01-10695. Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Testing and Recordkeeping Requirements Under the Standard for the Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress Pads

AGENCY:

Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Consumer Product Safety Commission requests comments on a proposed extension of approval through August 31, 2004, of information collection requirements in the Standard for the Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress Pads (16 CFR part 1632). 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 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. Sale or distribution of mattresses without successful completion of the testing required by the standard violates section 3 of the Flammable Fabrics Act (15 U.S.C. 1192). An enforcement rule implementing the standard requires manufacturers to maintain records of testing performed in accordance with the standard and other information about the mattresses or mattress pads that they produce. The Commission will consider all comments received in response to this notice before requesting 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 June 29, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments should be captioned “Collection of Information—Mattress Flammability Standard” 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 [phone] or by e-mail at [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For information about the proposed collection of information call or write Linda L. Glatz, Office of Planning and Evaluation, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207; [phone], Ext. 2226.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Estimated Burden

The Commission staff estimates that there are 850 firms required to test mattresses and keep records. The staff further estimates that each respondent will spend 26 hours for testing and recordkeeping annually for a total of 22,100 hours of annual burden. At a cost of $13.50 per hour, the average hourly non-farm wage figure, U.S. Statistical Abstract, 2000, the annualized cost to respondents would be $298,350.

B. 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:

—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;

—Whether the estimated burden of the proposed collection of information is accurate;

—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 forms of information technology.

Dated: April 25, 2001.

Sadye E. Dunn,

Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.