98-9081. Proposed Collection; Comment RequestTesting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under the Standard for the Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress Pads

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 7, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16989-16990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9081]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION


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 September 30, 2001, 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 USC 1192). An enforcement rule implementing the 
standard requires manufacturers to maintain records of testing 
performed in

[[Page 16990]]

accordance with the standard and other information about the mattress 
or mattress pads which 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 8, 1998.

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, D.C. 
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 Robert E. Frye, Director, 
Office of Planning and Evaluation, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 
Washington, D.C. 20207; [phone], Ext. 2264.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Estimated Burden

    Based on information available at the time the Commission sought 
Office of Management and Budget approval of the collection of 
information in the Standard for the Flammability of Mattresses and 
Mattress Pads in 1995, the Commission staff estimates that there are 
800 firms required to test mattresses and keep records. The staff 
further estimates that eight annual reports per firm requiring 3\1/4\ 
hours each will be needed, for a total of 20,800 hours of annual burden 
(800 x 8 x 3.25=20,800).

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 2, 1998.
Sadye E. Dunn,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 98-9081 Filed 4-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P