[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 206 (Monday, October 26, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 65174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26694]


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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

16 CFR Ch. II

[Docket No. CPSC-2015-0022]


Petition Requesting Rulemaking on Products Containing 
Organohalogen Flame Retardants; Notice of Extension of Comment Period; 
Notice of Opportunity for Oral Presentation of Comments

AGENCY: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Extension of comment period and notice of opportunity for oral 
presentation of comments.

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SUMMARY: The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission 
(``Commission'' or ``CPSC'') on August 19, 2015 published a notice that 
the Commission received a petition for rulemaking under the Federal 
Hazardous Substances Act (``FHSA'') regarding additive organohalogen 
flame retardants. The notice invited the public to submit written 
comments concerning the petition by October 19, 2015. The Commission 
has received two requests to extend the comment period. In response to 
these requests, the Commission is extending the comment period to 
January 19, 2016. Additionally, the Commission announces that there 
will be an opportunity for interested persons to present oral comments 
on the petition.

DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published August 19, 
2015 (80 FR 50238), is extended. Submit comments by January 19, 2016. 
The meeting for interested persons to present oral comments on the 
petition will begin at 10 a.m., December 9, 2015, at 4330 East-West 
Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814. Requests to make oral presentations and 
the written text of any oral presentations must be received by the 
Office of the Secretary not later than 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time 
(EST) on December 2, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. CPSC-2015-
0022, by any of the following methods:
    Electronic Submissions: Submit electronic comments to the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal at: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments. The Commission does not accept 
comments submitted by electronic mail (email), except through 
www.regulations.gov. The Commission encourages you to submit electronic 
comments by using the Federal eRulemaking Portal, as described above.
    Written Submissions: Submit written submissions by mail/hand 
delivery/courier to: Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety 
Commission, Room 820, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814; 
telephone (301) 504-7923.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket number for this proposed rulemaking. All comments received 
may be posted without change, including any personal identifiers, 
contact information, or other personal information provided, to: http://www.regulations.gov. Do not submit confidential business information, 
trade secret information, or other sensitive or protected information 
that you do not want to be available to the public. If furnished at 
all, such information should be submitted in writing.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to: http://www.regulations.gov, and insert the 
docket number, CPSC-2015-0022, into the ``Search'' box, and follow the 
prompts. A copy of the petition is available at http://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. CPSC-2015-0022, Supporting and 
Related Materials.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the procedure to 
make an oral presentation, contact Rockelle Hammond, Office of the 
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East-West Highway, 
Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone (301) 504-7923.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Background

    On July 1, 2015, the Commission received a petition requesting that 
the Commission initiate rulemaking under the FHSA to declare several 
categories of products containing additive organohalogen flame 
retardants to be ``banned hazardous substances.'' The petition was 
filed by Earthjustice and the Consumer Federation of America, which are 
joined by American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Women's 
Association, Consumers Union, Green Science Policy Institute, 
International Association of Fire Fighters, Kids in Danger, Philip 
Landrigan, M.D., M.P.H., League of United Latin American Citizens, 
Learning Disabilities Association of America, and Worksafe.

B. Extension of Comment Period

    On August 19, 2015, the Commission issued a notice that the 
Commission received the petition, and in the document, invited 
submission of written comments concerning the petition. 80 FR 50238. 
The Commission has received two requests to extend the comment period 
90 days, due to the breadth and complexity of issues raised in the 
petition. The Commission has considered the requests and is extending 
the comment period until January 19, 2016.

C. Opportunity for Oral Presentation of Comments

    The Commission is providing a forum for oral presentations 
concerning the petition regarding additive organohalogen flame 
retardants. See the information under the headings DATES and ADDRESSES 
at the beginning of this document for information on making requests to 
give oral presentations at the meeting.
    Participants should limit their presentations to approximately 10 
minutes, exclusive of any periods of questioning by the Commissioners 
or CPSC staff. To prevent duplicative presentations, groups will be 
directed to designate a spokesperson. The Commission reserves the right 
to limit the time further for any presentation and impose restrictions 
to avoid excessive duplication of presentations.

    Dated: October 15, 2015.
Todd A. Stevenson,
Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 2015-26694 Filed 10-23-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P