Proposed Collection of Information; Comment RequestBaby- Bouncers, Walker-Jumpers, and Baby-Walkers

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

Proposed Collection of Information; Comment Request--Baby-

Bouncers, Walker-Jumpers, and Baby-Walkers

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 (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 baby-bouncers, walker-jumpers, 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.

DATES: The Office of the Secretary must receive written comments not

later than December 3, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be captioned ``Baby-Bouncers'' 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 [email protected].

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) 504-0416, extension 2226.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Products called ``baby-bouncers,'' ``walker-

jumpers,'' or ``baby-walkers'' 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 Baby-Bouncers, Walker-Jumpers, 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, 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, walker-jumpers, and baby-walkers 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

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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 3041-0019. OMB's most recent extension

of approval expires on December 31, 1999. 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 Sec. 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 26 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 52 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 $13, and that the annual total cost to the industry is

approximately $650.

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 baby-bouncers, walker-jumpers, and baby-walkers.

The annual cost to the Federal government of the collection of

information in these regulations is estimated to be $560.

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:

--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: September 27, 1999.

Sadye E. Dunn,

Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.

[FR Doc. 99-25646 Filed 10-1-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6355-01-P