[Federal Register: October 9, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 196)]
[Notices]
[Page 62958-62959]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09oc02-31]
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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
Proposed Collection of Information; Comment Request--Baby-
Bouncers, Walker-Jumpers, and Baby-Walkers
AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requests
comments on a proposed extension of approval, for a period of three
years from the date of approval by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB), of information collection requirements in regulations regarding
children's articles called baby-bouncers, walker-jumpers, or baby-
walkers. The collection of information consists of requirements that
manufacturers and importers of these products must establish and
maintain records of inspections, testing, sales, and distributions to
demonstrate that the products are not banned by rules issued under the
Federal Hazardous Substances Act and codified at 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.
DATES: The Office of the Secretary must receive written comments not
later than December 9, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be captioned ``Baby-Bouncers'' and
mailed to the Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety
Commission, Washington, DC 20207, or delivered to that office, Room
502, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. Written comments
may also be sent to the Office of the Secretary by facsimile at (301)
504-0127 or by e-mail at cpsc-os@cpsc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the proposed
extension of approval of the collection of information, or to obtain a
copy of 16 CFR part 1500, call or write Linda L. Glatz, Office of
Planning and Evaluation, Consumer Product Safety Commission,
Washington, DC 20207; telephone (301) 504-0416, extension 2226.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Products called ``baby-bouncers,'' ``walker-
jumpers,'' or ``baby-walkers'' are intended to support children younger
than two years of age while they sit, bounce, jump, walk, or recline.
Regulations issued under provisions of the Federal Hazardous Substances
Act (15 U.S.C. 1261, 1262) establish safety requirements for these
products.
A. Requirements for Baby-Bouncers, Walker-Jumpers, and Baby Walkers
One CPSC regulation bans any such product if it is designed in such
a way that exposed parts present hazards of amputations, crushing,
lacerations,
[[Page 62959]]
fractures, hematomas, bruises or other injuries to children's fingers,
toes, or other parts of the body. 16 CFR 1500.18(a)(6).
A second CPSC regulation establishes criteria for exempting baby-
bouncers, walker-jumpers, and baby-walkers from the banning rule under
specified conditions. 16 CFR 1500.86(a)(4). The exemption regulation
requires certain labeling on these products and their packaging to
identify the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor and
the model number of the product. Additionally, the exemption regulation
requires that records must be established and maintained for three
years relating to testing, inspection, sales, and distributions of
these products. The regulation does not specify a particular form or
format for the records. Manufacturers and importers may rely on records
kept in the ordinary course of business to satisfy the recordkeeping
requirements if those records contain the required information.
The OMB approved the collection of information requirements in the
regulations under control number 3041-0019. OMB's most recent extension
of approval expires on January 31, 2003. The CPSC now proposes to
request an extension of approval without change for the regulations'
information collection requirements.
The safety need for this collection of information remains.
Specifically, if a manufacturer or importer distributes products that
violate the banning rule, the records required by section 1500.86(a)(4)
can be used by the firm and the CPSC (i) to identify specific models of
products that fail to comply with applicable requirements, and (ii) to
notify distributors and retailers if the products are subject to
recall.
B. Estimated Burden
The CPSC staff estimates that about 28 firms are subject to the
testing and recordkeeping requirements of the regulations. The CPSC
staff estimates further that the burden imposed by the regulations on
each of these firms is approximately 2 hours per year. Thus, the total
annual burden imposed by the regulations on all manufacturers and
importers is about 56 hours.
The CPSC staff estimates that the hourly wage for the time required
to perform the required testing and to maintain the required records is
about $28.40 (rate for total compensation of technical workers, 2002),
and that the annual total cost to the industry is approximately
$1,590.40.
During a typical year, the CPSC will expend approximately two days
of professional staff time reviewing records required to be maintained
by the regulations for baby-bouncers, walker-jumpers, and baby-walkers.
The annual cost to the Federal government of the collection of
information in these regulations is estimated to be $680 (based on
$42.50/hour staff time).
C. Request for Comments
The Commission solicits written comments from all interested
persons about the proposed collection of information. The Commission
specifically solicits information relevant to the following topics:
[sbull] Whether the collection of information described above is
necessary for the proper performance of the Commission's functions,
including whether the information would have practical utility;
[sbull] Whether the estimated burden of the proposed collection of
information is accurate;
[sbull] Whether the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected could be enhanced; and
[sbull] Whether the burden imposed by the collection of information
could be minimized by use of automated, electronic or other
technological collection techniques, or other forms of information
technology.
Dated: October 3, 2002.
Todd A. Stevenson,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 02-25633 Filed 10-8-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P