[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 191 (Monday, October 4, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53667-53668]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25646]


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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 of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
Chapter 35), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requests 
comments on a proposed extension of approval, for a period of three 
years from the date of approval by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB), of information collection requirements in regulations regarding 
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 approval of this collection of information 
from OMB.

DATES: The Office of the Secretary must receive written comments not 
later than December 3, 1999.

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 20814. Written comments 
may also be sent to the Office of the Secretary by facsimile at (301) 
504-0127 or by e-mail at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the proposed 
extension of approval of the collection of information, or to obtain a 
copy of 16 CFR part 1500, call or write Linda L. Glatz, Office of 
Planning and Evaluation, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 
Washington, DC 20207; telephone (301) 504-0416, extension 2226.

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

[[Page 53668]]

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 OMB approved the collection of information requirements in the 
regulations under control number 3041-0019. OMB's most recent extension 
of approval expires on December 31, 1999. The CPSC now proposes to 
request an extension 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 Sec. 1500.86(a)(4) 
can be used by the firm and the CPSC (i) to identify specific models of 
products that 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 26 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 52 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 Commission solicits written comments from all interested 
persons about the proposed collection of information. The Commission 
specifically solicits information relevant to the following topics:

--Whether the collection of information described above is necessary 
for the proper performance of the Commission's functions, including 
whether the information would have practical utility;
--Whether the estimated burden of the proposed collection of 
information is accurate;
--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 forms of information technology.

    Dated: September 27, 1999.
Sadye E. Dunn,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 99-25646 Filed 10-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P