[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 40 (Thursday, March 1, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 9311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-3629]


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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION


Proposed Extension of Approval of Information 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 (CPSC or 
Commission) requests comments on a proposed three year extension of 
approval 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. 
Manufacturers and importers are required to maintain the records and 
test results specified under the standard. The Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) previously approved the collection of information under 
control number 3041-0014. OMB's most recent extension of approval will 
expire on August 31, 2007. The Commission will consider all comments 
received in response to this notice before requesting an extension of 
approval of this collection of information from OMB.
    An additional mattress standard was promulgated under section 4 of 
the Flammable Fabrics Act, 15 U.S.C. 1191-1204, effective July 1, 2007, 
to reduce deaths and injuries related to mattress fires, particularly 
those ignited by open flame sources such as lighters, candles and 
matches. 16 CFR part 1633. That standard established new performance 
requirements for mattresses and mattress sets that will generate a 
smaller size fire from open flame source ignitions. Part 1633 also 
contains recordkeeping requirements to document compliance with the 
standard. OBM approved that collection of information under Control 
Number 3041-0133, with an expiration date of June 30, 2009. 71 FR 
37910.
    In May 2006, an Interim Enforcement Policy for Mattresses subject 
to 16 CFR parts 1632 and 1633, effective May 1, 2006, was issued that 
reduced prototype surface testing and recordkeeping requirements from 
six mattress surfaces to two mattress surfaces for each new prototype 
created after March 15, 2006. That policy is available at http://www.cpsc.gov/BUSINFO/Interimmattress.pdf. Mattress prototypes created 
before March 15, 2006, are subject to the full requirements of part 
1632. In addition, mattress pads are not subject to this policy and 
must continue to adhere to all the requirements set forth in part 1632.

DATES: Written comments must be received by the Office of the Secretary 
not later than April 30, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be captioned ``Collection of 
Information--Mattress Flammability Standard'' and e-mailed to [email protected]. Comments may also be sent by facsimile to (301) 504-0127, 
or by mail to the Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety 
Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the proposed 
renewal of this collection of information, or to obtain a copy of the 
pertinent regulations, call or write Linda L. Glatz, Division of Policy 
and Planning, Office of Information Technology and Technology Services, 
Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, 
Maryland 20814; (301) 504-7671, or by e-mail to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Estimated Burden

    The Commission staff estimates that at this time there are 751 
establishments producing mattresses, mattress pads, futons, or other 
types of products required to test and keep records pursuant to 16 CFR 
part 1632. The staff further estimates that each firm will spend 26 
hours for testing and recordkeeping annually for a total of 19,526 
hours (751 firms x 26 hours = 19,526 total hours). The annualized cost 
would be $875,000 based on 19,526 hours times $44.82/hour (based on 
total compensation of all civilian workers in managerial and 
professional positions in the U.S., July 2006, Bureau of Labor 
Statistics).

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: February 26, 2007.
Todd A. Stevenson,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. E7-3629 Filed 2-28-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P