81 FR 7765 - Request for Information Regarding Crib Bumpers
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 30 (February 16, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 30 (February 16, 2016)
| Page Range | 7765-7766 | |
| FR Document | 2016-03013 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 16, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 7765-7766] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-03013] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION [Docket No. CPSC-2012-0034] Request for Information Regarding Crib Bumpers AGENCY: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (``CPSC'' or ``Commission'') is seeking information regarding the safety benefits of crib bumpers, whether safety hazards are associated with crib bumpers, existing safety standards that apply to crib bumpers, and potential performance requirements, testing, and other standards that may reduce the risk of injury, if any, associated with crib bumpers. DATES: Submit comments by April 18, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. CPSC-2012- 0034, 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. Written Submissions: Submit written comments 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 must include the agency name and docket number for this notice. CPSC may post all comments, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal identifiers, contact information, or other personal information. 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, submit such information by mail/hand delivery/courier. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments, go to: http://www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy P. Smith, Project Manager, Directorate for Engineering Sciences, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 5 Research Place, Rockville, MD 20850; telephone: 301-987- 2557; email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Consumer Product Safety Commission (``CPSC'' or ``Commission'') has granted a petition to initiate rulemaking regarding crib bumpers.\1\ To determine the need for and appropriate scope of such a rulemaking, the Commission is investigating whether crib bumpers pose a safety hazard to infants and, if so, what performance standards or requirements could mitigate that risk. As part of this effort, CPSC staff has reviewed incident data to identify what features or characteristics of crib bumpers create a safety hazard, if any; is evaluating existing safety standards that apply to crib bumpers and similar products; and is testing various types of crib bumpers. In this Request for Information (``RFI''), CPSC seeks input from interested parties to supplement the information, standards, and data currently available to the Commission. CPSC would find specific data regarding the safety risks and benefits associated with various types of crib bumpers and the empirical basis for, and effectiveness of, existing safety standards particularly helpful. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ On May 9, 2012, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, Inc. (``JPMA'') filed a petition requesting CPSC initiate rulemaking under sections 7 and 9 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (``CPSA''; 15 U.S.C. 2051-2089) to create a performance standard for crib bumpers to distinguish ``hazardous `soft' pillow- like'' crib bumpers from ``traditional'' crib bumpers. See 77 FR 37836. On May 24, 2013, the Commission granted the petition, but adopted a broader framework than JPMA requested, directing staff to examine the safety benefits and risks associated with crib bumpers, evaluate existing standards, identify test methods and performance requirements that reduce any identified safety risks, and consider all regulatory options for addressing the risk of injury associated with crib bumpers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- II. Information Requested To supplement the information currently available to CPSC, we request input relevant to the following questions:What test data or other information is available to identify the specific features or characteristics of a crib bumper that might contribute to a risk of suffocation? What objective, repeatable test methods, procedures or measures exist to assess the firmness of bedding, mattresses, and other possible sleep surfaces? To what extent, if any, can such tests, procedures or measures be used to assess whether these materials present a risk of suffocation by smothering? To what extent does the test device specified in Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 8811.1:2013, Methods of Testing Infant Products, Method 1: Sleep Surfaces--Test for Firmness,\2\ accurately and reliably assess the potential risk of suffocation associated with a sleep surface? --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ The standard is available from Standards Australia Limited, GPO Box 476, Sydney, NSW 2011 and Standards New Zealand, Private Bag 2439, Wellington 6140, www.standards.co.nz. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- To what extent would a test to accurately and reliably identify hazardous soft bedding or sleep surfaces be relevant to vertically-mounted surfaces, such as crib bumpers? What safety benefits do crib bumpers offer to consumers? What data are available to demonstrate such benefits? What, if any, evidence is there to indicate that ``rebreathing'' of carbon dioxide occurs with crib bumpers and presents a risk of suffocation? The current U.S. voluntary standard covering crib bumpers is ASTM F1917-12, Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Infant Bedding and Related Accessories (``ASTM F1917-12'').\3\ Are there other standards, aside from state or regional bans, that include performance requirements for crib bumpers? --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ The standard is available from ASTM International at 100 Bar Harbor Drive, P.O. Box 0700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, http://www.astm.org/cpsc.htm. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASTM F1917-12 includes a requirement that essentially limits the compressed thickness of crib bumpers to 2 inches. What evidence exists to support this requirement, and what, if any, association exists between this ASTM requirement and the risk of infant suffocation? What alternative or additional requirements beyond those specified in [[Page 7766]] ASTM F1917-12 might address the risk of infant suffocation? To what extent could a mesh-like or other ``breathable'' material present a risk of suffocation to an infant if the infant's face were pressed into the material? What specific characteristics would make a bumper ``breathable,'' and to what extent, if any, would such a bumper address the risk of suffocation? What data or research support these conclusions? Are incident data or other objective safety information or research available that describe potential hazards associated with mesh-like bumpers or liners? Are similar data or information available on so-called ``vertical bumpers,'' which essentially are a series of small bumpers that individually cover each crib slat, and other bumper alternatives? Dated: February 10, 2016. Todd A. Stevenson, Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission. [FR Doc. 2016-03013 Filed 2-12-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6355-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 16, 2016 / Notices 7765
and activities of SDs and MSPs as all comments, without change, to for, and effectiveness of, existing safety
Commission registrants. http://www.regulations.gov, including standards particularly helpful.
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 10, any personal identifiers, contact
II. Information Requested
2016, by the Commission. information, or other personal
information. Do not submit confidential To supplement the information
Christopher J. Kirkpatrick,
business information, trade secret currently available to CPSC, we request
Secretary of the Commission. input relevant to the following
information, or other sensitive or
Appendix to Order Authorizing the protected information that you do not questions:
National Futures Association as a want to be available to the public. If • What test data or other information
Commission Designee for Direct furnished at all, submit such is available to identify the specific
Electronic Access to Data in Swap Data information by mail/hand delivery/ features or characteristics of a crib
Repositories—Commission Voting courier. bumper that might contribute to a risk
Summary of suffocation?
Docket: For access to the docket to • What objective, repeatable test
On this matter, Chairman Massad and read background documents or methods, procedures or measures exist
Commissioners Bowen and Giancarlo voted comments, go to: http:// to assess the firmness of bedding,
in the affirmative. No Commissioner voted in www.regulations.gov. mattresses, and other possible sleep
the negative.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: surfaces? To what extent, if any, can
[FR Doc. 2016–03064 Filed 2–12–16; 8:45 am] such tests, procedures or measures be
Timothy P. Smith, Project Manager,
BILLING CODE 6351–01–P
Directorate for Engineering Sciences, used to assess whether these materials
U.S. Consumer Product Safety present a risk of suffocation by
Commission, 5 Research Place, smothering?
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY Rockville, MD 20850; telephone: 301– • To what extent does the test device
COMMISSION 987–2557; email: TSmith@cpsc.gov. specified in Australian/New Zealand
Standard AS/NZS 8811.1:2013, Methods
[Docket No. CPSC–2012–0034] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: of Testing Infant Products, Method 1:
I. Background Sleep Surfaces—Test for Firmness,2
Request for Information Regarding
accurately and reliably assess the
Crib Bumpers The Consumer Product Safety potential risk of suffocation associated
AGENCY: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (‘‘CPSC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) with a sleep surface?
Commission. has granted a petition to initiate • To what extent would a test to
ACTION: Notice. rulemaking regarding crib bumpers.1 To accurately and reliably identify
determine the need for and appropriate hazardous soft bedding or sleep surfaces
SUMMARY: The Consumer Product Safety scope of such a rulemaking, the be relevant to vertically-mounted
Commission (‘‘CPSC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) Commission is investigating whether surfaces, such as crib bumpers?
is seeking information regarding the crib bumpers pose a safety hazard to • What safety benefits do crib
safety benefits of crib bumpers, whether infants and, if so, what performance bumpers offer to consumers? What data
safety hazards are associated with crib standards or requirements could are available to demonstrate such
bumpers, existing safety standards that mitigate that risk. As part of this effort, benefits?
apply to crib bumpers, and potential CPSC staff has reviewed incident data to • What, if any, evidence is there to
performance requirements, testing, and identify what features or characteristics indicate that ‘‘rebreathing’’ of carbon
other standards that may reduce the risk of crib bumpers create a safety hazard, dioxide occurs with crib bumpers and
of injury, if any, associated with crib if any; is evaluating existing safety presents a risk of suffocation?
standards that apply to crib bumpers • The current U.S. voluntary standard
bumpers.
and similar products; and is testing covering crib bumpers is ASTM F1917–
DATES: Submit comments by April 18, 12, Standard Consumer Safety
various types of crib bumpers. In this
2016. Performance Specification for Infant
Request for Information (‘‘RFI’’), CPSC
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, seeks input from interested parties to Bedding and Related Accessories
identified by Docket No. CPSC–2012– supplement the information, standards, (‘‘ASTM F1917–12’’).3 Are there other
0034, by any of the following methods: and data currently available to the standards, aside from state or regional
Electronic Submissions: Submit bans, that include performance
Commission. CPSC would find specific
electronic comments to the Federal requirements for crib bumpers?
data regarding the safety risks and
eRulemaking Portal at: http:// • ASTM F1917–12 includes a
benefits associated with various types of requirement that essentially limits the
www.regulations.gov. Follow the crib bumpers and the empirical basis compressed thickness of crib bumpers
instructions for submitting comments.
to 2 inches. What evidence exists to
The Commission does not accept 1 On May 9, 2012, the Juvenile Products
support this requirement, and what, if
comments submitted by electronic mail Manufacturers Association, Inc. (‘‘JPMA’’) filed a
petition requesting CPSC initiate rulemaking under any, association exists between this
(email), except through
sections 7 and 9 of the Consumer Product Safety ASTM requirement and the risk of
www.regulations.gov. Act (‘‘CPSA’’; 15 U.S.C. 2051–2089) to create a infant suffocation?
Written Submissions: Submit written performance standard for crib bumpers to • What alternative or additional
comments by mail/hand delivery/ distinguish ‘‘hazardous ‘soft’ pillow-like’’ crib
requirements beyond those specified in
bumpers from ‘‘traditional’’ crib bumpers. See 77
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
courier to: Office of the Secretary,
FR 37836. On May 24, 2013, the Commission
Consumer Product Safety Commission, granted the petition, but adopted a broader 2 The standard is available from Standards
Room 820, 4330 East-West Highway, framework than JPMA requested, directing staff to Australia Limited, GPO Box 476, Sydney, NSW
Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone (301) examine the safety benefits and risks associated 2011 and Standards New Zealand, Private Bag 2439,
504–7923. with crib bumpers, evaluate existing standards, Wellington 6140, www.standards.co.nz.
identify test methods and performance 3 The standard is available from ASTM
Instructions: All submissions must requirements that reduce any identified safety risks, International at 100 Bar Harbor Drive, P.O. Box
include the agency name and docket and consider all regulatory options for addressing 0700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, http://
number for this notice. CPSC may post the risk of injury associated with crib bumpers. www.astm.org/cpsc.htm.
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![7766 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 16, 2016 / Notices
ASTM F1917–12 might address the risk Electronic Submissions: Submit crib safety standards. Information from
of infant suffocation? electronic comments to the Federal those visits would be recorded on a
• To what extent could a mesh-like or eRulemaking Portal at: http:// ‘‘Verification of Compliance Form.’’
other ‘‘breathable’’ material present a www.regulations.gov. Follow the CPSC investigators or designated state
risk of suffocation to an infant if the instructions for submitting comments. or local officials will use the form,
infant’s face were pressed into the The Commission does not accept which will be filled out entirely at the
material? What specific characteristics comments submitted by electronic mail site during the normal course of the
would make a bumper ‘‘breathable,’’ (email), except through visit. The Commission will use the
and to what extent, if any, would such www.regulations.gov. The Commission information to measure compliance
a bumper address the risk of encourages you to submit electronic with the crib safety standards and to
suffocation? What data or research comments by using the Federal develop an enforcement strategy. A pilot
support these conclusions? eRulemaking Portal, as described above. program was conducted in 2012, which
• Are incident data or other objective Written Submissions: Submit written
included visits to approximately 50
safety information or research available submissions by mail/hand delivery/
courier to: Office of the Secretary, child care centers in six states. Results
that describe potential hazards
associated with mesh-like bumpers or Consumer Product Safety Commission, of the pilot program were used to
liners? Are similar data or information Room 820, 4330 East West Highway, expand the program in 2013, to seven
available on so-called ‘‘vertical Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone (301) states and 112 inspections. CPSC
bumpers,’’ which essentially are a series 504–7923. conducted the program in 2015, in three
of small bumpers that individually Instructions: All submissions received states, which included 47 inspections.
cover each crib slat, and other bumper must include the agency name and CPSC projects that four states will
alternatives? docket number for this notice. All participate in the program in 2016 and
comments received may be posted approximately 74 inspections will be
Dated: February 10, 2016.
without change, including any personal conducted.
Todd A. Stevenson,
identifiers, contact information, or other
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety personal information provided, to: Request for Comments
Commission.
http://www.regulations.gov. Do not The Commission solicits written
[FR Doc. 2016–03013 Filed 2–12–16; 8:45 am]
submit confidential business comments from all interested persons
BILLING CODE 6355–01–P information, trade secret information, or about the proposed collection of
other sensitive or protected information information. The Commission
that you do not want to be available to
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY specifically solicits information relevant
the public. If furnished at all, such
COMMISSION to the following topics:
information should be submitted in
writing. —Whether the collection of information
[Docket No. CPSC–2012–0019] Docket: For access to the docket to described above is necessary for the
Proposed Extension of Approval of read background documents or proper performance of the
Information Collection; Comment comments received, go to: http:// Commission’s functions, including
Request—Standards for Full-Size Baby www.regulations.gov, and insert the whether the information would have
Cribs and Non-Full Size Baby Cribs; docket number CPSC–2012–0019, into practical utility;
Compliance Form the ‘‘Search’’ box, and follow the
prompts. —Whether the estimated burden of the
AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety proposed collection of information is
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: accurate;
Commission. Robert H. Squibb, Consumer Product
ACTION: Notice. Safety Commission, 4330 East West —Whether the quality, utility, and
Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814; (301) clarity of the information to be
SUMMARY: As required by the Paperwork 504–7815, or by email to: rsquibb@ collected could be enhanced; and
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. cpsc.gov. —Whether the burden imposed by the
Chapter 35), the Consumer Product
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CPSC collection of information could be
Safety Commission (‘‘CPSC’’ or
seeks to renew the following currently minimized by use of automated,
‘‘Commission’’) requests comments on a
proposed extension of approval of approved collection of information: electronic or other technological
information collection requirements Title: Safety Standards for Full-Size collection techniques, or other forms
regarding a form that will be used to Baby Cribs and Non-Full Size Baby of information technology.
measure child care centers’ compliance Cribs-Verification of Compliance Form. Dated: February 9, 2016.
with the CPSC safety standards for full- OMB Number: 3041–0161.
Todd A. Stevenson,
size and non-full-size cribs (16 CFR Type of Review: Renewal of
collection. Secretary, Consumer Product Safety
parts 1219 and 1220). The Commission Commission.
will consider all comments received in Frequency of Response: On occasion.
Affected Public: Child care centers. [FR Doc. 2016–02963 Filed 2–12–16; 8:45 am]
response to this notice before requesting
Estimated Number of Respondents: 74 BILLING CODE 6355–01–P
an extension of this collection of
child care centers.
information from the Office of
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Estimated Time per Response: .25
Management and Budget (‘‘OMB’’).
hour for each child care center to
DATES: The Office of the Secretary must provide the information on the form.
receive comments not later than April Total Estimated Annual Burden: 18.5
18, 2016. hours (.25 hour × 74 child care centers).
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, General Description of Collection:
identified by Docket No. CPSC–2012– CPSC staff intends to visit child care
0019, by any of the following methods: centers to measure compliance with the
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Document Created: 2016-02-13 03:13:14
Document Modified: 2016-02-13 03:13:14
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | Submit comments by April 18, 2016. | |
| Contact | Timothy P. Smith, Project Manager, Directorate for Engineering Sciences, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 5 Research Place, Rockville, MD 20850; telephone: 301-987- 2557; email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 7765 |
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