[Title 16 CFR 1014]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - January 1, 2002 Edition]
[Title 16 - COMMERCIAL PRACTICES]
[Chapter II - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION]
[Subchapter A - GENERAL]
[Part 1014 - POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IMPLEMENTING THE PRIVACY ACT OF 1974]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]


16COMMERCIAL PRACTICES22002-01-012002-01-01falsePOLICIES AND PROCEDURES IMPLEMENTING THE PRIVACY ACT OF 19741014PART 1014COMMERCIAL PRACTICESCONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSIONGENERAL
PART 1014--POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IMPLEMENTING THE PRIVACY ACT OF 1974--Table of Contents




Sec.
1014.1 Purpose and scope.
1014.2 Definitions.
1014.3 Procedures for requests pertaining to individual records.
1014.4 Requirements for identification of individuals making requests.
1014.5 Disclosure of requested information to individuals.
1014.6 Request for correction or amendment to a record.
1014.7 Agency review of request for correction or amendment of a record.
1014.8 Appeal of initial denial of access, correction or amendment.
1014.9 Disclosure of record to person other than the individual to whom 
          it pertains.
1014.10 Fees.
1014.11 Penalties.
1014.12 Specific exemptions.

    Authority: Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a).

    Source: 40 FR 53381, Nov. 18, 1975, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 1014.1  Purpose and scope.

    This part sets forth the regulations of the Consumer Product Safety 
Commission implementing the Privacy Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-579). The 
purpose of these regulations is to inform the public about records 
maintained by the Commission which contain personal information about 
individuals, and to inform those individuals how they may seek access to 
and correct records concerning themselves. These regulations do not 
apply to requests for information made pursuant to the Freedom of 
Information Act (except where such disclosures would constitute an 
invasion of privacy of an individual).



Sec. 1014.2  Definitions.

    As used in this part:
    (a) Individual means a person who is a citizen of the United States 
or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
    (b) Privacy Act means the Privacy Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-579).
    (c) Record means any item of personal information relating to an 
individual, such as educational, employment, financial or medical 
information.
    (d) Statistical record means a record in a system of records 
maintained for statistical research or reporting purposes only and not 
used in whole or in part in making any determination about an 
identifiable individual.
    (e) System of records or records systems means a group of records 
maintained by the Commission from which information may be retrieved by 
the name of an individual or some other individual identifier.
    (f) Maintain includes the collection, use, storage, and 
dissemination of information.



Sec. 1014.3  Procedures for requests pertaining to individual records.

    (a) Any individual may request the Commission to inform him or her 
whether a particular record system named by the individual contains a 
record pertaining to him or her. The request may be made by mail or in 
person during business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to the Freedom of 
Information/Privacy Act Officer, Office of the Secretary, Consumer 
Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 
(mailing address: Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 
20207).
    (b) An individual who believes that the Commission maintains a 
record pertaining to him or her but who cannot determine which record 
system may contain the record, may request assistance by mail or in 
person at the Office of the Secretary during business hours.

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    (c) A Commission officer or employee or former employee who desires 
to review or obtain a copy of a personnel record pertaining to him or 
her may make a request by mail or in person at the Office of Human 
Resources Management, Room 523, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, 
Maryland (mailing address: Consumer Product Safety Commission, 
Washington, DC 20207).
    (d) Each individual requesting the disclosure of a record or a copy 
of a record shall furnish the following information to the extent known 
with the request to the Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Officer or to 
the Division of Personnel's Processing Unit, as applicable:
    (1) A description of the record sought;
    (2) The approximate date of the record;
    (3) The name or other description of the record system containing 
the record;
    (4) Proof as required in Sec. 1014.4 that he or she is the 
individual to whom the requested record relates; and
    (5) Any other information required by the notice describing the 
record system.
    (e) An individual personally inspecting his or her records may be 
accompanied by other persons of his or her own choosing. The individual 
shall sign a written statement authorizing disclosure of the record in 
the other person's presence.
    (f) Any individual who desires to have a record concerning himself 
or herself disclosed to or mailed to another person may authorize that 
person to act as his or her agent for that specific purpose. The 
authorization shall be in writing, signed by the individual, and shall 
be notarized. An agent requesting the review or copy of another's record 
shall submit with the request the authorization and proof of his or her 
identify as required by Sec. 1014.4(c).
    (g) The parent of any minor individual or the legal guardian of any 
individual who has been declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to 
be incompetent, due to physical or mental incapacity or age, may act on 
behalf of that individual in any matter covered by this part. A parent 
or guardian who desires to act on behalf of such individual shall 
present suitable evidence of parentage or guardianship, by birth 
certificate, certified copy of a court order, or similar documents, and 
proof of the individual's identity in a form that complies with 
Sec. 1014.4(c).
    (h) An individual may request an accounting of all disclosures made 
to other persons or agencies of his or her record, except those 
disclosures made to law enforcement agencies pursuant to section (b)(7) 
of the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(7)). A request for accounting, 
whenever made, shall be treated as a request for disclosure of records.

[40 FR 53381, Nov. 18, 1975, as amended at 53 FR 52404, Dec. 28, 1988; 
62 FR 46667, Sept. 4, 1997]



Sec. 1014.4  Requirements for identification of individuals making requests.

    The following proof of identity is required for requests for records 
made pursuant to Sec. 1014.3:
    (a) An individual seeking a record about himself or herself in 
person may establish his or her identity by the presentation of a single 
document bearing a photograph (such as a passport or driver's license) 
or by a presentation of two items of identification which do not bear a 
photograph but do bear both a name and address. An individual who cannot 
provide documentation of his or her identity may provide a written 
statement affirming his or her identity and the fact that he or she 
understands the penalties for making false statements (18 U.S.C. 1001 
and 5 U.S.C. 552a(i)(3)).
    (b) An individual seeking a record by mail shall include a statement 
signed by the individual and properly notarized, that he or she appeared 
before a notary public and submitted proof of identity acceptable to the 
notary public.
    (c) Requests made by an agent, parent, or guardian shall, in 
addition to establishing the identity of the minor or other person he or 
she represents as required by paragraphs (a) and (b), establish his or 
her agency, parentage, or guardianship by documentation.
    (d) In any case in which the Commission determines that the proof of 
identity is not adequate, it may request the

[[Page 34]]

individual to submit additional proof of identity.



Sec. 1014.5  Disclosure of requested information to individuals.

    (a) Upon submission of proof of identity, the Office of the 
Secretary or the Director of Resource Utilization, as applicable, shall 
promptly forward the request to the system manager who will promptly 
allow the individual to see and/or have a copy of the requested record 
or send a copy of the record to the individual by mail, as requested by 
the individual. If the individual asks to see the record, the record 
should be made available for review and/or copying at the location where 
the record is maintained, in the Office of the Secretary, or the 
Director of Resource Utilization, or at the nearest Area Office.
    (b) If the system manager should determine, for any reason, that the 
requested records are exempt from the right of access, a notice of 
denial shall be sent to the requester stating the reasons for denial, 
and the requester's right to appeal the denial in accordance with the 
procedures set forth in Sec. 1014.8 of these regulations.



Sec. 1014.6  Request for correction or amendment to a record.

    (a) Any individual who has reviewed a record pertaining to himself 
or herself may request the Executive Director to correct or amend all or 
any part of the record.
    (b) Each request for a correction or amendment of a record shall be 
in writing and shall contain the following information:
    (1) The name of the individual requesting the correction or 
amendment;
    (2) The name or other description of the system of records in which 
the record sought to be amended is maintained;
    (3) The location of that record in the system of records to the 
extent that it is known;
    (4) A copy of the record sought to be amended or a description of 
that record;
    (5) A statement of the material in the record that should be 
corrected or amended;
    (6) A statement of the specific wording of the correction or 
amendment sought; and
    (7) A statement of the basis for the requested correction or 
amendment including any material that the individual can furnish to 
substantiate the reasons for the amendment sought.

[40 FR 53381, Nov. 18, 1975, as amended at 42 FR 22878, May 5, 1977]



Sec. 1014.7  Agency review of request for correction or amendment of a record.

    (a) Not later than 10 working days after the receipt of the request 
for the correction or amendment of a record under Sec. 1014.6, the 
responsible Commission official shall acknowledge receipt of the request 
and inform the individual whether further information is required before 
the correction or amendment can be considered.
    (b) The responsible Commission official will promptly review the 
request and either make the requested correction or amendment or notify 
the individual of his or her refusal to do so, including in the 
notification the reasons for the refusal, and the appeal procedures 
provided by Sec. 1014.8.
    (c) The responsible Commission official will make each requested 
correction or amendment to a record if that correction or amendment will 
correct anything within the record that is not accurate, relevant, 
timely, or complete. A copy of each corrected or amended record shall be 
furnished to the individual who requested the action. If an accounting 
of disclosure has been kept, all previous recipients of the record shall 
be notified of the correction and its substance.



Sec. 1014.8  Appeal of initial denial of access, correction or amendment.

    (a) Any individual whose request for access, correction or amendment 
to a record is denied, in whole or in part, may appeal that decision 
within 30 working days to the Chairman, Consumer Product Safety 
Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207.
    (b) The appeal shall be in writing and shall:
    (1) Name the individual making the appeal;

[[Page 35]]

    (2) Identify the record to which access is sought or which is sought 
to be corrected or amended;
    (3) Name or describe the record system in which the record is 
contained;
    (4) Contain a short statement describing the correction of amendment 
sought;
    (5) State the name and location of the Commission official who 
initially denied the correction or amendment; and
    (6) State the date of the initial denial.
    (c) Not later than 30 working days after the date on which the 
appeal is received, the Chairman shall complete a review of the appeal 
and make a final decision thereon. However, for good cause shown, the 
Chairman of the Commission may extend the 30-day period. If the Chairman 
so extends the period, he or she shall promptly notify the individual 
requesting the review that the extension has been made.
    (d) If after review of an appeal request, the Chairman also refuses 
to amend the record or grant access to the record in accordance with the 
request, he or she shall send a written notice to the requester 
containing the following information:
    (1) The decision and the reasons for the decision;
    (2) The right of the requester to institute a civil action in a 
Federal District Court for judicial review of the decision; and
    (3) The right of the requester to file with the Chairman a concise 
statement setting forth the reasons for his or her disagreement with the 
denial of the correction or amendment. A copy of the statement of 
disagreement shall be filed with the record in issue, and the record in 
issue shall be so marked as to indicate that there is a disagreement. 
The system manager shall make the statement of disagreement available to 
prior recipients of the disputed record to the extent that an accounting 
of disclosures was maintained, and to any person to whom the record is 
later disclosed, together with a brief statement, if deemed appropriate, 
of the reasons for denying the requested correction or amendment.

[40 FR 53381, Nov. 18, 1975, as amended at 42 FR 22878, May 5, 1977]



Sec. 1014.9  Disclosure of record to person other than the individual to whom it pertains.

    (a) Any person or agency (other than an officer or employee of the 
Commission who has a need for individual records in the performance of 
his or her duty) seeking disclosure of personal records of another 
individual which are contained in a system of records shall submit a 
request in accordance with the Commission's Procedures for Disclosure of 
Production of Information under the Freedom of Information Act (16 CFR 
part 1015, subpart A).
    (b) The determination of whether or not the requested disclosure is 
proper will be made in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of 
Information Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552) and the Commission's policies 
and procedures issued thereunder (16 CFR part 1015).

[41 FR 30324, July 23, 1976]



Sec. 1014.10  Fees.

    The Commission shall not charge an individual for the costs of 
making a search for a record, the costs of reviewing or copying a 
record, or the cost of correcting or amending a record.



Sec. 1014.11  Penalties.

    Any person who makes a false statement in connection with any 
request for a record, or an amendment thereto, under this part, is 
subject to the penalties prescribed in 18 U.S.C. 494, 495, and 1001; and 
5 U.S.C. 552a(i)(3).



Sec. 1014.12  Specific exemptions.

    (a) Injury information. (1) The Bureau of Epidemiology maintains a 
file of Accident Reports (In-Depth Investigations) which are conducted 
on a sample of product related injuries reported to the Commission by 
selected hospital emergency rooms, by consumers through the Commission's 
``Hot-Line'' telephone service and through written consumer complaints 
and by other means such as newspaper reports. The purpose of this record 
system is to compile accident statistics for analyzing the incidence and 
severity of product related injuries.
    (2) Inasmuch as the maintenance of the record system listed in 
paragraph

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(a)(1) of this section is authorized by section 5 of the Consumer 
Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2054) and the data are used solely as 
statistical records, the system is exempted from the requirements of the 
Privacy Act relating to making available the accounting of disclosures, 
correction or amendment of the record and the application of these rules 
to the system of records. Specifically, the system is exempt from 5 
U.S.C. 552a(c)(3); (d) (2) and (3); (e)(1); (e)(4) (G), (H) and (I); and 
(f). However, Accident Reports made by Commission employees are 
disclosable in accordance with paragraph (a)(3) of this section.
    (3) Section 25(c) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 
2074(c)) provides that accident or investigation reports made by an 
officer or employee of the Commission shall be made available to the 
public in a manner which will not identify any injured person or any 
person treating him or her, without the consent of the person 
identified. Consequently, an accident or investigation report which 
identifies individuals is available to the injured party or the person 
treating him or her but would not be available for disclosure to a third 
party without the consent of the injured party or person treating him or 
her.
    (4) Since accident or investigation reports are compiled only for 
statistical purposes and are not used in whole or in part in making any 
determination about an individual, they are exempted from the 
requirement to correct or amend a record as provided by subsection 
(d)(2) of the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a (d)(2)). Exceptions from this 
paragraph, insofar as they relate to amendments or additions, may be 
allowed by the Executive Director.
    (b) Inspector General Investigative Files--CPSC-6. All portions of 
this system of records which fall within 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2) 
(investigatory materials compiled for law enforcement purposes) and 5 
U.S.C. 552a(k)(5) (investigatory materials solely compiled for 
suitability determinations) are exempt from 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) 
(mandatory accounting of disclosures); 5 U.S.C. 552a(d) (access by 
individuals to records that pertain to them); 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1) 
(requirement to maintain only such information as is relevant and 
necessary to accomplish an authorized agency purpose); 5 U.S.C. 
552a(e)(4)(G) (mandatory procedures to notify individuals of the 
existence of records pertaining to them); 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(H) 
(mandatory procedures to notify individuals how they can obtain access 
to and contest records pertaining to them); 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(I) 
(mandatory disclosure of records source categories); and the 
Commission's regulations in 16 CFR part 1014 which implement these 
statutory provisions.
    (c) Enforcement and Litigation Files--CPSC-7. All portions of this 
system of records that fall within 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2) (investigatory 
materials compiled for law enforcement purposes) are exempt from 5 
U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) (mandatory accounting of disclosures); 5 U.S.C. 
552a(d) (access by individuals to records that pertain to them); 5 
U.S.C. 552a(e)(1) (requirement to maintain only such information as is 
relevant and necessary to accomplish an authorized agency purpose); 5 
U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(G) (mandatory procedures to notify individuals of the 
existence of records pertaining to them); 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(H) 
(mandatory procedures to notify individuals how they can obtain access 
to and contest records pertaining to them); 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)(I) 
(mandatory disclosure of records source categories); and the 
Commission's regulations in 16 CFR part 1014 that implement these 
statutory provisions.

[40 FR 53381, Nov. 18, 1975, as amended at 42 FR 9161, Feb. 15, 1977; 59 
FR 32078, June 22, 1994; 62 FR 48756, Sept. 17, 1997]