[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 202 (Thursday, October 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25967]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 20, 1994]


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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

[CPSC Docket No. 95-C0002]

 

Bee International, Inc., a Corporation; Provisional Acceptance of 
a Settlement Agreement and Order

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Provisional acceptance of a settlement agreement under the 
Consumer Product Safety Act.

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SUMMARY: It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements 
which it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in 
the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20 (e) 
through (h). Published below is a provisionally-accepted Settlement 
Agreement with Bee International, Inc., a corporation.

DATES: Any interested person may ask the Commission not to accept this 
agreement or otherwise comment on its contents by filing a written 
request with the Office of the Secretary by November 4, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to comment on this Settlement Agreement 
should send written comments to the Comment 95-C0001, Office of the 
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dennis C. Kacoyanis, Trial Attorney, Office of Compliance and 
Enforcement, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 
20207; telephone (301) 504-0626.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The text of the Agreement and Order appears 
below.

    Dated: October 14, 1994.
Sadye E. Dunn,
Secretary.

Settlement Agreement and Order

    1. Bee International, Inc. (hereinafter, ``Bee''), a corporation, 
enters into this Settlement Agreement and Order (hereinafter, 
``Settlement Agreement'') with the staff of the Consumer Product Safety 
Commission, and agrees to the entry of the Order described herein. The 
purpose of the Settlement Agreement is to settle the staff's 
allegations that Bee knowingly violated sections 4 (a), (c), and (i) of 
the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA), 15 U.S.C. 1263 (a), (c), 
and (i).

I. The Parties

    2. The ``staff'' is the staff of the Consumer Product Safety 
Commission, an independent regulatory Commission of the United States 
established pursuant to section 4 of the Consumer Product Safety Act 
(CPSA), 15 U.S.C. 2053.
    3. Bee is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of 
the State of California, since 1970. The firm's principal place of 
business is located at 2311 Boswell Road, Chula Vista, CA 91914. Bee is 
an importer and distributor of toys, novelty items, and confectionery 
items.

II. Allegations of the Staff

    4. On five occasions between October 9, 1991, and February 23, 
1994, Bee introduced or caused the introduction into interstate 
commerce; or received in interstate commerce and delivered or proffered 
delivery thereof nine kinds of toys (337,320 articles) intended for use 
by children under three years of age, which are identified and 
described below:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Collect.                               
   Sample No.                           Product                        date* entry            Expt/mfg          
                                                                           date                                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P-867-7640        Plastic Acrobatic Animal W/Candy...................     10/09/91  Unlimited Creations.        
P-867-7762        Plastic Acrobatic Animal W/Candy...................     01/22/92  Unlimited Creations.        
P-867-7789        Acrobatic Animal (Rabbit) W/Candy..................     03/03/92  Unlimited Creations.        
P-867-7794        Acrobatic Animal (Bulldog) W/Candy.................     03/03/92  Unlimited Creations.        
P-867-7795        Acrobatic Animal (Dinosaur) W/Candy................     03/03/92  Unlimited Creations.        
P-867-7796        Acrobatic Animal (Cat) W/Candy.....................     03/03/92  Unlimited Creations.        
P-867-7797        Plastic Acrobatic Panda) Animal W/Candy............     03/03/92  Unlimited Creations.        
R-800-2663        Plastic Acrobatic Animal W/Candy...................     01/23/93  Unlimited Creations.        
S-871-8518        Acrobatic Animal (Bunny and Duck) W/Candy Easter       *02/23/94  Unlimited Creations.        
                   Acrobats.                                                                                    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    5. The toys identified in paragraph 4 above are subject to, but 
failed to comply with, the Commission's Small Parts Regulation, 16 CFR 
Part 1501, in that when tested under the ``use and abuse'' test methods 
specified in 16 CFR 1500.51 and 1500.52, (a) one or more parts of each 
tested toy separated and (b) one or more of the separated parts from 
each of the tested toys fit completely within the test cylinder, as set 
forth in 16 CFR 1501.4.
    6. Because separated parts fit completely within the test cylinder 
as described in paragraph 5 above, each of the toys identified in 
paragraph 4 above presents a ``mechanical hazard'' within the meaning 
of section 2(s) of the FHSA, 15 U.S.C. 1261(s) (choking, aspiration, 
and/or ingestion of small parts).
    7. Each of the toys identified in paragraph 4 above is a 
``hazardous substance'' pursuant to section 2(f)(1)(D) of the FHSA, 15 
U.S.C. 1261(f)(1)(D).
    8. Each of the toys identified in paragraph 4 above is a ``banned 
hazardous substance'' pursuant to section 2(q)(1)(A) of the FHSA, 15 
U.S.C. 1261(q)(1)(A) (any toy or other article intended for use by 
children which bears or contains a hazardous substance); and (b) 16 CFR 
1500.18(a)(9) (any toy or other article intended for use by children 
under 3 years of age which presents a choking, aspiration, or ingestion 
hazard because of small parts).
    9. Bee knowingly introduced or caused the introduction into 
interstate commerce; or received in interstate commerce and delivered 
or proffered delivery thereof for pay or otherwise, the banned 
hazardous toys identified in paragraph 4 above, in violation of 
sections 4 (a) or (c) of the FHSA, 15 U.S.C. 1263 (a) or (c).
    10. On or about October 16, 1993, Bee exported 108,000 articles of 
the toy, Plastic Acrobatic Animal W/Candy, Sample No. R-800-2663, 
identified in paragraph 4 above as a ``banned hazardous substance'' 
without notifying the Commission pursuant to section 14(d) of the FHSA, 
15 U.S.C. 1273(d) and the Commission's Procedures For Export of 
Noncomplying Products, 16 CFR Part 1019.
    11. Bee knowingly failed to file the required notification 
information the Commission of its intent to export the Plastic 
Acrobatic Animal W/Candy, identified in paragraphs 4 and 10 above, in 
violation of section 4(i) of the FHSA, 15 U.S.C. 1263(i).

III. Response of Bee

    12. Bee denies the allegations of the staff set forth in paragraphs 
4 through 11 above that it has knowingly introduced or caused the 
introduction into interstate commerce; received in interstate commerce 
and delivered or proffered delivery thereof for pay or otherwise the 
banned hazardous toys identified in paragraph 4 above, in violation of 
sections 4 (a) and (c) of the FHSA, 15 U.S.C. 1263 (a) and (c); and 
further denies that it failed to comply with the export notification 
requirements of the FHSA, in violation of section 4(i) of the FHSA, 15 
U.S.C. 1263(i).

IV. Agreement of the Parties

    13. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has jurisdiction over 
Bee and the subject matter of this Settlement Agreement under the 
following acts: Consumer Product Safety Act, 15 U.S.C. 2051 et seq., 
and the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, 15 U.S.C. 1261 et seq.
    14. Upon final acceptance by the Commission of this Settlement 
Agreement and issuance of the Final Order, Bee agrees to pay to the 
Commission a civil penalty in the amount of SIXTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/
100 DOLLARS ($65,000.00), under the terms and conditions set forth in 
the attached Order incorporated herein, and made a part hereof, by 
reference.
    15. The Commission and Bee agree that this Agreement is entered 
into for the purposes of settlement only and does not constitute an 
admission that Bee knowingly violated the FHSA.
    16. Upon final acceptance of this Settlement Agreement by the 
Commission and issuance of the Final Order, Bee knowingly, voluntarily, 
and completely waives any rights it may have in this matter (1) to an 
administrative or judicial hearing, (2) to judicial review or other 
challenge or contest of the validity of the Commission's actions, (3) 
to a determination by the Commission as to whether Bee failed to comply 
with the FHSA as aforesaid, and (4) to a statement of findings of fact 
and conclusions of law.
    17. For purposes of section 6(b) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2055(b), 
this matter shall be treated as if a complaint had issued, and the 
Commission may publicize the terms of the Settlement Agreement and 
Order.
    18. Upon provisional acceptance of this Settlement Agreement by the 
Commission, the Commission will place the Settlement Agreement and the 
Provisional Order on the public record, and publish it in the Federal 
Register in accordance with the procedures set forth in 16 CFR 1118.20 
(e) through (h). If the Commission does not receive any written request 
not to accept the Settlement Agreement within 15 days, the Settlement 
Agreement shall be deemed finally accepted and the Final Order shall be 
deemed issued on the 16th day.
    19. This Settlement Agreement may be used in interpreting the 
Provisional and Final Orders. No agreements, understandings, 
representations, or interpretations apart from those contained in this 
Settlement Agreement may be used to vary or to contradict its terms.
    20. The provisions of the Settlement Agreement and Final Order 
shall apply to Bee and each of its successors and assigns.

Respondent Bee International, Inc.

    Dated: August 29, 1994.
By: Louis C. Block,
President, Bee International, Inc., 2311 Boswell Road, Chula Vista, CA 
91914.

Commission Staff.
David Schmeltzer,
Assistant Executive Director, Office of Compliance and Enforcement.

    Dated: September 19, 1994.
By: Earl A. Gershenow,
Trial Attorney, Division of Administrative Litigation, Office of 
Compliance and Enforcement.

    Dated: September 19, 1994.
By: Dennis C. Kacoyanis,
Trial Attorney, Division of Administrative Litigation, Office of 
Compliance and Enforcement.

Order

    Upon consideration of the Settlement Agreement entered into 
between respondent Bee International, Inc., a corporation, and the 
staff of the Consumer Product Safety Commission; and the Commission 
having jurisdiction over the subject matter and Bee International, 
Inc.; and it appearing that the Settlement Agreement and Order is in 
the public interest, it is
    Ordered, That the Settlement Agreement and Order be and hereby 
is accepted; and it is
    Further Ordered, That upon final acceptance of the Settlement 
Agreement and Order, Bee International, Inc. shall pay to the 
Commission a civil penalty in the amount of SIXTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND 
00/100 DOLLARS ($65,000.00) in three (3) payments consisting of one 
payment of TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND 00/100 ($25,000.00) and 
two payments of TWENTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($20,000.00) 
each. The first payment of TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS 
($25,000.00) shall be due within twenty (20) days after service of 
the Final Order of the Commission accepting the Settlement 
Agreement, hereinafter, the ``anniversary date.'' The second payment 
of TWENTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($20,000.00) shall be made 
within one year of the anniversary date, and the third payment of 
TWENTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($20,000.00) shall be made within 
two years of the anniversary date. Payment of the full amount of the 
civil penalty shall settle fully the staff's allegations set forth 
in paragraphs 4 through 11 of the Settlement Agreement and Order 
that Bee International, Inc. violated the FHSA. Upon the failure by 
Bee International, Inc. to make a payment or upon the making of a 
late payment by Bee International, Inc. (a) the entire amount of the 
civil penalty shall be due and payable, and (b) interest on the 
outstanding balance shall accrue and be paid at the federal legal 
rate of interest under the provisions of 28 U.S.C. 1961 (a) and (b).

    Provisionally accepted and Provisional Order issued on the 14th 
day of October, 1994.

    By Order of the Commission.
Sadye E. Dunn,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 94-25967 Filed 10-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-M