[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 83 (Monday, April 30, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21375-21376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10695]


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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION


Proposed Collection; Comment Request--Testing and Recordkeeping 
Requirements Under the Standard for the Flammability of Mattresses and 
Mattress Pads

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 requests 
comments on a proposed extension of approval through August 31, 2004, 
of information collection requirements in the Standard for the 
Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress Pads (16 CFR part 1632). The 
standard is intended to reduce unreasonable risks of burn injuries and 
deaths from fires associated with mattresses and mattress pads. The 
standard prescribes a test to assure that a mattress or mattress pad 
will resist ignition from a smoldering cigarette. The standard requires 
manufacturers to perform prototype tests of each combination of 
materials and construction methods used to produce mattresses or 
mattress pads and to obtain acceptable results from such testing. Sale 
or distribution of mattresses without successful completion of the 
testing required by the standard violates section 3 of the Flammable 
Fabrics Act (15 U.S.C. 1192). An enforcement rule implementing the 
standard requires manufacturers to maintain records of testing 
performed in accordance with the standard and other information about 
the mattresses or mattress pads that they produce. The Commission will 
consider all comments received in response to this notice before 
requesting approval of this collection of information from the Office 
of Management and Budget.

DATES: Written comments must be received by the Office of the 
Secretary not later than June 29, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be captioned ``Collection of 
Information--Mattress Flammability Standard'' and mailed to the Office 
of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 
20207, or delivered to that office, room 502, 4330

[[Page 21376]]

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 collection of information call or write Linda L. Glatz, Office 
of Planning and Evaluation, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 
Washington, DC 20207; (301) 504-0416, Ext. 2226.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Estimated Burden

    The Commission staff estimates that there are 850 firms required to 
test mattresses and keep records. The staff further estimates that each 
respondent will spend 26 hours for testing and recordkeeping annually 
for a total of 22,100 hours of annual burden. At a cost of $13.50 per 
hour, the average hourly non-farm wage figure, U.S. Statistical 
Abstract, 2000, the annualized cost to respondents would be $298,350.

B. 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: April 25, 2001.
Sadye E. Dunn,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 01-10695 Filed 4-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-M