[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5165-5170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-902]


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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

16 CFR Part 1000


Statement of Organization and Functions

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) is 
amending its statement of organization and functions to reflect changes 
in the Commission's organization as well as editorial and address 
changes.

DATES: Effective Date: February 1, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 
4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hyun Sun Kim, Office of the General 
Counsel, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, 
Bethesda, Maryland 20814; telephone (301) 504-7632.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 1000.19 describes the new Office of 
Financial Management, Planning and Evaluation. Section 1000.21 
describes the new Office of Compliance and Field Operations. Section 
1000.23 describes the new Office of Information and Technology 
Services. Section 1000.24 describes the new Office of International 
Programs and Intergovernmental Affairs. The following offices and 
directorates have been incorporated into the new offices referenced 
above: the Office of the Secretary, the Office of the Budget, the 
Office of Planning and Evaluation, the Office of Compliance, the Office 
of Information Services, the Directorate for Administration and the 
Directorate for Field Operations.
    Section 1000.10 provides that the Commission will annually elect a 
vice chairman for a term beginning on June 1 and running until such 
time as another vice chairman is elected. Editorial changes have also 
been made in various sections and the address of the Commission has 
been changed from ``Washington, DC 20207'' to ``4330 East West Highway, 
Bethesda, Maryland 20814'' to reflect the current address.
    Since this rule relates solely to internal agency management, 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b), notice and other public procedures are not 
required and it is effective immediately upon publication in the 
Federal Register. Further this action is not a rule as defined in the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, and thus, is exempt from 
the provisions of the Act.

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 1000

    Organization and Functions (Government Agencies).

0
Therefore, for the reasons set forth in the preamble, revise 16 CFR 
part 1000 to read as follows:

PART 1000--COMMISSION ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS

Sec.
1000.1 The Commission.
1000.2 Laws administered.
1000.3 Hotline.
1000.4 Commission address.
1000.5 Petitions.
1000.6 Commission decisions and records.
1000.7 Advisory opinions and interpretations of regulations.
1000.8 Meetings and hearings; public notice.
1000.9 Quorum.
1000.10 The Chairman and Vice Chairman.
1000.11 Delegation of functions.
1000.12 Organizational structure.
1000.13 Directives system.
1000.14 Office of the General Counsel.
1000.15 Office of Congressional Relations.
1000.16 Office of the Inspector General.
1000.17 Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority 
Enterprise.
1000.18 Office of Executive Director.
1000.19 Office of Financial Management, Planning and Evaluation.
1000.20 Office of Information and Public Affairs.
1000.21 Office of Compliance and Field Operations.
1000.22 Office of Human Resources Management.
1000.23 Office of Information and Technology Services.
1000.24 Office of International Programs and Intergovernmental 
Affairs.
1000.25 Office of Hazard Identification and Reduction.
1000.26 Directorate for Epidemiology.
1000.27 Directorate for Health Sciences.
1000.28 Directorate for Economic Analysis.
1000.29 Directorate for Engineering Sciences.
1000.30 Directorate for Laboratory Sciences.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a).


Sec.  1000.1  The Commission.

    (a) The Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent 
regulatory agency formed on May 14, 1973, under the provisions of the 
Consumer Product Safety Act (Pub. L. 92-573, 86 Stat. 1207, as amended 
(15 U.S.C. 2051, et seq.)). The purposes of the Commission under the 
CPSA are:
    (1) To protect the public against unreasonable risks of injury 
associated with consumer products;
    (2) To assist consumers in evaluating the comparative safety of 
consumer products;
    (3) To develop uniform safety standards for consumer products and 
to minimize conflicting State and local regulations; and
    (4) To promote research and investigation into the causes and 
prevention of product-related deaths, illnesses, and injuries.
    (b) The Commission is authorized to consist of five members 
appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate, for terms of seven years. However, the Departments of Veterans 
Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 1993, Public Law 102-389, limited funding to that 
for three Commissioners for fiscal year 1993 and thereafter.


Sec.  1000.2  Laws administered.

    The Commission administers five acts:
    (a) The Consumer Product Safety Act (Pub. L. 92-573, 86 Stat. 1207, 
as amended (15 U.S.C. 2051, et seq.)).
    (b) The Flammable Fabrics Act (Pub. L. 90-189, 67 Stat. 111, as 
amended (15 U.S.C. 1191, et seq.)).
    (c) The Federal Hazardous Substances Act (Pub. L. 86-613, 74 Stat. 
380, as amended (15 U.S.C. 1261, et seq.)).
    (d) The Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970 (Pub. L. 91-601, 84 
Stat. 1670, as amended (15 U.S.C. 1471, et seq.)).
    (e) The Refrigerator Safety Act of 1956 (Pub. L. 84-930, 70 Stat. 
953, (15 U.S.C. 1211, et seq.)).


Sec.  1000.3  Hotline.

    (a) The Commission operates a toll-free telephone Hotline by which 
the public can communicate with the Commission. The number for use in 
all 50 states is 1-800-638-CPSC (1-800-638-2772).
    (b) The Commission also operates a toll-free Hotline by which 
hearing or speech-impaired persons can communicate with the Commission 
by teletypewriter. The teletypewriter number for use in all states is 
1-800-638-8270.
    (c) The Commission also makes available to the public product 
recall information, its public calendar, and other information through 
its worldwide Web site at http://www.cpsc.gov. The public may also 
report product hazards or other information to the Commission at its e-
mail address: [email protected].

[[Page 5166]]

Sec.  1000.4  Commission address.

    The principal Offices of the Commission are at 4330 East West 
Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. All written communications with the 
Commission, including those sent by U.S. Postal Service, private 
express and messenger should be addressed to the Consumer Product 
Safety Commission at that address, unless otherwise specifically 
directed.


Sec.  1000.5  Petitions.

    Any interested person may petition the Commission to issue, amend, 
or revoke a rule or regulation by submitting a written request to the 
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, 
Bethesda, Maryland 20814. Petitions must comply with the Commission's 
procedure for petitioning for rulemaking at 16 CFR part 1051.


Sec.  1000.6  Commission decisions and records.

    (a) Each decision of the Commission, acting in an official capacity 
as a collegial body, is recorded in Minutes of Commission meetings or 
as a separate Record of Commission Action. Copies of Minutes or of a 
Record of Commission Action may be obtained by e-mail ([email protected]) or written request to the Secretary, Consumer Product 
Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, or 
may be examined at Commission headquarters. Requests should identify 
the subject matter of the Commission action and the approximate date of 
the Commission action, if known.
    (b) Other records in the custody of the Commission may be requested 
by e-mail ([email protected]) or in writing from the Office of the 
Secretary pursuant to the Commission's Procedures for Disclosure or 
Production of Information under the Freedom of Information Act (16 CFR 
part 1015).


Sec.  1000.7  Advisory opinions and interpretations of regulations.

    (a) Advisory opinions. Upon written request, the General Counsel 
provides written advisory opinions interpreting the acts and 
administrative regulations (e.g., Freedom of Information Act 
regulations) the Commission administers, provided the request contains 
sufficient specific factual information upon which to base an opinion. 
Advisory opinions represent the legal opinions of the General Counsel 
and may be changed or superseded by the Commission. Requests for 
advisory opinions should be sent to the General Counsel, Consumer 
Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 
20814. Previously issued advisory opinions are available on the CPSC 
Web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/advisory/advisory.html. A 
copy of a particular previously issued advisory opinion or a copy of an 
index of such opinions may also be obtained by written request to the 
Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East 
West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
    (b) Interpretations of regulations. Upon written request, the 
Assistant Executive Director for Compliance will issue written 
interpretations of Commission regulations pertaining to the safety 
standards and the enforcement of those standards, provided the request 
contains sufficient specific factual information upon which to base an 
interpretation. Interpretations of regulations represent the 
interpretations of the staff and may be changed or superseded by the 
Commission. Requests for such interpretations should be sent to the 
Assistant Executive Director for Compliance, Consumer Product Safety 
Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.


Sec.  1000.8  Meetings and hearings; public notice.

    (a) The Commission may meet and exercise all its powers in any 
place.
    (b) Meetings of the Commission are held as ordered by the 
Commission and, unless otherwise ordered, are held at the principal 
office of the Commission at 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland. 
Meetings of the Commission for the purpose of jointly conducting the 
formal business of the agency, including the rendering of official 
decisions, are generally announced in advance and open to the public, 
as provided by the Government in the Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. 552b) and 
the Commission's Meetings Policy (16 CFR part 1012).
    (c) The Commission may conduct any hearing or other inquiry 
necessary or appropriate to its functions anywhere in the United 
States. It will publish a notice of any proposed hearing in the Federal 
Register and will afford a reasonable opportunity for interested 
persons to present relevant testimony and data.
    (d) Notices of Commission meetings, Commission hearings, and other 
Commission activities are published in a Public Calendar, as provided 
in the Commission's Meetings Policy (16 CFR part 1012). The Public 
Calendar is available on the Commission Web site at http://www.cpsc.gov.


Sec.  1000.9  Quorum.

    Three members of the Commission constitute a quorum for the 
transaction of business. If there are only three members serving on the 
Commission, two members constitute a quorum. If there are only two 
members serving on the Commission because of vacancies, two members 
constitute a quorum, but only for six months from the time the number 
of members was reduced to two. [Note: the Departments of Veterans 
Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 1993, Pub. L. 102-389, limited funding to that for 
three Commissioners for fiscal year 1993 and thereafter.]


Sec.  1000.10  The Chairman and Vice Chairman.

    (a) The Chairman is the principal executive officer of the 
Commission and, subject to the general policies of the Commission and 
to such regulatory decisions, findings, and determinations as the 
Commission is by law authorized to make, he or she exercises all of the 
executive and administrative functions of the Commission.
    (b) The Commission shall annually elect a Vice Chairman for a term 
beginning on June 1. The Vice Chairman shall serve until the election 
of his or her successor. The Vice Chairman acts in the absence or 
disability of the Chairman or in case of a vacancy in the Office of the 
Chairman.


Sec.  1000.11  Delegation of functions.

    Section 27(b)(9) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 
2076(b)(9)) authorizes the Commission to delegate any of its functions 
and powers, other than the power to issue subpoenas, to any officer or 
employee of the Commission. Delegations are documented in the 
Commission's Directives System.


Sec.  1000.12  Organizational structure.

    The Consumer Product Safety Commission is composed of the principal 
units listed in this section.
    (a) The following units report directly to the Chairman of the 
Commission:
    (1) Office of the General Counsel;
    (2) Office of Congressional Relations;
    (3) Office of the Inspector General;
    (4) Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Enterprise;
    (5) Office of the Executive Director.
    (b) The following units report directly to the Executive Director 
of the Commission:
    (1) Office of Financial Management, Planning and Evaluation;
    (2) Office of Hazard Identification and Reduction;

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    (3) Office of Information and Public Affairs;
    (4) Office of Compliance and Field Operations;
    (5) Office of Human Resources Management;
    (6) Office of Information and Technology Services;
    (7) Office of International Programs and Intergovernmental Affairs.
    (c) The following units report directly to the Assistant Executive 
Director for Hazard Identification and Reduction:
    (1) Directorate for Economic Analysis;
    (2) Directorate for Epidemiology;
    (3) Directorate for Health Sciences;
    (4) Directorate for Engineering Sciences;
    (5) Directorate for Laboratory Sciences.


Sec.  1000.13  Directives System.

    The Commission maintains a Directives System which contains 
delegations of authority and descriptions of Commission programs, 
policies, and procedures. A complete set of directives is available for 
inspection in the public reading room at Commission headquarters.


Sec.  1000.14  Office of the General Counsel.

    The Office of the General Counsel provides advice and counsel to 
the Commissioners and organizational components of the Commission on 
matters of law arising from operations of the Commission. It prepares 
the legal analysis of Commission legislative proposals and comments on 
relevant legislative proposals originating elsewhere. The Office, in 
conjunction with the Department of Justice, is responsible for the 
conduct of all Federal court litigation to which the Commission is a 
party. The Office also advises the Commission on administrative 
litigation matters. The Office provides final legal review of and makes 
recommendations to the Commission on proposed product safety standards, 
rules, regulations, petition actions, and substantial hazard actions. 
It also provides legal review of certain procurement, personnel, and 
administrative actions and drafts documents for publication in the 
Federal Register.


Sec.  1000.15  Office of Congressional Relations.

    The Office of Congressional Relations is the principal contact with 
the committees and members of Congress and state legislative bodies. It 
performs liaison duties for the Commission, provides information and 
assistance to Congress on matters of Commission policy, and coordinates 
testimony and appearances by Commissioners and agency personnel before 
Congress.


Sec.  1000.16  Office of the Inspector General.

    The Office of the Inspector General is an independent office 
established under the provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978, 
5 U.S.C. Appendix, as amended. This Office independently initiates, 
conducts, supervises, and coordinates audits, operations reviews, and 
investigations of Commission programs, activities, and operations. The 
Office also makes recommendations to promote economy, efficiency, and 
effectiveness within the Commission's programs and operations. The 
Office receives and investigates complaints or information concerning 
possible violations of law, rules, or regulations, mismanagement, abuse 
of authority, and waste of funds. It reviews existing and proposed 
legislation concerning the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of 
such legislation on Commission operations.


Sec.  1000.17  Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority 
Enterprise.

    The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Enterprise 
is responsible for assuring compliance with all laws and regulations 
relating to equal employment opportunity. The Office provides advice 
and assistance to the Chairman and Commission staff on all EEO related 
issues including the agency Small and Disadvantaged Business 
Utilization Program. The Office develops agency EEO program policies. 
The Office manages the discrimination complaint process, including the 
adjudication of discrimination complaints, and facilitates Affirmative 
Employment Program (AEP) planning for women, minorities, individuals 
with disabilities and disabled veterans. The Office plans and executes 
special emphasis programs and special programs with minority colleges, 
and EEO, diversity, prevention of sexual harassment and related 
training. The Office identifies trends, personnel policies and 
practices that have an impact on EEO and makes recommendations to the 
Chairman on the effectiveness and efficiency of EEO programs and 
methods to enhance equal opportunity.


Sec.  1000.18  Office of Executive Director.

    The Executive Director with the assistance of the Deputy Executive 
Director, under the broad direction of the Chairman and in accordance 
with Commission policy, acts as the chief operating manager of the 
agency, supporting the development of the agency's budget and operating 
plan before and after Commission approval, and managing the execution 
of those plans. The Executive Director has direct line authority over 
the following directorates and offices: the Office of Financial 
Management, Planning and Evaluation, the Office of Hazard 
Identification and Reduction, the Office of Information and Public 
Affairs, the Office of Compliance and Field Operations, the Office of 
Human Resources Management, the Office of Information and Technology 
Services, and the Office of International Programs and 
Intergovernmental Affairs.


Sec.  1000.19  Office of Financial Management, Planning and Evaluation.

    The Office of Financial Management, Planning and Evaluation is 
responsible for developing the Commission's funds control system, long-
range strategic plans, annual performance budgets and operating plans; 
analysis of major policy and operational issues; performing evaluations 
and management studies of Commission programs and activities; ensuring 
that Commission resources are procured and expended as planned and 
according to purchasing regulations; the review, control, and payment 
of Commission financial obligations; and, reporting on the use and 
performance of Commission resources. The Office recommends actions to 
the Executive Director to enhance the effectiveness of Commission 
programs and the management of budget, planning and evaluation, 
financial, and procurement activities. The Office serves as the staff 
support to the Commission Chief Financial Officer.


Sec.  1000.20  Office of Information and Public Affairs.

    The Office of Information and Public Affairs, which is managed by 
the Director of the Office, is responsible for the development, 
implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive national information 
and public affairs program designed to promote product safety. This 
includes responsibility for developing and maintaining relations with a 
wide range of national groups such as consumer organizations; business 
groups; trade associations; state and local government entities; labor 
organizations; medical, legal, scientific and other professional 
associations; and other Federal health, safety and consumer agencies. 
The Office also is responsible for implementing the Commission's media 
relations program nationwide. The Office serves as the Commission's 
spokesperson to the national print and broadcast media, develops and 
disseminates the Commission's news

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releases, and organizes Commission news conferences.


Sec.  1000.21  Office of Compliance and Field Operations.

    The Office of Compliance and Field Operations conducts compliance 
and administrative enforcement activities under all administered acts, 
provides advice and guidance on complying with all administered acts 
and reviews proposed standards and rules with respect to their 
enforceability. The Office's responsibilities also include identifying 
and addressing safety hazards in consumer products already in 
distribution, promoting industry compliance with existing safety rules, 
and conducting administrative litigation. It conducts field enforcement 
efforts, including providing program guidance, advice, and case 
guidance to field staff. It enforces the Consumer Product Safety Act 
reporting requirements. It reviews consumer complaints, conducts 
inspections and in-depth investigations, and analyzes available data to 
identify those consumer products containing defects posing a 
substantial risk of injury or which do not comply with existing safety 
requirements. The Office negotiates and monitors corrective action 
plans for products that are defective or fail to comply with specific 
regulations. It gathers information on product hazards that may be 
addressed through rulemaking or voluntary standards. The Office 
develops surveillance strategies and programs designed to assure 
compliance with Commission standards and regulations. The Office of 
Compliance and Field Operations also assists the Office of Information 
and Public Affairs in implementing consumer information activities 
nationwide, including wide-ranging public information and education 
programs designed to reduce consumer product injuries and deaths, and 
maintaining liaison with, and providing support to, other components of 
the Commission and appropriate State and local government offices.


Sec.  1000.22  Office of Human Resources Management.

    The Office of Human Resources Management, which is managed by the 
Director of the Office, provides human resources management support to 
the Commission in the areas of recruitment and placement, position 
classification, training and executive development, employee and labor 
relations, employee benefits and retirement assistance, employee 
assistance programs, drug testing, leave administration, disciplinary 
and adverse actions, grievances and appeals, and performance 
management.


Sec.  1000.23  Office of Information and Technology Services.

    The Office of Information and Technology Services houses the 
Commission's Secretariat, which facilitates the preparation of the 
Commission's agenda; coordinates Commission business at official 
meetings; maintains the dockets and other materials for the 
Commission's public and non-public administrative and adjudicative 
meetings and hearings; prepares and publishes the Public Calendar; 
maintains the Commission's Injury Information Clearinghouse; issues 
Commission Orders; provides legal notice of Commission decisions 
through publication in the Federal Register; processes all filings that 
the Commission receives in paper, electronic and alternative media 
formats; exercises joint responsibility with the Office of the General 
Counsel for interpretation and application of the Privacy Act, Freedom 
of Information Act, and the Government in the Sunshine Act; prepares 
reports required by these acts; and maintains and manages all official 
Commission records including those pertaining to continuing guarantees 
of compliance with applicable standards of flammability under the 
Flammable Fabrics Act filed with the Commission. The Secretary is the 
agency's Chief Freedom of Information Act Officer. The Office of 
Information and Technology Services is also responsible for the general 
policy and planning issues related to the dissemination of information 
by the Commission including, but not limited to, OMB Circular A-130, 
the Federal Information Security Management Act, the Government 
Paperwork Elimination Act, Section 508 of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act, and the E-Government Act under the President's 
Management Agenda; the design, implementation and support of the 
Commission's information technology system needs; maintaining and/or 
providing access to administrative applications for the Commission's 
business processes such as payroll, accounting, personnel, budget, 
information management and work tracking; administration of the 
network, telephone systems, and Help Desk. The Office of Information 
and Technology Services also is responsible for providing the 
Commission with printing, mail, and copy services, library services, 
logistical, real and personal property management services; and 
addressing safety and ergonomic issues in the work place.


Sec.  1000.24  Office of International Programs and Intergovernmental 
Affairs.

    The Office of International Programs and Intergovernmental Affairs 
provides a comprehensive and coordinated effort in consumer product 
safety standards development and implementation at the international, 
Federal, State and local level. The office conducts activities and 
creates strategies aimed at ensuring greater import compliance with 
recognized American safety standards and exportation of CPSC regulatory 
policies, technologies and methodologies into other jurisdictions. The 
office also works to harmonize the use of standards worldwide.


Sec.  1000.25  Office of Hazard Identification and Reduction.

    The Office of Hazard Identification and Reduction, under the 
direction of the Assistant Executive Director for Hazard Identification 
and Reduction, is responsible for managing the Commission's Hazard 
Identification and Analysis Program and its Hazard Assessment and 
Reduction Program. The Office reports to the Executive Director, and 
has line authority over the Directorates for Epidemiology and Health 
Sciences, Economic Analysis, Engineering Sciences, and Laboratory 
Sciences. The Office develops strategies for and implements the 
agency's operating plans for these two hazard programs. This includes 
the collection and analysis of data to identify hazards and hazard 
patterns, the implementation of the Commission's safety standards 
development projects, the coordination of voluntary standards 
activities, and providing overall direction and evaluation of projects 
involving hazard analysis, data collection, emerging hazards, mandatory 
and voluntary standards, petitions, and labeling rules. The Office 
assures that relevant technical, environmental, economic, and social 
impacts of projects are comprehensively and objectively presented to 
the Commission for decision.


Sec.  1000.26  Directorate for Epidemiology.

    The Directorate for Epidemiology, managed by the Associate 
Executive Director for Epidemiology, is responsible for the collection 
and analysis of data on injuries and deaths associated with consumer 
products. The Directorate has two divisions: the Data Systems Division 
and the Hazard Analysis Division. The Data Systems Division operates 
the national data collection systems which provide the data that serve 
as the basis for the Commission's estimates of the numbers of deaths 
and injuries associated with

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consumer products. These data systems include the National Electronic 
Injury Surveillance System, a nationally representative sample of 
hospital emergency departments; a death certificate file, which 
contains data obtained from death certificates on deaths associated 
with consumer products; and the Injury and Potential Injury Incident 
file, which contains information on, among other things, incidents 
associated with consumer products, based on news clips, medical 
examiner reports, hotline reports, Internet complaints, and referrals. 
The Hazard Analysis Division conducts statistical analysis of these 
data and conducts epidemiologic studies to estimate the numbers of 
injuries and deaths associated with various consumer products and to 
examine factors associated with these injuries and deaths. In addition, 
staff in the Hazard Analysis Division design special studies, design 
and analyze data from experiments for testing of consumer products, and 
provide statistical expertise and advice to Commission staff in support 
of regulation development.


Sec.  1000.27  Directorate for Health Sciences.

    The Directorate for Health Sciences is managed by the Associate 
Executive Director for Health Sciences and is responsible for reviewing 
and evaluating the human health effects and hazards related to consumer 
products and assessing exposure, uptake and metabolism, including 
information on population segments at risk. Directorate staff conducts 
health studies and research in the field of consumer product-related 
injuries. The Directorate performs risk assessments for chemical, 
physiological and physical hazards based on methods such as medical 
injury modeling, and on injury and incident data for mechanical, 
thermal, chemical and electrical hazards in consumer products. It 
provides the Commission's primary source of scientific expertise for 
implementation of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act and the Federal 
Hazardous Substances Act. The Directorate assists in the development 
and evaluation of product safety standards and test methods based on 
scientific and public health principles. It provides support to the 
Commission's regulatory development and enforcement activities. It 
manages hazard identification and analysis, and hazard assessment and 
reduction projects as assigned. The Directorate provides liaison with 
the National Toxicology Program, the Department of Health and Human 
Services (including the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health), the 
Occupational Health and Safety Administration, the Environmental 
Protection Agency, other Federal agencies and programs, and other 
organizations concerned with reducing the risk to consumers from 
exposure to consumer product hazards.


Sec.  1000.28  Directorate for Economic Analysis.

    The Directorate for Economic Analysis, which is managed by the 
Associate Executive Director for Economic Analysis, is responsible for 
providing the Commission with advice and information on economic and 
environmental matters and on the economic, social and environmental 
effects of Commission actions. It analyzes the potential effects of 
CPSC actions on consumers and on industries, including effects on 
competitive structure and commercial practices. The Directorate 
acquires, compiles, and maintains economic data on movements and trends 
in the general economy and on the production, distribution, and sales 
of consumer products and their components to assist in the analysis of 
CPSC priorities, policies, actions, and rules. It plans and carries out 
economic surveys of consumers and industries. It studies the costs of 
accidents and injuries. It evaluates the economic, societal, and 
environmental impact of product safety rules and standards. It performs 
regulatory analyses and studies of costs and benefits of CPSC actions 
as required by the Consumer Product Safety Act, The National 
Environmental Policy Act, the Regulatory Flexibility Act and other 
Acts, and by policies established by the Consumer Product Safety 
Commission. The Directorate manages hazard assessment and reduction 
projects as assigned.


Sec.  1000.29  Directorate for Engineering Sciences.

    The Directorate for Engineering Sciences, which is managed by the 
Associate Executive Director for Engineering Sciences, is responsible 
for developing technical policy for and implementing the Commission's 
engineering programs. The Directorate manages hazard assessment and 
reduction projects as assigned by the Office of Hazard Identification 
and Reduction; provides engineering technical support and product 
safety assessments for the Office of Compliance and Field Operations; 
provides engineering, scientific, and technical expertise to the 
Commission and Commission staff as requested; and provides engineering 
technical support to other Commission organizations, activities, and 
programs as needed. The Directorate develops and evaluates product 
safety standards, product safety tests and test methods, performance 
criteria, design specifications, and quality control standards for 
consumer products, based on engineering and scientific methods. It 
conducts engineering analysis and testing of the safety of consumer 
products, and evaluates and participates in the development of 
mandatory and voluntary standards for consumer products including 
engineering and human factors analyses in support of standards 
development and product compliance testing. The Directorate performs or 
monitors research for consumer products in a broad array of engineering 
disciplines including chemical, electrical, fire protection, human 
factors, and mechanical engineering. It conducts and coordinates 
engineering research, testing, and evaluation activities with other 
Federal agencies, private industry, and consumer interest groups. The 
Directorate conducts human factors studies and research of consumer 
product related injuries, including evaluations of labels, signs and 
symbols, instructions, and other measures intended to address the human 
component of injury prevention. The Directorate provides technical 
supervision and direction of engineering activities including tests and 
analyses conducted in the field.


Sec.  1000.30  Directorate for Laboratory Sciences.

    The Directorate for Laboratory Sciences, which is managed by the 
Associate Executive Director for Laboratory Sciences, is responsible 
for conducting engineering analyses and testing of consumer products, 
supporting the development of voluntary and mandatory standards, and 
supporting the Agency's compliance activities through product safety 
assessments. A wide variety of products are tested and evaluated to 
determine the causes of failure and the hazards presented. Product 
safety tests involve mechanical, electrical, and combustion 
engineering, as well as thermal and chemical analyses. Test protocols 
are developed, test fixtures and setups are designed and fabricated, 
and tests are conducted following the requirements and guidance of 
voluntary and mandatory standards and/or using sound engineering and 
scientific judgment. The Laboratory participates with and supports 
other agency directorates on multi-disciplinary teams

[[Page 5170]]

in the development of voluntary and mandatory standards. The Laboratory 
coordinates and cooperates with other Federal agencies, private 
industry, and consumer interest groups by sharing engineering and 
scientific research, test, and evaluation expertise. Additionally, 
Corrective Action Plans, proposed by manufacturers to correct a product 
defect, are tested and evaluated to assure that the proposed changes 
adequately resolve the problem. Regulated products, such as children's 
products, sleepwear, and bicycle helmets, are routinely tested and 
evaluated for compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Act, the 
Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the Flammable Fabrics Act, and the 
Poison Prevention Packaging Act. The Directorate is composed of the 
Mechanical Engineering Division, the Electrical Engineering Division 
(which includes flammable fabrics), and the Chemical Division. Overall, 
the directorate provides engineering, scientific, and other technical 
expertise to all entities within the Consumer Product Safety 
Commission.

    Dated: January 25, 2006.
Todd A. Stevenson,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 06-902 Filed 1-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P