[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 156 (Monday, August 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: X94-10815]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 15, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 

Office of Consumer Affairs; Statement of Organization, Functions, 
and Delegations of Authority

    This notice amends Part A (Office of the Secretary), Chapter AW 
(U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs (USOCA)), of the Statement of 
Organization, Functions and Delegations for the Department of Health 
and Human Services to reflect a reorganization of the USOCA which 
realigns the functions assigned to the USOCA's subunits, thus enabling 
more efficient management of staff and financial resources in the 
conduct of USOCA programs. Chapter AW (most recently amended at FR 
30750-51 on July 5, 1991) is deleted in its entirety and replaced with 
the following:
    Section AW.00 Mission. The U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs executes 
the functions and responsibilities assigned by Executive Order 11583 of 
February 24, 1971, (as amended by Executive Order 11595 of May 26, 
1971, and Executive Order 11702 of January 25, 1973) and Executive 
Order 11566 of October 26, 1970; advises the President on consumer 
affairs; and coordinates consumer-related functions in the Executive 
Branch of the Federal government. In accordance with Executive Order 
12160 of September 26, 1979, the office provides assistance to the 
Chairperson of the Consumer Affairs Council.
    Section AW.10 Organization. A. The Director of the U.S. Office of 
Consumer Affairs reports directly to the President and directs and 
coordinates the activities of the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs.
    B. The U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs consists of the following 
components:

Office of the Director
Division of Legislative Affairs and Administration
Division of Communications
Division of Policy and Intergovernmental Relations
Division of Public Liaison

    Section AW.20 Functions. A. U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs. (1) 
Works to ensure appropriate consideration of consumer perspective in 
policy development at the White House and Federal agencies. The 
Director also coordinates Federal consumer policy through the Consumer 
Affairs Council, composed of all Federal agencies providing consumer 
programs, under authority of Executive Order 12160. (2) Publishes the 
Consumer's Resource Handbook and other documents distributed upon 
request to millions of Americans through the Consumer Information 
Center. These publications advise individuals how to avoid marketplace 
problems and how to resolve questions or complaints if they do arise. 
(3) Promotes cooperation among international, Federal, state, local, 
nonprofit, and private sector entities involved in the marketplace, 
emphasizing the need for ethical business practices, regulation and 
legislation where needed and appropriate, and voluntary efforts to 
promote consumer interests through education, dispute resolution and 
policy coordination. The Director chairs the delegation from the United 
States to the Committee on Consumer Policy of the Organization for 
Economic Cooperation and Development, at which international 
marketplace principles are harmonized. (4) Promotes improved consumer 
skills through education programs which emphasize practical application 
of skills learned in elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools, 
as well as public and private sector programs which target specific 
consumer issues to be addressed by media information campaigns, 
workshops, fact sheets and other publications. (5) Identifies, analyzes 
and focuses attention on needs, interests and marketplace problems of 
consumers by conducting surveys, conferences, and working groups, both 
independently and in conjunction with other government agencies, 
nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.
    B. Office of the Director. Directs and coordinates the activities 
of the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs.
    C. Division of Legislative Affairs and Administration. Participates 
in the design and enactment of the President's consumer legislative 
program, including preparation of congressional testimony and serving 
as Congressional liaison; prepares and reviews materials for 
presentation to Federal Departments and Agencies; reviews and prepares 
comments on proposed Federal regulations; develops comprehensive plans 
for programs of USOCA and develops and implements systems to evaluate 
staff effectiveness. Recommends and applies administrative policy and 
procedures; performs activities of USOCA in the areas of financial 
management, procurement, personnel and record keeping; and provides 
advice and recommendations to the Director on alternatives to achieve 
USOCA program objectives.
    D. Division of Communications. Has primary responsibility for USOCA 
relations with the media. Prepares and distributes newsletters and 
other USOCA consumer information and education materials, including the 
Consumer's Resource Handbook. Prepares articles and programs for both 
print and electronic media; and designs programs for disseminating 
important consumer information to the public.
    E. Division of Policy and Intergovernmental Relations. Maintains 
liaison with Federal, state, county, and city government officials 
responsible for consumer matters. Researches, develops and prepares 
speeches for delivery by the Director. Performs research for and 
prepares ``White Papers'' on policy matters for the Director. Provides 
support for the Director in role as member of White House policy staff. 
Monitors ongoing programs and emerging issues in Federal agencies 
affecting consumers, with a view to determining the effectiveness of 
current and proposed programs; provides staff assistance to the 
Director while serving in the capacity of Chairperson of the Consumer 
Affairs Council; and maintains liaison with representatives of other 
nations, particularly within the framework of the Committee on Consumer 
Policy of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
    F. Division of Public Liaison. Serves as focal point for liaison 
with individual consumers and with national, state and local voluntary 
organizations which represent consumers and citizens; provides adequate 
opportunities for consumer participation in the decision making 
process; maintains liaison with trade associations and industry as 
necessary, including encouraging initiation of programs aimed at 
resolving complaints common to large numbers of consumers; encourages 
private industry voluntarily to develop self-regulatory programs and to 
adopt competitive policies and programs; conceives and facilitates 
implementation of programs to enhance consumer knowledge through the 
efforts of government, business, voluntary groups and individual 
citizens; and serves as the principal USOCA unit responsible for 
development and coordination of conferences and meetings on consumer 
matters. Conducts National Consumers Week planning and coordination.
    Section AW.30 Order of Succession. In the absence or incapacity of 
the Director, the Deputy Director shall act as Director, USOCA.
    Section AW.40 Delegations of Authority. The exercise of authority 
and duties of the Director, USOCA are set forth in the Executive Orders 
cited in Section AW.00, above. Authority is exercised under Executive 
Order 11583 through the staff of the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs 
and under Executive Order 12160 through the Consumer Affairs Council 
comprised of representatives of Federal departments and agencies.

    Dated: August 1, 1994.
Donna E. Shalala,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 19813 Filed 8-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4190-04-M