[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 18183]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9839]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION


Flame Retardant Chemicals That May Be Suitable for Use in 
Upholstered Furniture; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Notice of extension of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Commission is extending its comment period to receive 
information concerning toxicity issues related to flame retardant 
treatment of upholstered furniture. On March 17, 1998, the Commission 
announced that it will conduct a public hearing on May 5 and, if 
necessary, May 6, 1998 on this issue. In response to a request, the 
Commission is extending the comment period to allow submission of 
written comments 45 days after the hearing. The date of the hearing and 
the date for submissions of prepared texts by persons who plan to 
testify at the hearing remain unchanged (see March 17, 1998 Federal 
Register notice for details concerning testifying at the hearing).

DATES: Written comments that are in place of, or in addition to oral 
presentations, must be received by the Office of the Secretary no later 
than June 19, 1998. Written comments must include the author's 
affiliation with, or employment or sponsorship by, any professional 
organization, government agency, or business firm. All data analyses 
and studies should include substantiation and citations.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be captioned ``Flame Retardant 
Chemicals'' 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 20814. Comments 
may also be filed by telefacsimile to (301) 504-0127 or by e-mail to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the purpose or 
subject matter of this hearing call or write Michael A. Babich, Ph.D., 
Directorate for Epidemiology and Health Sciences, U.S. Consumer Product 
Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207; telephone (301) 504-0994, 
extension 1383; fax (301) 504-0079. For information about the schedule 
for submission of written comments call or write Rockelle Hammond, 
Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 
Washington, D.C. 20207; telephone (301) 504-0800, extension 1232; fax 
(301) 504-0127.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 17, 1998, the Commission published 
a notice announcing a public hearing to consider various toxicity 
issues related to flame retardant chemicals that may be suitable for 
use in upholstered furniture. 63 FR 1301. That notice announced that 
the hearing would begin at 10 a.m. on May 5, 1998, and if necessary, 
conclude on May 6, 1998. The notice provided a detailed list of the 
issues about which the Commission would like to receive information. 
The notice requested that people wishing to make oral presentations at 
the hearing submit copies of their remarks no later than April 21, 
1998. The notice also provided that persons may submit written comments 
in place of or in addition to oral presentations, and that these 
written comments must be received by May 5, 1998.
    After publication of this notice, Chairman Ann Brown received a 
letter from the National Cotton Council requesting that the Commission 
postpone the hearing and reschedule it at least 60-90 days later and 
extend the comment period to reflect a new hearing date.
    In response to this request, the Commission declined to reschedule 
the hearing date, but has decided to allow written comments 45 days 
after the hearing. Thus, written comments in place of, or in addition 
to oral presentations, must be received by the Commission no later than 
June 19, 1998.

    Dated: April 9, 1998.
Sadye E. Dunn,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 98-9839 Filed 4-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P