[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 32 (Thursday, February 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 5987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3507]



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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION


Proposed Collection of Information; Comment Request--Baby-
Bouncers, Walker-Jumpers, and Baby-Walkers

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 (CPSC) requests comments on 
a proposed reinstatement of approval of a collection of information 
from manufacturers and importers of children's articles called baby-
bouncers, walker-jumpers, or baby-walkers. The collection of 
information consists of requirements that manufacturers and importers 
of these products must establish and maintain records of inspections, 
testing, sales, and distributions to demonstrate that the products are 
not banned by rules issued under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act 
and codified at 16 CFR part 1500.
    The CPSC will consider all comments received in response to this 
notice before requesting reinstatement of approval 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 April 15, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be captioned ``Baby-Bouncers'' and 
mailed to the Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety 
Commission, Washington, DC 20207, or delivered to that office, room 
502, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the proposed 
reinstatement of approval of the collection of information, or to 
obtain a copy of 16 CFR part 1500, call or write Nicholas V. Marchica, 
Director, Office of Planning and Evaluation, Consumer Product Safety 
Commission, Washington, DC 20207; telephone (301) 504-0416, extension 
2243.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Products called ``baby-bouncers,'' ``walker-
jumpers, or ``baby-walkers'' are intended to support children younger 
than two years of age while they sit, bounce, jump, walk, or recline. 
Regulations issued under provisions of the Federal Hazardous Substances 
Act (15 U.S.C. 1261, 1262) establish safety requirements for these 
products.

A. Requirements for Baby-Bouncers, Walker-Jumpers, and Baby-Walkers

    One CPSC regulation bans any such product if it is designed in such 
a way that exposed parts present hazards of amputations, crushing, 
lacerations, fractures, hematomas, bruises or other injuries to 
children's fingers, toes, or other parts of the body. 16 CFR 
1500.18(a)(6).
    A second CPSC regulation establishes criteria for exempting baby-
bouncers, walker-jumpers, and baby walkers from the banning rule under 
specified conditions. 16 CFR 1500.86(a)(4). The exemption regulation 
requires certain labeling on these products and their packaging to 
identify the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor and 
the model number of the product. Additionally, the exemption regulation 
requires that records must be established and maintained for three 
years relating to testing, inspection, sales, and distributions of 
these products. The regulation does not specify a particular form or 
format for the records. Manufacturers and importers may rely on records 
kept in the ordinary course of business to satisfy the recordkeeping 
requirements if those records contain the required information.
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the collection 
of information requirements in the regulations under control number 
3041-0019. OMB's most recent extension of approval expired on May 31, 
1992. The CPSC now proposes to request reinstatement of approval 
without change for the regulations' information collection 
requirements.
    The safety need for this collection of information remains. 
Specifically, if a manufacturer or importer distributes products that 
violate the banning rule, the records required by section 1500.86(a)(4) 
can be used by the firm and the CPSC (i) to identify specific models of 
products which fail to comply with applicable requirements, and (ii) to 
notify distributors and retailers if the products are subject to 
recall.

B. Estimated Burden

    The CPSC staff estimates that about 25 firms are subject to the 
testing and recordkeeping requirements of the regulations. The CPSC 
staff estimates further that the burden imposed by the regulations on 
each of these firms is approximately 2 hours per year. Thus, the total 
annual burden imposed by the regulations on all manufacturers and 
importers is about 50 hours.
    The CPSC staff estimates that the hourly wage for the time required 
to perform the required testing and to maintain the required records is 
about $13, and that the annual total cost to the industry is 
approximately $650. During a typical year, the CPSC will expend 
approximately two days of professional staff time reviewing records 
required to be maintained by the regulations for baby-bouncers, walker-
jumpers, and baby-walkers. The annual cost to the Federal government of 
the collection of information in these regulations is estimated to be 
$560.

C. Request for Comments

    The CPSC solicits written comments from all interested persons 
about the proposed extension of approval of the collection of 
information in the regulations for baby-bouncers, walker-jumpers, and 
baby-walkers. The CPSC 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 
CPSC also seeks information relevant to the following topics:
     Whether the collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the CPSC's functions;
     Whether the information will have practical utility for 
the CPSC;
     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: February 12, 1996.
Sadye E. Dunn,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 96-3507 Filed 2-14-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P