Consumer Product Safety Commission – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (``Commission'' or ``CPSC'') is issuing a final rule for advertisements of certain toys and games. Section 105 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, Public Law 110-314, 122 Stat. 3016 (August 14, 2008), (``CPSIA''), directs the Commission to promulgate regulations to effectuate this section with respect to advertising for certain toys and games in catalogues and other printed materials not later than 90 days after enactment. The final rule details requirements regarding the size and placement of the cautionary labeling and the use of abbreviated warnings. The rule exempts catalogues circulated solely between businesses from the rule's requirements, except where the recipient business is one that could be expected to be purchasing the product for the use of children rather than for resale. There is a grace period of 180 days for distribution of catalogues and other printed materials printed prior to the effective date of February 10, 2009.

Section 105 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, (``CPSIA''), directs the Commission to promulgate regulations to effectuate this section with respect to advertising for certain toys and games in catalogues and other printed materials not later than 90 days after enactment. The Commission invites public comment on this proposal.

In the July 3, 2008 Federal Register (73 FR 38187), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) published a notice in accordance with provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) (PRA), to announce the agency's intention to seek extension of its PRA approval of information collection requirements regarding certain coal and wood burning appliances pursuant to 16 CFR part 1406. The Commission now announces that it has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a request for extension of approval of that collection of information. The Commission received no comments. The CPSC will use the information it obtains to monitor industry compliance with the requirements and to reduce risks of injuries from fires associated with the installation, operation, and maintenance of the appliances that are subject to the regulation.

On September 27, 2006, the Commission issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to assess whether a rulemaking was necessary to address any unreasonable risk of injury or death which may be associated with the proliferation of infant cushions/pillows and pillow-like products intended for infants in the marketplace, including the Boston Billow Nursing Pillow. 71 FR 56418. After review of the comments, incident reports and other available information, the Commission has determined there is insufficient data or product information on infant cushions/pillows or pillow-like products, other than the Boston Billow Nursing Pillow and substantially similar nursing pillows, to proceed with further rulemaking on those products at this time. Based on these findings, the Commission terminates the infant cushion/pillow rulemaking other than with respect to the Boston Billow Nursing Pillow and substantially similar nursing pillows.

In the May 29, 2008, Federal Register (73 FR 30883), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) published a notice in accordance with provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) (PRA), to announce the agency's intention to seek extension of its PRA approval to conduct surveys to determine the kind and quality of services CPSC customers want and customers' level of satisfaction with existing services. The Commission now announces that it has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for extension of approval of that collection of information. These customer surveys are used by the CPSC Office of Financial Management, Planning and Evaluation to prepare sections of the agency's annual performance plan and accountability report in accordance with the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993. The information from the surveys will provide measures of the quality and effectiveness of agency efforts related to three goals in its strategic plan: Informing the public, industry services, and customer satisfaction. If this information is not collected, the Commission would not have the means to measure its effectiveness in providing useful services to consumers and others, and lack information necessary to guide program development.

It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements which it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20(e). Published below is a provisionally accepted Settlement Agreement with Liberty Apparel Co., Inc., containing a civil penalty of $35,000.00.

It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements which it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20(e). Published below is a provisionally-accepted Settlement Agreement with Vacation Clothing Exchange, Inc., d/b/a Basix USA, containing a civil penalty of $25,000.00.

It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements which it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR Sec. 1118.20(e). Published below is a provisionally accepted Settlement Agreement with Scope Imports, Inc., containing a civil penalty of $70,000.00.

It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements which it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20(e). Published below is a provisionally accepted Settlement Agreement with Rebelette International Trading Corporation, containing a civil penalty of $40,000.00.

The information collection requirements in a Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) coal and woodburning appliance rule have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB control number 3041-0040. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Commission now requests comments on a proposed extension of approval of those information collection requirements for a period of three years from the date of approval by the OMB. The rule, codified at 16 CFR Part 1406, requires manufacturers and importers of certain coal and woodburning appliances to provide safety information to consumers on labels and instructions and an explanation of how certain clearance distances in those labels and instructions were determined. The requirements to provide copies of labels and instructions to the Commission have been in effect for stoves manufactured or imported since October 17, 1983, or May 16, 1984, for stoves introduced into United States commerce after May 16, 1984, regardless of the date of manufacture. For this reason, the information burden imposed by this rule is limited to manufacturers and importers introducing new products or models, or making changes to labels, instructions, or information previously provided to the Commission. The purposes of the reporting requirements in Part 1406 are to reduce risks of injuries from fires associated with the installation, operation, and maintenance of the appliances that are subject to the rule, and to assist the Commission in determining the extent to which manufacturers and importers comply with the requirements in Part 1406. The Commission will consider all comments received in response to this notice before requesting approval of this collection of information from the Office of Management and Budget.

As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) (PRA), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requests comments on a proposed request for an extension of its PRA approval to conduct surveys to determine customers' level of satisfaction with existing services. The Commission will consider all comments received in response to this notice before requesting approval of this collection of information from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements which it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20(e). Published below is a provisionally-accepted Settlement Agreement with Seena International Inc., containing a civil penalty of $35,000.00.

It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements which it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20(e). Published below is a provisionally accepted Settlement Agreement with The Cayre Group, Ltd., containing a civil penalty of $40,000.00.

It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements which it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20(e). Published below is a provisionally accepted Settlement Agreement with True Religion Apparel, Inc., containing a civil penalty of $50,000.00.

It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements which it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20(e). Published below is a provisionally-accepted Settlement Agreement with Gildan Activewear SRL, containing a civil penalty of $35,000.00.

It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements which it provisionally accepts under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act in the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20(e). Published below is a provisionally-accepted Settlement Agreement with Reebok International Ltd., a corporation, containing a civil penalty of $1,000,000.00.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (``Commission'' or ``CPSC'') is proposing flammability standards for residential upholstered furniture under the Flammable Fabrics Act (``FFA''). The proposal would establish performance requirements and certification and labeling requirements for upholstered furniture. Manufacturers of upholstered furniture would choose one of two possible methods of compliance: They could use cover materials that are sufficiently smolder resistant to meet a cigarette ignition performance test; or they could place fire barriers that meet smoldering and open flame resistance tests between the cover fabric and interior filling materials. Manufacturers of upholstered furniture would be required to certify compliance with the standard and to comply with certain recordkeeping requirements as specified in the proposal.

It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements which is provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20(e0). Published below is a provisionally-accepted Settlement Agreement with Vornado Liquidating Trust for and on behalf of Vornado Air Circulation Systems, Inc., a Trust, containing a civil penalty of $500,000.

It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements which it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20(e). Published below is a provisionally-accepted Settlement Agreement with Stamina Products, Inc., a corporation, containing a civil penalty of $105,000.

It is the policy of the commission to publish settlements which it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20(e). Published below is a provisionally-accepted Settlement Agreement with TAP Enterprises, Inc., d/b/a Cummins Industrial Tools, a corporation, containing a civil penalty of $100,000.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission staff (CPSC or Commission) announces the fiscal year 2007 program for systematic review of current CPSC substantive regulations to ensure, to the maximum practical extent, consistency among them and with respect to accomplishing program goals. In fiscal year 2007, the following two regulations will be evaluated: Ban of Unstable Refuse Bins, 16 CFR part 1301; and Requirements for Pacifiers, 16 CFR part 1511. The primary purpose of the review is to assess the degree to which the regulations under review remain consistent with the Commission's program policies. In addition, each regulation will be examined with respect to the extent that it is current and relevant to CPSC program goals. Attention will also be given to whether the regulations can be streamlined, if possible, to minimize regulatory burdens, especially on small entities. To the degree consistent with other Commission priorities and subject to the availability of personnel and fiscal resources, specific regulatory or other projects may be undertaken in response to the results of the review. The Commission staff solicits written comments from interested persons concerning the designated regulations' currentness and consistency with Commission policies and goals, and suggestions for streamlining where appropriate. In so doing, commenters are requested to specifically address how their suggestions for change could be accomplished within the statutory frameworks for Commission action under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA), 15 U.S.C. 2051-2084, and the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA), 15 U.S.C. 1261-1278.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) is publishing notice of two new systems of records, CPSC-25, FOIA Express System of Records (FOIAXpress) and CPSC-26, Learning Management System. Comments must be received on or before September 4, 2007.