Consumer Product Safety Commission – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Section 14(i)(4)(A)(i) of the Consumer Product Safety Act, 15 U.S.C. 2063(i)(4)(A)(i), provides that the Commission, in implementing third party testing requirements, under certain circumstances, may allow small batch manufacturers to use alternative testing requirements in lieu of testing prescribed in an applicable consumer product safety rule, ban, standard, or regulation. If, however, the Commission determines that no alternative testing requirement is available or economically practicable, it shall exempt eligible small batch manufacturers from third party testing requirements. Through this notice, the Commission is announcing that it will conduct a public hearing to receive views from all interested parties about whether such alternative testing requirements are available or economically practicable or, in the absence of economically practicable alternatives, whether an exemption from third party testing is appropriate.

It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements which it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20(e). Published below is a provisionally-accepted Settlement Agreement with Bad Boy Enterprises, LLC, containing a civil penalty of $715,000.00.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (``Commission'' or ``CPSC'' or ``we'') has received a petition requesting standards restricting cadmium in children's products, especially toy metal jewelry. On September 6, 2011, the Commission granted the petition and directed CPSC staff to begin drafting a proposed rule unless a voluntary standard for cadmium in children's jewelry is published by ASTM International, Inc. (``ASTM'') within three months after September 16, 2011. If a voluntary standard for cadmium in children's jewelry is published by ASTM within this timeframe, then CPSC staff is directed to assess the adequacy of the voluntary standard and whether there is substantial compliance with the voluntary standard and based on these assessments make a recommendation on the disposition of this petition within nine months after September 16, 2011. In addition, the Commission granted the petition and directed CPSC staff to begin drafting a proposed rule unless a voluntary standard for cadmium in children's toy jewelry is published by ASTM within three months after September 16, 2011. If a voluntary standard for cadmium in children's toy jewelry is published by ASTM within this timeframe, then CPSC staff is directed to assess the adequacy of the voluntary standard and whether there is substantial compliance with the voluntary standard and based on these assessments make a recommendation on the disposition of this petition within nine months after September 16, 2011.

It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements which it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20(e). Published below is a provisionally-accepted Settlement Agreement with Sunsations Inc., containing a civil penalty of $60,000.00.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (``CPSC,'' ``Commission,'' or ``we'') is issuing a notice of requirements that provides the criteria and process for Commission acceptance of accreditation of third party conformity assessment bodies for testing, pursuant to ASTM International's (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) (``ASTM'') Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety, F 963-08 (``ASTM F 963-08''), and section 4.27 (toy chests) from ASTM International's F 963-07e1 version of the standard (``ASTM F 963-07e1''), which are the consumer product safety standards for toys, pursuant to section 106 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), Public Law 110-314. The Commission is issuing this notice of requirements pursuant to section 14(a)(3)(B)(vi) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) (15 U.S.C. 2063(a)(3)(B)(vi)).

It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements which it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20(e). Published below is a provisionally-accepted Settlement Agreement with CVS Pharmacy, Inc., containing a civil penalty of $45,000.00.

It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements which it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20(e). Published below is a provisionally accepted Settlement Agreement with Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., containing a civil penalty of $960,000.00.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (``Commission,'' ``CPSC,'' or ``we'') finds the successor drain cover standard, ANSI/ APSP-16 2011, to be in the public interest, and incorporates the standard by reference into its regulations implementing the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (``CPSC,'' ``Commission,'' or ``we'') is issuing a notice of requirements that provides the criteria and process for Commission acceptance of accreditation of third party conformity assessment bodies for testing, pursuant to ASTM International's (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) (``ASTM'') Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety, F 963-08 (``ASTM F 963-08''), and section 4.27 (toy chests) from ASTM International's F 963-07[egr]1 version of the standard (``ASTM F 963-07[egr]1''), which are the consumer product safety standards for toys, pursuant to section 106 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), Public Law 110-314. The Commission is issuing this notice of requirements pursuant to section 14(a)(3)(B)(vi) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA).

Section 101(a) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (``CPSIA'') provides that, as of August 14, 2011, children's products may not contain more than 100 parts per million (``ppm'') of lead unless the Consumer Product Safety Commission (``CPSC,'' ``Commission,'' or ``we'') determines that such a limit is not technologically feasible. The determination can only be made after notice and a hearing and after analyzing the public health protections associated with substantially reducing lead in children's products. On February 16, 2011, we conducted a public hearing to receive views from all interested parties about the technological feasibility of meeting the 100 ppm lead content limit for children's products and associated public health considerations. Through this document, we announce that children's products must meet the statutory 100 ppm lead content limit on August 14, 2011, unless otherwise excluded under CPSC regulations.\1\

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008

It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements which it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20(e). Published below is a provisionally-accepted Settlement Agreement with Macy's, Inc., containing a civil penalty of $750,000.00.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (``Commission'') will conduct a public hearing to receive views from all interested parties about its agenda and priorities for fiscal year 2013, which begins on October 1, 2012. Participation by members of the public is invited. Written comments and oral presentations concerning the Commission's agenda and priorities for fiscal year 2013 will become part of the public record.