[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 7, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32882-32883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8763]


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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

16 CFR Chapter II


Fiscal Year 2006 Program for Systematic Review of Commission 
Regulations; Request for Comments and Information

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Notice of systematic review of current regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) 
announces its fiscal year 2006 program for systematic review of its 
current substantive regulations to ensure, to the maximum practical 
extent, consistency among them and with respect to accomplishing 
program goals. In fiscal year 2006, the following three regulations 
will be evaluated: Safety standard for matchbooks, 16 CFR part 1202; 
toy rattles, 16 CFR part 1500.18(a)(1); and baby bouncers, walker-
jumpers, and baby walkers, 16 CFR part 1500.18(a)(6).
    The primary purpose of the review is to assess the degree to which 
the regulations under review remain consistent with the Commission's 
program policies. In addition, each regulation will be examined with 
respect to the extent that it is current and relevant to CPSC program 
goals. Attention will also be given to whether the regulations can be 
streamlined, if possible, to minimize regulatory burdens, especially on 
small entities. To the degree consistent with other Commission 
priorities and subject to the availability of personnel and fiscal 
resources, specific regulatory or other projects may be undertaken in 
response to the results of the review.
    The Commission solicits written comments from interested persons 
concerning the designated regulations' currentness and consistency with 
Commission policies and goals, and suggestions for streamlining where 
appropriate. In so doing, commenters are requested to specifically 
address how their suggestions for change could be accomplished within 
the statutory frameworks for Commission action under the Consumer 
Product Safety Act (CPSA), 15 U.S.C. 2051-2084, and the Federal 
Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA), 15 U.S.C. 1261-1278.

DATE: Comments and submissions in response to this notice must be 
received by August 7, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments and other submissions should be captioned ``Fiscal 
Year 2006 Regulatory Review Project'' and be submitted by e-mail to 
[email protected] or by facsimile to (301) 504-0127. Comments may also 
be submitted by mail or delivered to the Office of the Secretary, 
Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 502, 4330 East-West Highway, 
Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Edwards, Office of Hazard 
Identification and Reduction, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 
4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814; telephone (301) 504-
7535; e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. The Review Program

    The President's Office of Management and Budget has designed the 
Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) to provide a consistent approach 
to rating programs across the Federal government. A description of the 
PART process and associated program evaluation materials is available 
online at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budintegration/part_assessing 
2004.html.
    Based on an evaluation of the Commission's regulatory programs 
using the PART, the recommendation was made that CPSC develop a plan to 
systematically review its current regulations to ensure consistency 
among them in accomplishing program goals. In FY 2004, the Commission 
conducted a pilot review program as the initial step in implementing 
that recommendation. The notice announcing the pilot program appeared 
in the Federal Register on January 28, 2004. 69 FR 4095. Based on the 
success of the pilot program, the Commission announced the continuation 
of the program for subsequent fiscal years.

B. The Regulations Undergoing Review

    A summary of each of the regulations being reviewed in fiscal year 
2006 is provided below. The full text of the regulations may be 
accessed at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfrv2_03.html.

1. Safety Standard for Matchbooks

    The safety standard for matchbooks appears at 16 CFR part 1202. The 
standard prescribes the safety requirements, including labeling 
requirements, for matchbooks. It applies to all matchbooks manufactured 
in or imported into the United States and is intended to address 
certain burn and eye injuries.

2. Toy Rattles

    The standard for toy rattles appears at 16 CFR part 1500.18(a)(1). 
It applies to toy rattles containing, either internally or externally, 
rigid wires, sharp protrusions, or loose small objects that have the 
potential for causing lacerations, puncture wound injury, aspiration, 
ingestion, or other injury. Such toy rattles are included as banned 
toys and other banned articles intended for use by children.

3. Baby Bouncers, Walker-Jumpers, or Baby Walkers

    The standard for baby bouncers, walker-jumpers, and baby-walkers 
appears at 16 CFR part 1500.18(a)(6). The standard applies to any 
article known as a ``baby bouncer,'' walker-jumper,'' or ``baby 
walker,'' and any other similar article which is intended to support 
very young children while sitting, walking, bouncing, jumping, and/or 
reclining, and which because of its design has any exposed parts 
capable of causing amputation, crushing, lacerations, fractures, 
hematomas, bruises, or other injuries to fingers, toes, or other parts 
of the anatomy of young children. Such articles are included as banned 
toys and other banned articles intended for use by children.

C. Solicitation of Comments and Information

    The Commission invites interested persons to submit comments on 
each of the regulations being reviewed in the fiscal year 2006 program. 
In particular, commenters are asked to address:

[[Page 32883]]

    1. Whether the regulation is consistent with CPSC program goals.
    2. Whether the regulation is consistent with other CPSC 
regulations.
    3. Whether the regulation is current with respect to technology, 
economic, or market conditions, and other mandatory or voluntary 
standards.
    4. Whether the regulation can be streamlined to minimize regulatory 
burdens, particularly any such burdens on small entities.
    For each regulation being reviewed, please provide any specific 
recommendations for change(s), if viewed as necessary, a justification 
for the recommended change(s), and, with respect to each suggested 
change, a statement of the way in which the change can be accomplished 
within the statutory framework of the CPSA, FHSA, FFA, or PPPA, as 
applicable.
    Comments and other submissions should be captioned ``Fiscal Year 
2006 Regulatory Review Project'' and e-mailed to [email protected] or 
faxed to (301) 504-0127. Comments or other submissions may also be 
mailed or delivered to the Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product 
Safety Commission, Room 502, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 
20814. All comments and other submissions must be received by August 7, 
2006.

    Dated: May 31, 2006.
Todd A. Stevenson,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. E6-8763 Filed 6-6-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P