Safety Standard for Infant Bouncer Seats, 54362-54366 [2022-19179]

Download as PDF 54362 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 171 / Tuesday, September 6, 2022 / Rules and Regulations T–416 Smyrna, DE (ENO) to PREPI, OA [New] Smyrna, DE (ENO) VORTAC TEBEE, NJ FIX LULOO, NJ WP RIDNG, NJ WP ALBEK, NJ FIX Coyle, NJ (CYN) VORTAC PREPI, OA FIX (Lat. (Lat. (Lat. (Lat. (Lat. (Lat. (Lat. 39°13′53.93″ 39°30′13.97″ 39°36′35.96″ 39°45′30.23″ 39°46′39.92″ 39°49′02.42″ 39°48′41.06″ * * * * * T–430 Philipsburg, PA (PSB) to Solberg, NJ (SBJ) [New] Philipsburg, PA (PSB) VORTAC (Lat. 40°54′58.53″ VOR/DME (Lat. 40°47′27.09″ Selinsgrove, PA (SEG) East Texas, PA (ETX) VOR/DME (Lat. 40°34′51.74″ BOPLY, PA FIX (Lat. 40°32′47.79″ Solberg, NJ (SBJ) VOR/DME (Lat. 40°34′58.96″ * * * T–438 RASHE, PA to PREPI, OA [New] RASHE, PA FIX Ravine, PA (RAV) VORTAC HIKES, PA FIX MAZIE, PA FIX VOR/DME Yardley, PA (ARD) Robbinsville, NJ (RBV) VORTAC PREPI, OA FIX * * * * * Issued in Washington, DC, on August 30, 2022. Scott M. Rosenbloom, Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations. [FR Doc. 2022–19101 Filed 9–2–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 1229 [Docket No. CPSC–2015–0028] Safety Standard for Infant Bouncer Seats Consumer Product Safety Commission. ACTION: Direct final rule. AGENCY: In September 2017, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) published a consumer product safety standard for infant bouncer seats under section 104 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). The standard incorporated by reference the ASTM voluntary standard for infant bouncer seats that had been adopted earlier in 2017 and was in effect at the time. ASTM updated the mandatory standard for infant bouncer seats in 2019 and again in 2022. Consistent with the CPSIA’s process for updating mandatory standards for durable infant or toddler products that are based on a voluntary standard, when the voluntary standards organization revises the standard, this direct final rule updates the mandatory standard for infant bouncer seats to incorporate by jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:41 Sep 02, 2022 Jkt 256001 * N, N, N, N, N, N, N, 075°30′57.49″ 075°19′37.19″ 075°12′57.43″ 075°05′59.95″ 074°54′25.99″ 074°25′53.85″ 073°15′40.70″ * N, N, N, N, N, * (Lat. (Lat. (Lat. (Lat. (Lat. (Lat. (Lat. long. long. long. long. long. long. long. long. long. long. long. long. * 077°59′33.78″ 076°53′02.55″ 075°41′02.51″ 075°11′07.06″ 074°44′30.45″ * 40°40′36.04″ 40°33′12.21″ 40°22′55.93″ 40°19′19.55″ 40°15′12.03″ 40°12′08.65″ 39°48′41.06″ N, N, N, N, N, N, N, long. long. long. long. long. long. long. Frm 00052 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 W) W) W) W) W) * 077°38′38.94″ 076°35′57.77″ 075°36′54.90″ 075°06′35.28″ 074°54′27.41″ 074°29′42.09″ 073°15′40.70″ reference ASTM’s 2022 version of the voluntary standard. DATES: The rule is effective on December 19, 2022, unless CPSC receives a significant adverse comment by October 6, 2022. If CPSC receives such a comment, it will publish a document in the Federal Register, withdrawing this direct final rule before its effective date. The incorporation by reference of the publication listed in this rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of December 19, 2022. ADDRESSES: You can submit comments, identified by Docket No. CPSC–2015– 0028, by any of the following methods: Electronic Submissions: Submit electronic comments to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit through this website: confidential business information, trade secret information, or other sensitive or protected information that you do not want to be available to the public. CPSC typically does not accept comments submitted by electronic mail (email), except as described below. Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier/ Confidential Written Submissions: CPSC encourages you to submit electronic comments by using the Federal eRulemaking Portal. You may, however, submit comments by mail, hand delivery, or courier to: Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone: (301) 504–7479. Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and docket number. CPSC may post all comments without change, including any personal PO 00000 W) W) W) W) W) W) W) W) W) W) W) W) W) W) identifiers, contact information, or other personal information provided, to: www.regulations.gov. If you wish to submit confidential business information, trade secret information, or other sensitive or protected information that you do not want to be available to the public, you may submit such comments by mail, hand delivery, or courier, or you may email them to: cpscos@cpsc.gov. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to: www.regulations.gov, and insert the docket number, CPSC–2015–0028, into the ‘‘Search’’ box, and follow the prompts. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keysha Walker, Compliance Officer, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone: (301) 504–6820; email: KWalker@cpsc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A. Background 1. Statutory Authority Section 104(b)(1) of the CPSIA requires the Commission to assess the effectiveness of voluntary standards for durable infant or toddler products and to adopt mandatory standards for these products. 15 U.S.C. 2056a(b)(1). A mandatory standard must be ‘‘substantially the same as’’ the corresponding voluntary standard, or it may be ‘‘more stringent than’’ the voluntary standard, if the Commission determines that more stringent requirements would further reduce the risk of injury associated with the product. Id. Section 104(b)(4)(B) of the CPSIA specifies the process for updating the E:\FR\FM\06SER1.SGM 06SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 171 / Tuesday, September 6, 2022 / Rules and Regulations jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with RULES Commission’s rules when a voluntary standards organization revises a standard that the Commission previously incorporated by reference under section 104(b)(1). First, the voluntary standards organization must notify the Commission of the revision. Once the Commission receives this notification, the Commission may reject or accept the revised standard. The Commission may reject the revised standard by notifying the voluntary standards organization, within 90 days of receiving notice of the revision, that it has determined that the revised standard does not improve the safety of the consumer product and that it is retaining the existing standard. If the Commission does not take this action to reject the revised standard, then the revised voluntary standard will be considered a consumer product safety standard issued under section 9 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2058), effective 180 days after the Commission received notification of the revision or on a later date specified by the Commission in the Federal Register. 15 U.S.C. 2056a(b)(4)(B). 2. Safety Standard for Infant Bouncer Seats Under section 104(b)(1) of the CPSIA, the Commission adopted a mandatory rule for infant bouncer seats, codified in 16 CFR part 1229. The rule incorporated by reference ASTM F2167–17, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant Bouncer Seats, with no modifications. 82 FR 43470 (Sep. 18, 2017). At the time the Commission published the final rule, ASTM F2167– 17 was the current version of the voluntary standard. ASTM revised the voluntary standard in May 2019. In September 2019, the Commission revised the mandatory standard to incorporate by reference ASTM F2167– 19. 84 FR 46878 (Sep. 6, 2019). On June 22, 2022, ASTM notified CPSC that it has once more revised the voluntary standard for infant bouncer seats, by approving ASTM F2167–22 on May 1, 2022. On June 30, 2022, the Commission published a notice of availability in the Federal Register regarding the revised voluntary standard and sought comments on the effect of the revisions on the safety of the standard for infant bouncer seats. 87 FR 39068 (Jun. 30, 2022). No comments were submitted. As discussed in section B. Revisions to ASTM F2167, based on CPSC staff’s review of ASTM F2167–22,1 the 1 CPSC staff’s briefing package regarding ASTM F2167–22 is available at: https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fspublic/ASTMs-Revised-Safety-Standard-for-Infant- VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:41 Sep 02, 2022 Jkt 256001 Commission will allow the revised voluntary standard to become the mandatory standard because it improves the safety of infant bouncer seats.2 Accordingly, by operation of law under section 104(b)(4)(B) of the CPSIA, ASTM F2167–22 will become the mandatory consumer product safety standard for infant bouncer seats on December 19, 2022. 15 U.S.C. 2056a(b)(4)(B). This direct final rule updates 16 CFR part 1229 to incorporate by reference the revised voluntary standard, ASTM F2167–22. B. Revisions to ASTM F2167 The ASTM standard for infant bouncer seats includes performance requirements, test methods, and requirements for warning labels and instructional literature, to address hazards to children associated with infant bouncer seats. ASTM F2167–22 contains substantive revisions as well as editorial, non-substantive revisions. These revisions from ASTM F2167–19 to ASTM F2167–22 consist of changes to the infant bouncer seat warning label language, as well as changes that do not impact safety because they do not change the meaning of the standard and are editorial in nature. The Commission concludes that these changes collectively improve the safety of infant bouncer seats, and none has an adverse effect on safety. Below is a detailed discussion of the substantive and nonsubstantive changes made to ASTM F2167–19. Substantive Changes in ASTM F2167–22 ASTM F2167–22 revised the suffocation-related warnings to clarify that the product is not intended or safe for sleep and directs consumers to move the baby to a flat sleep surface if the baby falls asleep in the product. Specifically, in section 8.5.2 of ASTM F2167–19, the suffocation hazard warning language stated: Suffocation hazard: Babies have suffocated when bouncers have tipped over on soft surfaces. • NEVER use product on a bed, sofa, cushion, or other soft surface. • NEVER leave baby unattended. To prevent falls and suffocation: Bouncer-Seats.pdf?VersionId=cQ1Dr6X0fNVW4jNlb FGhkwy9bwU1FcZX. 2 The Commission voted 4–1 to approve this notice. Chair Hoehn-Saric and Commissioners Baiocco, Feldman and Boyle voted to approve publication of the notice as drafted. Commissioner Trumka voted to determine that the proposed revision does not improve the safety of infant bouncer seats and therefore not approve publication of the notice in the Federal Register. Commissioner Trumka issued a statement in connection with his vote. PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 54363 • ALWAYS use restraints and adjust to fit snugly, even if baby falls asleep. ASTM F2167–22 revised the suffocation hazard warning section to the following: Suffocation hazard: Babies have suffocated when bouncers tipped over on soft surfaces and/or when bouncers have been used as a sleep product. • NEVER use on a bed, sofa, cushion, or other soft surface. • Stay near and watch baby during use. This product is not safe for sleep or unsupervised use. If baby falls asleep, remove baby as soon as possible and place baby on a firm, flat sleep surface such as a crib or bassinet. To prevent falls and suffocation: • ALWAYS use restraints and adjust to fit snugly. The statements advising caregivers to always use restraints and adjust to fit snugly, which is on both the fall hazard and suffocation hazard warnings, have now been updated by removing the statement: ‘‘even if baby falls asleep.’’ Specifically, in sections 8.5.1.1 and 8.5.2.1 of ASTM F2167–19, the contained the statement: • ALWAYS use restraints and adjust to fit snugly, even if baby falls asleep. ASTM F2167–22 revised the statement to the following: • ALWAYS use restraints and adjust to fit snugly. The warning language in the 2019 version that recommended using and adjusting the restraints includes the phrase: ‘‘even if baby falls asleep,’’ which may suggest to users that using bouncers for infant sleep is acceptable. The ASTM subcommittee has since concluded that bouncers should not be used for sleep. Thus, the 2022 revision deletes this phrase and adds clarifying language to communicate clearly to consumers that: ‘‘This product is not safe for sleep or unsupervised use,’’ while reinforcing the message that babies should sleep in cribs, bassinets, or other firm, flat sleep surfaces. These changes improve safety. The Commission also considers the change from ‘‘NEVER leave child unattended’’ to ‘‘Stay near and watch baby during use’’ to be an improvement in safety. Consumers are more likely to understand a message directly instructing them on what to do to avoid the hazard. A user study conducted for CPSC to assess this language concluded that caregivers prefer clear and straightto-the-point phrases. The researchers further concluded that many caregivers misinterpret the words ‘‘unattended’’ and ‘‘unsupervised,’’ and these terms should be replaced with less ambiguous phrases. E:\FR\FM\06SER1.SGM 06SER1 54364 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 171 / Tuesday, September 6, 2022 / Rules and Regulations The Commission considers the modified suffocation warnings an improvement to safety because they provide clear and concise instructions for safe use of an infant bouncer. The new warning statement provides concise guidance to the caregiver that infant bouncer seats are not safe for sleep, and it provides guidance that is consistent with CPSC messaging about the importance of placing sleeping babies on firm, flat sleep surfaces, such as a crib or bassinet. Finally, changes were made to the wording in the corresponding Figures indicated below to reflect the current Ad-Hoc Recommendations: 3 • Figure.11 Fall Hazard Warnings; • Figure.12 Suffocation Hazard Warnings; and • Figure. 13, Instruction Warnings Statements. The Commission considers these changes to be an improvement to safety because the changes are consistent with revisions to language made to Subsection 8.5.1.1 and 8.5.2.1, and thus may avoid consumer confusion, and because they discourage caregivers from using the product for sleep. Non-Substantive Changes in ASTM F2167–22 ASTM F2167–22 makes several nonsubstantive changes to the standard. The following has been added to the Appendix: X1.9 Subsection 8.5.2.1—Change in the form of an added statement to explain the non-relevance and removal of ‘‘even if baby is sleeping’’ from the Appendix Rationale in the new standard. This change does not impact safety because it does not affect the information available to consumers. Finally, several minor editorial changes adding hyphens to language in the standard were made. The Commission finds that the nonsubstantive changes made in ASTM F2167–22 regarding safety for infant bouncer seats do not impact safety. C. Incorporation by Reference jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with RULES Section 1229.2 of the direct final rule incorporates by reference ASTM F2167– 22. The Office of the Federal Register (OFR) has regulations regarding incorporation by reference. 1 CFR part 51. Under these regulations, agencies must discuss, in the preamble to a final 3 ASTM Ad Hoc Wording Task Group (Ad Hoc TG) consists of members of various durable nursery product voluntary standards committees, including CPSC staff. The Ad Hoc TG’s purpose is to harmonize the wording of common sections (e.g., introduction, scope, protective components) and warning label requirements across durable infant and toddler product voluntary standards. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:41 Sep 02, 2022 Jkt 256001 rule, ways in which the material the agency incorporates by reference is reasonably available to interested parties, and how interested parties can obtain the material. In addition, the preamble to the final rule must summarize the material. 1 CFR 51.5(b). In accordance with the OFR regulations, section B. Revisions to ASTM F2167 of this preamble summarizes the major provisions of ASTM F2167–22 that the Commission incorporates by reference into 16 CFR part 1229. The standard is reasonably available to interested parties. Until the direct final rule takes effect, a read-only copy of ASTM F2167–22 is available for viewing, at no cost, on ASTM’s website at: www.astm.org/CPSC.htm. Once the rule takes effect, a read-only copy of the standard will be available for viewing, at no cost, on the ASTM website at: www.astm.org/READINGLIBRARY/. Interested parties can also schedule an appointment to inspect a copy of the standard at CPSC’s Office of the Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 820, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814, telephone: (301) 504–7479; email: cpsc-os@cpsc.gov. Interested parties can purchase a copy of ASTM F2167–22 from ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428–2959 USA; telephone: (610) 832–9585; www.astm.org. D. Certification Section 14(a) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA; 15 U.S.C. 2051–2089) requires manufacturers of products subject to a consumer product safety rule under the CPSA, or to a similar rule, ban, standard, or regulation under any other act enforced by the Commission, to certify that the products comply with all applicable CPSC requirements. 15 U.S.C. 2063(a). Such certification must be based on a test of each product, or on a reasonable testing program, or for children’s products, on tests of a sufficient number of samples by a third party conformity assessment body accredited by CPSC to test according to the applicable requirements. As noted, standards issued under section 104(b)(1)(B) of the CPSIA are ‘‘consumer product safety standards.’’ Thus, they are subject to the testing and certification requirements of section 14 of the CPSA. Because infant bouncer seats are children’s products, a CPSC-accepted third party conformity assessment body must test samples of the products. Products subject to part 1229 also must comply with all other applicable CPSC requirements, such as the lead content PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 requirements in section 101 of the CPSIA,4 the tracking label requirements in section 14(a)(5) of the CPSA,5 and the consumer registration form requirements in section 104(d) of the CPSIA.6 ASTM F2167–22 makes no changes that would impact any of these existing requirements. E. Notice of Requirements In accordance with section 14(a)(3)(B)(vi) of the CPSA, the Commission previously published a notice of requirements (NOR) for accreditation of third party conformity assessment bodies for testing infant bouncer seats. 82 FR 43470 (Sep. 18, 2017). The NOR provided the criteria and process for CPSC to accept accreditation of third party conformity assessment bodies for testing infant bouncer seats to 16 CFR part 1229. The NORs for all mandatory standards for durable infant or toddler products are listed in the Commission’s rule, ‘‘Requirements Pertaining to Third Party Conformity Assessment Bodies,’’ codified in 16 CFR part 1112. Id. CPSCaccepted testing laboratories that have ASTM F2167–19 in their scope of accreditation are competent to conduct testing to ASTM F2167–22. None of the changes to the standard would affect a CPSC-accepted laboratory’s ability to conduct testing to the revised standard. Therefore, the Commission considers the existing CPSC-accepted laboratories for testing to ASTM F2167–19 to be capable of testing to ASTM F2167–22 as well. Accordingly, the existing NOR for this standard will remain in place, and CPSC-accepted third party conformity assessment bodies are expected to update the scope of the testing laboratories’ accreditations to reflect the revised standard in the normal course of renewing their accreditations. Thus, laboratories will begin testing to the new standard when ASTM F2167–22 goes into effect, and the existing accreditations that the Commission has accepted for testing to this standard will cover testing to the revised standard. F. Direct Final Rule Process The Commission is issuing this rule as a direct final rule. Although the Administrative Procedure Act (APA; 5 U.S.C. 551–559) generally requires agencies to provide notice of a rule and an opportunity for interested parties to comment on it, section 553 of the APA provides an exception when the agency ‘‘for good cause finds’’ that notice and comment are ‘‘impracticable, 4 15 U.S.C. 1278a. U.S.C. 2063(a)(5). 6 15 U.S.C. 2056a(d). 5 15 E:\FR\FM\06SER1.SGM 06SER1 jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 171 / Tuesday, September 6, 2022 / Rules and Regulations unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.’’ Id. 553(b)(B). The Commission concludes that when it updates a reference to an ASTM standard that the Commission incorporated by reference under section 104(b) of the CPSIA, notice and comment are not necessary. Specifically, under the process set out in section 104(b)(4)(B) of the CPSIA, when ASTM revises a standard that the Commission has previously incorporated by reference under section 104(b)(1)(B) of the CPSIA, that revision will become the new CPSC standard, unless the Commission determines that ASTM’s revision does not improve the safety of the product. Thus, unless the Commission makes such a determination, the ASTM revision becomes CPSC’s standard by operation of law. The Commission is allowing ASTM F2167–22 to become CPSC’s new standard because its provisions improve product safety. The purpose of this direct final rule is to update the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) so that it reflects the version of the standard that takes effect by statute. This rule updates the reference in the CFR, but under the terms of the CPSIA, ASTM F2167–22 takes effect as the new CPSC standard for infant bouncer seats, even if the Commission does not issue this rule. Thus, public comments would not alter substantive changes to the standard or the effect of the revised standard as a consumer product safety standard under section 104(b) of the CPSIA. Under these circumstances, notice and comment are unnecessary. In Recommendation 95–4, the Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS) endorses direct final rulemaking as an appropriate procedure to expedite rules that are noncontroversial and not expected to generate significant adverse comments. See 60 FR 43108 (Aug. 18, 1995). ACUS recommends that agencies use the direct final rule process when they act under the ‘‘unnecessary’’ prong of the good cause exemption in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). Consistent with the ACUS recommendation, the Commission is publishing this rule as a direct final rule, because CPSC does not expect any significant adverse comments. Unless CPSC receives a significant adverse comment within 30 days of this notification, the rule will become effective on December 19, 2022. In accordance with ACUS’s recommendation, the Commission considers a significant adverse comment to be ‘‘one where the commenter explains why the rule would be inappropriate,’’ including an assertion challenging ‘‘the rule’s underlying premise or approach,’’ or a claim that VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:41 Sep 02, 2022 Jkt 256001 the rule ‘‘would be ineffective or unacceptable without a change.’’ 60 FR 43108, 43111 (Aug. 18, 1995). As noted, this rule merely updates a reference in the CFR to reflect a change that occurs by statute, and public comments should address this specific action. If the Commission receives a significant adverse comment, the Commission will withdraw this direct final rule. Depending on the comment and other circumstances, the Commission may then incorporate the adverse comment into a subsequent direct final rule or publish a notice of proposed rulemaking, providing an opportunity for public comment. G. Regulatory Flexibility Act The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA; 5 U.S.C. 601–612) generally requires agencies to review proposed and final rules for their potential economic impact on small entities, including small businesses, and prepare regulatory flexibility analyses. 5 U.S.C. 603, 604. The RFA applies to any rule that is subject to notice and comment procedures under section 553 of the APA. Id. As discussed in section F. Direct Final Rule Process of this preamble, the Commission has determined that notice and the opportunity to comment are unnecessary for this rule. Therefore, the RFA does not apply. CPSC also notes the limited nature of this document, which merely updates the incorporation by reference to reflect the mandatory CPSC standard that takes effect under section 104 of the CPSIA. H. Paperwork Reduction Act The current mandatory standard for infant bouncer seats includes requirements for marking, labeling, and instructional literature that constitute a ‘‘collection of information,’’ as defined in the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA; 44 U.S.C. 3501–3521). While the revised mandatory standard revises existing marking and labeling, and instructional literature language for infant bouncer seats, the revisions would not add to the burden hours because the products already require marking, labeling, and instructional literature. The new requirements merely require new words or wording changes to language already required by the standard for infant bouncer seats. Therefore, the new requirements are not materially more burdensome than the existing requirements. Conforming the mandatory standard for infant bouncer seats to ASTM’s revision of the voluntary standard also reduces burdens on manufacturers who would follow the updated voluntary standard and thus, in PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 54365 the absence of this rule, be subject to partially inconsistent requirements. The Commission took the steps required by the PRA for information collections when it promulgated 16 CFR part 1229, and the marking, labeling, and instructional literature for infant bouncer seats are currently approved under OMB Control Number 3041–0159. Because the information collection burden is unchanged, the revision does not affect the information collection requirements or approval related to the standard. I. Effective Date Under the procedure set forth in section 104(b)(4)(B) of the CPSIA, when a voluntary standards organization revises a standard that the Commission adopted as a mandatory standard, the revision becomes the CPSC standard 180 days after notification to the Commission, unless the Commission timely notifies the standards organization that it has determined that the revision does not improve the safety of the product, or the Commission sets a later date in the Federal Register. 15 U.S.C. 2056a(b)(4)(B). The Commission is taking neither of those actions with respect to the standard for infant bouncer seats. Therefore, ASTM F2167– 22 will take effect as the new mandatory standard for infant bouncer seats on December 19, 2022, 180 days after June 22, 2022, when the Commission received notice of the revision. J. Preemption Section 26(a) of the CPSA provides that where a consumer product safety standard is in effect and applies to a product, no state or political subdivision of a state may either establish or continue in effect a requirement dealing with the same risk of injury unless the state requirement is identical to the federal standard. 15 U.S.C. 2075(a). Section 26(c) of the CPSA also provides that states or political subdivisions of states may apply to CPSC for an exemption from this preemption under certain circumstances. Section 104(b) of the CPSIA deems rules issued under that provision ‘‘consumer product safety standards.’’ Therefore, once a rule issued under section 104 of the CPSIA takes effect, it will preempt in accordance with section 26(a) of the CPSA. K. Environmental Considerations Commission rules are categorically excluded from any requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement where they ‘‘have little or no potential E:\FR\FM\06SER1.SGM 06SER1 54366 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 171 / Tuesday, September 6, 2022 / Rules and Regulations for affecting the human environment.’’ 16 CFR 1021.5(c)(2). This rule falls within the categorical exclusion, so no environmental assessment or environmental impact statement is required. the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email fr.inspection@ nara.gov, or go to: www.archives.gov/ federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. L. Congressional Review Act The Congressional Review Act (CRA; 5 U.S.C. 801–808) states that before a rule may take effect, the agency issuing the rule must submit the rule, and certain related information, to each House of Congress and the Comptroller General. 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1). The CRA submission must indicate whether the rule is a ‘‘major rule.’’ The CRA states that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs determines whether a rule qualifies as a ‘‘major rule.’’ Pursuant to the CRA, this rule does not qualify as a ‘‘major rule,’’ as defined in 5 U.S.C. 804(2). To comply with the CRA, CPSC will submit the required information to each House of Congress and the Comptroller General. Alberta E. Mills, Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission. List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 1229 Consumer protection, Imports, Incorporation by reference, Imports, Infants and children, Law enforcement, Safety, Toys. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Commission amends 16 CFR chapter II as follows: SUMMARY: PART 1229—SAFETY STANDARD FOR INFANT BOUNCER SEATS 1. The authority citation for part 1229 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: Sec. 104, Pub. L. 110–314, 122 Stat. 3016 (15 U.S.C. 2056a). ■ 2. Revise § 1229.2 to read as follows: jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with RULES § 1229.2 seats. Requirements for infant bouncer Each infant bouncer seat must comply with all applicable provisions of ASTM F2167–22, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant Bouncer Seats, approved on approved May 1, 2022. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. A read-only copy of the standard is available for viewing on the ASTM website at www.astm.org/ READINGLIBRARY/. You may obtain a copy from ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428–2959; telephone (610) 832–9585; www.astm.org. You may inspect a copy at the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 820, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814, telephone (301) 504–7479, email cpsc-os@cpsc.gov, or at VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:41 Sep 02, 2022 Jkt 256001 [FR Doc. 2022–19179 Filed 9–2–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6355–01–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Indian Gaming Commission 25 CFR Part 514 RIN 3141–AA77 Annual Fee Calculation National Indian Gaming Commission. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: The National Indian Gaming Commission is amending agency procedures for calculating the amount of annual fee a gaming operation owes the National Indian Gaming Commission. The amendment excludes certain promotional credits from the calculation of the annual fee a gaming operation owes. DATES: Effective October 6, 2022. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Austin Badger, National Indian Gaming Commission; 1849 C Street NW, MS 1621, Washington, DC 20240. Telephone: 202–632–7003. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA or Act), Public Law 100–497, 25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq., was signed into law on October 17, 1988. The Act establishes the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC or Commission) and sets out a comprehensive framework for the regulation of gaming on Indian lands. The IGRA established an agency funding framework whereby gaming operations licensed by tribes pay a fee to the Commission for each gaming operation that conducts Class II or Class III gaming activity that is regulated pursuant to IGRA. 25 U.S.C. 2717(a)(1). These fees are used to fund the Commission in carrying out its regulatory authority. On August 15 1991, the NIGC published a final rule in the Federal Register called Annual Fees Payable By Class II Gaming Operations. 58 FR 5831. The rule added a new part to the Commission’s regulations to PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 provide direction and guidance to Class II gaming operations to enable them to compute and pay the annual fees as authorized by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The Commission has substantively amended them numerous times, most recently in 2018 (83 FR 2903). II. Development of the Rule On, June 9, 2021, the National Indian Gaming Commission sent a Notice of Consultation announcing that the Commission intended to consult on a number of topics, including proposed changes to the fee regulations. Prior to consultation, the Commission released proposed discussion drafts of the regulations for review. The proposed amendment to the fee regulations were intended to provide clarity as to whether a tribal gaming operation must include certain promotional credits, commonly referred to as ‘‘free play,’’ as ‘‘money wagered’’ for purposes of calculating the annual fee. The Commission held two virtual consultation sessions in July of 2021 to receive tribal input on the possible changes. The Commission reviewed all comments received as part of the consultation process. After considering the comments received from the public and through tribal consultations, the Commission published a notice of proposed rulemaking on December 2, 2021. 86 FR 68445. III. Review of Public Comments The Commission received the following comments in response to our notice of proposed rulemaking. Comment: Commenters recommended that the exclusion for promotional credits be mandatory rather than at the discretion of the tribal gaming operation. Commenters believe that the exclusion must be mandatory to prevent tribal gaming operations from paying fees on revenues that are not recognized under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Commenters also believe that discretionary language permits the NIGC to determine whether to accept the exclusion of promotional credits from the calculation of assessable gross revenues by tribal gaming operations on a discretionary basis. Finally, commenters believe that discretionary language may prompt reconsideration of promotional credit treatment in tribalstate compacts. Response: The Commission accepts this recommendation to provide a uniform calculation of the annual fee. The Commission initially made the deduction discretionary because it noted that a sizeable percentage of tribe E:\FR\FM\06SER1.SGM 06SER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 6, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54362-54366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19179]


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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

16 CFR Part 1229

[Docket No. CPSC-2015-0028]


Safety Standard for Infant Bouncer Seats

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Direct final rule.

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

SUMMARY: In September 2017, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission 
(CPSC or Commission) published a consumer product safety standard for 
infant bouncer seats under section 104 of the Consumer Product Safety 
Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). The standard incorporated by reference 
the ASTM voluntary standard for infant bouncer seats that had been 
adopted earlier in 2017 and was in effect at the time. ASTM updated the 
mandatory standard for infant bouncer seats in 2019 and again in 2022. 
Consistent with the CPSIA's process for updating mandatory standards 
for durable infant or toddler products that are based on a voluntary 
standard, when the voluntary standards organization revises the 
standard, this direct final rule updates the mandatory standard for 
infant bouncer seats to incorporate by reference ASTM's 2022 version of 
the voluntary standard.

DATES: The rule is effective on December 19, 2022, unless CPSC receives 
a significant adverse comment by October 6, 2022. If CPSC receives such 
a comment, it will publish a document in the Federal Register, 
withdrawing this direct final rule before its effective date. The 
incorporation by reference of the publication listed in this rule is 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of December 19, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: You can submit comments, identified by Docket No. CPSC-2015-
0028, by any of the following methods:
    Electronic Submissions: Submit electronic comments to the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal at: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for 
submitting comments. Do not submit through this website: confidential 
business information, trade secret information, or other sensitive or 
protected information that you do not want to be available to the 
public. CPSC typically does not accept comments submitted by electronic 
mail (email), except as described below.
    Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier/Confidential Written Submissions: CPSC 
encourages you to submit electronic comments by using the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal. You may, however, submit comments by mail, hand 
delivery, or courier to: Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product 
Safety Commission, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814; 
telephone: (301) 504-7479.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
docket number. CPSC may post all comments without change, including any 
personal identifiers, contact information, or other personal 
information provided, to: www.regulations.gov. If you wish to submit 
confidential business information, trade secret information, or other 
sensitive or protected information that you do not want to be available 
to the public, you may submit such comments by mail, hand delivery, or 
courier, or you may email them to: [email protected].
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to: www.regulations.gov, and insert the docket 
number, CPSC-2015-0028, into the ``Search'' box, and follow the 
prompts.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keysha Walker, Compliance Officer, 
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East-West Highway, 
Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone: (301) 504-6820; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

1. Statutory Authority

    Section 104(b)(1) of the CPSIA requires the Commission to assess 
the effectiveness of voluntary standards for durable infant or toddler 
products and to adopt mandatory standards for these products. 15 U.S.C. 
2056a(b)(1). A mandatory standard must be ``substantially the same as'' 
the corresponding voluntary standard, or it may be ``more stringent 
than'' the voluntary standard, if the Commission determines that more 
stringent requirements would further reduce the risk of injury 
associated with the product. Id.
    Section 104(b)(4)(B) of the CPSIA specifies the process for 
updating the

[[Page 54363]]

Commission's rules when a voluntary standards organization revises a 
standard that the Commission previously incorporated by reference under 
section 104(b)(1). First, the voluntary standards organization must 
notify the Commission of the revision. Once the Commission receives 
this notification, the Commission may reject or accept the revised 
standard. The Commission may reject the revised standard by notifying 
the voluntary standards organization, within 90 days of receiving 
notice of the revision, that it has determined that the revised 
standard does not improve the safety of the consumer product and that 
it is retaining the existing standard. If the Commission does not take 
this action to reject the revised standard, then the revised voluntary 
standard will be considered a consumer product safety standard issued 
under section 9 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2058), 
effective 180 days after the Commission received notification of the 
revision or on a later date specified by the Commission in the Federal 
Register. 15 U.S.C. 2056a(b)(4)(B).

2. Safety Standard for Infant Bouncer Seats

    Under section 104(b)(1) of the CPSIA, the Commission adopted a 
mandatory rule for infant bouncer seats, codified in 16 CFR part 1229. 
The rule incorporated by reference ASTM F2167-17, Standard Consumer 
Safety Specification for Infant Bouncer Seats, with no modifications. 
82 FR 43470 (Sep. 18, 2017). At the time the Commission published the 
final rule, ASTM F2167-17 was the current version of the voluntary 
standard. ASTM revised the voluntary standard in May 2019. In September 
2019, the Commission revised the mandatory standard to incorporate by 
reference ASTM F2167-19. 84 FR 46878 (Sep. 6, 2019).
    On June 22, 2022, ASTM notified CPSC that it has once more revised 
the voluntary standard for infant bouncer seats, by approving ASTM 
F2167-22 on May 1, 2022. On June 30, 2022, the Commission published a 
notice of availability in the Federal Register regarding the revised 
voluntary standard and sought comments on the effect of the revisions 
on the safety of the standard for infant bouncer seats. 87 FR 39068 
(Jun. 30, 2022). No comments were submitted.
    As discussed in section B. Revisions to ASTM F2167, based on CPSC 
staff's review of ASTM F2167-22,\1\ the Commission will allow the 
revised voluntary standard to become the mandatory standard because it 
improves the safety of infant bouncer seats.\2\ Accordingly, by 
operation of law under section 104(b)(4)(B) of the CPSIA, ASTM F2167-22 
will become the mandatory consumer product safety standard for infant 
bouncer seats on December 19, 2022. 15 U.S.C. 2056a(b)(4)(B). This 
direct final rule updates 16 CFR part 1229 to incorporate by reference 
the revised voluntary standard, ASTM F2167-22.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ CPSC staff's briefing package regarding ASTM F2167-22 is 
available at: https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/ASTMs-Revised-Safety-Standard-for-Infant-Bouncer-Seats.pdf?VersionId=cQ1Dr6X0fNVW4jNlbFGhkwy9bwU1FcZX.
    \2\ The Commission voted 4-1 to approve this notice. Chair 
Hoehn-Saric and Commissioners Baiocco, Feldman and Boyle voted to 
approve publication of the notice as drafted. Commissioner Trumka 
voted to determine that the proposed revision does not improve the 
safety of infant bouncer seats and therefore not approve publication 
of the notice in the Federal Register. Commissioner Trumka issued a 
statement in connection with his vote.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Revisions to ASTM F2167

    The ASTM standard for infant bouncer seats includes performance 
requirements, test methods, and requirements for warning labels and 
instructional literature, to address hazards to children associated 
with infant bouncer seats. ASTM F2167-22 contains substantive revisions 
as well as editorial, non-substantive revisions. These revisions from 
ASTM F2167-19 to ASTM F2167-22 consist of changes to the infant bouncer 
seat warning label language, as well as changes that do not impact 
safety because they do not change the meaning of the standard and are 
editorial in nature. The Commission concludes that these changes 
collectively improve the safety of infant bouncer seats, and none has 
an adverse effect on safety. Below is a detailed discussion of the 
substantive and non-substantive changes made to ASTM F2167-19.

Substantive Changes in ASTM F2167-22

    ASTM F2167-22 revised the suffocation-related warnings to clarify 
that the product is not intended or safe for sleep and directs 
consumers to move the baby to a flat sleep surface if the baby falls 
asleep in the product. Specifically, in section 8.5.2 of ASTM F2167-19, 
the suffocation hazard warning language stated:
    Suffocation hazard: Babies have suffocated when bouncers have 
tipped over on soft surfaces.
     NEVER use product on a bed, sofa, cushion, or other soft 
surface.
     NEVER leave baby unattended.
    To prevent falls and suffocation:
     ALWAYS use restraints and adjust to fit snugly, even if 
baby falls asleep.
    ASTM F2167-22 revised the suffocation hazard warning section to the 
following:
    Suffocation hazard: Babies have suffocated when bouncers tipped 
over on soft surfaces and/or when bouncers have been used as a sleep 
product.
     NEVER use on a bed, sofa, cushion, or other soft surface.
     Stay near and watch baby during use. This product is not 
safe for sleep or unsupervised use. If baby falls asleep, remove baby 
as soon as possible and place baby on a firm, flat sleep surface such 
as a crib or bassinet.
    To prevent falls and suffocation:
     ALWAYS use restraints and adjust to fit snugly.
    The statements advising caregivers to always use restraints and 
adjust to fit snugly, which is on both the fall hazard and suffocation 
hazard warnings, have now been updated by removing the statement: 
``even if baby falls asleep.'' Specifically, in sections 8.5.1.1 and 
8.5.2.1 of ASTM F2167-19, the contained the statement:
     ALWAYS use restraints and adjust to fit snugly, even if 
baby falls asleep.
    ASTM F2167-22 revised the statement to the following:
     ALWAYS use restraints and adjust to fit snugly.
    The warning language in the 2019 version that recommended using and 
adjusting the restraints includes the phrase: ``even if baby falls 
asleep,'' which may suggest to users that using bouncers for infant 
sleep is acceptable. The ASTM subcommittee has since concluded that 
bouncers should not be used for sleep. Thus, the 2022 revision deletes 
this phrase and adds clarifying language to communicate clearly to 
consumers that: ``This product is not safe for sleep or unsupervised 
use,'' while reinforcing the message that babies should sleep in cribs, 
bassinets, or other firm, flat sleep surfaces. These changes improve 
safety.
    The Commission also considers the change from ``NEVER leave child 
unattended'' to ``Stay near and watch baby during use'' to be an 
improvement in safety. Consumers are more likely to understand a 
message directly instructing them on what to do to avoid the hazard. A 
user study conducted for CPSC to assess this language concluded that 
caregivers prefer clear and straight-to-the-point phrases. The 
researchers further concluded that many caregivers misinterpret the 
words ``unattended'' and ``unsupervised,'' and these terms should be 
replaced with less ambiguous phrases.

[[Page 54364]]

    The Commission considers the modified suffocation warnings an 
improvement to safety because they provide clear and concise 
instructions for safe use of an infant bouncer. The new warning 
statement provides concise guidance to the caregiver that infant 
bouncer seats are not safe for sleep, and it provides guidance that is 
consistent with CPSC messaging about the importance of placing sleeping 
babies on firm, flat sleep surfaces, such as a crib or bassinet.
    Finally, changes were made to the wording in the corresponding 
Figures indicated below to reflect the current Ad-Hoc Recommendations: 
\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ ASTM Ad Hoc Wording Task Group (Ad Hoc TG) consists of 
members of various durable nursery product voluntary standards 
committees, including CPSC staff. The Ad Hoc TG's purpose is to 
harmonize the wording of common sections (e.g., introduction, scope, 
protective components) and warning label requirements across durable 
infant and toddler product voluntary standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Figure.11 Fall Hazard Warnings;
     Figure.12 Suffocation Hazard Warnings; and
     Figure. 13, Instruction Warnings Statements.
    The Commission considers these changes to be an improvement to 
safety because the changes are consistent with revisions to language 
made to Subsection 8.5.1.1 and 8.5.2.1, and thus may avoid consumer 
confusion, and because they discourage caregivers from using the 
product for sleep.

Non-Substantive Changes in ASTM F2167-22

    ASTM F2167-22 makes several non-substantive changes to the 
standard. The following has been added to the Appendix:
    X1.9 Subsection 8.5.2.1--Change in the form of an added statement 
to explain the non-relevance and removal of ``even if baby is 
sleeping'' from the Appendix Rationale in the new standard. This change 
does not impact safety because it does not affect the information 
available to consumers.
    Finally, several minor editorial changes adding hyphens to language 
in the standard were made. The Commission finds that the non-
substantive changes made in ASTM F2167-22 regarding safety for infant 
bouncer seats do not impact safety.

C. Incorporation by Reference

    Section 1229.2 of the direct final rule incorporates by reference 
ASTM F2167-22. The Office of the Federal Register (OFR) has regulations 
regarding incorporation by reference. 1 CFR part 51. Under these 
regulations, agencies must discuss, in the preamble to a final rule, 
ways in which the material the agency incorporates by reference is 
reasonably available to interested parties, and how interested parties 
can obtain the material. In addition, the preamble to the final rule 
must summarize the material. 1 CFR 51.5(b).
    In accordance with the OFR regulations, section B. Revisions to 
ASTM F2167 of this preamble summarizes the major provisions of ASTM 
F2167-22 that the Commission incorporates by reference into 16 CFR part 
1229. The standard is reasonably available to interested parties. Until 
the direct final rule takes effect, a read-only copy of ASTM F2167-22 
is available for viewing, at no cost, on ASTM's website at: 
www.astm.org/CPSC.htm. Once the rule takes effect, a read-only copy of 
the standard will be available for viewing, at no cost, on the ASTM 
website at: www.astm.org/READINGLIBRARY/. Interested parties can also 
schedule an appointment to inspect a copy of the standard at CPSC's 
Office of the Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 
820, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814, telephone: (301) 504-
7479; email: [email protected]. Interested parties can purchase a copy 
of ASTM F2167-22 from ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. 
Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959 USA; telephone: (610) 832-
9585; www.astm.org.

D. Certification

    Section 14(a) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA; 15 U.S.C. 
2051-2089) requires manufacturers of products subject to a consumer 
product safety rule under the CPSA, or to a similar rule, ban, 
standard, or regulation under any other act enforced by the Commission, 
to certify that the products comply with all applicable CPSC 
requirements. 15 U.S.C. 2063(a). Such certification must be based on a 
test of each product, or on a reasonable testing program, or for 
children's products, on tests of a sufficient number of samples by a 
third party conformity assessment body accredited by CPSC to test 
according to the applicable requirements. As noted, standards issued 
under section 104(b)(1)(B) of the CPSIA are ``consumer product safety 
standards.'' Thus, they are subject to the testing and certification 
requirements of section 14 of the CPSA.
    Because infant bouncer seats are children's products, a CPSC-
accepted third party conformity assessment body must test samples of 
the products. Products subject to part 1229 also must comply with all 
other applicable CPSC requirements, such as the lead content 
requirements in section 101 of the CPSIA,\4\ the tracking label 
requirements in section 14(a)(5) of the CPSA,\5\ and the consumer 
registration form requirements in section 104(d) of the CPSIA.\6\ ASTM 
F2167-22 makes no changes that would impact any of these existing 
requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ 15 U.S.C. 1278a.
    \5\ 15 U.S.C. 2063(a)(5).
    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 2056a(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

E. Notice of Requirements

    In accordance with section 14(a)(3)(B)(vi) of the CPSA, the 
Commission previously published a notice of requirements (NOR) for 
accreditation of third party conformity assessment bodies for testing 
infant bouncer seats. 82 FR 43470 (Sep. 18, 2017). The NOR provided the 
criteria and process for CPSC to accept accreditation of third party 
conformity assessment bodies for testing infant bouncer seats to 16 CFR 
part 1229. The NORs for all mandatory standards for durable infant or 
toddler products are listed in the Commission's rule, ``Requirements 
Pertaining to Third Party Conformity Assessment Bodies,'' codified in 
16 CFR part 1112. Id. CPSC-accepted testing laboratories that have ASTM 
F2167-19 in their scope of accreditation are competent to conduct 
testing to ASTM F2167-22. None of the changes to the standard would 
affect a CPSC-accepted laboratory's ability to conduct testing to the 
revised standard.
    Therefore, the Commission considers the existing CPSC-accepted 
laboratories for testing to ASTM F2167-19 to be capable of testing to 
ASTM F2167-22 as well. Accordingly, the existing NOR for this standard 
will remain in place, and CPSC-accepted third party conformity 
assessment bodies are expected to update the scope of the testing 
laboratories' accreditations to reflect the revised standard in the 
normal course of renewing their accreditations. Thus, laboratories will 
begin testing to the new standard when ASTM F2167-22 goes into effect, 
and the existing accreditations that the Commission has accepted for 
testing to this standard will cover testing to the revised standard.

F. Direct Final Rule Process

    The Commission is issuing this rule as a direct final rule. 
Although the Administrative Procedure Act (APA; 5 U.S.C. 551-559) 
generally requires agencies to provide notice of a rule and an 
opportunity for interested parties to comment on it, section 553 of the 
APA provides an exception when the agency ``for good cause finds'' that 
notice and comment are ``impracticable,

[[Page 54365]]

unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' Id. 553(b)(B). The 
Commission concludes that when it updates a reference to an ASTM 
standard that the Commission incorporated by reference under section 
104(b) of the CPSIA, notice and comment are not necessary.
    Specifically, under the process set out in section 104(b)(4)(B) of 
the CPSIA, when ASTM revises a standard that the Commission has 
previously incorporated by reference under section 104(b)(1)(B) of the 
CPSIA, that revision will become the new CPSC standard, unless the 
Commission determines that ASTM's revision does not improve the safety 
of the product. Thus, unless the Commission makes such a determination, 
the ASTM revision becomes CPSC's standard by operation of law. The 
Commission is allowing ASTM F2167-22 to become CPSC's new standard 
because its provisions improve product safety. The purpose of this 
direct final rule is to update the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) so 
that it reflects the version of the standard that takes effect by 
statute. This rule updates the reference in the CFR, but under the 
terms of the CPSIA, ASTM F2167-22 takes effect as the new CPSC standard 
for infant bouncer seats, even if the Commission does not issue this 
rule. Thus, public comments would not alter substantive changes to the 
standard or the effect of the revised standard as a consumer product 
safety standard under section 104(b) of the CPSIA. Under these 
circumstances, notice and comment are unnecessary.
    In Recommendation 95-4, the Administrative Conference of the United 
States (ACUS) endorses direct final rulemaking as an appropriate 
procedure to expedite rules that are noncontroversial and not expected 
to generate significant adverse comments. See 60 FR 43108 (Aug. 18, 
1995). ACUS recommends that agencies use the direct final rule process 
when they act under the ``unnecessary'' prong of the good cause 
exemption in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). Consistent with the ACUS 
recommendation, the Commission is publishing this rule as a direct 
final rule, because CPSC does not expect any significant adverse 
comments.
    Unless CPSC receives a significant adverse comment within 30 days 
of this notification, the rule will become effective on December 19, 
2022. In accordance with ACUS's recommendation, the Commission 
considers a significant adverse comment to be ``one where the commenter 
explains why the rule would be inappropriate,'' including an assertion 
challenging ``the rule's underlying premise or approach,'' or a claim 
that the rule ``would be ineffective or unacceptable without a 
change.'' 60 FR 43108, 43111 (Aug. 18, 1995). As noted, this rule 
merely updates a reference in the CFR to reflect a change that occurs 
by statute, and public comments should address this specific action.
    If the Commission receives a significant adverse comment, the 
Commission will withdraw this direct final rule. Depending on the 
comment and other circumstances, the Commission may then incorporate 
the adverse comment into a subsequent direct final rule or publish a 
notice of proposed rulemaking, providing an opportunity for public 
comment.

G. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA; 5 U.S.C. 601-612) generally 
requires agencies to review proposed and final rules for their 
potential economic impact on small entities, including small 
businesses, and prepare regulatory flexibility analyses. 5 U.S.C. 603, 
604. The RFA applies to any rule that is subject to notice and comment 
procedures under section 553 of the APA. Id. As discussed in section F. 
Direct Final Rule Process of this preamble, the Commission has 
determined that notice and the opportunity to comment are unnecessary 
for this rule. Therefore, the RFA does not apply. CPSC also notes the 
limited nature of this document, which merely updates the incorporation 
by reference to reflect the mandatory CPSC standard that takes effect 
under section 104 of the CPSIA.

H. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The current mandatory standard for infant bouncer seats includes 
requirements for marking, labeling, and instructional literature that 
constitute a ``collection of information,'' as defined in the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521). While the revised mandatory 
standard revises existing marking and labeling, and instructional 
literature language for infant bouncer seats, the revisions would not 
add to the burden hours because the products already require marking, 
labeling, and instructional literature. The new requirements merely 
require new words or wording changes to language already required by 
the standard for infant bouncer seats. Therefore, the new requirements 
are not materially more burdensome than the existing requirements. 
Conforming the mandatory standard for infant bouncer seats to ASTM's 
revision of the voluntary standard also reduces burdens on 
manufacturers who would follow the updated voluntary standard and thus, 
in the absence of this rule, be subject to partially inconsistent 
requirements.
    The Commission took the steps required by the PRA for information 
collections when it promulgated 16 CFR part 1229, and the marking, 
labeling, and instructional literature for infant bouncer seats are 
currently approved under OMB Control Number 3041-0159. Because the 
information collection burden is unchanged, the revision does not 
affect the information collection requirements or approval related to 
the standard.

I. Effective Date

    Under the procedure set forth in section 104(b)(4)(B) of the CPSIA, 
when a voluntary standards organization revises a standard that the 
Commission adopted as a mandatory standard, the revision becomes the 
CPSC standard 180 days after notification to the Commission, unless the 
Commission timely notifies the standards organization that it has 
determined that the revision does not improve the safety of the 
product, or the Commission sets a later date in the Federal Register. 
15 U.S.C. 2056a(b)(4)(B). The Commission is taking neither of those 
actions with respect to the standard for infant bouncer seats. 
Therefore, ASTM F2167-22 will take effect as the new mandatory standard 
for infant bouncer seats on December 19, 2022, 180 days after June 22, 
2022, when the Commission received notice of the revision.

J. Preemption

    Section 26(a) of the CPSA provides that where a consumer product 
safety standard is in effect and applies to a product, no state or 
political subdivision of a state may either establish or continue in 
effect a requirement dealing with the same risk of injury unless the 
state requirement is identical to the federal standard. 15 U.S.C. 
2075(a). Section 26(c) of the CPSA also provides that states or 
political subdivisions of states may apply to CPSC for an exemption 
from this preemption under certain circumstances. Section 104(b) of the 
CPSIA deems rules issued under that provision ``consumer product safety 
standards.'' Therefore, once a rule issued under section 104 of the 
CPSIA takes effect, it will preempt in accordance with section 26(a) of 
the CPSA.

K. Environmental Considerations

    Commission rules are categorically excluded from any requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or an environmental impact 
statement where they ``have little or no potential

[[Page 54366]]

for affecting the human environment.'' 16 CFR 1021.5(c)(2). This rule 
falls within the categorical exclusion, so no environmental assessment 
or environmental impact statement is required.

L. Congressional Review Act

    The Congressional Review Act (CRA; 5 U.S.C. 801-808) states that 
before a rule may take effect, the agency issuing the rule must submit 
the rule, and certain related information, to each House of Congress 
and the Comptroller General. 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1). The CRA submission 
must indicate whether the rule is a ``major rule.'' The CRA states that 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs determines whether a 
rule qualifies as a ``major rule.''
    Pursuant to the CRA, this rule does not qualify as a ``major 
rule,'' as defined in 5 U.S.C. 804(2). To comply with the CRA, CPSC 
will submit the required information to each House of Congress and the 
Comptroller General.

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 1229

    Consumer protection, Imports, Incorporation by reference, Imports, 
Infants and children, Law enforcement, Safety, Toys.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Commission amends 16 
CFR chapter II as follows:

PART 1229--SAFETY STANDARD FOR INFANT BOUNCER SEATS

0
1. The authority citation for part 1229 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Sec. 104, Pub. L. 110-314, 122 Stat. 3016 (15 U.S.C. 
2056a).


0
2. Revise Sec.  1229.2 to read as follows:


Sec.  1229.2  Requirements for infant bouncer seats.

    Each infant bouncer seat must comply with all applicable provisions 
of ASTM F2167-22, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant 
Bouncer Seats, approved on approved May 1, 2022. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. A read-only copy of the 
standard is available for viewing on the ASTM website at www.astm.org/READINGLIBRARY/. You may obtain a copy from ASTM International, 100 
Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959; 
telephone (610) 832-9585; www.astm.org. You may inspect a copy at the 
Office of the Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 
820, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814, telephone (301) 504-
7479, email [email protected], or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, email [email protected], or go to: 
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

Alberta E. Mills,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 2022-19179 Filed 9-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P


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