[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