[Federal Register: May 14, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 94)]
[Notices]               
[Page 26809-26810]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14my04-23]                         

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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

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

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 requests comments 
on a proposed three year extension of approval of information 
collection requirements in the Standard for the Flammability of 
Mattresses and Mattress Pads. 16 CFR part 1632. The standard is

[[Page 26810]]

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 mattress or mattress pads which they produce. The Commission will 
consider all comments received in response to this notice before 
requesting approval of renewal 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 July 13, 2004.

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 (301) 504-0127 or by e-mail at 
cpsc-os@cpsc.gov.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the proposed 
renewal of this collection of information, or to obtain a copy of 16 
CFR part 1632, call or write Linda L. Glatz, Office of Planning and 
Evaluation, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207; 
(301) 504-7671.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Estimated Burden

    The Commission staff estimates that at this time there are 751 
establishments producing mattresses, mattress pads, futons, or other 
types of products required to test and keep records pursuant to 16 CFR 
part 1632. The staff further estimates that each firm will spend 26 
hours for testing and recordkeeping annually for a total of 19,526 
hours (751 firms x 26 hours = 19,526 total hours). The annualized cost 
would be $477,996 based on 19,526 hours times $24.48/hour (based on 
total compensation of all civilian workers in the U.S., September 2003, 
Bureau of Labor Statistics).

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: May 10, 2004.
Todd A. Stevenson,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 04-10913 Filed 5-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P