[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 72 (Thursday, April 16, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 17636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-8720]


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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 (Open Flame) of Mattresses

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 (Commission) 
requests comments on a proposed three year extension of approval of 
information collection requirements in the Standard for the 
Flammability--Open Flame--of Mattresses Set (Open Flame standard), 16 
CFR part 1633. The Commission has a separate flammability standard that 
addresses cigarette ignition of mattresses, 16 CFR part 1632. The Open 
Flame standard is intended to reduce unreasonable risks of burn 
injuries and deaths from fires associated with mattresses, particularly 
those initially ignited by open flame sources such as lighters, 
candles, and matches. The Open Flame standard prescribes a test to 
minimize or delay flashover when a mattress is ignited. The standard 
requires manufacturers to test specimens of each of their mattress 
prototypes before mattresses based on that prototype may be introduced 
into commerce. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) previously 
approved the collection of information under control number 3041-0133. 
OMB's most recent extension of approval will expire on June 30, 2009. 
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.

DATES: Written comments must be received by the Office of the Secretary 
not later than June 15, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be captioned ``Collection of 
Information--Mattress Sets (Open Flame) 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 571 
firms producing conventional mattresses and 100 firms producing non-
conventional mattresses for a total of 671 firms affected by this 
standard. The staff further estimates that each firm will spend 4 hours 
and 44 minutes hours for testing and recordkeeping annually per 
prototype. The staff estimates that there will be an average of 20 
different prototypes tested by each firm for a total of 94.7 hours per 
firm (4.73 hours x 20 prototypes). The annual time cost for testing and 
recordkeeping for all firms is estimated to be 63,521 hours (94.7 hours 
x 671 firms). The annualized cost is estimated to be $1.7 million based 
on an hourly wage for the recordkeeping of approximately $27.14 (Bureau 
of Labor Statistics: All workers, goods-producing industries, sales and 
office, September 2008) x 63,521 hours.
    The Commission will expend approximately fifty months of 
professional staff time annually for reviewing testing, record review 
and follow-up on consumer complaints and reports of injury. The annual 
cost to the Federal government of the collection of information on the 
Open Flame standard is estimated to be $830,380.

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 10, 2009.
Todd A. Stevenson,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
 [FR Doc. E9-8720 Filed 4-15-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P