[Federal Register: December 15, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 240)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 69030-69031] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr15de98-20] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 1212 Multi-Purpose Lighters; Notice of Opportunity for Oral Presentation of Comments AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission. ACTION: Notice of opportunity for oral presentation of comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Commission announces that there will be an opportunity for interested parties to present oral comments on a proposed rule that, if issued, would require that multi-purpose lighters resist operation by children under age 5. Oral comments will become part of the rulemaking record. DATES: Requests to present oral comments must be received by January 4, 1998. Persons requesting an oral presentation must file a written text of their presentations no later than January 11, 1999. If requests for oral presentations of comments are received, the presentations will begin at 10 a.m., January 20, 1999, in Room 420 in the Commission's offices at 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814. ADDRESSES: Requests for oral presentations of comments should be mailed to the Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207-0001, or delivered to the Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 502, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland; telephone (301) 504-0800. Requests may also be filed by telefacsimile to (301) 504-0127 or by email to cpsc- os@cpsc.gov. Requests to make oral presentations and texts of presentations should be captioned ``Oral Comment; NPR for Multi-Purpose Lighters.'' FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the substance of the proposed rule: Barbara Jacobson, Project [[Page 69031]] Manager, Directorate for Epidemiology and Health Sciences, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207; telephone (301) 504- 0477, ext. 1206; email bjacobson@cpsc.gov. Concerning requests and procedures for oral presentations of comments: Rockelle Hammond, Docket Control and Communications Specialist, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207; telephone: (301) 504-0800 ext. 1232. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Multi-purpose lighters are hand-held, flame- producing products that have ignition mechanisms and operate on fuel. Typically, they are used to light devices such as charcoal and gas grills and fireplaces. These products include those referred to as utility lighters or micro-torches. Devices intended primarily for igniting smoking materials are excluded; such products are already subject to a child-resistance standard at 16 CFR part 1210. In the Federal Register of September 30, 1998, the Commission proposed a rule that, if issued, would require that multi-purpose lighters resist operation by children under age 5. 63 FR 52397; see also 63 FR at 52394. The Commission proposed this rule because it believes that unreasonable risks of injury and death from fire are associated with multi-purpose lighters that can be operated by young children. Written comments on the proposal should be received by December 14, 1998. As required by section 9(d)(2) of the Consumer Product Safety Act, 15 U.S.C. 2058(d)(2), there will be an opportunity for interested parties to present oral comments on the proposal. If requests for oral presentations of comments are received, the presentations will be at 10 a.m., January 20, 1999, in the Room 420 in the Commission's offices at 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814. Requests for oral presentations of comments must be received by January 4, 1998. Persons requesting an oral presentation must file the text of their presentation on or before January 11, 1999. Commenters should limit their presentations to approximately 10 minutes, exclusive of any periods of questioning by the Commissioners or the CPSC staff. The Commission reserves the right to further limit the time for any presentation and to impose restrictions to avoid excessive duplication of presentations. Dated: December 9, 1998. Sadye E. Dunn, Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission. [FR Doc. 98-33122 Filed 12-14-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6355-01-P