In a Federal Register notice published January 7, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission formally announced that the American Society for Testing and Matcrials (ASTM) is developing a safety standard for bookmatchcs.
The formal CPSC-ASTM agreement was signed on Dec.30, 1974, although ASTM was notified informally of the acceptance of their offer on October 24 and subsequently issued a news release and announcements informing the public and inviting public participation on the Management Committee and six task forces involved in the development work.
CPSC called for offers to develop a standard to eliminate or reduce unreasonable risks of injury associated with bookmatches on September 4 and received two responses, one from ASTM and one from Computerized Biomechanical Analysis, Inc., Amherst, Mass.
ASTM, an independent association active in the development Of industry voluntary standards, has until February 1 to develop a proposed safety standard for presentation to the Commission. The Commission may, by notice, extend the development period for good cause.
ASTM estimated that the development of a standard that addresses the primary hazard of "burn injuries sustained by children and others including mentally or physically impaired persons, who play with or otherwise improperly use bookmatches" will cost $173,840. Industry representatives will provide $108,000 and ASTN will pay $51,440 for management expenses and $14;400 to fund consumer participation. ASTM requested no financial contribution from the Commission.
Participation in the standards development process, in person or by correspondence, is open to any interested person. The National Consumer League is coordinating consumer input for ASTM.
Those interested in participating in the development of the bookmatch standard should contact Bernard J. Corrigan, Director, Consumer Product Safety Standards Division of ASTM, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103. (Telephone: 215/569-4200).
Copies of the offers, the CPSC-ASTM agreement and other related documents are available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 10th Floor, 1750 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20207.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
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