[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 235 (Friday, December 6, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72647-72648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-30866]


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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request--Flammability 
Standards for Carpets and Rugs

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In the Federal Register of September 16, 2002 (67 FR 58358), 
the Consumer Product Safety Commission published a notice in accordance 
with provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
chapter 35), to announce the agency's intention to seek extension of 
approval of collections of information in regulations implementing two 
flammability standards for carpets and rugs. The regulations are 
codified at 16 CFR parts 1630 and 1631, and prescribe requirements for 
testing and recordkeeping by persons and firms issuing guaranties of 
products subject to the Standard for the Surface Flammability of 
Carpets and Rugs and the Standard for the Surface Flammability of Small 
Carpets and Rugs.
    Two comments were received in response to that notice. The Carpet 
and Rug Institute (``CRI'') commented that the washing requirement in 
Sec.  1630.4(ii) is not an acceptable method for cleaning carpet 
materials and suggested that the staff consider the AATCC Test Method 
171-2000, ``Carpets: Cleaning of; Hot Water Extraction Method,'' as a 
more appropriate method for consideration. CRI further commented that 
the testing and recordkeeping is not a significant burden for the 
industry when measured against the benefits of consumer protection and 
product liability.
    Shaw Industries, Inc. suggested that Sec.  1630.4(ii) be changed to 
reference the same AATCC test method and also commented on the Eli Lily 
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (``Lily'') discontinuation of methenamine tablets 
specified as the source of ignition. The CPSC staff is aware that Lily 
no longer produces the methenamine tablet specified as the ignition 
source in the standards. The staff is in the process of evaluating 
methenamine pills from several different manufacturers and developing 
draft technical amendments to the standards that will provide 
performance requirements for the ignition source, rather than 
specifying a manufacturer. The staff will also consider other relevant 
issues, such as laundering procedures, as appropriate during the 
amendment process.
    After considering these comments, the staff believes it should 
nevertheless seek approval of the collection of information. Therefore, 
by publication of this notice, the Commission announces that it has 
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a request for 
extension of approval of those collections of information without 
change.

Additional Information About the Request for Reinstatement of Approval 
of Collections of Information

    Agency address: Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 
20207.
    Title of information collection: Standard for the Surface 
Flammability of Carpets and Rugs, 16 CFR Part 1630; Standard for the 
Surface Flammability of Small Carpets and Rugs, 16 CFR Part 1631.
    Type of request: Extension of approval without change.
    General description of respondents: Manufacturers and importers of 
products subject to the flammability standards for carpets and rugs.
    Estimated number of respondents: 120.
    Estimated average number of hours per respondent: 500 per year.
    Estimated number of hours for all respondents: 60,000 per year.
    Estimated cost of collection for all respondents: $1,584,000.
    Comments: Comments on this request for extension of approval of 
information collection requirements should be submitted by January 6, 
2003, to (1) the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: 
OMB Desk Officer for CPSC, Office of Management and Budget, Washington 
DC 20503; telephone: (202) 395-7340, and (2) the Office of the 
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207. 
Written comments may also be sent to the Office of the Secretary by 
facsimile at (301)

[[Page 72648]]

504-0127 or by e-mail at [email protected].
    Copies of this request for extension of the information collection 
requirements and supporting documentation are available from Linda 
Glatz, management and program analyst, Office of Planning and 
Evaluation, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207; 
telephone: (301) 504-0416, ext. 2226.

    Dated: November 29, 2002.
Todd A. Stevenson,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 02-30866 Filed 12-5-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P