[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 19742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9013]


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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION


Petition HP 00-3 Requesting a Ban of Candle Wicks Containing Lead 
and of Candles Containing Such Wicks

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commission has received two submissions, one from Public 
Citizen and one jointly from the National Apartment Association (NAA) 
and the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC), that contain requests 
that the Commission ban lead-containing candles and wicks sold for 
candle-making that contain lead. These requests have been docketed 
collectively as a petition under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act 
(FHSA) (Petition No. HP 00-3). The Commission solicits written comments 
concerning the petition from all interested parties.

DATES: Comments on the petition should be received in the Office of the 
Secretary by June 12, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the petition should be mailed to the Office of 
the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 
20207, telephone (301) 504-0800, or delivered to the Office of the 
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, room 502, 4330 East-West 
Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. Comments may also be filed by 
telefacsimile to (301) 504-0127 or by email to [email protected]. 
Comments should be captioned ``Petition HP 00-3--Candle Wicks 
Containing Lead.'' Copies of the petition are available by writing or 
calling the Office of the Secretary.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rockelle Hammond, Docket Control and 
Communications Specialist, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 
Washington, DC 20207; telephone: (301) 504-0800 ext. 1502.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: The Commission has received two submissions, 
one from Public Citizen and one jointly from the National Apartment 
Association (NAA) and the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC), that 
request the Commission to ban lead-containing candles and wicks sold 
for candle-making that contain lead. These have been docketed 
collectively as a petition under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act 
(FHSA) (Petition No. HP 00-3). The submissions argue that the lead in 
candle wicks produces hazardous combustion materials when the candles 
are used, creating a lead poisoning hazard for occupants, particularly 
children.
    Public Citizen's submission also asked that the Commission recall 
such products. This request has not been docketed as part of the 
petition because this action does not require rulemaking. (This request 
will be considered separately by the Office of Compliance.) In 
addition, Public Citizen's submission asked that the Commission ban 
candles in metal containers that contain lead. This request has not 
been docketed as part of the petition because the submission did not 
provide facts to explain why such action is necessary, as required by 
the Commission's rules for petitions, 16 CFR 1051.5(a)(4).
    The Commission solicits comments on the petition, particularly 
regarding the potential costs and benefits of the requested rule.
    Comments to CPSC should be mailed, preferably in five copies, to 
the Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 
Washington, DC 20207-0001, or delivered to the Office of the Secretary, 
Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 502, 4330 East-West Highway, 
Bethesda, Maryland; telephone (301) 504-0800. Comments may also be 
filed by telefacsimile to (301) 504-0127 or by email to [email protected]. Comments should be captioned ``Petition HP 00-3--Candle 
Wicks Containing Lead.''
    Interested parties may obtain a copy of the petition from the 
CPSC's website at http://www.cpsc.gov or by writing or calling the 
Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 
Washington, DC 20207; telephone (301) 504-0800. A copy of the petition 
is available for inspection from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, in the Commission's Public Reading Room, room 501, 4330 East-
West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

    Dated: April 5, 2000.
Sadye E. Dunn,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 00-9013 Filed 4-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P