[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 219 (Monday, November 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61852-61853]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29631]


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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION


Request for Comments Concerning Proposed Extension of Approval of 
a Collection of Information--Safety Standard for Walk-Behind Power Lawn 
Mowers

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 request for an extension of approval of a collection of 
information from manufacturers and importers of walk-behind power lawn 
mowers. This collection of information consists of testing and 
recordkeeping requirements in certification regulations implementing 
the Safety Standard for Walk-Behind Power Lawn Mowers (16 CFR part 
1205). The Commission will consider all comments received in response 
to this notice before requesting an extension of approval of this 
collection of information from the Office of Management and Budget.

DATES: The Office of the Secretary must receive written comments not 
later than January 14, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be captioned ``Walk-Behind Power 
Lawn Mowers'' 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. 
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 1205, 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: In 1979, the Commission issued the Safety 
Standard for Walk-Behind Power Lawn Mowers (16 CFR part 1205) under 
provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) (15 U.S.C. 2051 et 
seq.) to eliminate or reduce risks of amputations, avulsions, 
lacerations, and other serious injuries which have resulted from the 
accidental contact of some part of an operator's body with the rotating 
blade of a power lawn mower. The standard contains performance and 
labeling requirements for walk-behind power lawn mowers to address 
risks of blade-contact injuries.

A. Certification Requirements

    Section 14(a) of the CPSA (15 U.S.C. 2063(a)) requires 
manufacturers, importers, and private labelers of a consumer product 
subject to a consumer product safety standard to issue a certificate 
stating that the product complies with all applicable consumer product 
safety standards. Section 14(a) of the CPSA also requires that the 
certificate of compliance must be based on a test of each product or 
upon a reasonable testing program.
    Section 14(b) of the CPSA authorizes the Commission to issue 
regulations to prescribe a reasonable testing program to support 
certificates of compliance with a consumer product safety standard. 
Section 16(b) of the CPSA (15 U.S.C. 2065(b)) authorizes the Commission 
to issue rules to require that firms ``establish and maintain'' records 
to permit the Commission to determine compliance with rules issued 
under the authority of the CPSA.
    The Commission has issued regulations prescribing requirements for 
a reasonable testing program to support certificates of compliance with 
the standard for walk-behind power mowers. These regulations also 
require manufacturers, importers, and private labelers of walk-behind 
power mowers to establish and maintain records to demonstrate 
compliance with the requirements for testing to support certification 
of compliance. 16 CFR part 1205, Subpart B.
    The Commission uses the information compiled and maintained by 
manufacturers and importers of walk-behind power mowers to protect 
consumers from risks of injuries associated with walk-behind power lawn 
mowers. More specifically, the Commission uses this information to 
determine whether the mowers they produce and import comply with the 
applicable standard. The Commission also uses this information to 
obtain corrective actions if walk-behind power mowers fail to comply 
with the standard in a manner which creates a substantial risk of 
injury to the public.
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the collection 
of information requirements for walk-behind mowers under control number 
3041-0091. OMB's most recent extension of approval will expire on 
January 31, 2000. The Commission proposes to request an extension of 
approval without change for these collection of information 
requirements.

[[Page 61853]]

B. Estimated Burden

    The Commission staff estimates that about 20 firms are subject to 
the testing and recordkeeping requirements of the certification 
regulations. The Commission staff estimates further that the annual 
testing and recordkeeping burden imposed by the regulations on each of 
these firms on average is approximately 390 hours. Thus, the total 
annual burden imposed by the certification regulations on all 
manufacturers and importers of walk-behind power mowers is about 7,800 
hours.
    The Commission staff estimates that the hourly wage for the time 
required to perform the required testing and to maintain the required 
records is about $21.84, and that the annual total cost to the industry 
is approximately $170,000.

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: November 8, 1999.
Sadye E. Dunn,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 99-29631 Filed 11-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P