[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 32 (Thursday, February 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 5987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3507]
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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 (44 U.S.C. Chapter
35), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requests comments on
a proposed reinstatement of approval of a collection of information
from manufacturers and importers of 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 reinstatement of approval of this collection
of information from the Office of Management and Budget.
DATES: Written comments must be received by the Office of the Secretary
not later than April 15, 1996.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the proposed
reinstatement of approval of the collection of information, or to
obtain a copy of 16 CFR part 1500, call or write Nicholas V. Marchica,
Director, Office of Planning and Evaluation, Consumer Product Safety
Commission, Washington, DC 20207; telephone (301) 504-0416, extension
2243.
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, 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 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the collection
of information requirements in the regulations under control number
3041-0019. OMB's most recent extension of approval expired on May 31,
1992. The CPSC now proposes to request reinstatement 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 which 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 25 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 50 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 $13, and that the annual total cost to the industry is
approximately $650. 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
$560.
C. Request for Comments
The CPSC solicits written comments from all interested persons
about the proposed extension of approval of the collection of
information in the regulations for baby-bouncers, walker-jumpers, and
baby-walkers. The CPSC specifically solicits information about the
hourly burden and monetary costs imposed by the collection of
information on firms subject to this collection of information. The
CPSC also seeks information relevant to the following topics:
Whether the collection of information is necessary for the
proper performance of the CPSC's functions;
Whether the information will have practical utility for
the CPSC;
Whether the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected could be enhanced; and
Whether the burden imposed by the collection of
information could be minimized by use of automated, electronic or other
technological collection techniques, or other form of information
technology.
Dated: February 12, 1996.
Sadye E. Dunn,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 96-3507 Filed 2-14-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P
