Browse: Departments   Dates   Agencies  

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

Consumer Product Safety Commission

NOTICE: NOTICES

ACTION: Agency information collection activities:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Proposed Collection of Information; Comment Request--Baby- Bouncers, Walker-Jumpers, and Baby-Walkers

DATES: The Office of the Secretary must receive written comments not later than December 9, 2002.

DOCUMENT 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 babybouncers, walkerjumpers, 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.

SUMMARY: Proposed collection; comment request,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Products called ``baby-bouncers,'' ``walker- jumpers,'' or ``babywalkers'' 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 BabyBouncers, WalkerJumpers, 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, walkerjumpers, and babywalkers 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 30410019. 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 babybouncers, walkerjumpers, and babywalkers. 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. 0225633 Filed 10802; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 635501P

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) 5040416, extension 2226.