[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 217 (Thursday, November 9, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56576-56578]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-27715]
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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
Request for Comments Concerning Proposed Extension of Approval of
a Collection of Information--Coal- and Wood-Burning Stoves
AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter
35), the Consumer Product Safety Commission requests comments on a
proposed extension of approval of a collection of information from
manufacturers and importers of coal- and wood-burning stoves. The
collection of information is in regulations entitled ``Coal and Wood
Burning Appliances--Notification of Performance and Technical Data,''
codified at 16 CFR Part 1406. These regulations require manufacturers
and importers of coal- and wood-burning stoves to provide instructions
for safe installation, operation, and maintenance on permanent labels
attached to those appliances, and in owner's manuals, catalogs, and
point-of-purchase materials. The regulations also require manufacturers
and importers to provide a copy of the label and owner's manual for
each model of stove, and an explanation of how minimum clearance
distances between the stove and combustible materials in floors, walls,
and ceiling were determined. The Commission will consider all comments
received in response to this notice before requesting an extension of
this collection of information from the Office of Management and
Budget.
DATES: Written comments must be received by the Office of the Secretary
not later than January 8, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be captioned ``Coal- and Wood-
Burning Stoves'' and mailed to the Office of the Secretary, Consumer
Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207, or delivered to that
office, room 502, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the proposed
extension of the collection of information, or to obtain a copy of 16
CFR Part 1406, call or write Nicholas V. Marchica, Director, Office of
Planning and Evaluation, Consumer Product Safety Commission,
Washington, D.C. 20207; telephone (301) 504-0416, extension 2243.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1981, residential fires involving coal-
and wood-burning stoves were associated with an estimated 1,200
injuries and an estimated 160 deaths. Many of these fires resulted from
installation of coal- and wood-burning stoves too close to combustible
materials in walls, ceilings, floors, or carpets. Other causes of fires
associated with these appliances included improper operation, such as
over-fueling, and lack of proper maintenance.
A. Regulations Requiring Technical Information Related to Safety
To reduce risks of death and injury from fires associated with
coal- and wood-burning stoves, the Commission issued regulations in
1983 requiring manufacturers to provide specified performance and
technical information about their products to prospective purchasers,
consumers, and the Commission. These regulations are codified at 16 CFR
Part 1406 and were issued under the authority of section 27(e) of the
Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) (15 U.S.C. Sec. 2076(e)).
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the collection
of information in the regulations under control number 3041-0040. OMB's
most recent extension of approval expired on January 31, 1995. The
Commission now proposes to request a reinstatement of approval without
change for the collection of information in the regulations.
The regulations require manufacturers to provide instructions for
safe installation, operation, and maintenance on permanent labels
attached to coal- and wood-burning stoves, in owner's manuals, in other
accompanying literature, and in catalogs and point-of-purchase
materials. The regulations also required manufacturers of coal- and
wood-burning stoves to submit by December 6, 1983, the following
information to the Commission: a copy of the label and owner's manual
for each model of stove, and an explanation of how clearance distances
were determined. Additionally, the regulations require manufacturers to
submit this information to the Commission any time a change is made to
the label or owner's manual for any model of stove, and at any time a
new model of stove is introduced.
The Commission reviews all submissions from manufacturers of coal-
and wood-burning stoves to assure that the information on the label and
in owner's manuals, catalogs, and point-of-purchase materials is
appropriate for safe installation, operation, and maintenance of these
appliances. If necessary, the Commission obtains revision of any
incorrect information on the label or in the owner's manual, catalog,
or point-of-purchase materials for an individual stove model.
B. Estimated Burden
The Commission staff estimates that the total annual burden imposed
by the regulations on manufacturers of coal- and wood-burning stoves
will be about 30 hours. All manufacturers of stoves currently provide
to consumers all of the information required by the regulations, and
have made at least one submission of the information required to be
provided to the Commission. The Commission staff estimates that, each
year, manufacturers will introduce or modify about ten stove models.
The manufacturers of the new or modified stove models are required by
the regulations to design or revise labeling information and owner's
manuals for those models. These manufacturers are also required to
submit to the Commission copies of the new or revised labels and
owner's manuals and a statement of the method used to calculate
clearance distances which appear on the labels and in owner's manuals.
The Commission staff estimates that the regulations will impose an
annual burden of about three hours on the manufacturer of each new or
modified stove model. Most of that burden will result from collecting
and sending the required information to the Commission.
The hourly wage for accounting and bookkeeping time required to
collect and send the information is about $12, for an annual cost to
the industry of $360.
The Commission will expend approximately one-half month of
professional staff time reviewing, evaluating, and obtaining any
correction which may be required of the information submitted by
manufacturers to the Commission. The annual cost to the Federal
government of the collection of information collection in these
regulations is estimated to be $2,800.
C. Request for Comments
The Commission solicits written comments from all interested
persons about the proposed extension of approval of the collection of
information in the regulations for coal- and wood-burning stoves. The
Commission specifically solicits information about the hourly burden
and monetary costs imposed by the collection of information on firms
subject to this collection of information. The Commission also seeks
information relevant to the following topics:
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Whether the collection of information is necessary for the
proper performance of the Commission's functions;
Whether the information will have practical utility for
the Commission;
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 form of information
technology.
Dated: November 3, 1995.
Sadye E. Dunn,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 95-27715 Filed 11-8-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P