[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 220 (Friday, November 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61094-61095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30036]


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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION


Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review; 
Cellulose Insulation

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.) this notice announces that the CPSC has submitted to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for extension of 
approval through November 30, 2000, of current collection of 
information requirements regarding testing of cellulose insulation. 
These requirements are set forth in 16 CFR Part 1209, Amended Interim 
Safety Standard for Cellulose Insulation, which prescribes requirements 
for flammability and corrosiveness of cellulose insulation produced for 
sale to or use by consumers. The standard requires manufacturers, 
private labelers, and importers of cellulose insulation to test 
insulation for resistance to smoldering and small open-flame ignition, 
and for corrosiveness, and to maintain records of that testing.

DATES: Any comments must be submitted to OMB on or before December 15, 
1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for 
CPSC, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR A COPY CONTACT: Robert E. Frye, Director, 
Office of Planning and Evaluation, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 
Washington, DC 20207; telephone (301)504-0416.


[[Page 61095]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Cellulose insulation is a form of thermal 
insulation used in houses and other residential buildings. Most 
cellulose insulation is manufactured by shredding and grinding used 
newsprint and adding fire-retardant chemicals.
    In 1979, the CPSC issued the Interim Safety Standard for Cellulose 
Insulation, which is codified at 16 CFR Part 1209. That standard 
contains performance tests to assure that cellulose insulation will 
resist ignition from sustained heat sources, such as smoldering 
cigarettes or recessed light fixtures, and from small open-flame 
sources, such as matches or candles. The standard also contains tests 
to assure that cellulose insulation will not be corrosive to copper, 
aluminum, or steel, if exposed to water.
    Certification regulations in the standard require manufacturers, 
importers, and private labelers of cellulose insulation subject to the 
standard to perform tests to demonstrate that their products meet the 
requirements of the standard. These parties are also required to 
maintain records of those tests. The certification requirements are 
codified at 16 CFR Subpart B.
    The Commission uses the information compiled and maintained by 
these parties to help determine whether cellulose insulation subject to 
the standard complies with all applicable requirements. The Commission 
also uses this information to obtain corrective actions if cellulose 
insulation fails to comply with the standard in a way that creates a 
substantial risk of injury to the public.
    OMB approved the collection of information in the certification 
regulations under control number 3041-0022. OMB's most recent extension 
of approval will expire on November 30, 1997. The Commission has 
requested an extension without change until November 30, 2000.
    Burden statement: The Commission's staff estimates that the 
respondent burden will average 1,320 hours per response. That estimate 
includes the time needed to conduct the tests required by the 
regulations and to create and maintain records of the results of those 
tests.
    Respondents/Affected entities: Businesses that manufacture, import, 
or private label cellulose insulation used in houses and other 
residential buildings.
    Estimated number of respondents: 45.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 59,400 hours.
    Frequency of Collection: As determined by respondents to be 
necessary to provide a reasonable testing program.
    On August 28, 1997, the Commission published a Federal Register 
notice stating its intention to request an extension of approval of 
this collection of information, and requesting comments from the 
public. 62 FR 45630. The Commission received no comments on that 
notice.
    Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of 
the information collection, including suggestions for reducing the 
burden, to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of 
Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for CPSC, 725 17th 
Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503. Please refer to OMB Control No. 3041-
0022 in any correspondence.

    Dated: November 10, 1997.
Sadye E. Dunn,
Secretary Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 97-30036 Filed 11-13-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P