rule;
  - (2) When a final rule is published in the Federal Register, the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) shall explain—
    - (A) how any [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) contained in the final rule responds to the comments, if any, filed by the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) or the public; or
    - (B) the reasons such comments were rejected.
  - (3) If the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) has received notice and failed to comment on an [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) rule within 60 days after the notice of proposed rulemaking, the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) may not disapprove any [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) specifically contained in an [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) rule.
  - (4) No provision in this section shall be construed to prevent the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4), in the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4)’s discretion—
    - (A) from disapproving any [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) which was not specifically required by an [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) rule;
    - (B) from disapproving any [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) contained in an [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) rule, if the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) failed to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection;
    - (C) from disapproving any [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) contained in a final [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) rule, if the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) finds within 60 days after the publication of the final rule that the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1)’s response to the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4)’s comments filed under paragraph (2) of this subsection was unreasonable; or
    - (D) from disapproving any [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) contained in a final rule, if—
      - (i) the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) determines that the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) has substantially modified in the final rule the [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) contained in the proposed rule; and
      - (ii) the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) has not given the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) the information required under [paragraph (1)](#d-1) with respect to the modified [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3), at least 60 days before the issuance of the final rule.
  - (5) This subsection shall apply only when an [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) publishes a notice of proposed rulemaking and requests public comments.
  - (6) The decision by the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) to approve or not act upon a [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) contained in an [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) rule shall not be subject to judicial review.
- (e)
  - (1) Any decision by the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) under subsection [(c)](#c), [(d)](#d), [(h)](#h), or [(j)](#j) to disapprove a [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3), or to instruct the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) to make substantive or material change to a [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3), shall be publicly available and include an explanation of the reasons for such decision.
  - (2) Any written communication between the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, or any employee of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, and an [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) or [person](/usc/44/3502.md?p=10) not employed by the Federal Government concerning a proposed [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) shall be made available to the public.
  - (3) This subsection shall not require the disclosure of—
    - (A) any information which is protected at all times by procedures established for information which has been specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order or an Act of Congress to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy; or
    - (B) any communication relating to a [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) which is not approved under this subchapter, the disclosure of which could lead to retaliation or discrimination against the communicator.
- (f)
  - (1) An [independent regulatory agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=5) which is administered by 2 or more members of a commission, board, or similar body, may by majority vote void—
    - (A) any disapproval by the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4), in whole or in part, of a proposed [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) of that [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1); or
    - (B) an exercise of authority under [subsection (d)](#d) of section 3507 concerning that [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1).
  - (2) The [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) shall certify each vote to void such disapproval or exercise to the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4), and explain the reasons for such vote. The [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) shall without further delay assign a control number to such [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3), and such vote to void the disapproval or exercise shall be valid for a period of 3 years.
- (g) The [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) may not approve a [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) for a period in excess of 3 years.
- (h)
  - (1) If an [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) decides to seek extension of the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4)’s approval granted for a currently approved [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3), the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) shall—
    - (A) conduct the review established under [section 3506(c)](/usc/44/3506.md?p=c), including the seeking of comment from the public on the continued need for, and [burden](/usc/44/3502.md?p=2) imposed by the [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3); and
    - (B) after having made a reasonable effort to seek public comment, but no later than 60 days before the expiration date of the control number assigned by the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) for the currently approved [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3), submit the [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) for review and approval under this section, which shall include an explanation of how the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) has used the information that it has collected.
  - (2) If under the provisions of this section, the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) disapproves a [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) contained in an existing rule, or recommends or instructs the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) to make a substantive or material change to a [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) contained in an existing rule, the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) shall—
    - (A) publish an explanation thereof in the Federal Register; and
    - (B) instruct the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) to undertake a rulemaking within a reasonable time limited to consideration of changes to the [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) contained in the rule and thereafter to submit the [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) for approval or disapproval under this subchapter.
  - (3) An [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) may not make a substantive or material modification to a [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) after such collection has been approved by the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4), unless the modification has been submitted to the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) for review and approval under this subchapter.
- (i)
  - (1) If the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) finds that a senior official of an [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) designated under [section 3506(a)](/usc/44/3506.md?p=a) is sufficiently independent of program responsibility to evaluate fairly whether proposed collections of information should be approved and has sufficient resources to carry out this responsibility effectively, the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) may, by rule in accordance with the notice and comment provisions of [chapter 5](/usc/5/chptI/ch5.md) of title 5, United States Code, delegate to such official the authority to approve proposed collections of information in specific program areas, for specific purposes, or for all [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) purposes.
  - (2) A delegation by the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) under this section shall not preclude the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) from reviewing individual collections of information if the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) determines that circumstances warrant such a review. The [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) shall retain authority to revoke such delegations, both in general and with regard to any specific matter. In acting for the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4), any official to whom approval authority has been delegated under this section shall comply fully with the rules and regulations promulgated by the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4).
- (j)
  - (1) The [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) head may request the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) to authorize a [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3), if an [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) head determines that—
    - (A) a [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3)—
      - (i) is needed prior to the expiration of time periods established under this subchapter; and
      - (ii) is essential to the mission of the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1); and
    - (B) the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) cannot reasonably comply with the provisions of this subchapter because—
      - (i) public harm is reasonably likely to result if normal clearance procedures are followed;
      - (ii) an unanticipated event has occurred; or
      - (iii) the use of normal clearance procedures is reasonably likely to prevent or disrupt the [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) or is reasonably likely to cause a statutory or court ordered deadline to be missed.
  - (2) The [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) shall approve or disapprove any such authorization request within the time requested by the [agency](/usc/44/3502.md?p=1) head and, if approved, shall assign the [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) a control number. Any [collection of information](/usc/44/3502.md?p=3) conducted under this subsection may be conducted without compliance with the provisions of this subchapter for a maximum of 180 days after the date on which the [Director](/usc/44/3502.md?p=4) received the request to authorize such collection.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 104–13, § 2, May 22, 1995, 109 Stat. 176; amended Pub. L. 104–106, div. E, title LVI, § 5605(d), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 700; Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title X, § 1064(b)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–275.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 3507, added Pub. L. 96–511, § 2(a), Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2819; amended Pub. L. 99–500, § 101(m) [title VIII, § 817], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–308, 1783–338, and Pub. L. 99–591, § 101(m) [title VIII, § 817], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–308, 3341–338, related to submission to Director of public information collection request for an approval or delegation to a senior official of an agency prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 104–13.

Another prior section 3507, Pub. L. 90–620, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1304, provided for cooperation of agencies in making information available, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 96–511. See section 3510(a) of this title.

### Amendments

2000—Subsecs. (e)(3)(B), (h), (j). Pub. L. 106–398 substituted “subchapter” for “chapter” wherever appearing.

1996—Subsec. (j)(2). Pub. L. 104–106 substituted “180 days” for “90 days”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2000 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 106–398 effective 30 days after Oct. 30, 2000, see section 1 [[div. A], title X, § 1065] of Pub. L. 106–398, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, formerly set out as an Effective Date note under former section 3531 of this title.

### Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–106 effective 180 days after Feb. 10, 1996, see section 5701 of Pub. L. 104–106, Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 702.

### Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 1995, except as otherwise provided, see section 4(a) of Pub. L. 104–13, set out as a note under section 3501 of this title.