Consumer Product Safety Commission June 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In the February 12, 2007 Federal Register (72 FR 6535), 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) to announce the agency's intention to seek an extension of approval of the collection of information in the safety standard for bicycle helmets (16 CFR part 1203). These regulations establish testing and recordkeeping requirements for manufacturers and importers of bicycle helmets subject to the standard. No comments were received in response to the notice. The Commission now announces that it is submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for extension of approval of that collection of information for a period of three years from the date of approval.

In the March 1, 2007 Federal Register (72 FR 9311), 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) to announce the agency's intention to seek an extension of approval of information collection requirements in the Standard for the Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress Pads. 16 CFR part 1632. Comments were received from Barbara Lafferty and Clifford Nopp opposing a new standard for the flammability (open flame) of mattress sets under 16 CFR part 1633. Gabe Owens submitted comments stating that part 1632 should be terminated and superseded by the requirements in part 1633. These comments do not pertain to the collection of information requirements under part 1632. These comments should have been submitted in, and similar comments previously were addressed in the rulemaking proceeding promulgating 16 CFR part 1633, which is now codified. Accordingly, the Commission now announces that it is submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for extension of approval of this collection of information. The standard is intended to reduce unreasonable risks of burn injuries and deaths from fires associated with mattresses and mattress pads. The standard prescribes a test to assure that a mattress or mattress pad will resist ignition from a smoldering cigarette. The standard requires manufacturers and importers to perform prototype tests of each combination of materials and construction methods used to produce mattresses or mattress pads and to obtain acceptable results from such testing. Manufacturers and importers are required to maintain the records and test results specified under the standard. OMB previously approved the collection of information under control number 3041-0014. OMB's most recent extension of approval will expire on August 31, 2007. An additional mattress standard was promulgated under section 4 of the Flammable Fabrics Act, 15 U.S.C. 1191-1204, effective July 1, 2007, to reduce deaths and injuries related to mattress fires, particularly those ignited by open flame sources such as lighters, candles and matches. 16 CFR part 1633. That standard established new performance requirements for mattresses and mattress sets that will generate a smaller size fire from open flame source ignitions. Part 1633 also contains recordkeeping requirements to document compliance with the standard. OMB approved that collection of information under Control Number 3041-0133, with an expiration date of June 30, 2009. 71 FR 37910. In May 2006, an Interim Enforcement Policy for Mattresses subject to 16 CFR parts 1632 and 1633, effective May 1, 2006, was issued that reduced prototype surface testing and recordkeeping requirements from six mattress surfaces to two mattress surfaces for each new prototype created after March 15, 2006. That policy is available at https:// www.cpsc.gov/BUSINFO/Interimmattress.pdf. Mattress prototypes created before March 15, 2006, are subject to the full requirements of part 1632. In addition, mattress pads are not subject to this policy and must continue to adhere to all the requirements set forth in part 1632.

In the February 12, 2007 Federal Register (72 FR 6534), 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) to announce the agency's intention to seek an extension of approval of information collection requirements in regulations codified at 16 CFR part 1019, which establish procedures for export of noncomplying products. No comments were received. The Commission now announces that it is submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for extension of approval of that collection of information. These regulations implement provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and the Flammable Fabrics Act that require persons and firms to notify the Commission before exporting any product that fails to comply with an applicable standard or regulation enforced under provisions of those laws. The Commission is required by law to transmit the information relating to the proposed exportation to the government of the country of intended destination. OMB previously approved the collection of information under control number 3041-0003. OMB's most recent extension of approval will expire on August 31, 2007.