Revocation of Certain Requirements Pertaining to Caps Intended for Use With Toy Guns and Toy Guns Not Intended for Use With Caps, 37834-37836 [2012-15409]

Download as PDF 37834 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 122 / Monday, June 25, 2012 / Proposed Rules We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide a cost estimate for the on-condition actions or the optional terminating action specified in this AD. Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA’s authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. ‘‘Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs’’ describes in more detail the scope of the Agency’s authority. We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action. Regulatory Findings We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed regulation: (1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under Executive Order 12866, (2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979), (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. The Proposed Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows: 14:54 Jun 22, 2012 Jkt 226001 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. Authority for This Rulemaking VerDate Mar<15>2010 as provided in paragraph (h) of this AD, no alternative procedure or repeat test intervals will be allowed. PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA– 2008–0617; Directorate Identifier 2007– NM–354–AD. (a) Comments Due Date We must receive comments by August 9, 2012. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737–600, –700, –700C, –800, –900, and –900ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, with a date of issuance of the original airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness before March 22, 2011. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 2800, Aircraft Fuel System. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of an in-service occurrence of total loss of boost pump pressure of the fuel feed system, followed by loss of fuel system suction feed capability on one engine, and in-flight shutdown of the engine. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct loss of the engine fuel suction feed capability of the fuel system, which in the event of total loss of the fuel boost pumps could result in dual engine flameout, inability to restart the engines, and consequent forced landing of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Initial/Repetitive Operational Tests Within 7,500 flight hours or 36 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Do the initial operational test identified in AWL No. 28–AWL–101, Engine Fuel Suction Feed Operational Test, of Section E., AWLS—Fuel Systems of Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D626A001–CMR, Revision August 2011, of Boeing 737–600/700/700C/800/900/ 900ER Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document. Repeat the test thereafter at intervals not to exceed 7,500 flight hours or 36 months, whichever is earlier. If the test is not considered successful, as specified in AWL No. 28–AWL–101, before further flight, perform all related testing and corrective actions, using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (h) of this AD. Thereafter, except PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in the Related Information section of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/ certificate holding district office. (i) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Sue Lucier, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057– 3356; phone: 425–917–6438; fax: 425–917– 6590; email: suzanne.lucier@faa.gov. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H–65, Seattle, WA 98124–2207; telephone 206– 544–5000, extension 1; fax 206–766–5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 18, 2012. John P. Piccola, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2012–15469 Filed 6–22–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION [Docket No. CPSC–2012–0035] 16 CFR Part 1500 Revocation of Certain Requirements Pertaining to Caps Intended for Use With Toy Guns and Toy Guns Not Intended for Use With Caps Consumer Product Safety Commission. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. AGENCY: Section 106 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (‘‘CPSIA’’) considers the provisions of ASTM International SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\25JNP1.SGM 25JNP1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 122 / Monday, June 25, 2012 / Proposed Rules Standard F 963, ‘‘Standard Consumer Safety Specifications for Toy Safety’’ (‘‘ASTM F 963’’), to be consumer product safety standards issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (‘‘CPSC,’’ ‘‘Commission,’’ or ‘‘we’’). Among other things, ASTM F 963 contains provisions regarding sound-producing toys. The ASTM F 963 provisions for sound-producing toys allow manufacturers to use more options with readily available test equipment for sound measurement to determine compliance than our existing regulations pertaining to caps intended for use with toy guns and toy guns not intended for use with caps, which were included in the regulations under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (‘‘FHSA’’) that were transferred to the Commission’s jurisdiction in 1973. The test methodology also refers to obsolete equipment. Consequently, we are proposing to revoke our existing banning regulations pertaining to caps intended for use with toy guns and toy guns not intended for use with caps because they are obsolete and have been superseded by the requirements of ASTM F 963. DATES: Comments must be received by August 24, 2012. ADDRESSES: Comments, identified by Docket No. CPSC–2012–0035, may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Submissions Submit electronic comments in the following way: Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. To ensure timely processing of comments, the Commission is no longer accepting comments submitted by electronic mail (email) except through https://www.regulations.gov. erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 Written Submissions Submit written submissions in the following way: Mail/Hand delivery/Courier (for paper, disk, or CD–ROM submissions), preferably in five copies, to: Office of the Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 820, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone (301) 504–7923. Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number for this proposed rulemaking. All comments received may be posted without change, including any personal identifiers, contact information, or other personal information provided, to https://www. regulations.gov. Do not submit VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:54 Jun 22, 2012 Jkt 226001 confidential business information, trade secret information, or other sensitive or protected information electronically. Such information should be submitted in writing. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to https://www. regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard McCallion, Office of Hazard Identification and Reduction, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 5 Research Place, Rockville, MD 20850; telephone: (301) 987–2222; email: rmccallion@ cpsc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A. Revocation of Certain Regulations Pertaining to Toy Caps and Toy Guns Not Intended for Use With Caps In September 1973, the FHSA and its implementing regulations, which included provisions pertaining to caps for use with toy guns and toy guns not intended for use with caps, were transferred from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (‘‘FDA’’) to the CPSC. See 38 FR 27012 (September 27, 1973). One of the transferred regulations includes a ban on caps intended for use with toy guns and toy guns not intended for use with caps ‘‘if such caps when so used or such toy guns produce impulsetype sound at a peak pressure level at or above 138 decibels. * * *’’ See 16 CFR 1500.18(a)(5). Another transferred regulation, 16 CFR 1500.86(a)(6), contains provisions for exemptions from the classification of a banned toy under 16 CFR 1500.18(a)(5) for toy caps with a sound level from 138 decibels up to a maximum decibel level of 158. Manufacturers participating in this decibel-reduction program are required to report their intention to participate in the program, include a specific warning statement on the product packaging, and report quarterly on the progress regarding the production of caps with a maximum noise level of 138 decibels. This exemption is included in the revocation because there are no manufacturers participating in this program. Additionally, a third transferred regulation, 16 CFR 1500.47, provides the test method for determining the sound pressure level produced by toy caps and toy guns. The method specifies the use of certain equipment, such as a microphone, preamplifier, and two types of oscilloscopes with specific response and calibration ranges, and it also addresses the manner in which one would measure peak sound pressure levels. Section 106 of the CPSIA considers the provisions of ASTM International PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 37835 Standard F 963, ‘‘Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety,’’ to be consumer product safety standards issued by the Commission under section 9 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (‘‘CPSA’’). References to ASTM F 963 in this document refer to ASTM F 963–11, which became effective on June 12, 2012. Section 4.5 of ASTM F 963 establishes requirements for ‘‘soundproducing toys,’’ and section 8.19 of ASTM F 963 establishes ‘‘Tests for Toys Which Produce Noise.’’ In general, the ASTM F 963 requirements for soundproducing toys are at least equivalent to, and more reflective of potential damage to human hearing, than 16 CFR 1500.18(a)(5) and 1500.47. For example, section 4.5.1.5 of ASTM F 963 states that the peak sound pressure level of impulsive sounds produced by a toy using percussion caps or other explosive action ‘‘shall not exceed 125’’ decibels at 50 centimeters, whereas, 16 CFR 1500.18(a)(5) imposes a ban at or above 138 decibels at 25 centimeters. As another example, section 8.19.2.4 of ASTM F 963 uses a weighted scale based on human hearing damage from the type of impulse noise being generated by the toy, whereas, 16 CFR 1500.47 uses an unweighted scale for measuring pressure level generated by impulse-type sound. Additionally, the ASTM F 963 test method involves the use of modern equipment (microphones meeting a particular specification), whereas, 16 CFR 1500.47 specifies the use of a microphone, a preamplifier (if required), and an oscilloscope. The equipment specifications in 16 CFR 1500.47 have never been updated. Consequently, because section 106 of the CPSIA mandates the provisions of ASTM F 963 to be consumer product safety standards, and because we believe that the provisions of ASTM F 963, with respect to paper or plastic caps intended for use with toy guns, are at least equivalent to 16 CFR 1500.18(a)(5), we propose to revoke 16 CFR 1500.18(a)(5). Similarly, because ASTM F 963 establishes a test method for toys that produce sound, and because our existing regulation refers to obsolete or unnecessary test equipment, we propose to revoke 16 CFR 1500.47. Finally, because we are proposing the revocation of 16 CFR 1500.18(a)(5), we are also proposing the revocation of the exemptions from the requirements of 16 CFR 1500.18(a)(5) contained in 16 CFR 1500.86(a)(6). B. Paperwork Reduction Act This rule would not impose any information collection requirements. Accordingly, this rule is not subject to E:\FR\FM\25JNP1.SGM 25JNP1 37836 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 122 / Monday, June 25, 2012 / Proposed Rules the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520. C. Regulatory Flexibility Act We have examined the impacts of the proposed rule under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601–612). The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires agencies to analyze regulatory options that would minimize any significant impact of a rule on small entities. Because the proposed rule would revoke outdated regulatory requirements, the Commission certifies that the proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. § 1500.18 [Amended] 2. Section 1500.18 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (a)(5). § 1500.47 [Removed] 3. Section 1500.47 is removed entirely. § 1500.86 [Amended] 4. Section 1500.86 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (a)(6). Dated: June 20, 2012. Todd A. Stevenson, Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. [FR Doc. 2012–15409 Filed 6–22–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6355–01–P D. Environmental Considerations This rule falls within the scope of the Commission’s environmental review regulation at 16 CFR 1021.5(c)(1), which provides a categorical exclusion from any requirement for the agency to prepare an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement for rules that revoke product safety standards. E. Executive Order 12988 According to Executive Order 12988 (February 5, 1996), agencies must state in clear language the preemptive effect, if any, of new regulations. The preemptive effect of regulations such as this proposal is stated in section 18 of the FHSA. 15 U.S.C. 1261n. F. Effective Date The Commission is proposing that the rule revoking 16 CFR 1500.18(a)(5), 1500.47, and 1500.86(a)(6) would become effective 30 days after publication of the final rule in the Federal Register. List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 1500 Consumer protection, Hazardous substances, Imports, Infants and children, Labeling, Law enforcement, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Toys. erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 For the reasons stated in the preamble, and under the authority of 15 U.S.C. 1261–1262 and 5 U.S.C. 553, the Consumer Product Safety Commission proposes to amend 16 CFR part 1500 as follows: PART 1500—HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AND ARTICLES; ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT REGULATIONS 1. The authority citation for 16 CFR part 1500 continues to read as follows: Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1261–1278. VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:54 Jun 22, 2012 Jkt 226001 CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION 16 CFR Chapter II [Docket No. CPSC–2012–0034] Petition Requesting Commission Action Regarding Crib Bumpers U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. ACTION: Petition for rulemaking. AGENCY: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (‘‘Commission’’) has received a petition (CPSC–2012–0034), requesting that the Commission initiate rulemaking to distinguish and regulate ‘‘hazardous pillow-like’’ crib bumpers from ‘‘non-hazardous traditional’’ crib bumpers under sections 7 and 9 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (‘‘CPSA’’). The Commission invites written comments concerning the petition. DATES: The Office of the Secretary must receive comments on the petition by August 24, 2012. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. CPSC–2012– 0034, by any of the following methods: SUMMARY: Electronic Submissions Submit electronic comments in the following way: Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. To ensure timely processing of comments, the Commission is no longer accepting comments submitted by electronic mail (email), except through www.regulations.gov. Written Submissions Submit written submissions in the following way: Mail/Hand delivery/Courier (for paper, disk, or CD–ROM submissions), preferably in five copies, to: Office of the Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Safety Commission, Room 820, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone (301) 504–7923. Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number for this notice. All comments received may be posted without change, including any personal identifiers, contact information, or other personal information provided, to: https://www.regulations.gov. Do not submit confidential business information, trade secret information, or other sensitive or protected information electronically. Such information should be submitted in writing. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to: https:// www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rockelle Hammond, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 820, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone (301) 504–6833. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission has received correspondence from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), (‘‘petitioner’’), dated May 9, 2012, requesting that the Commission initiate rulemaking to distinguish and regulate ‘‘hazardous pillow-like’’ crib bumpers from ‘‘non-hazardous traditional’’ crib bumpers under sections 7 and 9 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (‘‘CPSA’’). The Commission is docketing this request as a petition under the Consumer Product Safety Act. 15 U.S.C. 2056 and 2058. Petitioner states that, despite information to the contrary regarding the safety of traditional crib bumpers, some are advocating banning bumpers altogether from the marketplace. Petitioner believes that banning traditional crib bumpers may lead to caregivers adding unsafe soft bedding to cribs to serve as a protective barrier from the tight dimensions and hard wooden surface of the crib slats. Petitioner includes a third party review of previous studies of crib bumper pads as support of the fact that claims of increased risk to infants from traditional crib bumper use are unfounded. Petitioner also includes a copy of proposed ASTM performance requirements that petitioner believes provide a reasonable basis for a mandatory crib bumper performance standard. By this notice, the Commission seeks comments concerning this petition. Interested parties may obtain a copy of the petition by writing or calling the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Consumer E:\FR\FM\25JNP1.SGM 25JNP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 122 (Monday, June 25, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37834-37836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15409]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

[Docket No. CPSC-2012-0035]

16 CFR Part 1500


Revocation of Certain Requirements Pertaining to Caps Intended 
for Use With Toy Guns and Toy Guns Not Intended for Use With Caps

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Section 106 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 
2008 (``CPSIA'') considers the provisions of ASTM International

[[Page 37835]]

Standard F 963, ``Standard Consumer Safety Specifications for Toy 
Safety'' (``ASTM F 963''), to be consumer product safety standards 
issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (``CPSC,'' 
``Commission,'' or ``we''). Among other things, ASTM F 963 contains 
provisions regarding sound-producing toys. The ASTM F 963 provisions 
for sound-producing toys allow manufacturers to use more options with 
readily available test equipment for sound measurement to determine 
compliance than our existing regulations pertaining to caps intended 
for use with toy guns and toy guns not intended for use with caps, 
which were included in the regulations under the Federal Hazardous 
Substances Act (``FHSA'') that were transferred to the Commission's 
jurisdiction in 1973. The test methodology also refers to obsolete 
equipment. Consequently, we are proposing to revoke our existing 
banning regulations pertaining to caps intended for use with toy guns 
and toy guns not intended for use with caps because they are obsolete 
and have been superseded by the requirements of ASTM F 963.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 24, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Comments, identified by Docket No. CPSC-2012-0035, may be 
submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Submissions

    Submit electronic comments in the following way:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
    To ensure timely processing of comments, the Commission is no 
longer accepting comments submitted by electronic mail (email) except 
through https://www.regulations.gov.

Written Submissions

    Submit written submissions in the following way:
    Mail/Hand delivery/Courier (for paper, disk, or CD-ROM 
submissions), preferably in five copies, to: Office of the Secretary, 
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 820, 4330 East West 
Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone (301) 504-7923.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket number for this proposed rulemaking. All comments received 
may be posted without change, including any personal identifiers, 
contact information, or other personal information provided, to https://www.regulations.gov. Do not submit confidential business information, 
trade secret information, or other sensitive or protected information 
electronically. Such information should be submitted in writing.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard McCallion, Office of Hazard 
Identification and Reduction, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 5 
Research Place, Rockville, MD 20850; telephone: (301) 987-2222; email: 
rmccallion@cpsc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Revocation of Certain Regulations Pertaining to Toy Caps and Toy 
Guns Not Intended for Use With Caps

    In September 1973, the FHSA and its implementing regulations, which 
included provisions pertaining to caps for use with toy guns and toy 
guns not intended for use with caps, were transferred from the U.S. 
Food and Drug Administration (``FDA'') to the CPSC. See 38 FR 27012 
(September 27, 1973). One of the transferred regulations includes a ban 
on caps intended for use with toy guns and toy guns not intended for 
use with caps ``if such caps when so used or such toy guns produce 
impulse-type sound at a peak pressure level at or above 138 decibels. * 
* *'' See 16 CFR 1500.18(a)(5).
    Another transferred regulation, 16 CFR 1500.86(a)(6), contains 
provisions for exemptions from the classification of a banned toy under 
16 CFR 1500.18(a)(5) for toy caps with a sound level from 138 decibels 
up to a maximum decibel level of 158. Manufacturers participating in 
this decibel-reduction program are required to report their intention 
to participate in the program, include a specific warning statement on 
the product packaging, and report quarterly on the progress regarding 
the production of caps with a maximum noise level of 138 decibels. This 
exemption is included in the revocation because there are no 
manufacturers participating in this program. Additionally, a third 
transferred regulation, 16 CFR 1500.47, provides the test method for 
determining the sound pressure level produced by toy caps and toy guns. 
The method specifies the use of certain equipment, such as a 
microphone, preamplifier, and two types of oscilloscopes with specific 
response and calibration ranges, and it also addresses the manner in 
which one would measure peak sound pressure levels.
    Section 106 of the CPSIA considers the provisions of ASTM 
International Standard F 963, ``Standard Consumer Safety Specification 
for Toy Safety,'' to be consumer product safety standards issued by the 
Commission under section 9 of the Consumer Product Safety Act 
(``CPSA''). References to ASTM F 963 in this document refer to ASTM F 
963-11, which became effective on June 12, 2012. Section 4.5 of ASTM F 
963 establishes requirements for ``sound-producing toys,'' and section 
8.19 of ASTM F 963 establishes ``Tests for Toys Which Produce Noise.'' 
In general, the ASTM F 963 requirements for sound-producing toys are at 
least equivalent to, and more reflective of potential damage to human 
hearing, than 16 CFR 1500.18(a)(5) and 1500.47. For example, section 
4.5.1.5 of ASTM F 963 states that the peak sound pressure level of 
impulsive sounds produced by a toy using percussion caps or other 
explosive action ``shall not exceed 125'' decibels at 50 centimeters, 
whereas, 16 CFR 1500.18(a)(5) imposes a ban at or above 138 decibels at 
25 centimeters. As another example, section 8.19.2.4 of ASTM F 963 uses 
a weighted scale based on human hearing damage from the type of impulse 
noise being generated by the toy, whereas, 16 CFR 1500.47 uses an 
unweighted scale for measuring pressure level generated by impulse-type 
sound.
    Additionally, the ASTM F 963 test method involves the use of modern 
equipment (microphones meeting a particular specification), whereas, 16 
CFR 1500.47 specifies the use of a microphone, a preamplifier (if 
required), and an oscilloscope. The equipment specifications in 16 CFR 
1500.47 have never been updated.
    Consequently, because section 106 of the CPSIA mandates the 
provisions of ASTM F 963 to be consumer product safety standards, and 
because we believe that the provisions of ASTM F 963, with respect to 
paper or plastic caps intended for use with toy guns, are at least 
equivalent to 16 CFR 1500.18(a)(5), we propose to revoke 16 CFR 
1500.18(a)(5). Similarly, because ASTM F 963 establishes a test method 
for toys that produce sound, and because our existing regulation refers 
to obsolete or unnecessary test equipment, we propose to revoke 16 CFR 
1500.47. Finally, because we are proposing the revocation of 16 CFR 
1500.18(a)(5), we are also proposing the revocation of the exemptions 
from the requirements of 16 CFR 1500.18(a)(5) contained in 16 CFR 
1500.86(a)(6).

B. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule would not impose any information collection requirements. 
Accordingly, this rule is not subject to

[[Page 37836]]

the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    We have examined the impacts of the proposed rule under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612). The Regulatory 
Flexibility Act requires agencies to analyze regulatory options that 
would minimize any significant impact of a rule on small entities. 
Because the proposed rule would revoke outdated regulatory 
requirements, the Commission certifies that the proposed rule would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

D. Environmental Considerations

    This rule falls within the scope of the Commission's environmental 
review regulation at 16 CFR 1021.5(c)(1), which provides a categorical 
exclusion from any requirement for the agency to prepare an 
environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement for rules 
that revoke product safety standards.

E. Executive Order 12988

    According to Executive Order 12988 (February 5, 1996), agencies 
must state in clear language the preemptive effect, if any, of new 
regulations. The preemptive effect of regulations such as this proposal 
is stated in section 18 of the FHSA. 15 U.S.C. 1261n.

F. Effective Date

    The Commission is proposing that the rule revoking 16 CFR 
1500.18(a)(5), 1500.47, and 1500.86(a)(6) would become effective 30 
days after publication of the final rule in the Federal Register.

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 1500

    Consumer protection, Hazardous substances, Imports, Infants and 
children, Labeling, Law enforcement, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Toys.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, and under the authority of 
15 U.S.C. 1261-1262 and 5 U.S.C. 553, the Consumer Product Safety 
Commission proposes to amend 16 CFR part 1500 as follows:

PART 1500--HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AND ARTICLES; ADMINISTRATION AND 
ENFORCEMENT REGULATIONS

    1. The authority citation for 16 CFR part 1500 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1261-1278.


Sec.  1500.18  [Amended]

    2. Section 1500.18 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph 
(a)(5).


Sec.  1500.47  [Removed]

    3. Section 1500.47 is removed entirely.


Sec.  1500.86  [Amended]

    4. Section 1500.86 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph 
(a)(6).

    Dated: June 20, 2012.
Todd A. Stevenson,
Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 2012-15409 Filed 6-22-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P
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