[Federal Register: June 7, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 109)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 32882-32883]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07jn06-31]
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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
16 CFR Chapter II
Fiscal Year 2006 Program for Systematic Review of Commission
Regulations; Request for Comments and Information
AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.
ACTION: Notice of systematic review of current regulations.
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SUMMARY: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission)
announces its fiscal year 2006 program for systematic review of its
current substantive regulations to ensure, to the maximum practical
extent, consistency among them and with respect to accomplishing
program goals. In fiscal year 2006, the following three regulations
will be evaluated: Safety standard for matchbooks, 16 CFR part 1202;
toy rattles, 16 CFR part 1500.18(a)(1); and baby bouncers, walker-
jumpers, and baby walkers, 16 CFR part 1500.18(a)(6).
The primary purpose of the review is to assess the degree to which
the regulations under review remain consistent with the Commission's
program policies. In addition, each regulation will be examined with
respect to the extent that it is current and relevant to CPSC program
goals. Attention will also be given to whether the regulations can be
streamlined, if possible, to minimize regulatory burdens, especially on
small entities. To the degree consistent with other Commission
priorities and subject to the availability of personnel and fiscal
resources, specific regulatory or other projects may be undertaken in
response to the results of the review.
The Commission solicits written comments from interested persons
concerning the designated regulations' currentness and consistency with
Commission policies and goals, and suggestions for streamlining where
appropriate. In so doing, commenters are requested to specifically
address how their suggestions for change could be accomplished within
the statutory frameworks for Commission action under the Consumer
Product Safety Act (CPSA), 15 U.S.C. 2051-2084, and the Federal
Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA), 15 U.S.C. 1261-1278.
DATE: Comments and submissions in response to this notice must be
received by August 7, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Comments and other submissions should be captioned ``Fiscal
Year 2006 Regulatory Review Project'' and be submitted by e-mail to
cpsc-os@cpsc.gov or by facsimile to (301) 504-0127. Comments may also
be submitted by mail or delivered to the Office of the Secretary,
Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 502, 4330 East-West Highway,
Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Edwards, Office of Hazard
Identification and Reduction, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,
4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814; telephone (301) 504-
7535; e-mail eedwards@cpsc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. The Review Program
The President's Office of Management and Budget has designed the
Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) to provide a consistent approach
to rating programs across the Federal government. A description of the
PART process and associated program evaluation materials is available
online at: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budintegration/part_assessing
2004.html.
Based on an evaluation of the Commission's regulatory programs
using the PART, the recommendation was made that CPSC develop a plan to
systematically review its current regulations to ensure consistency
among them in accomplishing program goals. In FY 2004, the Commission
conducted a pilot review program as the initial step in implementing
that recommendation. The notice announcing the pilot program appeared
in the Federal Register on January 28, 2004. 69 FR 4095. Based on the
success of the pilot program, the Commission announced the continuation
of the program for subsequent fiscal years.
B. The Regulations Undergoing Review
A summary of each of the regulations being reviewed in fiscal year
2006 is provided below. The full text of the regulations may be
accessed at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfrv2_03.html
.
1. Safety Standard for Matchbooks
The safety standard for matchbooks appears at 16 CFR part 1202. The
standard prescribes the safety requirements, including labeling
requirements, for matchbooks. It applies to all matchbooks manufactured
in or imported into the United States and is intended to address
certain burn and eye injuries.
2. Toy Rattles
The standard for toy rattles appears at 16 CFR part 1500.18(a)(1).
It applies to toy rattles containing, either internally or externally,
rigid wires, sharp protrusions, or loose small objects that have the
potential for causing lacerations, puncture wound injury, aspiration,
ingestion, or other injury. Such toy rattles are included as banned
toys and other banned articles intended for use by children.
3. Baby Bouncers, Walker-Jumpers, or Baby Walkers
The standard for baby bouncers, walker-jumpers, and baby-walkers
appears at 16 CFR part 1500.18(a)(6). The standard applies to any
article known as a ``baby bouncer,'' walker-jumper,'' or ``baby
walker,'' and any other similar article which is intended to support
very young children while sitting, walking, bouncing, jumping, and/or
reclining, and which because of its design has any exposed parts
capable of causing amputation, crushing, lacerations, fractures,
hematomas, bruises, or other injuries to fingers, toes, or other parts
of the anatomy of young children. Such articles are included as banned
toys and other banned articles intended for use by children.
C. Solicitation of Comments and Information
The Commission invites interested persons to submit comments on
each of the regulations being reviewed in the fiscal year 2006 program.
In particular, commenters are asked to address:
[[Page 32883]]
1. Whether the regulation is consistent with CPSC program goals.
2. Whether the regulation is consistent with other CPSC
regulations.
3. Whether the regulation is current with respect to technology,
economic, or market conditions, and other mandatory or voluntary
standards.
4. Whether the regulation can be streamlined to minimize regulatory
burdens, particularly any such burdens on small entities.
For each regulation being reviewed, please provide any specific
recommendations for change(s), if viewed as necessary, a justification
for the recommended change(s), and, with respect to each suggested
change, a statement of the way in which the change can be accomplished
within the statutory framework of the CPSA, FHSA, FFA, or PPPA, as
applicable.
Comments and other submissions should be captioned ``Fiscal Year
2006 Regulatory Review Project'' and e-mailed to cpsc-os@cpsc.gov or
faxed to (301) 504-0127. Comments or other submissions may also be
mailed or delivered to the Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product
Safety Commission, Room 502, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland
20814. All comments and other submissions must be received by August 7,
2006.
Dated: May 31, 2006.
Todd A. Stevenson,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. E6-8763 Filed 6-6-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P