[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 226 (Wednesday, November 24, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66172-66173]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30562]


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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION


Request for Comments Concerning Proposed Extension of Approval of 
a Collection of Information--Electrically Operated Toys and Children's 
Articles

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 extension of approval of a collection of information from 
manufacturers and importers of certain electrically operated toys and 
children's articles. The collection of information consists of testing 
and recordkeeping requirements in regulations entitled ``Requirements 
for Electrically Operated Toys or Other Electrically Operated Articles 
Intended for Use by Children,'' codified at 16 CFR part 1505.
    The Commission will consider all comments received in response to 
this notice before requesting an extension 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 24, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be captioned ``Electrically Operated 
Toys'' 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 the collection of information, or to obtain a copy of 16 
CFR part 1505, call or write Linda L. Glatz, Office of Planning and 
Evaluation, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207; 
telephone (301) 504-0416, extension 2226.


[[Page 66173]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1973, the Commission issued safety 
requirements for electrically operated toys and children's articles to 
protect children from unreasonable risks of injury from electric shock, 
electrical burns, and thermal burns. These regulations are codified at 
16 CFR part 1505 and were issued under the authority of sections 2 and 
3 of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (15 U.S.C. 1261, 1262).

A. Requirements for Electrically Operated Toys

    These regulations are applicable to toys, games, and other articles 
intended for use by children that are powered by electrical current 
from a 120 volt circuit. Video games and articles designed primarily 
for use by adults that may be incidentally used by children are not 
subject to these regulations.
    The regulations prescribe design, construction, performance, and 
labeling requirements for electrically operated toys and children's 
articles. The regulations also require manufacturers and importers of 
those products to develop and maintain a quality assurance program. 
Additionally, section 1505.4(a)(3) of the regulations requires those 
firms to maintain records for three years containing information about: 
(1) Material and production specifications; (2) the quality assurance 
program used; (3) results of all tests and inspections conducted; and 
(4) sales and distribution of electrically operated toys and children's 
articles.
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the collection 
of information requirements in the regulations under control number 
3041-0035. OMB's most recent extension of approval expires on January 
31, 2000. The Commission now proposes to request an extension of 
approval without change for the information collection requirements in 
the regulations.
    The safety need for this collection of information remains. 
Specifically, if a manufacturer or importer distributes products that 
violate the requirements of the regulations, the records required by 
section 1505.4(a)(3) can be used by the firm and the Commission: (i) To 
identify specific lots or production lines of products which fail to 
comply with applicable requirements, and (ii) to notify distributors 
and retailers in the event the products are subject to recall.

B. Estimated Burden

    The Commission staff estimates that about 40 firms are subject to 
the testing and recordkeeping requirements of the regulations. Each one 
may have an average of ten products each year for which testing and 
recordkeeping would be required. The Commission staff estimates that 
the tests required by the regulations can be performed on one product 
in 16 hours and that recordkeeping and maintenance can be performed for 
one product in four hours. Thus, the total annual burden imposed by the 
regulations on all manufacturers and importers is about 8,000 hours.

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 17, 1999.
Sadye E. Dunn,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 99-30562 Filed 11-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P