Consumer Product Safety Commission June 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) proposes to amend and to update regulations on the CPSC's animal testing methods under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA).

Section 106 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (``CPSIA'') considers the provisions of ASTM International 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caps intended for use with toy guns and toy guns not intended for use with caps because they are obsolete and have been superseded by the requirements of ASTM F 963.

As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (Commission) requests comments on a proposed extension of approval, for a period of 3 years from the date of approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), of information collection requirements for manufacturers and importers of children's articles known as baby-bouncers and walker- jumpers. The collection of information consists of requirements that manufacturers and importers of these products must make, keep and maintain records of inspections, testing, sales, and distributions consistent with the provisions of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, 15 U.S.C. 1261, 1262, and 16 CFR part 1500. The CPSC will consider all comments received in response to this notice before requesting approval of this collection of information from OMB.

As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (Commission) requests comments on a proposed extension of approval, for a period of 3 years from the date of approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), of information collection requirements for manufacturers and importers of carpets and rugs. The collection of information is in regulations implementing the Standard for the Surface Flammability of Carpets and Rugs (16 CFR part 1630) and the Standard for the Surface Flammability of Small Carpets and Rugs (16 CFR part 1631). These regulations establish requirements for testing and recordkeeping for manufacturers and importers who furnish guaranties or certificates for products subject to the carpet flammability standards. The Commission will consider all comments received in response to this notice before requesting an extension of approval of this collection of information from the OMB.