[ The Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions]
[Consumer Product Safety Commission Semiannual Regulatory Agenda]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 62653]]

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Part L





Consumer Product Safety Commission





_______________________________________________________________________



Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

[[Page 62654]]

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC)                        
  
_______________________________________________________________________

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

16 CFR Ch. II

Regulatory Flexibility Act; Semiannual Regulatory Flexibility and 
Unified Agendas

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

_______________________________________________________________________

SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission publishes its semiannual 
regulatory flexibility agenda. In addition, this document includes an 
agenda of regulatory actions the Commission expects to be under 
development or review by the agency during the next year. This document 
meets the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive 
Order 12866.

DATES: The Commission welcomes comments on each subject area of the 
agenda, particularly from small entities. Written comments concerning 
the agenda should be received in the Office of the Secretary by 
December 31, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the regulatory flexibility agenda should be 
mailed to the Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety 
Commission, Washington, DC 20207, telephone (301) 504-0800, or 
delivered to the Office of the Secretary, Room 502, 4330 East-West 
Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. Comments may also be sent to the 
Office of the Secretary by facsimile at (301) 504-0127 or by e-mail at 
[email protected]. Comments should be captioned ``Regulatory Flexibility 
Agenda.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on the agenda 
in general, contact Stephen Lemberg, Office of the General Counsel, 
Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207; telephone 
(301) 504-0980, ext. 2218. For further information regarding a 
particular item on the agenda, consult the individual listed in the 
column headed ``Contact'' for that particular item.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 
U.S.C. 601-612) contains several provisions intended to reduce 
unnecessary and disproportionate regulatory requirements on small 
businesses, small governmental organizations, and other small entities. 
Section 602 of the RFA (5 U.S.C. 602) requires each agency to publish, 
twice each year, a regulatory flexibility agenda containing a brief 
description of the subject area of any rule expected to be proposed or 
promulgated that is likely to have a ``significant economic impact'' on 
a ``substantial number'' of small entities. The agency must also 
provide a summary of the nature of the rule and a schedule for acting 
on each rule for which the agency has issued a notice of proposed 
rulemaking.

    The regulatory flexibility agenda is also required to contain 
the name and address of the agency official knowledgeable about the 
items listed. Further, agencies are required to provide notice of 
their agendas to small entities and to solicit their comments by 
direct notification or by inclusion in publications likely to be 
obtained by such entities.

    Additionally, Executive Order 12866 requires each agency to 
publish, twice each year, a regulatory agenda of regulations under 
development or review during the next year and states that such an 
agenda may be combined with the agenda published in accordance with 
the RFA. The regulatory flexibility agenda published below lists 
the regulatory activities expected to be under development or 
review during the next 12 months. It includes all such activities, 
whether or not they may have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.

    The agenda contains a brief description and summary of each 
regulatory activity, including the objectives and legal basis for 
each; an approximate schedule of target dates, subject to revision, 
for the development or completion of each activity; and the name 
and telephone number of a knowledgeable agency official concerning 
particular items on the agenda. All agency contacts have the same 
address: Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207.

    For this edition of the Commission's regulatory agenda, the 
most important significant regulatory actions are included in The 
Regulatory Plan, which appears in part II of this issue of the 
Federal Register. The Regulatory Plan entries are listed in the 
table of contents below and are denoted by a bracketed bold 
reference, which directs the reader to the appropriate sequence 
number in part II.

Dated: August 20, 1998.

Sadye E. Dunn,

Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.

                                                  Prerule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4290         Petition HP 93-1 Requesting Development of a Rule To Ban Certain Backyard Playsets...    3041-AB47
4291         Amendment of the Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles..................    3041-AB68
4292         Petition CP 97-1 Requesting Development of a Safety Standard for Escalators..........    3041-AB70
4293         Child Resistant Packaging of Consumer Products Containing Methacrylic Acid...........    3041-AB78
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                               Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4294         Flammability Standard for Upholstered Furniture (Reg Plan Seq. No. 166)..............    3041-AB35

[[Page 62655]]

 
4295         Requirements for Child-Resistant Packaging of Household Products Containing Petroleum
            Distillates...........................................................................    3041-AB57
4296         Requirements for Child-Resistance of Multi-Purpose Lighters (Reg Plan Seq. No. 167)..    3041-AB66
4297         Amendment of Laundering Procedures in Flammability Standards for Children's
            Sleepwear, Carpets and Rugs, and Mattress Pads........................................   3041-AB69
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in Part II of this issue of the Federal Register.


                                                Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4298         Requirements for Child-Resistant Packaging of Minoxidil..............................    3041-AB72
4299         Petition To Exempt Sucraid TM From Special Packaging Requirements Under the Poison
            Prevention Packaging Act..............................................................    3041-AB73
4300         Amendments to Clarify Portions of the Standards for the Flammability of Children's
            Sleepwear.............................................................................    3041-AB74
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4301         Baby Walkers.........................................................................    3041-AB40
4302         Amendment of Safety Regulations for Cribs............................................    3041-AB67
4303         Requirements for Bunk Beds...........................................................    3041-AB75
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4304         Requirements for Child-Resistant Packaging; Household Products and Oral Prescription
            Drugs With Fluoride...................................................................    3041-AB76
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_______________________________________________________________________
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC)           Prerule Stage
  
_______________________________________________________________________

4290. PETITION HP 93-1 REQUESTING DEVELOPMENT OF A RULE TO BAN CERTAIN 
BACKYARD PLAYSETS

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

Legal Authority:  5 USC 553(e) Administrative Procedure Act; 15 USC 
1261 Federal Hazardous Substances Act

CFR Citation:  Not yet determined

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: A petition from the New York City Department of Consumer 
Affairs requests the Commission to develop a rule to ban certain 
backyard playsets. The petition asserts that backyard playsets present 
unreasonable risks of injury to children if they do not meet the 
requirements of a voluntary standard for home playground equipment 
published by ASTM (formerly the American Society for Testing and 
Materials); are not accompanied with adequate information about ground 
surfacing; or lack specific features described in the petition. On May 
21, 1996, the Commission denied those parts of the petition requesting 
issuance of a rule to ban any backyard playset that does not conform to 
all requirements of the ASTM voluntary standard; that has an accessible 
height that exceeds six feet above protective surfacing; that does not 
have adequate fall zones under climbing structures; or that does not 
provide adequate space between any item of swinging equipment and any 
other item of swinging or stationary equipment. The Commission deferred 
a decision on those parts of the petition requesting a rule to ban 
backyard playsets that are not accompanied with instructions to use and 
maintain specified ground surfacing; that do not have handrails on all 
platforms that are 30 inches or higher above protective surfacing; that 
have swing seats made of wood, metal, plastic, or other hard material 
capable of inflicting serious injury to the head; that have free-
swinging ropes; and that are unanchored playsets with swings. In

[[Page 62656]]

1998, the staff is scheduled to transmit additional information to the 
Commission concerning revisions of the voluntary standard. The 
Commission will then decide whether to grant, deny, or continue to 
defer the remaining requests in the petition.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Partial Denial of Petition      05/21/96
Additional Information Is Sent 
by Staff to the Commission      10/00/98
Commission Decision             11/00/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: John Preston, Project Manager, Consumer Product Safety 
Commission, Directorate for Engineering Sciences, Washington, DC 20207
Phone: 301 504-0494

RIN: 3041-AB47
_______________________________________________________________________

4291. AMENDMENT OF THE STANDARD FOR THE FLAMMABILITY OF CLOTHING 
TEXTILES

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

Legal Authority:  15 USC 1191 Flammable Fabrics Act

CFR Citation:  16 CFR 1610

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles 
prohibits the manufacture, importation, or sale of clothing, and 
fabrics and related materials intended for use in clothing, which are 
dangerously flammable because of rapid and intense burning. The 
standard prescribes the apparatus, procedure, and criteria to be used 
for testing to determine compliance with that standard. The standard 
was made mandatory by the Flammable Fabrics Act of 1953 (Pub. L. 83-88, 
67 Stat. 111; June 30, 1953). Some of the equipment and procedures 
specified by the standard, particularly those for laundering and 
cleaning of test specimens, have become obsolete, unavailable, or 
unrepresentative of current practices. The staff is preparing a 
briefing package describing modifications of the standard that may be 
needed to assure that the test in the standard is conducted with 
equipment and procedures representative of conditions to which garments 
currently are exposed. After consideration of the briefing package, the 
Commission will decide whether to begin a proceeding for amendment of 
the standard.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Staff Sends Briefing Package to 
Commission                      10/00/98
Commission Decision             11/00/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Margaret Neily, Project Manager, Consumer Product 
Safety Commission, Dir. for Engineering Sciences, Washington, DC 20207
Phone: 301 504-0508

RIN: 3041-AB68
_______________________________________________________________________

4292. PETITION CP 97-1 REQUESTING DEVELOPMENT OF A SAFETY STANDARD FOR 
ESCALATORS

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

Legal Authority:  5 USC 553(e) Administrative Procedure Act; 15 USC 
2051 Consumer Product Safety Act

CFR Citation:  None

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: A petition from Scott and Diana Anderson requests development 
of a safety standard for escalators. The petition asserts that 
escalators are associated with unreasonable risks of serious injuries 
resulting from entrapment of feet, toes, and other body parts in 
openings between the moving stairs and the sides of the escalators. On 
May 22, 1997, the Commission published a notice in the Federal Register 
to solicit comments on the petition from all interested persons. The 
staff is preparing a briefing package for consideration by the 
Commission.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Notice to Solicit Comments on 
Petition                        05/22/97                    62 FR 28005
Comment Period End              07/21/97
Staff Sends Briefing Package to 
Commission                      10/00/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Deborah Tinsworth, Project Manager, Consumer Product 
Safety Commission, Dir. for Epidemiology & Health Sciences
Phone: 301 504-0470

RIN: 3041-AB70
_______________________________________________________________________

4293.  CHILD RESISTANT PACKAGING OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS CONTAINING 
METHACRYLIC ACID

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:  15 USC 1471 Poison Prevention Packaging Act

CFR Citation:  16 CFR 1700.14

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Under section 2(b) of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, 
the Commission can require a special packaging standard for cosmetics 
for home use. Methacrylic acid is a chemical used as a primer for 
cleaning and etching fingernails prior to applying artificial nails. 
Methacrylic acid is associated with severe corrosive injury on contact 
with skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. The staff is reviewing the 
medical literature and available injury records to determine if serious 
injury or illness to children less than 5-years-old results from 
household use of this product. The staff will transmit a briefing 
package for the Commission's consideration in November 1998.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Staff Sends Option Package to 
Commission                      11/00/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Susan Aitken, Project Manager, Consumer Product Safety 
Commission, Directorate for Epidemiology & Health Sciences

[[Page 62657]]

Phone: 301 504-0477

RIN: 3041-AB78
_______________________________________________________________________
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC)     Proposed Rule Stage
  
_______________________________________________________________________

4294. FLAMMABILITY STANDARD FOR UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE

Regulatory Plan:  This entry is Seq. No. 166 in Part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.

RIN: 3041-AB35
_______________________________________________________________________

4295. REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILD-RESISTANT PACKAGING OF HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS 
CONTAINING PETROLEUM DISTILLATES

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

Legal Authority:  15 USC 1471 Poison Prevention Packaging Act

CFR Citation:  16 CFR 1700.14(a)

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Some household products containing ten percent or more by 
weight of petroleum distillates are subject to requirements for child-
resistant packaging by regulations issued under the Poison Prevention 
Packaging Act and codified at 16 CFR 1700.14(a). These products include 
liquid furniture polish (section 1700.14(a)(2)), lighter fluid (section 
1700.14(a)(7)), and prepackaged solvents for paint (section 
1700.14(a)(15)). However, many other household products containing 
petroleum distillates are not required to be in child-resistant 
packaging. On February 26, 1997, the Commission published an advance 
notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to initiate a proceeding which 
may result in mandatory requirements for child-resistant packaging of 
other household products containing petroleum distillates or other 
hydrocarbons. On April 28, 1997, the Commission extended the period for 
receipt of written comments on the ANPRM until July 11, 1997. In the 
Federal Register of July 21, 1997, the Commission reopened the comment 
period through September 1, 1997. The Commission will consider comments 
received in response to the ANPRM before deciding whether to propose 
requirements for child-resistant packaging of additional household 
products containing petroleum distillates or other hydrocarbons.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           02/26/97                     62 FR 8659
Extension of ANPRM Comment 
Period                          04/28/97                    62 FR 22897
ANPRM Comment Period End        05/12/97                     62 FR 8659
Comment Period End              07/11/97                    62 FR 22897
Reopening of ANPRM Comment 
Period                          07/21/97                    62 FR 38948
Comment Period End              09/01/97
Staff Sends Briefing Package to 
Commission                      12/00/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Suzanne Barone, Project Manager, Consumer Product 
Safety Commission, Dir. for Epidemiology & Health Sciences, Washington, 
DC
Phone: 301 504-0477

RIN: 3041-AB57
_______________________________________________________________________

4296. REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILD-RESISTANCE OF MULTI-PURPOSE LIGHTERS

Regulatory Plan:  This entry is Seq. No. 167 in Part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.

RIN: 3041-AB66
_______________________________________________________________________

4297. AMENDMENT OF LAUNDERING PROCEDURES IN FLAMMABILITY STANDARDS FOR 
CHILDREN'S SLEEPWEAR, CARPETS AND RUGS, AND MATTRESS PADS

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

Legal Authority:  15 USC 1191 Flammable Fabrics Act

CFR Citation:  16 CFR 1615; 16 CFR 1616; 16 CFR 1630; 16 CFR 1631; 16 
CFR 1632

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Flammability standards for children's sleepwear, carpets and 
rugs, and mattress pads contain procedures for washing and drying 
specimens before testing to assure that flame retardants used in these 
products will not be removed by repeated laundering or cleaning. The 
laundering procedures in all of these standards currently require use 
of a detergent and washing methods that are no longer representative of 
those used for home laundering. The staff is preparing a briefing 
package concerning the laundering procedures in these standards and 
modifications that may be needed to assure that the effect of 
laundering on the flammability of the products covered by these 
standards is assessed with equipment and methods currently used by 
consumers. After consideration of the briefing package, the Commission 
will decide whether to begin proceedings for amendment of the standards 
to revise their laundering procedures.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Briefing Package to Commission  10/00/98
Commission Decision             11/00/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Margaret Neily, Project Manager, Consumer Product 
Safety Commission, Directorate for Engineering Sciences, Washington, DC 
20207
Phone: 301 504-0508

RIN: 3041-AB69

[[Page 62658]]

_______________________________________________________________________
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC)        Final Rule Stage
  
_______________________________________________________________________

4298. REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILD-RESISTANT PACKAGING OF MINOXIDIL

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

Legal Authority:  15 USC 1471 Poison Prevention Packaging Act

CFR Citation:  16 CFR 1700.14

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Regulations implementing the Poison Prevention Packaging Act 
(PPPA) require all prescription drugs in oral dosage form that are 
intended for human use to be in child-resistant packaging. Topical 
minoxidil is a liquid medication that can be applied to the scalp to 
stimulate regrowth of hair. However, if ingested, minoxidil is a potent 
vasodilator capable of producing serious cardiovascular effects. In 
1996, the Food and Drug Administration acted to permit the sale of 
topical minoxidil as an over-the-counter drug, thereby expanding its 
potential availability to consumers. On March 17, 1998, the Commission 
published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to require child-
resistant packaging for minoxidil preparations containing more than 14 
mg of minoxidil in a single package. The Commission will consider the 
comments in response to the NPRM before deciding whether to issue a 
final rule.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            03/17/98                    63 FR 13019
NPRM Comment Period End         06/01/98
Staff Sends Briefing Package to 
Commission                      10/09/98
Commission Decision             11/00/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Suzanne Barone, Ph.D, Project Manager, Consumer Product 
Safety Commission, Dir. for Health Sciences and Epidemiology, 
Washington, DC 20207
Phone: 301 504-0477

RIN: 3041-AB72
_______________________________________________________________________

4299. PETITION TO EXEMPT SUCRAID TM FROM SPECIAL PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS 
UNDER THE POISON PREVENTION PACKAGING ACT

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined

Legal Authority:  15 USC 1471 Poison Prevention Packaging Act

CFR Citation:  16 CFR 1700.14

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Orphan Medical petitioned the Commission to exempt Sucraid 
TM, an oral solution of the enzyme sacrosidase, from special packaging 
requirements for oral prescription drugs under the Poison Prevention 
Packaging Act. Sucraid TM is an orphan drug that is the only available 
treatment for congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency. The Commission 
issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to exempt Sucraid TM on 
June 12, 1998. The staff will prepare a briefing package for 
consideration by the Commission after the comment period closes.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            06/12/98                    63 FR 32159
NPRM Comment Period End         08/26/98
Briefing Package to Commission  11/00/98
Commission Decision             12/00/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Jacqueline Ferrante, Project Manager, Consumer Product 
Safety Commission, Dir. for Epidemiology & Health Sciences
Phone: 301 504-0477

RIN: 3041-AB73
_______________________________________________________________________

4300. AMENDMENTS TO CLARIFY PORTIONS OF THE STANDARDS FOR THE 
FLAMMABILITY OF CHILDREN'S SLEEPWEAR

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined

Legal Authority:  15 USC 1191 Flammable Fabrics Act

CFR Citation:  16 CFR 1615; 16 CFR 1616

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Standards for the Flammability of Children's Sleepwear 
were amended September 9, 1996, to allow the marketing of certain 
sleepwear garments that do not meet the flammability test requirements. 
These garments, termed ``tight-`` or ``snug-fitting'' must not exceed 
maximum dimensions specified for each garment size. Several technical 
amendments are needed to clarify provisions of the standards, 
especially how the specified dimensions are to be measured on these 
garments. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) was published on May 
21, 1998. In November the staff will provide the Commission with the 
review of comments on the NPRM and with a recommendation as to whether 
the Commission should proceed to publish a final rule.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            05/21/98                    63 FR 27877
NPRM Comment Period End         08/04/98
Briefing Package to Commission  11/00/98
Commission Decision             12/00/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Margaret Neily, Project Manager, Directorate For 
Engineering Sciences, Consumer Product Safety Commission
Phone: 301 504-0508

RIN: 3041-AB74

[[Page 62659]]

_______________________________________________________________________
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC)       Long-Term Actions
  
_______________________________________________________________________

4301. BABY WALKERS

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

Legal Authority:  15 USC 1261 Federal Hazardous Substances Act; 15 USC 
1262 Federal Hazardous Substances Act

CFR Citation:  16 CFR 1500

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: On August 2, 1994, the Commission published an advance notice 
of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to begin a proceeding that may result in 
the issuance of mandatory design or performance requirements for baby 
walkers. A baby walker is a device that supports a child so that the 
child can use his or her feet to move about before or while learning to 
walk. Typically, a baby walker consists of a fabric seat that has leg 
openings and is mounted to a rigid plastic deck. The deck is attached 
to a base that is mounted on wheels to allow mobility. In 1994, an 
estimated 25,500 children younger than 15 months of age were treated in 
hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with baby walkers. 
Among the options under consideration by the Commission are mandatory 
performance or design requirements to reduce risks of injury associated 
with baby walkers, particularly those resulting to children from falls 
down stairs. The majority of these injuries resulted from falls down 
stairs. In response to the Commission's work in this area, the industry 
approved revisions to the voluntary standard for baby walkers in 1996 
to address the hazard of falling down stairs. The staff is developing 
information concerning the extent of industry conformance with that 
voluntary standard, designated ``Standard Consumer Safety Specification 
for Infant Walkers,'' SF 977-96, published by ASTM (formerly the 
American Society for Testing and Materials). The ASTM standard contains 
performance requirements to address risks of injury to children from 
falls down stairs associated with baby walkers. The staff will send 
that information to the Commission together with options for Commission 
action, including withdrawal of the ANPRM or further regulatory 
proceedings.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           08/02/94                    59 FR 39309
ANPRM Comment Period End        10/03/94
Staff Sends Briefing Package to 
the Commission                  00/00/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Barbara Jacobson, Project Manager, Consumer Product 
Safety Commission, Dir. for Epidemiology & Health Sciences, Washington, 
DC 20207
Phone: 301 504-0477

RIN: 3041-AB40
_______________________________________________________________________

4302. AMENDMENT OF SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR CRIBS

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

Legal Authority:  5 USC 553 Administrative Procedure Act; 15 USC 1261 
Federal Hazardous Substances Act

CFR Citation:  16 CFR 1508; 16 CFR 1509

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: On December 16, 1996, the Commission published an advance 
notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to begin a proceeding that may 
result in amendment of the safety regulations for full-size and non-
full-size cribs, 16 CFR parts 1508 and 1509. Among the regulatory 
alternatives under consideration is amendment of the regulations to add 
tests to assure that slats will not disengage from the side panels of 
cribs. The Commission began this proceeding after considering 
information about incidents in which crib slats disengaged from the 
side panels of cribs, creating a risk that children may become 
entrapped between the remaining slats or fall out of the crib. The 
Commission will consider written comments received in response to the 
ANPRM and assess progress toward amending the voluntary standard before 
deciding whether to continue the proceeding by publication of a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) or terminate further proceedings in 
reliance on the voluntary standard.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           12/16/96                    61 FR 65996
ANPRM Comment Period End        02/14/97
Staff Sends Briefing Package To 
Commission                      00/00/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Deborah Tinsworth, Project Manager, Consumer Product 
Safety Commission, Dir. for Epidemiology & Health Sciences, Washington, 
DC 20207
Phone: 301 504-0470

RIN: 3041-AB67
_______________________________________________________________________

4303. REQUIREMENTS FOR BUNK BEDS

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

Legal Authority:  15 USC 2051 Consumer Product Safety Act; 15 USC 1261 
Federal Hazardous Substances Act

CFR Citation:  Not yet determined

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: On January 22, 1998, the Commission published an advance 
notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to begin a proceeding for 
development of a standard to address risks of injury and death that may 
be associated with bunk beds constructed so that children can become 
entrapped in the beds' structure or become wedged between the bed and a 
wall. This ANPRM was issued after the staff briefed the Commission on 
the incident data, the adequacy of an existing ASTM voluntary standard, 
whether there is substantial compliance with that voluntary standard, 
and other matters. The Commission's staff will review comments received 
in response to the ANPRM, prepare additional information, and report to 
the Commission with its recommendation on whether to proceed with the 
rulemaking by publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           01/22/98                     63 FR 3280
ANPRM Comment Period End        04/07/98
Staff Sends Briefing Package To 
Commission                      00/00/00

[[Page 62660]]

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: John D. Preston, Project Manager, Consumer Product 
Safety Commission, Directorate for Engineering Sciences
Phone: 301 504-0494

RIN: 3041-AB75
_______________________________________________________________________
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC)       Completed Actions
  
_______________________________________________________________________

4304. REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILD-RESISTANT PACKAGING; HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS AND 
ORAL PRESCRIPTION DRUGS WITH FLUORIDE

Priority:  Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation:  16 CFR 1700.14

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    06/02/98                    63 FR 29949
Final Action Effective          03/02/99

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Jacqueline Ferrante
Phone: 301 504-0477

RIN: 3041-AB76
[FR Doc. 98-23552 Filed 11-06-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-F