Statement of Organization and Functions, 5165-5170 [06-902]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 21 / Wednesday, February 1, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on
January 24, 2006.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 06–826 Filed 1–31–06; 8:45 am]
Since this rule relates solely to
internal agency management, pursuant
to 5 U.S.C. 553(b), notice and other
public procedures are not required and
it is effective immediately upon
publication in the Federal Register.
Further this action is not a rule as
defined in the Regulatory Flexibility
Act, 5 U.S.C. 601–612, and thus, is
exempt from the provisions of the Act.
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
COMMISSION
List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 1000
Organization and Functions
(Government Agencies).
I Therefore, for the reasons set forth in
the preamble, revise 16 CFR part 1000
to read as follows:
16 CFR Part 1000
Statement of Organization and
Functions
Consumer Product Safety
Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
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AGENCY:
PART 1000—COMMISSION
ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS
SUMMARY: The Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC or Commission) is
amending its statement of organization
and functions to reflect changes in the
Commission’s organization as well as
editorial and address changes.
DATES: Effective Date: February 1, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Office of the Secretary,
Consumer Product Safety Commission,
4330 East West Highway, Bethesda,
Maryland 20814.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Hyun Sun Kim, Office of the General
Counsel, Consumer Product Safety
Commission, 4330 East West Highway,
Bethesda, Maryland 20814; telephone
(301) 504–7632.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
1000.19 describes the new Office of
Financial Management, Planning and
Evaluation. Section 1000.21 describes
the new Office of Compliance and Field
Operations. Section 1000.23 describes
the new Office of Information and
Technology Services. Section 1000.24
describes the new Office of International
Programs and Intergovernmental Affairs.
The following offices and directorates
have been incorporated into the new
offices referenced above: the Office of
the Secretary, the Office of the Budget,
the Office of Planning and Evaluation,
the Office of Compliance, the Office of
Information Services, the Directorate for
Administration and the Directorate for
Field Operations.
Section 1000.10 provides that the
Commission will annually elect a vice
chairman for a term beginning on June
1 and running until such time as
another vice chairman is elected.
Editorial changes have also been made
in various sections and the address of
the Commission has been changed from
‘‘Washington, DC 20207’’ to ‘‘4330 East
West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland
20814’’ to reflect the current address.
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Sec.
1000.1 The Commission.
1000.2 Laws administered.
1000.3 Hotline.
1000.4 Commission address.
1000.5 Petitions.
1000.6 Commission decisions and records.
1000.7 Advisory opinions and
interpretations of regulations.
1000.8 Meetings and hearings; public
notice.
1000.9 Quorum.
1000.10 The Chairman and Vice Chairman.
1000.11 Delegation of functions.
1000.12 Organizational structure.
1000.13 Directives system.
1000.14 Office of the General Counsel.
1000.15 Office of Congressional Relations.
1000.16 Office of the Inspector General.
1000.17 Office of Equal Employment
Opportunity and Minority Enterprise.
1000.18 Office of Executive Director.
1000.19 Office of Financial Management,
Planning and Evaluation.
1000.20 Office of Information and Public
Affairs.
1000.21 Office of Compliance and Field
Operations.
1000.22 Office of Human Resources
Management.
1000.23 Office of Information and
Technology Services.
1000.24 Office of International Programs
and Intergovernmental Affairs.
1000.25 Office of Hazard Identification and
Reduction.
1000.26 Directorate for Epidemiology.
1000.27 Directorate for Health Sciences.
1000.28 Directorate for Economic Analysis.
1000.29 Directorate for Engineering
Sciences.
1000.30 Directorate for Laboratory Sciences.
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a).
§ 1000.1
The Commission.
(a) The Consumer Product Safety
Commission is an independent
regulatory agency formed on May 14,
1973, under the provisions of the
Consumer Product Safety Act (Pub. L.
92–573, 86 Stat. 1207, as amended (15
U.S.C. 2051, et seq.)). The purposes of
the Commission under the CPSA are:
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(1) To protect the public against
unreasonable risks of injury associated
with consumer products;
(2) To assist consumers in evaluating
the comparative safety of consumer
products;
(3) To develop uniform safety
standards for consumer products and to
minimize conflicting State and local
regulations; and
(4) To promote research and
investigation into the causes and
prevention of product-related deaths,
illnesses, and injuries.
(b) The Commission is authorized to
consist of five members appointed by
the President, by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, for terms of
seven years. However, the Departments
of Veterans Affairs and Housing and
Urban Development, and Independent
Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993,
Public Law 102–389, limited funding to
that for three Commissioners for fiscal
year 1993 and thereafter.
§ 1000.2
Laws administered.
The Commission administers five
acts:
(a) The Consumer Product Safety Act
(Pub. L. 92–573, 86 Stat. 1207, as
amended (15 U.S.C. 2051, et seq.)).
(b) The Flammable Fabrics Act (Pub.
L. 90–189, 67 Stat. 111, as amended (15
U.S.C. 1191, et seq.)).
(c) The Federal Hazardous Substances
Act (Pub. L. 86–613, 74 Stat. 380, as
amended (15 U.S.C. 1261, et seq.)).
(d) The Poison Prevention Packaging
Act of 1970 (Pub. L. 91–601, 84 Stat.
1670, as amended (15 U.S.C. 1471, et
seq.)).
(e) The Refrigerator Safety Act of 1956
(Pub. L. 84–930, 70 Stat. 953, (15 U.S.C.
1211, et seq.)).
§ 1000.3
Hotline.
(a) The Commission operates a tollfree telephone Hotline by which the
public can communicate with the
Commission. The number for use in all
50 states is 1–800–638–CPSC (1–800–
638–2772).
(b) The Commission also operates a
toll-free Hotline by which hearing or
speech-impaired persons can
communicate with the Commission by
teletypewriter. The teletypewriter
number for use in all states is 1–800–
638–8270.
(c) The Commission also makes
available to the public product recall
information, its public calendar, and
other information through its worldwide
Web site at https://www.cpsc.gov. The
public may also report product hazards
or other information to the Commission
at its e-mail address: info@cpsc.gov.
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§ 1000.4
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 21 / Wednesday, February 1, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
Commission address.
The principal Offices of the
Commission are at 4330 East West
Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
All written communications with the
Commission, including those sent by
U.S. Postal Service, private express and
messenger should be addressed to the
Consumer Product Safety Commission
at that address, unless otherwise
specifically directed.
§ 1000.5
Petitions.
Any interested person may petition
the Commission to issue, amend, or
revoke a rule or regulation by
submitting a written request to the
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety
Commission, 4330 East West Highway,
Bethesda, Maryland 20814. Petitions
must comply with the Commission’s
procedure for petitioning for rulemaking
at 16 CFR part 1051.
§ 1000.6 Commission decisions and
records.
(a) Each decision of the Commission,
acting in an official capacity as a
collegial body, is recorded in Minutes of
Commission meetings or as a separate
Record of Commission Action. Copies of
Minutes or of a Record of Commission
Action may be obtained by e-mail (cpscos@cpsc.gov) or written request to the
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety
Commission, 4330 East West Highway,
Bethesda, Maryland 20814, or may be
examined at Commission headquarters.
Requests should identify the subject
matter of the Commission action and the
approximate date of the Commission
action, if known.
(b) Other records in the custody of the
Commission may be requested by e-mail
(cpsc-os@cpsc.gov) or in writing from
the Office of the Secretary pursuant to
the Commission’s Procedures for
Disclosure or Production of Information
under the Freedom of Information Act
(16 CFR part 1015).
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§ 1000.7 Advisory opinions and
interpretations of regulations.
(a) Advisory opinions. Upon written
request, the General Counsel provides
written advisory opinions interpreting
the acts and administrative regulations
(e.g., Freedom of Information Act
regulations) the Commission
administers, provided the request
contains sufficient specific factual
information upon which to base an
opinion. Advisory opinions represent
the legal opinions of the General
Counsel and may be changed or
superseded by the Commission.
Requests for advisory opinions should
be sent to the General Counsel,
Consumer Product Safety Commission,
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4330 East West Highway, Bethesda,
Maryland 20814. Previously issued
advisory opinions are available on the
CPSC Web site at https://www.cpsc.gov/
library/foia/advisory/advisory.html. A
copy of a particular previously issued
advisory opinion or a copy of an index
of such opinions may also be obtained
by written request to the Office of the
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety
Commission, 4330 East West Highway,
Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
(b) Interpretations of regulations.
Upon written request, the Assistant
Executive Director for Compliance will
issue written interpretations of
Commission regulations pertaining to
the safety standards and the
enforcement of those standards,
provided the request contains sufficient
specific factual information upon which
to base an interpretation. Interpretations
of regulations represent the
interpretations of the staff and may be
changed or superseded by the
Commission. Requests for such
interpretations should be sent to the
Assistant Executive Director for
Compliance, Consumer Product Safety
Commission, 4330 East West Highway,
Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
§ 1000.8
notice.
Meetings and hearings; public
(a) The Commission may meet and
exercise all its powers in any place.
(b) Meetings of the Commission are
held as ordered by the Commission and,
unless otherwise ordered, are held at the
principal office of the Commission at
4330 East West Highway, Bethesda,
Maryland. Meetings of the Commission
for the purpose of jointly conducting the
formal business of the agency, including
the rendering of official decisions, are
generally announced in advance and
open to the public, as provided by the
Government in the Sunshine Act (5
U.S.C. 552b) and the Commission’s
Meetings Policy (16 CFR part 1012).
(c) The Commission may conduct any
hearing or other inquiry necessary or
appropriate to its functions anywhere in
the United States. It will publish a
notice of any proposed hearing in the
Federal Register and will afford a
reasonable opportunity for interested
persons to present relevant testimony
and data.
(d) Notices of Commission meetings,
Commission hearings, and other
Commission activities are published in
a Public Calendar, as provided in the
Commission’s Meetings Policy (16 CFR
part 1012). The Public Calendar is
available on the Commission Web site at
https://www.cpsc.gov.
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§ 1000.9
Quorum.
Three members of the Commission
constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business. If there are only three
members serving on the Commission,
two members constitute a quorum. If
there are only two members serving on
the Commission because of vacancies,
two members constitute a quorum, but
only for six months from the time the
number of members was reduced to two.
[Note: the Departments of Veterans
Affairs and Housing and Urban
Development, and Independent
Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993,
Pub. L. 102–389, limited funding to that
for three Commissioners for fiscal year
1993 and thereafter.]
§ 1000.10 The Chairman and Vice
Chairman.
(a) The Chairman is the principal
executive officer of the Commission
and, subject to the general policies of
the Commission and to such regulatory
decisions, findings, and determinations
as the Commission is by law authorized
to make, he or she exercises all of the
executive and administrative functions
of the Commission.
(b) The Commission shall annually
elect a Vice Chairman for a term
beginning on June 1. The Vice Chairman
shall serve until the election of his or
her successor. The Vice Chairman acts
in the absence or disability of the
Chairman or in case of a vacancy in the
Office of the Chairman.
§ 1000.11
Delegation of functions.
Section 27(b)(9) of the Consumer
Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C.
2076(b)(9)) authorizes the Commission
to delegate any of its functions and
powers, other than the power to issue
subpoenas, to any officer or employee of
the Commission. Delegations are
documented in the Commission’s
Directives System.
§ 1000.12
Organizational structure.
The Consumer Product Safety
Commission is composed of the
principal units listed in this section.
(a) The following units report directly
to the Chairman of the Commission:
(1) Office of the General Counsel;
(2) Office of Congressional Relations;
(3) Office of the Inspector General;
(4) Office of Equal Employment
Opportunity and Minority Enterprise;
(5) Office of the Executive Director.
(b) The following units report directly
to the Executive Director of the
Commission:
(1) Office of Financial Management,
Planning and Evaluation;
(2) Office of Hazard Identification and
Reduction;
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(3) Office of Information and Public
Affairs;
(4) Office of Compliance and Field
Operations;
(5) Office of Human Resources
Management;
(6) Office of Information and
Technology Services;
(7) Office of International Programs
and Intergovernmental Affairs.
(c) The following units report directly
to the Assistant Executive Director for
Hazard Identification and Reduction:
(1) Directorate for Economic Analysis;
(2) Directorate for Epidemiology;
(3) Directorate for Health Sciences;
(4) Directorate for Engineering
Sciences;
(5) Directorate for Laboratory
Sciences.
§ 1000.13
Directives System.
The Commission maintains a
Directives System which contains
delegations of authority and
descriptions of Commission programs,
policies, and procedures. A complete set
of directives is available for inspection
in the public reading room at
Commission headquarters.
§ 1000.14
Office of the General Counsel.
The Office of the General Counsel
provides advice and counsel to the
Commissioners and organizational
components of the Commission on
matters of law arising from operations of
the Commission. It prepares the legal
analysis of Commission legislative
proposals and comments on relevant
legislative proposals originating
elsewhere. The Office, in conjunction
with the Department of Justice, is
responsible for the conduct of all
Federal court litigation to which the
Commission is a party. The Office also
advises the Commission on
administrative litigation matters. The
Office provides final legal review of and
makes recommendations to the
Commission on proposed product safety
standards, rules, regulations, petition
actions, and substantial hazard actions.
It also provides legal review of certain
procurement, personnel, and
administrative actions and drafts
documents for publication in the
Federal Register.
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§ 1000.15 Office of Congressional
Relations.
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§ 1000.16
Office of the Inspector General.
The Office of the Inspector General is
an independent office established under
the provisions of the Inspector General
Act of 1978, 5 U.S.C. Appendix, as
amended. This Office independently
initiates, conducts, supervises, and
coordinates audits, operations reviews,
and investigations of Commission
programs, activities, and operations.
The Office also makes recommendations
to promote economy, efficiency, and
effectiveness within the Commission’s
programs and operations. The Office
receives and investigates complaints or
information concerning possible
violations of law, rules, or regulations,
mismanagement, abuse of authority, and
waste of funds. It reviews existing and
proposed legislation concerning the
economy, efficiency, and effectiveness
of such legislation on Commission
operations.
§ 1000.17 Office of Equal Employment
Opportunity and Minority Enterprise.
The Office of Equal Employment
Opportunity and Minority Enterprise is
responsible for assuring compliance
with all laws and regulations relating to
equal employment opportunity. The
Office provides advice and assistance to
the Chairman and Commission staff on
all EEO related issues including the
agency Small and Disadvantaged
Business Utilization Program. The
Office develops agency EEO program
policies. The Office manages the
discrimination complaint process,
including the adjudication of
discrimination complaints, and
facilitates Affirmative Employment
Program (AEP) planning for women,
minorities, individuals with disabilities
and disabled veterans. The Office plans
and executes special emphasis programs
and special programs with minority
colleges, and EEO, diversity, prevention
of sexual harassment and related
training. The Office identifies trends,
personnel policies and practices that
have an impact on EEO and makes
recommendations to the Chairman on
the effectiveness and efficiency of EEO
programs and methods to enhance equal
opportunity.
§ 1000.18
The Office of Congressional Relations
is the principal contact with the
committees and members of Congress
and state legislative bodies. It performs
liaison duties for the Commission,
provides information and assistance to
Congress on matters of Commission
policy, and coordinates testimony and
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appearances by Commissioners and
agency personnel before Congress.
Office of Executive Director.
The Executive Director with the
assistance of the Deputy Executive
Director, under the broad direction of
the Chairman and in accordance with
Commission policy, acts as the chief
operating manager of the agency,
supporting the development of the
agency’s budget and operating plan
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before and after Commission approval,
and managing the execution of those
plans. The Executive Director has direct
line authority over the following
directorates and offices: the Office of
Financial Management, Planning and
Evaluation, the Office of Hazard
Identification and Reduction, the Office
of Information and Public Affairs, the
Office of Compliance and Field
Operations, the Office of Human
Resources Management, the Office of
Information and Technology Services,
and the Office of International Programs
and Intergovernmental Affairs.
§ 1000.19 Office of Financial Management,
Planning and Evaluation.
The Office of Financial Management,
Planning and Evaluation is responsible
for developing the Commission’s funds
control system, long-range strategic
plans, annual performance budgets and
operating plans; analysis of major policy
and operational issues; performing
evaluations and management studies of
Commission programs and activities;
ensuring that Commission resources are
procured and expended as planned and
according to purchasing regulations; the
review, control, and payment of
Commission financial obligations; and,
reporting on the use and performance of
Commission resources. The Office
recommends actions to the Executive
Director to enhance the effectiveness of
Commission programs and the
management of budget, planning and
evaluation, financial, and procurement
activities. The Office serves as the staff
support to the Commission Chief
Financial Officer.
§ 1000.20
Affairs.
Office of Information and Public
The Office of Information and Public
Affairs, which is managed by the
Director of the Office, is responsible for
the development, implementation, and
evaluation of a comprehensive national
information and public affairs program
designed to promote product safety.
This includes responsibility for
developing and maintaining relations
with a wide range of national groups
such as consumer organizations;
business groups; trade associations;
state and local government entities;
labor organizations; medical, legal,
scientific and other professional
associations; and other Federal health,
safety and consumer agencies. The
Office also is responsible for
implementing the Commission’s media
relations program nationwide. The
Office serves as the Commission’s
spokesperson to the national print and
broadcast media, develops and
disseminates the Commission’s news
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§ 1000.24 Office of International Programs
and Intergovernmental Affairs.
releases, and organizes Commission
news conferences.
grievances and appeals, and
performance management.
§ 1000.21 Office of Compliance and Field
Operations.
§ 1000.23 Office of Information and
Technology Services.
The Office of Compliance and Field
Operations conducts compliance and
administrative enforcement activities
under all administered acts, provides
advice and guidance on complying with
all administered acts and reviews
proposed standards and rules with
respect to their enforceability. The
Office’s responsibilities also include
identifying and addressing safety
hazards in consumer products already
in distribution, promoting industry
compliance with existing safety rules,
and conducting administrative
litigation. It conducts field enforcement
efforts, including providing program
guidance, advice, and case guidance to
field staff. It enforces the Consumer
Product Safety Act reporting
requirements. It reviews consumer
complaints, conducts inspections and
in-depth investigations, and analyzes
available data to identify those
consumer products containing defects
posing a substantial risk of injury or
which do not comply with existing
safety requirements. The Office
negotiates and monitors corrective
action plans for products that are
defective or fail to comply with specific
regulations. It gathers information on
product hazards that may be addressed
through rulemaking or voluntary
standards. The Office develops
surveillance strategies and programs
designed to assure compliance with
Commission standards and regulations.
The Office of Compliance and Field
Operations also assists the Office of
Information and Public Affairs in
implementing consumer information
activities nationwide, including wideranging public information and
education programs designed to reduce
consumer product injuries and deaths,
and maintaining liaison with, and
providing support to, other components
of the Commission and appropriate
State and local government offices.
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§ 1000.22 Office of Human Resources
Management.
The Office of Human Resources
Management, which is managed by the
Director of the Office, provides human
resources management support to the
Commission in the areas of recruitment
and placement, position classification,
training and executive development,
employee and labor relations, employee
benefits and retirement assistance,
employee assistance programs, drug
testing, leave administration,
disciplinary and adverse actions,
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The Office of Information and
Technology Services houses the
Commission’s Secretariat, which
facilitates the preparation of the
Commission’s agenda; coordinates
Commission business at official
meetings; maintains the dockets and
other materials for the Commission’s
public and non-public administrative
and adjudicative meetings and hearings;
prepares and publishes the Public
Calendar; maintains the Commission’s
Injury Information Clearinghouse; issues
Commission Orders; provides legal
notice of Commission decisions through
publication in the Federal Register;
processes all filings that the
Commission receives in paper,
electronic and alternative media
formats; exercises joint responsibility
with the Office of the General Counsel
for interpretation and application of the
Privacy Act, Freedom of Information
Act, and the Government in the
Sunshine Act; prepares reports required
by these acts; and maintains and
manages all official Commission records
including those pertaining to continuing
guarantees of compliance with
applicable standards of flammability
under the Flammable Fabrics Act filed
with the Commission. The Secretary is
the agency’s Chief Freedom of
Information Act Officer. The Office of
Information and Technology Services is
also responsible for the general policy
and planning issues related to the
dissemination of information by the
Commission including, but not limited
to, OMB Circular A–130, the Federal
Information Security Management Act,
the Government Paperwork Elimination
Act, Section 508 of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, and the E-Government
Act under the President’s Management
Agenda; the design, implementation and
support of the Commission’s
information technology system needs;
maintaining and/or providing access to
administrative applications for the
Commission’s business processes such
as payroll, accounting, personnel,
budget, information management and
work tracking; administration of the
network, telephone systems, and Help
Desk. The Office of Information and
Technology Services also is responsible
for providing the Commission with
printing, mail, and copy services, library
services, logistical, real and personal
property management services; and
addressing safety and ergonomic issues
in the work place.
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The Office of International Programs
and Intergovernmental Affairs provides
a comprehensive and coordinated effort
in consumer product safety standards
development and implementation at the
international, Federal, State and local
level. The office conducts activities and
creates strategies aimed at ensuring
greater import compliance with
recognized American safety standards
and exportation of CPSC regulatory
policies, technologies and
methodologies into other jurisdictions.
The office also works to harmonize the
use of standards worldwide.
§ 1000.25 Office of Hazard Identification
and Reduction.
The Office of Hazard Identification
and Reduction, under the direction of
the Assistant Executive Director for
Hazard Identification and Reduction, is
responsible for managing the
Commission’s Hazard Identification and
Analysis Program and its Hazard
Assessment and Reduction Program.
The Office reports to the Executive
Director, and has line authority over the
Directorates for Epidemiology and
Health Sciences, Economic Analysis,
Engineering Sciences, and Laboratory
Sciences. The Office develops strategies
for and implements the agency’s
operating plans for these two hazard
programs. This includes the collection
and analysis of data to identify hazards
and hazard patterns, the
implementation of the Commission’s
safety standards development projects,
the coordination of voluntary standards
activities, and providing overall
direction and evaluation of projects
involving hazard analysis, data
collection, emerging hazards, mandatory
and voluntary standards, petitions, and
labeling rules. The Office assures that
relevant technical, environmental,
economic, and social impacts of projects
are comprehensively and objectively
presented to the Commission for
decision.
§ 1000.26
Directorate for Epidemiology.
The Directorate for Epidemiology,
managed by the Associate Executive
Director for Epidemiology, is
responsible for the collection and
analysis of data on injuries and deaths
associated with consumer products. The
Directorate has two divisions: the Data
Systems Division and the Hazard
Analysis Division. The Data Systems
Division operates the national data
collection systems which provide the
data that serve as the basis for the
Commission’s estimates of the numbers
of deaths and injuries associated with
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consumer products. These data systems
include the National Electronic Injury
Surveillance System, a nationally
representative sample of hospital
emergency departments; a death
certificate file, which contains data
obtained from death certificates on
deaths associated with consumer
products; and the Injury and Potential
Injury Incident file, which contains
information on, among other things,
incidents associated with consumer
products, based on news clips, medical
examiner reports, hotline reports,
Internet complaints, and referrals. The
Hazard Analysis Division conducts
statistical analysis of these data and
conducts epidemiologic studies to
estimate the numbers of injuries and
deaths associated with various
consumer products and to examine
factors associated with these injuries
and deaths. In addition, staff in the
Hazard Analysis Division design special
studies, design and analyze data from
experiments for testing of consumer
products, and provide statistical
expertise and advice to Commission
staff in support of regulation
development.
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§ 1000.27
Directorate for Health Sciences.
The Directorate for Health Sciences is
managed by the Associate Executive
Director for Health Sciences and is
responsible for reviewing and
evaluating the human health effects and
hazards related to consumer products
and assessing exposure, uptake and
metabolism, including information on
population segments at risk. Directorate
staff conducts health studies and
research in the field of consumer
product-related injuries. The Directorate
performs risk assessments for chemical,
physiological and physical hazards
based on methods such as medical
injury modeling, and on injury and
incident data for mechanical, thermal,
chemical and electrical hazards in
consumer products. It provides the
Commission’s primary source of
scientific expertise for implementation
of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act
and the Federal Hazardous Substances
Act. The Directorate assists in the
development and evaluation of product
safety standards and test methods based
on scientific and public health
principles. It provides support to the
Commission’s regulatory development
and enforcement activities. It manages
hazard identification and analysis, and
hazard assessment and reduction
projects as assigned. The Directorate
provides liaison with the National
Toxicology Program, the Department of
Health and Human Services (including
the Food and Drug Administration, the
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Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, the National Institutes of
Health), the Occupational Health and
Safety Administration, the
Environmental Protection Agency, other
Federal agencies and programs, and
other organizations concerned with
reducing the risk to consumers from
exposure to consumer product hazards.
§ 1000.28 Directorate for Economic
Analysis.
The Directorate for Economic
Analysis, which is managed by the
Associate Executive Director for
Economic Analysis, is responsible for
providing the Commission with advice
and information on economic and
environmental matters and on the
economic, social and environmental
effects of Commission actions. It
analyzes the potential effects of CPSC
actions on consumers and on industries,
including effects on competitive
structure and commercial practices. The
Directorate acquires, compiles, and
maintains economic data on movements
and trends in the general economy and
on the production, distribution, and
sales of consumer products and their
components to assist in the analysis of
CPSC priorities, policies, actions, and
rules. It plans and carries out economic
surveys of consumers and industries. It
studies the costs of accidents and
injuries. It evaluates the economic,
societal, and environmental impact of
product safety rules and standards. It
performs regulatory analyses and
studies of costs and benefits of CPSC
actions as required by the Consumer
Product Safety Act, The National
Environmental Policy Act, the
Regulatory Flexibility Act and other
Acts, and by policies established by the
Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The Directorate manages hazard
assessment and reduction projects as
assigned.
§ 1000.29 Directorate for Engineering
Sciences.
The Directorate for Engineering
Sciences, which is managed by the
Associate Executive Director for
Engineering Sciences, is responsible for
developing technical policy for and
implementing the Commission’s
engineering programs. The Directorate
manages hazard assessment and
reduction projects as assigned by the
Office of Hazard Identification and
Reduction; provides engineering
technical support and product safety
assessments for the Office of
Compliance and Field Operations;
provides engineering, scientific, and
technical expertise to the Commission
and Commission staff as requested; and
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Fmt 4700
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5169
provides engineering technical support
to other Commission organizations,
activities, and programs as needed. The
Directorate develops and evaluates
product safety standards, product safety
tests and test methods, performance
criteria, design specifications, and
quality control standards for consumer
products, based on engineering and
scientific methods. It conducts
engineering analysis and testing of the
safety of consumer products, and
evaluates and participates in the
development of mandatory and
voluntary standards for consumer
products including engineering and
human factors analyses in support of
standards development and product
compliance testing. The Directorate
performs or monitors research for
consumer products in a broad array of
engineering disciplines including
chemical, electrical, fire protection,
human factors, and mechanical
engineering. It conducts and coordinates
engineering research, testing, and
evaluation activities with other Federal
agencies, private industry, and
consumer interest groups. The
Directorate conducts human factors
studies and research of consumer
product related injuries, including
evaluations of labels, signs and symbols,
instructions, and other measures
intended to address the human
component of injury prevention. The
Directorate provides technical
supervision and direction of engineering
activities including tests and analyses
conducted in the field.
§ 1000.30 Directorate for Laboratory
Sciences.
The Directorate for Laboratory
Sciences, which is managed by the
Associate Executive Director for
Laboratory Sciences, is responsible for
conducting engineering analyses and
testing of consumer products,
supporting the development of
voluntary and mandatory standards, and
supporting the Agency’s compliance
activities through product safety
assessments. A wide variety of products
are tested and evaluated to determine
the causes of failure and the hazards
presented. Product safety tests involve
mechanical, electrical, and combustion
engineering, as well as thermal and
chemical analyses. Test protocols are
developed, test fixtures and setups are
designed and fabricated, and tests are
conducted following the requirements
and guidance of voluntary and
mandatory standards and/or using
sound engineering and scientific
judgment. The Laboratory participates
with and supports other agency
directorates on multi-disciplinary teams
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 21 / Wednesday, February 1, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
in the development of voluntary and
mandatory standards. The Laboratory
coordinates and cooperates with other
Federal agencies, private industry, and
consumer interest groups by sharing
engineering and scientific research, test,
and evaluation expertise. Additionally,
Corrective Action Plans, proposed by
manufacturers to correct a product
defect, are tested and evaluated to
assure that the proposed changes
adequately resolve the problem.
Regulated products, such as children’s
products, sleepwear, and bicycle
helmets, are routinely tested and
evaluated for compliance with the
Consumer Product Safety Act, the
Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the
Flammable Fabrics Act, and the Poison
Prevention Packaging Act. The
Directorate is composed of the
Mechanical Engineering Division, the
Electrical Engineering Division (which
includes flammable fabrics), and the
Chemical Division. Overall, the
directorate provides engineering,
scientific, and other technical expertise
to all entities within the Consumer
Product Safety Commission.
Dated: January 25, 2006.
Todd A. Stevenson,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety
Commission.
[FR Doc. 06–902 Filed 1–31–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355–01–P
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[CGD08–06–001]
RIN 1625–AA09
Drawbridge Operation Regulation;
Mississippi River, Iowa and Illinois
Coast Guard, DHS.
Temporary final rule.
AGENCY:
erjones on PROD1PC61 with RULES
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is changing
the regulation governing the Clinton
Railroad Drawbridge, Mile 518.0, Upper
Mississippi River at Clinton, Iowa.
Under the rule, the drawbridge shall
open on signal if at least 24 hours
advance notice is given from 12:01 a.m.,
on January 20, 2006 until 9 a.m., on
March 1, 2006. This rule allows time for
making upgrades to critical mechanical
components and to perform scheduled
annual maintenance/repairs to the
bridge.
DATES: This rule is effective from 12:01
a.m., January 20, 2006, until 9 a.m.,
March 1, 2006.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
14:29 Jan 31, 2006
Jkt 205001
Regulatory History
We did not publish a notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this
regulation or give 30 days notice. Under
5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3)
the Coast Guard finds that good cause
exists for not publishing an NPRM and
for making this rule effective in less
than 30 days after publication in the
Federal Register. Due to Hurricane
Katrina and Hurricane Rita
communications and documents were
lost causing the inability to publish a
NPRM and give 30 days notice because
the maintenance has to begin during the
winter months while river traffic is very
minimal.
Background and Purpose
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
ACTION:
Comments and material
received from the public, as well as
documents indicated in this preamble as
being available in the docket, are part of
the docket [CGD08–06–001] and are
available for inspection or copying at
room 2.107f in the Robert A. Young
Federal Building at Eighth Coast Guard
District, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. Commander (obr), Eighth
Coast Guard District, maintains the
public docket for this rulemaking.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Roger K. Wiebusch, Bridge
Administrator, (314) 539–3900,
extension 2378.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
ADDRESSES:
On June 10, 2005, the Union Pacific
Railroad Company requested a
temporary change to the operation of the
Clinton Railroad Drawbridge, across the
Upper Mississippi River, Mile 518.0, at
Clinton, Iowa to open on signal if at
least 24 hours advance notice is given
to facilitate critical bridge repair and
annual maintenance. Advance notice
may be given by calling the Clinton
Yardmaster’s office at (319) 244–3204 at
any time; or (319) 244–3269 weekdays
between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; or Mr.
Tomaz Gawronski, office (515) 263–
4536 or cell phone (515) 710–6829.
The Clinton Railroad Drawbridge
navigation span has a vertical clearance
of 18.7 feet above normal pool in the
closed to navigation position.
Navigation on the waterway consists
primarily of commercial tows and
recreational watercraft and will not be
significantly impacted due to the
reduced navigation in winter months.
Presently, the draw opens on signal for
passage of river traffic. The Union
Pacific Railroad Company requested the
drawbridge be permitted to remain
closed-to-navigation from 12:01 a.m.,
January 20, 2005 until 9 a.m., March 1,
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Frm 00014
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
2006 unless 24 hours advance notice is
given of the need to open. Winter
conditions on the Upper Mississippi
River coupled with the closure of Lock
and Dam 19, Mile 364.3, Upper
Mississippi River, at Keokuk, Iowa will
preclude any significant navigation
demands for the drawspan opening. The
Clinton Railroad Drawbridge, Mile
518.0, Upper Mississippi River, is
located upstream from Lock and Dam
19. Performing maintenance on the
bridge during the winter, when the
number of vessels likely to be impacted
is minimal, is preferred to the bridge
closure or advance notification
requirements during the navigation
season. This temporary change to the
drawbridge’s operation has been
coordinated with the commercial
waterway operators.
Discussion of Changes
This rule temporarily amends 33 CFR
part 117, allowing the Clinton Railroad
Drawbridge, mile 518.0, to change from
an open on demand schedule to one
requiring at least 24 hours advance
notice.
Regulatory Evaluation
This rule is not a ‘‘significant
regulatory action’’ under section 3(f) of
Executive Order 12866, Regulatory
Planning and Review, and does not
require an assessment of potential costs
and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that
Order. The Office of Management and
Budget has not reviewed it under that
Order. It is not ‘‘significant’’ under the
regulatory policies and procedures of
the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS).
The Coast Guard expects that this
temporary change to operation of the
Clinton Railroad Drawbridge will have
minimal economic impact on
commercial traffic operating on the
Upper Mississippi River. This
temporary change has been written in
such a manner as to allow for minimal
interruption of the drawbridge’s regular
operation.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
(5 U.S.C. 601–612), we have considered
whether this rule would have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
The term ‘‘small entities’’ comprises
small businesses, not-for-profit
organizations that are independently
owned and operated and are not
dominant in their fields, and
governmental jurisdictions with
populations of less than 50,000.
The Coast Guard certifies under 5
U.S.C. 605(b) that this rule would not
E:\FR\FM\01FER1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5165-5170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-902]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
16 CFR Part 1000
Statement of Organization and Functions
AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) is
amending its statement of organization and functions to reflect changes
in the Commission's organization as well as editorial and address
changes.
DATES: Effective Date: February 1, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission,
4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hyun Sun Kim, Office of the General
Counsel, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway,
Bethesda, Maryland 20814; telephone (301) 504-7632.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 1000.19 describes the new Office of
Financial Management, Planning and Evaluation. Section 1000.21
describes the new Office of Compliance and Field Operations. Section
1000.23 describes the new Office of Information and Technology
Services. Section 1000.24 describes the new Office of International
Programs and Intergovernmental Affairs. The following offices and
directorates have been incorporated into the new offices referenced
above: the Office of the Secretary, the Office of the Budget, the
Office of Planning and Evaluation, the Office of Compliance, the Office
of Information Services, the Directorate for Administration and the
Directorate for Field Operations.
Section 1000.10 provides that the Commission will annually elect a
vice chairman for a term beginning on June 1 and running until such
time as another vice chairman is elected. Editorial changes have also
been made in various sections and the address of the Commission has
been changed from ``Washington, DC 20207'' to ``4330 East West Highway,
Bethesda, Maryland 20814'' to reflect the current address.
Since this rule relates solely to internal agency management,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b), notice and other public procedures are not
required and it is effective immediately upon publication in the
Federal Register. Further this action is not a rule as defined in the
Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, and thus, is exempt from
the provisions of the Act.
List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 1000
Organization and Functions (Government Agencies).
0
Therefore, for the reasons set forth in the preamble, revise 16 CFR
part 1000 to read as follows:
PART 1000--COMMISSION ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS
Sec.
1000.1 The Commission.
1000.2 Laws administered.
1000.3 Hotline.
1000.4 Commission address.
1000.5 Petitions.
1000.6 Commission decisions and records.
1000.7 Advisory opinions and interpretations of regulations.
1000.8 Meetings and hearings; public notice.
1000.9 Quorum.
1000.10 The Chairman and Vice Chairman.
1000.11 Delegation of functions.
1000.12 Organizational structure.
1000.13 Directives system.
1000.14 Office of the General Counsel.
1000.15 Office of Congressional Relations.
1000.16 Office of the Inspector General.
1000.17 Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority
Enterprise.
1000.18 Office of Executive Director.
1000.19 Office of Financial Management, Planning and Evaluation.
1000.20 Office of Information and Public Affairs.
1000.21 Office of Compliance and Field Operations.
1000.22 Office of Human Resources Management.
1000.23 Office of Information and Technology Services.
1000.24 Office of International Programs and Intergovernmental
Affairs.
1000.25 Office of Hazard Identification and Reduction.
1000.26 Directorate for Epidemiology.
1000.27 Directorate for Health Sciences.
1000.28 Directorate for Economic Analysis.
1000.29 Directorate for Engineering Sciences.
1000.30 Directorate for Laboratory Sciences.
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a).
Sec. 1000.1 The Commission.
(a) The Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent
regulatory agency formed on May 14, 1973, under the provisions of the
Consumer Product Safety Act (Pub. L. 92-573, 86 Stat. 1207, as amended
(15 U.S.C. 2051, et seq.)). The purposes of the Commission under the
CPSA are:
(1) To protect the public against unreasonable risks of injury
associated with consumer products;
(2) To assist consumers in evaluating the comparative safety of
consumer products;
(3) To develop uniform safety standards for consumer products and
to minimize conflicting State and local regulations; and
(4) To promote research and investigation into the causes and
prevention of product-related deaths, illnesses, and injuries.
(b) The Commission is authorized to consist of five members
appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate, for terms of seven years. However, the Departments of Veterans
Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1993, Public Law 102-389, limited funding to that
for three Commissioners for fiscal year 1993 and thereafter.
Sec. 1000.2 Laws administered.
The Commission administers five acts:
(a) The Consumer Product Safety Act (Pub. L. 92-573, 86 Stat. 1207,
as amended (15 U.S.C. 2051, et seq.)).
(b) The Flammable Fabrics Act (Pub. L. 90-189, 67 Stat. 111, as
amended (15 U.S.C. 1191, et seq.)).
(c) The Federal Hazardous Substances Act (Pub. L. 86-613, 74 Stat.
380, as amended (15 U.S.C. 1261, et seq.)).
(d) The Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970 (Pub. L. 91-601, 84
Stat. 1670, as amended (15 U.S.C. 1471, et seq.)).
(e) The Refrigerator Safety Act of 1956 (Pub. L. 84-930, 70 Stat.
953, (15 U.S.C. 1211, et seq.)).
Sec. 1000.3 Hotline.
(a) The Commission operates a toll-free telephone Hotline by which
the public can communicate with the Commission. The number for use in
all 50 states is 1-800-638-CPSC (1-800-638-2772).
(b) The Commission also operates a toll-free Hotline by which
hearing or speech-impaired persons can communicate with the Commission
by teletypewriter. The teletypewriter number for use in all states is
1-800-638-8270.
(c) The Commission also makes available to the public product
recall information, its public calendar, and other information through
its worldwide Web site at https://www.cpsc.gov. The public may also
report product hazards or other information to the Commission at its e-
mail address: info@cpsc.gov.
[[Page 5166]]
Sec. 1000.4 Commission address.
The principal Offices of the Commission are at 4330 East West
Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. All written communications with the
Commission, including those sent by U.S. Postal Service, private
express and messenger should be addressed to the Consumer Product
Safety Commission at that address, unless otherwise specifically
directed.
Sec. 1000.5 Petitions.
Any interested person may petition the Commission to issue, amend,
or revoke a rule or regulation by submitting a written request to the
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway,
Bethesda, Maryland 20814. Petitions must comply with the Commission's
procedure for petitioning for rulemaking at 16 CFR part 1051.
Sec. 1000.6 Commission decisions and records.
(a) Each decision of the Commission, acting in an official capacity
as a collegial body, is recorded in Minutes of Commission meetings or
as a separate Record of Commission Action. Copies of Minutes or of a
Record of Commission Action may be obtained by e-mail (cpsc-
os@cpsc.gov) or written request to the Secretary, Consumer Product
Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, or
may be examined at Commission headquarters. Requests should identify
the subject matter of the Commission action and the approximate date of
the Commission action, if known.
(b) Other records in the custody of the Commission may be requested
by e-mail (cpsc-os@cpsc.gov) or in writing from the Office of the
Secretary pursuant to the Commission's Procedures for Disclosure or
Production of Information under the Freedom of Information Act (16 CFR
part 1015).
Sec. 1000.7 Advisory opinions and interpretations of regulations.
(a) Advisory opinions. Upon written request, the General Counsel
provides written advisory opinions interpreting the acts and
administrative regulations (e.g., Freedom of Information Act
regulations) the Commission administers, provided the request contains
sufficient specific factual information upon which to base an opinion.
Advisory opinions represent the legal opinions of the General Counsel
and may be changed or superseded by the Commission. Requests for
advisory opinions should be sent to the General Counsel, Consumer
Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland
20814. Previously issued advisory opinions are available on the CPSC
Web site at https://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/advisory/advisory.html. A
copy of a particular previously issued advisory opinion or a copy of an
index of such opinions may also be obtained by written request to the
Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East
West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
(b) Interpretations of regulations. Upon written request, the
Assistant Executive Director for Compliance will issue written
interpretations of Commission regulations pertaining to the safety
standards and the enforcement of those standards, provided the request
contains sufficient specific factual information upon which to base an
interpretation. Interpretations of regulations represent the
interpretations of the staff and may be changed or superseded by the
Commission. Requests for such interpretations should be sent to the
Assistant Executive Director for Compliance, Consumer Product Safety
Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
Sec. 1000.8 Meetings and hearings; public notice.
(a) The Commission may meet and exercise all its powers in any
place.
(b) Meetings of the Commission are held as ordered by the
Commission and, unless otherwise ordered, are held at the principal
office of the Commission at 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland.
Meetings of the Commission for the purpose of jointly conducting the
formal business of the agency, including the rendering of official
decisions, are generally announced in advance and open to the public,
as provided by the Government in the Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. 552b) and
the Commission's Meetings Policy (16 CFR part 1012).
(c) The Commission may conduct any hearing or other inquiry
necessary or appropriate to its functions anywhere in the United
States. It will publish a notice of any proposed hearing in the Federal
Register and will afford a reasonable opportunity for interested
persons to present relevant testimony and data.
(d) Notices of Commission meetings, Commission hearings, and other
Commission activities are published in a Public Calendar, as provided
in the Commission's Meetings Policy (16 CFR part 1012). The Public
Calendar is available on the Commission Web site at https://
www.cpsc.gov.
Sec. 1000.9 Quorum.
Three members of the Commission constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business. If there are only three members serving on the
Commission, two members constitute a quorum. If there are only two
members serving on the Commission because of vacancies, two members
constitute a quorum, but only for six months from the time the number
of members was reduced to two. [Note: the Departments of Veterans
Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1993, Pub. L. 102-389, limited funding to that for
three Commissioners for fiscal year 1993 and thereafter.]
Sec. 1000.10 The Chairman and Vice Chairman.
(a) The Chairman is the principal executive officer of the
Commission and, subject to the general policies of the Commission and
to such regulatory decisions, findings, and determinations as the
Commission is by law authorized to make, he or she exercises all of the
executive and administrative functions of the Commission.
(b) The Commission shall annually elect a Vice Chairman for a term
beginning on June 1. The Vice Chairman shall serve until the election
of his or her successor. The Vice Chairman acts in the absence or
disability of the Chairman or in case of a vacancy in the Office of the
Chairman.
Sec. 1000.11 Delegation of functions.
Section 27(b)(9) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C.
2076(b)(9)) authorizes the Commission to delegate any of its functions
and powers, other than the power to issue subpoenas, to any officer or
employee of the Commission. Delegations are documented in the
Commission's Directives System.
Sec. 1000.12 Organizational structure.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is composed of the principal
units listed in this section.
(a) The following units report directly to the Chairman of the
Commission:
(1) Office of the General Counsel;
(2) Office of Congressional Relations;
(3) Office of the Inspector General;
(4) Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Enterprise;
(5) Office of the Executive Director.
(b) The following units report directly to the Executive Director
of the Commission:
(1) Office of Financial Management, Planning and Evaluation;
(2) Office of Hazard Identification and Reduction;
[[Page 5167]]
(3) Office of Information and Public Affairs;
(4) Office of Compliance and Field Operations;
(5) Office of Human Resources Management;
(6) Office of Information and Technology Services;
(7) Office of International Programs and Intergovernmental Affairs.
(c) The following units report directly to the Assistant Executive
Director for Hazard Identification and Reduction:
(1) Directorate for Economic Analysis;
(2) Directorate for Epidemiology;
(3) Directorate for Health Sciences;
(4) Directorate for Engineering Sciences;
(5) Directorate for Laboratory Sciences.
Sec. 1000.13 Directives System.
The Commission maintains a Directives System which contains
delegations of authority and descriptions of Commission programs,
policies, and procedures. A complete set of directives is available for
inspection in the public reading room at Commission headquarters.
Sec. 1000.14 Office of the General Counsel.
The Office of the General Counsel provides advice and counsel to
the Commissioners and organizational components of the Commission on
matters of law arising from operations of the Commission. It prepares
the legal analysis of Commission legislative proposals and comments on
relevant legislative proposals originating elsewhere. The Office, in
conjunction with the Department of Justice, is responsible for the
conduct of all Federal court litigation to which the Commission is a
party. The Office also advises the Commission on administrative
litigation matters. The Office provides final legal review of and makes
recommendations to the Commission on proposed product safety standards,
rules, regulations, petition actions, and substantial hazard actions.
It also provides legal review of certain procurement, personnel, and
administrative actions and drafts documents for publication in the
Federal Register.
Sec. 1000.15 Office of Congressional Relations.
The Office of Congressional Relations is the principal contact with
the committees and members of Congress and state legislative bodies. It
performs liaison duties for the Commission, provides information and
assistance to Congress on matters of Commission policy, and coordinates
testimony and appearances by Commissioners and agency personnel before
Congress.
Sec. 1000.16 Office of the Inspector General.
The Office of the Inspector General is an independent office
established under the provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978,
5 U.S.C. Appendix, as amended. This Office independently initiates,
conducts, supervises, and coordinates audits, operations reviews, and
investigations of Commission programs, activities, and operations. The
Office also makes recommendations to promote economy, efficiency, and
effectiveness within the Commission's programs and operations. The
Office receives and investigates complaints or information concerning
possible violations of law, rules, or regulations, mismanagement, abuse
of authority, and waste of funds. It reviews existing and proposed
legislation concerning the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of
such legislation on Commission operations.
Sec. 1000.17 Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority
Enterprise.
The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Enterprise
is responsible for assuring compliance with all laws and regulations
relating to equal employment opportunity. The Office provides advice
and assistance to the Chairman and Commission staff on all EEO related
issues including the agency Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization Program. The Office develops agency EEO program policies.
The Office manages the discrimination complaint process, including the
adjudication of discrimination complaints, and facilitates Affirmative
Employment Program (AEP) planning for women, minorities, individuals
with disabilities and disabled veterans. The Office plans and executes
special emphasis programs and special programs with minority colleges,
and EEO, diversity, prevention of sexual harassment and related
training. The Office identifies trends, personnel policies and
practices that have an impact on EEO and makes recommendations to the
Chairman on the effectiveness and efficiency of EEO programs and
methods to enhance equal opportunity.
Sec. 1000.18 Office of Executive Director.
The Executive Director with the assistance of the Deputy Executive
Director, under the broad direction of the Chairman and in accordance
with Commission policy, acts as the chief operating manager of the
agency, supporting the development of the agency's budget and operating
plan before and after Commission approval, and managing the execution
of those plans. The Executive Director has direct line authority over
the following directorates and offices: the Office of Financial
Management, Planning and Evaluation, the Office of Hazard
Identification and Reduction, the Office of Information and Public
Affairs, the Office of Compliance and Field Operations, the Office of
Human Resources Management, the Office of Information and Technology
Services, and the Office of International Programs and
Intergovernmental Affairs.
Sec. 1000.19 Office of Financial Management, Planning and Evaluation.
The Office of Financial Management, Planning and Evaluation is
responsible for developing the Commission's funds control system, long-
range strategic plans, annual performance budgets and operating plans;
analysis of major policy and operational issues; performing evaluations
and management studies of Commission programs and activities; ensuring
that Commission resources are procured and expended as planned and
according to purchasing regulations; the review, control, and payment
of Commission financial obligations; and, reporting on the use and
performance of Commission resources. The Office recommends actions to
the Executive Director to enhance the effectiveness of Commission
programs and the management of budget, planning and evaluation,
financial, and procurement activities. The Office serves as the staff
support to the Commission Chief Financial Officer.
Sec. 1000.20 Office of Information and Public Affairs.
The Office of Information and Public Affairs, which is managed by
the Director of the Office, is responsible for the development,
implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive national information
and public affairs program designed to promote product safety. This
includes responsibility for developing and maintaining relations with a
wide range of national groups such as consumer organizations; business
groups; trade associations; state and local government entities; labor
organizations; medical, legal, scientific and other professional
associations; and other Federal health, safety and consumer agencies.
The Office also is responsible for implementing the Commission's media
relations program nationwide. The Office serves as the Commission's
spokesperson to the national print and broadcast media, develops and
disseminates the Commission's news
[[Page 5168]]
releases, and organizes Commission news conferences.
Sec. 1000.21 Office of Compliance and Field Operations.
The Office of Compliance and Field Operations conducts compliance
and administrative enforcement activities under all administered acts,
provides advice and guidance on complying with all administered acts
and reviews proposed standards and rules with respect to their
enforceability. The Office's responsibilities also include identifying
and addressing safety hazards in consumer products already in
distribution, promoting industry compliance with existing safety rules,
and conducting administrative litigation. It conducts field enforcement
efforts, including providing program guidance, advice, and case
guidance to field staff. It enforces the Consumer Product Safety Act
reporting requirements. It reviews consumer complaints, conducts
inspections and in-depth investigations, and analyzes available data to
identify those consumer products containing defects posing a
substantial risk of injury or which do not comply with existing safety
requirements. The Office negotiates and monitors corrective action
plans for products that are defective or fail to comply with specific
regulations. It gathers information on product hazards that may be
addressed through rulemaking or voluntary standards. The Office
develops surveillance strategies and programs designed to assure
compliance with Commission standards and regulations. The Office of
Compliance and Field Operations also assists the Office of Information
and Public Affairs in implementing consumer information activities
nationwide, including wide-ranging public information and education
programs designed to reduce consumer product injuries and deaths, and
maintaining liaison with, and providing support to, other components of
the Commission and appropriate State and local government offices.
Sec. 1000.22 Office of Human Resources Management.
The Office of Human Resources Management, which is managed by the
Director of the Office, provides human resources management support to
the Commission in the areas of recruitment and placement, position
classification, training and executive development, employee and labor
relations, employee benefits and retirement assistance, employee
assistance programs, drug testing, leave administration, disciplinary
and adverse actions, grievances and appeals, and performance
management.
Sec. 1000.23 Office of Information and Technology Services.
The Office of Information and Technology Services houses the
Commission's Secretariat, which facilitates the preparation of the
Commission's agenda; coordinates Commission business at official
meetings; maintains the dockets and other materials for the
Commission's public and non-public administrative and adjudicative
meetings and hearings; prepares and publishes the Public Calendar;
maintains the Commission's Injury Information Clearinghouse; issues
Commission Orders; provides legal notice of Commission decisions
through publication in the Federal Register; processes all filings that
the Commission receives in paper, electronic and alternative media
formats; exercises joint responsibility with the Office of the General
Counsel for interpretation and application of the Privacy Act, Freedom
of Information Act, and the Government in the Sunshine Act; prepares
reports required by these acts; and maintains and manages all official
Commission records including those pertaining to continuing guarantees
of compliance with applicable standards of flammability under the
Flammable Fabrics Act filed with the Commission. The Secretary is the
agency's Chief Freedom of Information Act Officer. The Office of
Information and Technology Services is also responsible for the general
policy and planning issues related to the dissemination of information
by the Commission including, but not limited to, OMB Circular A-130,
the Federal Information Security Management Act, the Government
Paperwork Elimination Act, Section 508 of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, and the E-Government Act under the President's
Management Agenda; the design, implementation and support of the
Commission's information technology system needs; maintaining and/or
providing access to administrative applications for the Commission's
business processes such as payroll, accounting, personnel, budget,
information management and work tracking; administration of the
network, telephone systems, and Help Desk. The Office of Information
and Technology Services also is responsible for providing the
Commission with printing, mail, and copy services, library services,
logistical, real and personal property management services; and
addressing safety and ergonomic issues in the work place.
Sec. 1000.24 Office of International Programs and Intergovernmental
Affairs.
The Office of International Programs and Intergovernmental Affairs
provides a comprehensive and coordinated effort in consumer product
safety standards development and implementation at the international,
Federal, State and local level. The office conducts activities and
creates strategies aimed at ensuring greater import compliance with
recognized American safety standards and exportation of CPSC regulatory
policies, technologies and methodologies into other jurisdictions. The
office also works to harmonize the use of standards worldwide.
Sec. 1000.25 Office of Hazard Identification and Reduction.
The Office of Hazard Identification and Reduction, under the
direction of the Assistant Executive Director for Hazard Identification
and Reduction, is responsible for managing the Commission's Hazard
Identification and Analysis Program and its Hazard Assessment and
Reduction Program. The Office reports to the Executive Director, and
has line authority over the Directorates for Epidemiology and Health
Sciences, Economic Analysis, Engineering Sciences, and Laboratory
Sciences. The Office develops strategies for and implements the
agency's operating plans for these two hazard programs. This includes
the collection and analysis of data to identify hazards and hazard
patterns, the implementation of the Commission's safety standards
development projects, the coordination of voluntary standards
activities, and providing overall direction and evaluation of projects
involving hazard analysis, data collection, emerging hazards, mandatory
and voluntary standards, petitions, and labeling rules. The Office
assures that relevant technical, environmental, economic, and social
impacts of projects are comprehensively and objectively presented to
the Commission for decision.
Sec. 1000.26 Directorate for Epidemiology.
The Directorate for Epidemiology, managed by the Associate
Executive Director for Epidemiology, is responsible for the collection
and analysis of data on injuries and deaths associated with consumer
products. The Directorate has two divisions: the Data Systems Division
and the Hazard Analysis Division. The Data Systems Division operates
the national data collection systems which provide the data that serve
as the basis for the Commission's estimates of the numbers of deaths
and injuries associated with
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consumer products. These data systems include the National Electronic
Injury Surveillance System, a nationally representative sample of
hospital emergency departments; a death certificate file, which
contains data obtained from death certificates on deaths associated
with consumer products; and the Injury and Potential Injury Incident
file, which contains information on, among other things, incidents
associated with consumer products, based on news clips, medical
examiner reports, hotline reports, Internet complaints, and referrals.
The Hazard Analysis Division conducts statistical analysis of these
data and conducts epidemiologic studies to estimate the numbers of
injuries and deaths associated with various consumer products and to
examine factors associated with these injuries and deaths. In addition,
staff in the Hazard Analysis Division design special studies, design
and analyze data from experiments for testing of consumer products, and
provide statistical expertise and advice to Commission staff in support
of regulation development.
Sec. 1000.27 Directorate for Health Sciences.
The Directorate for Health Sciences is managed by the Associate
Executive Director for Health Sciences and is responsible for reviewing
and evaluating the human health effects and hazards related to consumer
products and assessing exposure, uptake and metabolism, including
information on population segments at risk. Directorate staff conducts
health studies and research in the field of consumer product-related
injuries. The Directorate performs risk assessments for chemical,
physiological and physical hazards based on methods such as medical
injury modeling, and on injury and incident data for mechanical,
thermal, chemical and electrical hazards in consumer products. It
provides the Commission's primary source of scientific expertise for
implementation of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act and the Federal
Hazardous Substances Act. The Directorate assists in the development
and evaluation of product safety standards and test methods based on
scientific and public health principles. It provides support to the
Commission's regulatory development and enforcement activities. It
manages hazard identification and analysis, and hazard assessment and
reduction projects as assigned. The Directorate provides liaison with
the National Toxicology Program, the Department of Health and Human
Services (including the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health), the
Occupational Health and Safety Administration, the Environmental
Protection Agency, other Federal agencies and programs, and other
organizations concerned with reducing the risk to consumers from
exposure to consumer product hazards.
Sec. 1000.28 Directorate for Economic Analysis.
The Directorate for Economic Analysis, which is managed by the
Associate Executive Director for Economic Analysis, is responsible for
providing the Commission with advice and information on economic and
environmental matters and on the economic, social and environmental
effects of Commission actions. It analyzes the potential effects of
CPSC actions on consumers and on industries, including effects on
competitive structure and commercial practices. The Directorate
acquires, compiles, and maintains economic data on movements and trends
in the general economy and on the production, distribution, and sales
of consumer products and their components to assist in the analysis of
CPSC priorities, policies, actions, and rules. It plans and carries out
economic surveys of consumers and industries. It studies the costs of
accidents and injuries. It evaluates the economic, societal, and
environmental impact of product safety rules and standards. It performs
regulatory analyses and studies of costs and benefits of CPSC actions
as required by the Consumer Product Safety Act, The National
Environmental Policy Act, the Regulatory Flexibility Act and other
Acts, and by policies established by the Consumer Product Safety
Commission. The Directorate manages hazard assessment and reduction
projects as assigned.
Sec. 1000.29 Directorate for Engineering Sciences.
The Directorate for Engineering Sciences, which is managed by the
Associate Executive Director for Engineering Sciences, is responsible
for developing technical policy for and implementing the Commission's
engineering programs. The Directorate manages hazard assessment and
reduction projects as assigned by the Office of Hazard Identification
and Reduction; provides engineering technical support and product
safety assessments for the Office of Compliance and Field Operations;
provides engineering, scientific, and technical expertise to the
Commission and Commission staff as requested; and provides engineering
technical support to other Commission organizations, activities, and
programs as needed. The Directorate develops and evaluates product
safety standards, product safety tests and test methods, performance
criteria, design specifications, and quality control standards for
consumer products, based on engineering and scientific methods. It
conducts engineering analysis and testing of the safety of consumer
products, and evaluates and participates in the development of
mandatory and voluntary standards for consumer products including
engineering and human factors analyses in support of standards
development and product compliance testing. The Directorate performs or
monitors research for consumer products in a broad array of engineering
disciplines including chemical, electrical, fire protection, human
factors, and mechanical engineering. It conducts and coordinates
engineering research, testing, and evaluation activities with other
Federal agencies, private industry, and consumer interest groups. The
Directorate conducts human factors studies and research of consumer
product related injuries, including evaluations of labels, signs and
symbols, instructions, and other measures intended to address the human
component of injury prevention. The Directorate provides technical
supervision and direction of engineering activities including tests and
analyses conducted in the field.
Sec. 1000.30 Directorate for Laboratory Sciences.
The Directorate for Laboratory Sciences, which is managed by the
Associate Executive Director for Laboratory Sciences, is responsible
for conducting engineering analyses and testing of consumer products,
supporting the development of voluntary and mandatory standards, and
supporting the Agency's compliance activities through product safety
assessments. A wide variety of products are tested and evaluated to
determine the causes of failure and the hazards presented. Product
safety tests involve mechanical, electrical, and combustion
engineering, as well as thermal and chemical analyses. Test protocols
are developed, test fixtures and setups are designed and fabricated,
and tests are conducted following the requirements and guidance of
voluntary and mandatory standards and/or using sound engineering and
scientific judgment. The Laboratory participates with and supports
other agency directorates on multi-disciplinary teams
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in the development of voluntary and mandatory standards. The Laboratory
coordinates and cooperates with other Federal agencies, private
industry, and consumer interest groups by sharing engineering and
scientific research, test, and evaluation expertise. Additionally,
Corrective Action Plans, proposed by manufacturers to correct a product
defect, are tested and evaluated to assure that the proposed changes
adequately resolve the problem. Regulated products, such as children's
products, sleepwear, and bicycle helmets, are routinely tested and
evaluated for compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Act, the
Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the Flammable Fabrics Act, and the
Poison Prevention Packaging Act. The Directorate is composed of the
Mechanical Engineering Division, the Electrical Engineering Division
(which includes flammable fabrics), and the Chemical Division. Overall,
the directorate provides engineering, scientific, and other technical
expertise to all entities within the Consumer Product Safety
Commission.
Dated: January 25, 2006.
Todd A. Stevenson,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 06-902 Filed 1-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P
