83_FR_53576 83 FR 53371 - Revisions to Safety Standard for Infant Bath Tubs

83 FR 53371 - Revisions to Safety Standard for Infant Bath Tubs

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 205 (October 23, 2018)

Page Range53371-53375
FR Document2018-23071

In accordance with section 104(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in March 2017, published a consumer product safety standard for infant bath tubs. The standard incorporated by reference the applicable ASTM voluntary standard. The CPSIA sets forth a process for updating standards that the Commission has issued under the authority of section 104(b) of the CPSIA. In accordance with that process, we are publishing this direct final rule, revising the CPSC's standard for infant bath tubs to incorporate by reference a more recent version of the applicable ASTM standard.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 205 (Tuesday, October 23, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 23, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53371-53375]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23071]


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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

16 CFR Part 1234

[Docket No. CPSC-2015-0019]


Revisions to Safety Standard for Infant Bath Tubs

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Direct final rule.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 104(b) of the Consumer Product 
Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), the U.S. Consumer Product 
Safety Commission (CPSC), in March 2017, published a consumer product 
safety standard for infant bath tubs. The standard incorporated by 
reference the applicable ASTM voluntary standard. The CPSIA sets forth 
a process for updating standards that the Commission has issued under 
the authority of section 104(b) of the CPSIA. In accordance with that 
process, we are publishing this direct final rule, revising the CPSC's 
standard for infant bath tubs to incorporate by reference a more recent 
version of the applicable ASTM standard.

DATES: The rule is effective on January 15, 2019, unless we receive 
significant adverse comment by November 23, 2018. If we receive timely 
significant adverse comments, we will publish notification in the 
Federal Register, withdrawing this direct final rule before its 
effective date. The incorporation by reference of the publication 
listed in this rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register 
as of January 15, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. CPSC-2015-
0019, by any of the following methods:
    Submit electronic comments in the following way:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments. To ensure timely processing of 
comments, the Commission is no longer accepting comments submitted by 
electronic mail (email), except through www.regulations.gov.
    Submit written submissions as follows:
    Mail/Hand delivery/Courier (for paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions) 
to: Division of the Secretariat, 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 notice. 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 
electronically. Such information should be submitted in writing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keysha Walker, Compliance Officer, 
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, 
Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone: 301-504-6820; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background and Authority

A. Authority To Update Rules Issued Under Section 104(b) of the CPSIA

    Section 104(b)(1)(B) of the CPSIA, also known as the Danny Keysar 
Child Product Safety Notification Act, requires the Commission to 
promulgate consumer product safety standards for durable infant or 
toddler products. The law requires that these standards are to be 
``substantially the same as'' applicable voluntary standards or more 
stringent than the voluntary standards if the Commission concludes that 
more stringent requirements would further reduce the risk of injury 
associated with the product.
    Section 104(b) of the CPSIA also sets forth a process for updating 
CPSC's mandatory durable infant or toddler standards when the voluntary 
standard upon which such standards are based are modified. Section 
104(b)(4)(B) of the CPSIA provides that if an organization revises a 
standard that has been adopted, in whole or in part, as a consumer 
product safety standard under this subsection, it shall notify the 
Commission. By statute, the revised voluntary standard shall be 
considered to be a consumer product safety standard issued by the 
Commission under section 9 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 
U.S.C. 2058), effective 180 days after the date on which the 
organization notifies the Commission (or such later date

[[Page 53372]]

specified by the Commission in the Federal Register) unless, within 90 
days after receiving that notice, the Commission notifies the 
organization that it has determined that the proposed revision does not 
improve the safety of the consumer product covered by the standard and 
that the Commission is retaining the existing consumer product safety 
standard.

B. Safety Standard for Infant Bath Tubs

    The Commission issued a safety standard for infant bath tubs on 
March 30, 2017, codified at 16 CFR part 1234. 82 FR 15615. The bath tub 
standard incorporated by reference the then-current voluntary standard 
for infant bath tubs, ASTM F2670-17, Standard Consumer Safety 
Specification for Infant Bath Tubs. Paragraph 3.1.2 of ASTM F2670-17 
defines an ``infant bath tub'' as a ``tub, enclosure, or other similar 
product intended to hold water and be placed into an adult bath tub, 
sink, or on top of other surfaces to provide support or containment, or 
both, for an infant in a reclining, sitting, or standing position 
during bathing by a caregiver.'' Paragraph 1.1 of ASTM F2670-17 
specifically excludes ``products commonly known as bath slings, 
typically made of fabric or mesh'' from the scope of the standard. 
However, the preambles to proposed and final rules for infant bath tubs 
discuss that ASTM was working to include accessories in the 
standard.\1\ In 2017, CPSC staff recommended proceeding with the final 
rule intending to update the mandatory rule after updating the 
voluntary standard to include infant bath tub accessories. See March 
15, 2017, Briefing Package regarding Staff's Final Rule for Infant Bath 
Tubs Under the Danny Keysar Child Product Safety Notification Act, at 
13-14.\2\
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    \1\ See Proposed Rule for Infant Bath Tubs: 80 FR 48769, 48770, 
84772 (August 14, 2015) (noting that infant slings are excluded from 
the voluntary standard and that CPSC staff was working with two ASTM 
task groups created to address injuries associated with the use of 
infant bath slings); Final Rule for Infant Bath Tubs: 82 FR 15615, 
15619 (March 30, 2017). Section IV.F of the final rule describes 
that the Commission is moving forward with a final rule while CPSC 
staff continues to work with two ASTM task groups to address the 
risk of injury associated with the use of infant bath slings. The 
final rule states that if the ASTM standard is revised to address 
infant bath slings, Commission staff will evaluate the revised 
standard and advise the Commission whether to update the mandatory 
standard to incorporate by reference any revised standard at that 
time.
    \2\ Available at: https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/Final%20Rule%20-%20Safety%20Standard%20for%20Infant%20Bath%20Tubs%20-%20March%2015%202017.pdf.
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C. Notification of Recent Revision

    On July 19, 2018, ASTM officially notified the CPSC that ASTM 
published a revised 2018 version of ASTM F2670, approved on March 1, 
2018. The revised ASTM F2670 includes bath tub accessories and 
specifies other minor changes, as discussed below in section II of this 
preamble. By statute, the revised ASTM F2670-18 shall be considered a 
consumer product safety standard issued by the Commission, effective 
180 days after July 19, 2018 (January 15, 2019), unless the Commission 
specifies a later effective date in the Federal Register, or notifies 
ASTM within 90 days of July 19, 2018 (October 17, 2018) that the 
Commission has determined that the proposed revision does not improve 
the safety of infant bath tubs and that the Commission will retain ASTM 
F2670-17 as the mandatory standard.

D. Updating the Incorporation by Reference

    As reviewed in sections II and VI of this preamble, the Commission 
determines that the proposed revision in ASTM F2670-18 improves the 
safety of infant bath tubs, and therefore, will allow the revision to 
become a consumer product safety standard effective January 15, 2019. 
Accordingly, the Commission is revising the incorporation by reference 
in 16 CFR 1234.2 to reference ASTM F2670-18.

II. Revisions to ASTM F2670

    The 2018 revision to ASTM F2670 expands the scope of the voluntary 
standard to include accessories used with an infant bath tub, includes 
new performance tests for accessories used with infant bath tubs, and 
makes corresponding changes to product labeling and instructions. ASTM 
F2670-18 also includes several non-substantive changes that do not 
affect safety, such as spacing, formatting, and language stating that 
ASTM developed the standard in accordance with principles recognized by 
the World Trade Organization. None of these changes affects the safety 
of infant bath tubs. Accordingly, below we summarize the major 
revisions made in ASTM F2670-18.

A. Introduction and Scope

    ASTM F2670-17 specifically excludes infant bath tub accessories 
from the bath tub standard. The revised ASTM F2670-18 now explicitly 
states that included within the scope of the standard are ``slings, 
pads, inserts and similar accessories when such accessories are used 
with the infant bath tub.'' Adding bath tub accessories to the scope of 
the standard improves the safety of infant bath tubs because the 
revision is intended to address product failure incidents involving 
accessories, which are now included with the sale of some infant bath 
tubs.

B. Terminology

    The revised standard includes six new definitions to address the 
addition of infant bath tub accessories and other changes recommended 
by the ASTM subcommittee for consistency across juvenile product safety 
standards. New terms include ``double action release system,'' 
``fabric,'' ``infant bath tub accessory,'' ``product,'' ``protective 
component,'' and ``seam.'' Paragraph 3.1.5 of ASTM F2670-18 defines 
``infant bath tub accessory'' as a ``component or product sold with an 
infant bath tub or sold separately and that is intended to be attached 
or placed on or in an infant bath tub for the purpose of supporting an 
infant during bathing by an adult caregiver.'' \3\ Revisions in ASTM 
F2670-18 use this definition to expand the scope of the voluntary 
standard and apply new testing and labeling requirements to such 
products to reduce the risk of injury associated with the use of infant 
bath tub accessories used with an infant bath tub.
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    \3\ Paragraph 3.1.5.1 further explains that an infant bath tub 
accessory may also be used as a standalone product, but that mode is 
not covered by ASTM F2670-18. ASTM is currently working on a new 
voluntary standard to cover standalone infant bathers. Moreover, 
other bath tub accessories that are not intended to support an 
infant while bathing, such as soap, towel holder, water pump, or a 
shower handle, are also not included within the definition of 
``infant bath tub accessory.''
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C. General Requirements

    ASTM F2670-18 contains revised general requirements that now 
include infant bath tub accessories, such as the general requirement 
for Resistance to Collapse. Paragraph 5.4.1 requires that infant bath 
tub accessories must contain latching and locking mechanisms to prevent 
the unintentional collapse of the product with the infant in the 
product, using either a single or double action release system as 
described in paragraphs 5.4.1.1 and 5.4.1.2, and that meet the new 
testing requirements in section 7 of the standard. The majority of 
incidents noted in the proposed and final rules for infant bath tubs 
involved bath tub accessories that collapsed during use. Accordingly, 
revising general requirements to address this risk of injury improves 
the safety of infant bath tubs when used with infant bath tub 
accessories.
    Changes in paragraphs 5.7 and 5.8 of ASTM F2670-18 improve the 
safety of infant bath tub accessories by extending

[[Page 53373]]

the existing requirements for protective components and toys to include 
infant bath tub accessories. Paragraph 5.10 of the revised standard, 
Compliance with Multi-use Products, is a new provision aimed at 
addressing infant bath tub accessories that can be used alone or with 
an infant bath tub. ASTM F2670-18 only applies to infant bath tub 
accessories when used with an infant bath tub. Paragraph 5.10 states 
that if an infant bath tub accessory can be used as a standalone 
product that is subject to a different standard, the product must be 
tested and comply with the requirements of that standard as well. 
Paragraph 5.10 ensures that infant bath tub accessories are tested to 
every applicable standard. This revision improves safety by ensuring 
that existing requirements apply to infant bath tub accessories, and by 
ensuring that all use modes of infant bath tub accessories are required 
to be in compliance with applicable standards.

D. Performance Requirements

    Paragraph 6.4 of ASTM F2670-18 includes new performance testing for 
infant bath tub accessories, Structural Integrity/Attachment of Infant 
Bath Tub Accessories. The new requirements include: Static and dynamic 
load testing to ensure that accessories stay attached to the bath tub 
during use; integrity and strength testing for fabric and mesh 
accessories to ensure no material breakage, disengagement, detachment, 
or change in the ability to support an infant; and seam strength 
testing of fabric and mesh accessories to ensure a breakage strength of 
30 lbf or greater. The addition of performance requirements for infant 
bath tub accessories improves safety because the requirements are 
intended to address the incident data reports involving infant bath tub 
accessories, as described in the proposed and final rules for infant 
bath tubs, that previously were not covered by the voluntary or 
mandatory standard.

E. Test Methods

    Paragraph 7 of ASTM F2670-18 contains the test methods to determine 
whether the product complies with the performance requirements in 
paragraph 6, including the new testing requirements for bath tub 
accessories. Revisions to paragraph 7.1, Latching and Locking 
Mechanism(s), add 730 cycles of testing on latching and locking 
mechanisms for an infant bath tub accessory while maintaining 2000 
cycles of testing on the bath tub. The number of cycles for testing 
accessories is lower than bath tubs, with the assumption that consumers 
will use the accessory for a shorter length of time (while the infant 
cannot sit up unassisted) than the bath tub. The addition of paragraphs 
7.6 Structural Integrity--Infant Bath Tub Accessory and 7.7 Mesh/Fabric 
Attachment Strength Test Method, provide new testing requirements that 
correspond to the performance requirements in paragraph 6. For example, 
the test method for the dynamic load test acknowledges that infants are 
not stationary and move around on the accessories. The new test methods 
for infant bath tub accessories in paragraph 7 of ASTM F2670-18 
adequately determine compliance with the performance requirements in 
paragraph 6 of the standard, and therefore improve safety.

F. Marking and Labeling

    Revisions to the marking and labeling section in paragraph 8 of the 
2018 revised standard include requiring the same drowning and fall 
hazard warnings on infant bath tub accessories as are on the bath tub, 
except ``infant bath tub accessories'' replaces ``infant bath tub.'' 
ASTM F2670-18 provides that manufacturers can use one set of labels, 
solely on the bath tub, if the warnings on the bath tub are visible 
while the accessory is in place, and the accessory can only be used 
while on the bath tub. This requirement prevents over-labeling, which 
can lead to warning saturation and consumers disregarding warnings. To 
allow the single label on the bath tub to include the accessories, the 
hazard statements in paragraphs 8.5.1.1 and 8.5.2.1 were changed from 
``exactly as stated'' to ``shall address.'' Use of the phrase ``shall 
address'' allows manufacturers to combine the infant bath tub and 
infant bath tub accessory hazard statements to be merged to read: 
``Drowning Hazard: Babies have drowned while using infant bath tubs and 
infant bath tub accessories.'' When infant bath tub accessories are 
sold separately, ASTM F2670-18 requires that the drowning and fall 
hazard warnings appear on the retail packaging, unless such warnings on 
the product are not concealed by the packaging.

G. Instructional Literature

    The requirements for instructional literature in paragraph 9 of 
ASTM F2670-18 have been broadened to include infant bath tub 
accessories, similar to the marking and labeling section of the revised 
standard (paragraph 8).

III. Incorporation by Reference

    The Office of the Federal Register (OFR) has regulations concerning 
incorporation by reference. 1 CFR part 51. Under these regulations, 
agencies must discuss, in the preamble to the final rule, ways that the 
materials the agency incorporates by reference are reasonably available 
to interested persons, and how interested parties can obtain the 
materials. In addition, the preamble to the final rule must summarize 
the material. 1 CFR 51.5(b).
    In accordance with the OFR's requirements, section II of this 
preamble summarizes the substantive revisions in ASTM F2670-18 that the 
Commission incorporates by reference into 16 CFR part 1234. The 
standard is reasonably available to interested parties, and interested 
parties may purchase a copy of the standard from ASTM International, 
100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959 
USA; phone: 610-832-9585; http://www.astm.org/. A copy of the standard 
can also be inspected at CPSC's Division of the Secretariat, U.S. 
Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 820, 4330 East West Highway, 
Bethesda, MD 20814, telephone 301-504-7923.

IV. Certification

    Section 14(a) of the CPSA requires that products subject to a 
consumer product safety rule under the CPSA, or to a similar rule, ban, 
standard, or regulation under any other act enforced by the Commission, 
be certified as complying with all applicable CPSC requirements. 15 
U.S.C. 2063(a). Such certification must be based on a test of each 
product, or on a reasonable testing program, or, for children's 
products, on tests of a sufficient number of samples by a third party 
conformity assessment body accredited by the Commission to test 
according to the applicable requirements. Standards for durable infant 
or toddler products that are issued under section 104(b)(1)(B) of the 
CPSIA are ``consumer product safety standards.'' Thus, the revised 
standard for infant bath tubs is subject to the testing and 
certification requirements of section 14 of the CPSA.
    Because infant bath tubs are children's products, samples of these 
products must be tested by a third party conformity assessment body 
whose accreditation has been accepted by the Commission. These products 
also must comply with all other applicable CPSC requirements, such as 
the lead content requirements in section 101 of the CPSIA, the 
phthalates prohibitions in section 108 of the CPSIA, the tracking

[[Page 53374]]

label requirement in section 14(a)(5) of the CPSA, and the consumer 
registration form requirements in section 104(b) of the CPSIA.

V. Notice of Requirements

    In accordance with section 14(a)(3)(B)(iv) of the CPSA, the 
Commission has previously published a notice of requirements (NOR) for 
accreditation of third party conformity assessment bodies for testing 
infant bath tubs (78 FR 15836 (March 12, 2013) (final rule for 16 CFR 
part 1112); 82 FR 15626 (final rule for infant bath tubs updating part 
1112)). The NOR provided the criteria and process for our acceptance of 
accreditation of third party conformity assessment bodies for testing 
infant bath tubs to 16 CFR part 1234 (which incorporated ASTM F2670-
17). The NOR is listed in the Commission's rule, ``Requirements 
Pertaining to Third Party Conformity Assessment Bodies.'' 16 CFR part 
1112.
    Staff's analysis of the new testing requirements in ASTM F2670-18 
for infant bath tub accessories concludes that such testing does not 
require use of new or specialized equipment that is different than 
testing equipment for ASTM F2670-17. Staff states that testing 
accessories pursuant to ASTM F2670-18 requires use of existing testing 
equipment and similar testing protocols that are used to test infant 
bath tubs, with minor adjustments. For example, the new dynamic test 
for accessories uses the same testing equipment as the static load test 
already in the standard. Moreover, staff states that the revised 
standard provides clear instructions and figures to describe the load 
placement for accessory testing. Testing laboratories that have 
previously demonstrated competence for testing in accordance with ASTM 
F2670-17 will have the competence to test in accordance with the 
revised standard. Therefore, the Commission will consider the existing 
accreditations that CPSC has accepted for testing to ASTM F2670-17 to 
also cover testing to F2670-18. In this case, the existing NOR for this 
standard will remain in place, and CPSC-accepted third party conformity 
assessment bodies are expected to update the scope of the testing 
laboratories' accreditation to reflect the revised standard in the 
normal course of renewing their accreditation. CPSC staff will notify 
all CPSC-accepted labs by direct email and will provide links to the 
Federal Register notice to explain the changes to the standard and the 
effective date.

VI. Direct Final Rule Process

    The Commission is issuing this rule as a direct final rule. 
Although the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) generally requires 
notice and comment rulemaking, section 553 of the APA provides an 
exception when the agency, for good cause, finds that notice and public 
procedure are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public 
interest.'' 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). The Commission concludes that when the 
Commission updates a reference to an ASTM standard that the Commission 
has incorporated by reference under section 104(b) of the CPSIA, notice 
and comment are not necessary.
    The process set forth in section 104(b)(4)(B) of the CPSIA 
specifies that when ASTM revises a standard previously incorporated by 
reference by the Commission as a durable infant or toddler product 
under section 104(b)(1)(b) of the CPSIA, the revision will become the 
new CPSC standard, unless the Commission determines that ASTM's 
revision does not improve the safety of the product. Thus, unless the 
Commission makes such a determination, the ASTM revision becomes CPSC's 
standard by operation of law. The Commission is allowing ASTM F2670-18 
to become CPSC's new standard. The purpose of this direct final rule is 
merely to update the reference in the Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR), so that the CFR accurately reflects the version of the standard 
that takes effect by statute. Public comment will not impact the 
substantive changes to the standard or the effect of the revised 
standard as a consumer product safety standard under section 104(b) of 
the CPSIA. Under these circumstances, notice and comment are not 
necessary.
    The Commission also highlights that in Recommendation 95-4, the 
Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS) endorsed direct 
final rulemaking as an appropriate procedure to expedite promulgating 
rules that are noncontroversial and that are not expected to generate 
significant adverse comment. See 60 FR 43108 (August 18, 1995). ACUS 
recommends that agencies use the direct final rule process when they 
act under the ``unnecessary'' prong of the good cause exemption in 5 
U.S.C. 553(b)(B). Consistent with the ACUS recommendation, the 
Commission is publishing this rule as a direct final rule because we do 
not expect any significant adverse comments.
    Unless the Commission receives a significant adverse comment within 
30 days, the rule becomes effective on January 15, 2019. In accordance 
with ACUS's recommendation, the Commission considers a significant 
adverse comment to be one where the commenter explains why the rule 
would be inappropriate, including an assertion challenging the rule's 
underlying premise or approach, or a claim that the rule would be 
ineffective or unacceptable without change.
    Should the Commission receive a significant adverse comment, the 
Commission will withdraw this direct final rule. Depending on the 
comments and other circumstances, the Commission may then incorporate 
the adverse comment into a subsequent direct final rule or publish a 
notice of proposed rulemaking, providing an opportunity for public 
comment.

VII. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires that 
agencies review proposed and final rules for their potential economic 
impact on small entities, including small businesses, and prepare 
regulatory flexibility analyses. 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604. The RFA applies 
to any rule that is subject to notice and comment procedures under 
section 553 of the APA. Id. As explained above, the Commission has 
determined that notice and comment are not necessary for this direct 
final rule. Thus, the RFA does not apply. We also note the limited 
nature of this document, which updates the incorporation by reference 
to reflect the mandatory CPSC standard that takes effect under section 
104 of the CPSIA.

VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The infant bath tub standard contains information collection 
requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3520). The current revision to incorporate by reference a new version 
of ASTM F2670 makes no changes to the information collection previously 
established for infant bath tubs. Thus, the revision will not have any 
effect on the information collection requirements related to the 
standard.

IX. Environmental Considerations

    The Commission's regulations provide a categorical exclusion for 
the Commission's rules from any requirement to prepare an environmental 
assessment or an environmental impact statement because they ``have 
little or no potential for affecting the human environment.'' 16 CFR 
1021.5(c)(2). This direct final rule falls within the categorical 
exclusion, so no environmental assessment or environmental impact 
statement is required.

[[Page 53375]]

X. Preemption

    Section 26(a) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2075(a), provides that where a 
``consumer product safety standard under [the Consumer Product Safety 
Act (CPSA)]'' is in effect and applies to a product, no state or 
political subdivision of a state may either establish or continue in 
effect a requirement dealing with the same risk of injury, unless the 
state requirement is identical to the federal standard. Section 26(c) 
of the CPSA also provides that states or political subdivisions of 
states may apply to the Commission for an exemption from this 
preemption under certain circumstances.
    Section 104(b)(1)(B) of the CPSIA refers to the rules to be issued 
under that section as ``consumer product safety standards,'' thus, 
implying that the preemptive effect of section 26(a) of the CPSA would 
apply. Therefore, a rule issued under section 104 of the CPSIA will 
invoke the preemptive effect of section 26(a) of the CPSA when it 
becomes effective.

XI. Effective Date

    Under the procedure set forth in section 104(b)(4)(B) of the CPSIA, 
when a voluntary standard organization revises a standard upon which a 
consumer product safety standard issued under section 104(b) of the 
CPSIA was based, the revision becomes the CPSC standard within 180 days 
of notification to the Commission, unless the Commission determines 
that the revision does not improve the safety of the product, or the 
Commission sets a later date in the Federal Register. The Commission 
has not set a different effective date. Thus, in accordance with this 
provision, this rule takes effect 180 days after we received 
notification from ASTM of revisions to these standards. As discussed in 
the preceding section, this is a direct final rule. Unless we receive a 
significant adverse comment within 30 days, the rule will become 
effective on January 15, 2019.

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 1234

    Consumer protection, Imports, Incorporation by reference, Infants 
and children, Labeling, Law enforcement, bath tub, and Toys.

    For the reasons stated above, the Commission amends Title 16 CFR 
chapter II as follows:

PART 1234--SAFETY STANDARD FOR INFANT BATH TUBS

0
1. The authority citation for part 1234 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, 
Pub. L. 110-314, Sec.  104, 122 Stat. 3016 (August 14, 2008); Pub. 
L. 112-28, 125 Stat. 273 (August 12, 2011).

0
2. Revise Sec.  1234.2 to read as follows:


Sec.  1234.2   Requirements for infant bath tubs.

    Each infant bath tub must comply with all applicable provisions of 
ASTM F2670-18, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant Bath 
Tubs, approved on March 1, 2018. The Director of the Federal Register 
approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may obtain a copy from ASTM 
International, 100 Bar Harbor Drive, P.O. Box 0700, West Conshohocken, 
PA 19428; http://www.astm.org/. You may inspect a copy at the Division 
of the Secretariat, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 820, 
4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814, telephone 301-504-7923, or 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-
6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/cfr/ibr_locations.html.

Alberta E. Mills,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 2018-23071 Filed 10-22-18; 8:45 am]
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                                                                                                                                                           identifiers, contact information, or other
                                                                                                     16 CFR Part 1234                                      personal information provided, to
                                             or inspection program without obtaining
                                             approval of an AMOC, provided the RC steps,                                                                   http://www.regulations.gov. Do not
                                                                                                     [Docket No. CPSC–2015–0019]
                                             including substeps and identified figures, can                                                                submit confidential business
                                             still be done as specified, and the airplane            Revisions to Safety Standard for Infant               information, trade secret information, or
                                             can be put back in an airworthy condition.              Bath Tubs                                             other sensitive or protected information
                                             (m) Related Information                                                                                       electronically. Such information should
                                                                                                     AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety                       be submitted in writing.
                                               For more information about this AD,                   Commission.
                                             contact Samuel Kovitch, Aerospace Engineer,                                                                   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                             Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia                  ACTION: Direct final rule.                            Keysha Walker, Compliance Officer,
                                             Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; phone:                                                                   U.S. Consumer Product Safety
                                             (404) 474–5570; fax: (404) 474–5605; email:             SUMMARY:    In accordance with section                Commission, 4330 East West Highway,
                                             samuel.kovitch@faa.gov.                                 104(b) of the Consumer Product Safety                 Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone: 301–
                                                                                                     Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), the                  504–6820; email: kwalker@cpsc.gov.
                                             (n) Material Incorporated by Reference                  U.S. Consumer Product Safety                          SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                (1) The Director of the Federal Register             Commission (CPSC), in March 2017,
                                             approved the incorporation by reference                 published a consumer product safety                   I. Background and Authority
                                             (IBR) of the service information listed in this         standard for infant bath tubs. The
                                             paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR                                                                     A. Authority To Update Rules Issued
                                             part 51.
                                                                                                     standard incorporated by reference the                Under Section 104(b) of the CPSIA
                                                (2) You must use this service information            applicable ASTM voluntary standard.
                                                                                                     The CPSIA sets forth a process for                       Section 104(b)(1)(B) of the CPSIA,
                                             as applicable to do the actions required by
                                             this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.             updating standards that the Commission                also known as the Danny Keysar Child
                                                (3) The following service information was            has issued under the authority of                     Product Safety Notification Act, requires
                                             approved for IBR on April 13, 2018 (83 FR               section 104(b) of the CPSIA. In                       the Commission to promulgate
                                             13401, March 29, 2018).                                 accordance with that process, we are                  consumer product safety standards for
                                                (i) Honda Aircraft Company Temporary                 publishing this direct final rule, revising           durable infant or toddler products. The
                                             Revision TR 01.1, dated February 16, 2018.              the CPSC’s standard for infant bath tubs              law requires that these standards are to
                                                (ii) Honda Aircraft Company Service                                                                        be ‘‘substantially the same as’’
                                             Bulletin SB–420–32–001, dated January 8,
                                                                                                     to incorporate by reference a more
                                                                                                     recent version of the applicable ASTM                 applicable voluntary standards or more
                                             2018.                                                                                                         stringent than the voluntary standards if
                                                (4) The following service information was            standard.
                                             approved for IBR on May 29, 2018 (83 FR
                                                                                                                                                           the Commission concludes that more
                                                                                                     DATES: The rule is effective on January
                                             24016, May 24, 2018).                                                                                         stringent requirements would further
                                                                                                     15, 2019, unless we receive significant
                                                (i) Honda Aircraft Company Service                                                                         reduce the risk of injury associated with
                                                                                                     adverse comment by November 23,
                                             Bulletin SB–420–32–001, Revision B, dated                                                                     the product.
                                                                                                     2018. If we receive timely significant                   Section 104(b) of the CPSIA also sets
                                             April 16, 2018.
                                                (ii) [Reserved]
                                                                                                     adverse comments, we will publish                     forth a process for updating CPSC’s
                                                (5) For Honda Aircraft Company LLC                   notification in the Federal Register,                 mandatory durable infant or toddler
                                             service information identified in this AD,              withdrawing this direct final rule before             standards when the voluntary standard
                                             contact Honda Aircraft Company LLC, 6430                its effective date. The incorporation by              upon which such standards are based
                                             Ballinger Road, Greensboro, North Carolina              reference of the publication listed in                are modified. Section 104(b)(4)(B) of the
                                             27410; telephone (336) 662–0246; internet:              this rule is approved by the Director of
                                             http://www.hondajet.com.
                                                                                                                                                           CPSIA provides that if an organization
                                                                                                     the Federal Register as of January 15,                revises a standard that has been
                                                (6) You may view this service information            2019.
                                             at FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 901                                                                   adopted, in whole or in part, as a
                                             Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For                ADDRESSES:  You may submit comments,                  consumer product safety standard under
                                             information on the availability of this                 identified by Docket No. CPSC–2015–                   this subsection, it shall notify the
                                             material at the FAA, call 816–329–4148. In              0019, by any of the following methods:                Commission. By statute, the revised
                                             addition, you can access this service                     Submit electronic comments in the                   voluntary standard shall be considered
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                                             information on the internet at http://                  following way:                                        to be a consumer product safety
                                             www.regulations.gov by searching for and                  Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://                 standard issued by the Commission
                                             locating Docket No. FAA–2018–0513.
                                                (7) You may view this service information
                                                                                                     www.regulations.gov. Follow the                       under section 9 of the Consumer
                                             that is incorporated by reference at the                instructions for submitting comments.                 Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2058),
                                             National Archives and Records                           To ensure timely processing of                        effective 180 days after the date on
                                             Administration (NARA). For information on               comments, the Commission is no longer                 which the organization notifies the
                                             the availability of this material at NARA, call         accepting comments submitted by                       Commission (or such later date


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                                             53372             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 23, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                             specified by the Commission in the                      C. Notification of Recent Revision                    standard improves the safety of infant
                                             Federal Register) unless, within 90 days                   On July 19, 2018, ASTM officially                  bath tubs because the revision is
                                             after receiving that notice, the                        notified the CPSC that ASTM published                 intended to address product failure
                                             Commission notifies the organization                    a revised 2018 version of ASTM F2670,                 incidents involving accessories, which
                                             that it has determined that the proposed                approved on March 1, 2018. The revised                are now included with the sale of some
                                             revision does not improve the safety of                 ASTM F2670 includes bath tub                          infant bath tubs.
                                             the consumer product covered by the                     accessories and specifies other minor                 B. Terminology
                                             standard and that the Commission is                     changes, as discussed below in section
                                             retaining the existing consumer product                                                                         The revised standard includes six
                                                                                                     II of this preamble. By statute, the
                                                                                                                                                           new definitions to address the addition
                                             safety standard.                                        revised ASTM F2670–18 shall be
                                                                                                                                                           of infant bath tub accessories and other
                                                                                                     considered a consumer product safety
                                             B. Safety Standard for Infant Bath Tubs                                                                       changes recommended by the ASTM
                                                                                                     standard issued by the Commission,
                                                                                                                                                           subcommittee for consistency across
                                                The Commission issued a safety                       effective 180 days after July 19, 2018
                                                                                                                                                           juvenile product safety standards. New
                                             standard for infant bath tubs on March                  (January 15, 2019), unless the
                                                                                                                                                           terms include ‘‘double action release
                                             30, 2017, codified at 16 CFR part 1234.                 Commission specifies a later effective
                                                                                                                                                           system,’’ ‘‘fabric,’’ ‘‘infant bath tub
                                             82 FR 15615. The bath tub standard                      date in the Federal Register, or notifies
                                                                                                                                                           accessory,’’ ‘‘product,’’ ‘‘protective
                                             incorporated by reference the then-                     ASTM within 90 days of July 19, 2018
                                                                                                                                                           component,’’ and ‘‘seam.’’ Paragraph
                                             current voluntary standard for infant                   (October 17, 2018) that the Commission
                                                                                                                                                           3.1.5 of ASTM F2670–18 defines ‘‘infant
                                                                                                     has determined that the proposed
                                             bath tubs, ASTM F2670–17, Standard                                                                            bath tub accessory’’ as a ‘‘component or
                                                                                                     revision does not improve the safety of
                                             Consumer Safety Specification for                                                                             product sold with an infant bath tub or
                                                                                                     infant bath tubs and that the
                                             Infant Bath Tubs. Paragraph 3.1.2 of                                                                          sold separately and that is intended to
                                                                                                     Commission will retain ASTM F2670–
                                             ASTM F2670–17 defines an ‘‘infant bath                                                                        be attached or placed on or in an infant
                                                                                                     17 as the mandatory standard.
                                             tub’’ as a ‘‘tub, enclosure, or other                                                                         bath tub for the purpose of supporting
                                             similar product intended to hold water                  D. Updating the Incorporation by                      an infant during bathing by an adult
                                             and be placed into an adult bath tub,                   Reference                                             caregiver.’’ 3 Revisions in ASTM F2670–
                                             sink, or on top of other surfaces to                       As reviewed in sections II and VI of               18 use this definition to expand the
                                             provide support or containment, or                      this preamble, the Commission                         scope of the voluntary standard and
                                             both, for an infant in a reclining, sitting,            determines that the proposed revision in              apply new testing and labeling
                                             or standing position during bathing by                  ASTM F2670–18 improves the safety of                  requirements to such products to reduce
                                             a caregiver.’’ Paragraph 1.1 of ASTM                    infant bath tubs, and therefore, will                 the risk of injury associated with the use
                                             F2670–17 specifically excludes                          allow the revision to become a                        of infant bath tub accessories used with
                                             ‘‘products commonly known as bath                       consumer product safety standard                      an infant bath tub.
                                             slings, typically made of fabric or mesh’’              effective January 15, 2019. Accordingly,              C. General Requirements
                                             from the scope of the standard.                         the Commission is revising the
                                                                                                                                                              ASTM F2670–18 contains revised
                                             However, the preambles to proposed                      incorporation by reference in 16 CFR
                                                                                                                                                           general requirements that now include
                                             and final rules for infant bath tubs                    1234.2 to reference ASTM F2670–18.
                                                                                                                                                           infant bath tub accessories, such as the
                                             discuss that ASTM was working to                        II. Revisions to ASTM F2670                           general requirement for Resistance to
                                             include accessories in the standard.1 In                                                                      Collapse. Paragraph 5.4.1 requires that
                                             2017, CPSC staff recommended                               The 2018 revision to ASTM F2670
                                                                                                     expands the scope of the voluntary                    infant bath tub accessories must contain
                                             proceeding with the final rule intending                                                                      latching and locking mechanisms to
                                                                                                     standard to include accessories used
                                             to update the mandatory rule after                                                                            prevent the unintentional collapse of
                                                                                                     with an infant bath tub, includes new
                                             updating the voluntary standard to                                                                            the product with the infant in the
                                                                                                     performance tests for accessories used
                                             include infant bath tub accessories. See                                                                      product, using either a single or double
                                                                                                     with infant bath tubs, and makes
                                             March 15, 2017, Briefing Package                        corresponding changes to product                      action release system as described in
                                             regarding Staff’s Final Rule for Infant                 labeling and instructions. ASTM F2670–                paragraphs 5.4.1.1 and 5.4.1.2, and that
                                             Bath Tubs Under the Danny Keysar                        18 also includes several non-substantive              meet the new testing requirements in
                                             Child Product Safety Notification Act, at               changes that do not affect safety, such               section 7 of the standard. The majority
                                             13–14.2                                                 as spacing, formatting, and language                  of incidents noted in the proposed and
                                                                                                     stating that ASTM developed the                       final rules for infant bath tubs involved
                                               1 See Proposed Rule for Infant Bath Tubs: 80 FR
                                                                                                     standard in accordance with principles                bath tub accessories that collapsed
                                             48769, 48770, 84772 (August 14, 2015) (noting that
                                                                                                     recognized by the World Trade                         during use. Accordingly, revising
                                             infant slings are excluded from the voluntary                                                                 general requirements to address this risk
                                             standard and that CPSC staff was working with two       Organization. None of these changes
                                             ASTM task groups created to address injuries            affects the safety of infant bath tubs.               of injury improves the safety of infant
                                             associated with the use of infant bath slings); Final   Accordingly, below we summarize the                   bath tubs when used with infant bath
                                             Rule for Infant Bath Tubs: 82 FR 15615, 15619           major revisions made in ASTM F2670–                   tub accessories.
                                             (March 30, 2017). Section IV.F of the final rule                                                                 Changes in paragraphs 5.7 and 5.8 of
                                             describes that the Commission is moving forward         18.
                                             with a final rule while CPSC staff continues to work
                                                                                                                                                           ASTM F2670–18 improve the safety of
                                             with two ASTM task groups to address the risk of
                                                                                                     A. Introduction and Scope                             infant bath tub accessories by extending
                                             injury associated with the use of infant bath slings.      ASTM F2670–17 specifically excludes
                                             The final rule states that if the ASTM standard is      infant bath tub accessories from the bath               3 Paragraph 3.1.5.1 further explains that an infant
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                                             revised to address infant bath slings, Commission                                                             bath tub accessory may also be used as a standalone
                                             staff will evaluate the revised standard and advise     tub standard. The revised ASTM F2670–                 product, but that mode is not covered by ASTM
                                             the Commission whether to update the mandatory          18 now explicitly states that included                F2670–18. ASTM is currently working on a new
                                             standard to incorporate by reference any revised        within the scope of the standard are                  voluntary standard to cover standalone infant
                                             standard at that time.                                  ‘‘slings, pads, inserts and similar                   bathers. Moreover, other bath tub accessories that
                                               2 Available at: https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/                                                           are not intended to support an infant while bathing,
                                             Final%20Rule%20-%20Safety
                                                                                                     accessories when such accessories are                 such as soap, towel holder, water pump, or a
                                             %20Standard%20for%20Infant%20Bath%20                    used with the infant bath tub.’’ Adding               shower handle, are also not included within the
                                             Tubs%20-%20March%2015%202017.pdf.                       bath tub accessories to the scope of the              definition of ‘‘infant bath tub accessory.’’



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                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 23, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                        53373

                                             the existing requirements for protective                accessory for a shorter length of time                III. Incorporation by Reference
                                             components and toys to include infant                   (while the infant cannot sit up                          The Office of the Federal Register
                                             bath tub accessories. Paragraph 5.10 of                 unassisted) than the bath tub. The                    (OFR) has regulations concerning
                                             the revised standard, Compliance with                   addition of paragraphs 7.6 Structural                 incorporation by reference. 1 CFR part
                                             Multi-use Products, is a new provision                  Integrity—Infant Bath Tub Accessory                   51. Under these regulations, agencies
                                             aimed at addressing infant bath tub                     and 7.7 Mesh/Fabric Attachment                        must discuss, in the preamble to the
                                             accessories that can be used alone or                   Strength Test Method, provide new                     final rule, ways that the materials the
                                             with an infant bath tub. ASTM F2670–                    testing requirements that correspond to               agency incorporates by reference are
                                             18 only applies to infant bath tub                      the performance requirements in                       reasonably available to interested
                                             accessories when used with an infant                    paragraph 6. For example, the test                    persons, and how interested parties can
                                             bath tub. Paragraph 5.10 states that if an              method for the dynamic load test                      obtain the materials. In addition, the
                                             infant bath tub accessory can be used as                acknowledges that infants are not                     preamble to the final rule must
                                             a standalone product that is subject to
                                                                                                     stationary and move around on the                     summarize the material. 1 CFR 51.5(b).
                                             a different standard, the product must                                                                           In accordance with the OFR’s
                                                                                                     accessories. The new test methods for
                                             be tested and comply with the
                                                                                                     infant bath tub accessories in paragraph              requirements, section II of this preamble
                                             requirements of that standard as well.
                                                                                                     7 of ASTM F2670–18 adequately                         summarizes the substantive revisions in
                                             Paragraph 5.10 ensures that infant bath
                                                                                                     determine compliance with the                         ASTM F2670–18 that the Commission
                                             tub accessories are tested to every
                                                                                                     performance requirements in paragraph                 incorporates by reference into 16 CFR
                                             applicable standard. This revision
                                                                                                     6 of the standard, and therefore improve              part 1234. The standard is reasonably
                                             improves safety by ensuring that
                                                                                                     safety.                                               available to interested parties, and
                                             existing requirements apply to infant
                                                                                                                                                           interested parties may purchase a copy
                                             bath tub accessories, and by ensuring                   F. Marking and Labeling                               of the standard from ASTM
                                             that all use modes of infant bath tub
                                                                                                                                                           International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO
                                             accessories are required to be in                          Revisions to the marking and labeling
                                             compliance with applicable standards.                                                                         Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA
                                                                                                     section in paragraph 8 of the 2018                    19428–2959 USA; phone: 610–832–
                                             D. Performance Requirements                             revised standard include requiring the                9585; http://www.astm.org/. A copy of
                                                                                                     same drowning and fall hazard                         the standard can also be inspected at
                                                Paragraph 6.4 of ASTM F2670–18                       warnings on infant bath tub accessories
                                             includes new performance testing for                                                                          CPSC’s Division of the Secretariat, U.S.
                                                                                                     as are on the bath tub, except ‘‘infant               Consumer Product Safety Commission,
                                             infant bath tub accessories, Structural
                                                                                                     bath tub accessories’’ replaces ‘‘infant              Room 820, 4330 East West Highway,
                                             Integrity/Attachment of Infant Bath Tub
                                                                                                     bath tub.’’ ASTM F2670–18 provides                    Bethesda, MD 20814, telephone 301–
                                             Accessories. The new requirements
                                             include: Static and dynamic load testing                that manufacturers can use one set of                 504–7923.
                                             to ensure that accessories stay attached                labels, solely on the bath tub, if the
                                                                                                     warnings on the bath tub are visible                  IV. Certification
                                             to the bath tub during use; integrity and
                                             strength testing for fabric and mesh                    while the accessory is in place, and the                 Section 14(a) of the CPSA requires
                                             accessories to ensure no material                       accessory can only be used while on the               that products subject to a consumer
                                             breakage, disengagement, detachment,                    bath tub. This requirement prevents                   product safety rule under the CPSA, or
                                             or change in the ability to support an                  over-labeling, which can lead to                      to a similar rule, ban, standard, or
                                             infant; and seam strength testing of                    warning saturation and consumers                      regulation under any other act enforced
                                             fabric and mesh accessories to ensure a                 disregarding warnings. To allow the                   by the Commission, be certified as
                                             breakage strength of 30 lbf or greater.                 single label on the bath tub to include               complying with all applicable CPSC
                                             The addition of performance                             the accessories, the hazard statements in             requirements. 15 U.S.C. 2063(a). Such
                                             requirements for infant bath tub                        paragraphs 8.5.1.1 and 8.5.2.1 were                   certification must be based on a test of
                                             accessories improves safety because the                 changed from ‘‘exactly as stated’’ to                 each product, or on a reasonable testing
                                             requirements are intended to address                    ‘‘shall address.’’ Use of the phrase ‘‘shall          program, or, for children’s products, on
                                             the incident data reports involving                     address’’ allows manufacturers to                     tests of a sufficient number of samples
                                             infant bath tub accessories, as described               combine the infant bath tub and infant                by a third party conformity assessment
                                             in the proposed and final rules for                     bath tub accessory hazard statements to               body accredited by the Commission to
                                             infant bath tubs, that previously were                  be merged to read: ‘‘Drowning Hazard:                 test according to the applicable
                                             not covered by the voluntary or                         Babies have drowned while using infant                requirements. Standards for durable
                                             mandatory standard.                                     bath tubs and infant bath tub                         infant or toddler products that are
                                                                                                     accessories.’’ When infant bath tub                   issued under section 104(b)(1)(B) of the
                                             E. Test Methods                                                                                               CPSIA are ‘‘consumer product safety
                                                                                                     accessories are sold separately, ASTM
                                                Paragraph 7 of ASTM F2670–18                                                                               standards.’’ Thus, the revised standard
                                                                                                     F2670–18 requires that the drowning
                                             contains the test methods to determine                                                                        for infant bath tubs is subject to the
                                                                                                     and fall hazard warnings appear on the
                                             whether the product complies with the                                                                         testing and certification requirements of
                                                                                                     retail packaging, unless such warnings
                                             performance requirements in paragraph                                                                         section 14 of the CPSA.
                                                                                                     on the product are not concealed by the                  Because infant bath tubs are
                                             6, including the new testing
                                             requirements for bath tub accessories.                  packaging.                                            children’s products, samples of these
                                             Revisions to paragraph 7.1, Latching                    G. Instructional Literature                           products must be tested by a third party
                                             and Locking Mechanism(s), add 730                                                                             conformity assessment body whose
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                                             cycles of testing on latching and locking                  The requirements for instructional                 accreditation has been accepted by the
                                             mechanisms for an infant bath tub                       literature in paragraph 9 of ASTM                     Commission. These products also must
                                             accessory while maintaining 2000                        F2670–18 have been broadened to                       comply with all other applicable CPSC
                                             cycles of testing on the bath tub. The                  include infant bath tub accessories,                  requirements, such as the lead content
                                             number of cycles for testing accessories                similar to the marking and labeling                   requirements in section 101 of the
                                             is lower than bath tubs, with the                       section of the revised standard                       CPSIA, the phthalates prohibitions in
                                             assumption that consumers will use the                  (paragraph 8).                                        section 108 of the CPSIA, the tracking


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                                             53374            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 23, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                             label requirement in section 14(a)(5) of                VI. Direct Final Rule Process                         January 15, 2019. In accordance with
                                             the CPSA, and the consumer registration                    The Commission is issuing this rule                ACUS’s recommendation, the
                                             form requirements in section 104(b) of                  as a direct final rule. Although the                  Commission considers a significant
                                             the CPSIA.                                              Administrative Procedure Act (APA)                    adverse comment to be one where the
                                                                                                     generally requires notice and comment                 commenter explains why the rule would
                                             V. Notice of Requirements                                                                                     be inappropriate, including an assertion
                                                                                                     rulemaking, section 553 of the APA
                                                In accordance with section                           provides an exception when the agency,                challenging the rule’s underlying
                                             14(a)(3)(B)(iv) of the CPSA, the                        for good cause, finds that notice and                 premise or approach, or a claim that the
                                                                                                     public procedure are ‘‘impracticable,                 rule would be ineffective or
                                             Commission has previously published a
                                                                                                     unnecessary, or contrary to the public                unacceptable without change.
                                             notice of requirements (NOR) for
                                             accreditation of third party conformity                 interest.’’ 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). The                      Should the Commission receive a
                                             assessment bodies for testing infant bath               Commission concludes that when the                    significant adverse comment, the
                                                                                                     Commission updates a reference to an                  Commission will withdraw this direct
                                             tubs (78 FR 15836 (March 12, 2013)
                                                                                                     ASTM standard that the Commission                     final rule. Depending on the comments
                                             (final rule for 16 CFR part 1112); 82 FR
                                                                                                     has incorporated by reference under                   and other circumstances, the
                                             15626 (final rule for infant bath tubs
                                                                                                     section 104(b) of the CPSIA, notice and               Commission may then incorporate the
                                             updating part 1112)). The NOR provided                                                                        adverse comment into a subsequent
                                             the criteria and process for our                        comment are not necessary.
                                                                                                        The process set forth in section                   direct final rule or publish a notice of
                                             acceptance of accreditation of third                                                                          proposed rulemaking, providing an
                                                                                                     104(b)(4)(B) of the CPSIA specifies that
                                             party conformity assessment bodies for                                                                        opportunity for public comment.
                                                                                                     when ASTM revises a standard
                                             testing infant bath tubs to 16 CFR part
                                                                                                     previously incorporated by reference by               VII. Regulatory Flexibility Act
                                             1234 (which incorporated ASTM
                                                                                                     the Commission as a durable infant or
                                             F2670–17). The NOR is listed in the                     toddler product under section                            The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
                                             Commission’s rule, ‘‘Requirements                       104(b)(1)(b) of the CPSIA, the revision               generally requires that agencies review
                                             Pertaining to Third Party Conformity                    will become the new CPSC standard,                    proposed and final rules for their
                                             Assessment Bodies.’’ 16 CFR part 1112.                  unless the Commission determines that                 potential economic impact on small
                                                Staff’s analysis of the new testing                  ASTM’s revision does not improve the                  entities, including small businesses, and
                                             requirements in ASTM F2670–18 for                       safety of the product. Thus, unless the               prepare regulatory flexibility analyses. 5
                                             infant bath tub accessories concludes                   Commission makes such a                               U.S.C. 603 and 604. The RFA applies to
                                             that such testing does not require use of               determination, the ASTM revision                      any rule that is subject to notice and
                                             new or specialized equipment that is                    becomes CPSC’s standard by operation                  comment procedures under section 553
                                             different than testing equipment for                    of law. The Commission is allowing                    of the APA. Id. As explained above, the
                                             ASTM F2670–17. Staff states that testing                ASTM F2670–18 to become CPSC’s new                    Commission has determined that notice
                                             accessories pursuant to ASTM F2670–                     standard. The purpose of this direct                  and comment are not necessary for this
                                             18 requires use of existing testing                     final rule is merely to update the                    direct final rule. Thus, the RFA does not
                                             equipment and similar testing protocols                 reference in the Code of Federal                      apply. We also note the limited nature
                                             that are used to test infant bath tubs,                 Regulations (CFR), so that the CFR                    of this document, which updates the
                                             with minor adjustments. For example,                    accurately reflects the version of the                incorporation by reference to reflect the
                                                                                                     standard that takes effect by statute.                mandatory CPSC standard that takes
                                             the new dynamic test for accessories
                                                                                                     Public comment will not impact the                    effect under section 104 of the CPSIA.
                                             uses the same testing equipment as the
                                             static load test already in the standard.               substantive changes to the standard or                VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act
                                             Moreover, staff states that the revised                 the effect of the revised standard as a
                                                                                                     consumer product safety standard under                  The infant bath tub standard contains
                                             standard provides clear instructions and                                                                      information collection requirements
                                                                                                     section 104(b) of the CPSIA. Under
                                             figures to describe the load placement                                                                        under the Paperwork Reduction Act of
                                                                                                     these circumstances, notice and
                                             for accessory testing. Testing                                                                                1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–3520). The current
                                                                                                     comment are not necessary.
                                             laboratories that have previously                                                                             revision to incorporate by reference a
                                                                                                        The Commission also highlights that
                                             demonstrated competence for testing in                  in Recommendation 95–4, the                           new version of ASTM F2670 makes no
                                             accordance with ASTM F2670–17 will                      Administrative Conference of the                      changes to the information collection
                                             have the competence to test in                          United States (ACUS) endorsed direct                  previously established for infant bath
                                             accordance with the revised standard.                   final rulemaking as an appropriate                    tubs. Thus, the revision will not have
                                             Therefore, the Commission will                          procedure to expedite promulgating                    any effect on the information collection
                                             consider the existing accreditations that               rules that are noncontroversial and that              requirements related to the standard.
                                             CPSC has accepted for testing to ASTM                   are not expected to generate significant
                                             F2670–17 to also cover testing to                                                                             IX. Environmental Considerations
                                                                                                     adverse comment. See 60 FR 43108
                                             F2670–18. In this case, the existing NOR                (August 18, 1995). ACUS recommends                      The Commission’s regulations
                                             for this standard will remain in place,                 that agencies use the direct final rule               provide a categorical exclusion for the
                                             and CPSC-accepted third party                           process when they act under the                       Commission’s rules from any
                                             conformity assessment bodies are                        ‘‘unnecessary’’ prong of the good cause               requirement to prepare an
                                             expected to update the scope of the                     exemption in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B).                      environmental assessment or an
                                             testing laboratories’ accreditation to                  Consistent with the ACUS                              environmental impact statement
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                                             reflect the revised standard in the                     recommendation, the Commission is                     because they ‘‘have little or no potential
                                             normal course of renewing their                         publishing this rule as a direct final rule           for affecting the human environment.’’
                                             accreditation. CPSC staff will notify all               because we do not expect any                          16 CFR 1021.5(c)(2). This direct final
                                             CPSC-accepted labs by direct email and                  significant adverse comments.                         rule falls within the categorical
                                             will provide links to the Federal                          Unless the Commission receives a                   exclusion, so no environmental
                                             Register notice to explain the changes to               significant adverse comment within 30                 assessment or environmental impact
                                             the standard and the effective date.                    days, the rule becomes effective on                   statement is required.


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                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 23, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                                                    53375

                                             X. Preemption                                                       For the reasons stated above, the                                ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation
                                                                                                               Commission amends Title 16 CFR                                     from regulations.
                                                Section 26(a) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C.                           chapter II as follows:
                                             2075(a), provides that where a                                                                                                       SUMMARY:    The Coast Guard has issued a
                                             ‘‘consumer product safety standard                                PART 1234—SAFETY STANDARD FOR                                      temporary deviation from the operating
                                             under [the Consumer Product Safety Act                            INFANT BATH TUBS                                                   schedule that governs the Burlington
                                             (CPSA)]’’ is in effect and applies to a                                                                                              Northern Santa Fe Railway Company
                                             product, no state or political                                    ■ 1. The authority citation for part 1234                          (BNSF) Railroad Bridge (BNSF Bridge
                                             subdivision of a state may either                                 continues to read as follows:                                      37.0) across Steamboat Slough
                                             establish or continue in effect a                                    Authority: The Consumer Product Safety                          (Snohomish River), mile 1.0 near
                                             requirement dealing with the same risk                            Improvement Act of 2008, Pub. L. 110–314,                          Marysville, WA. The deviation is
                                             of injury, unless the state requirement is                        § 104, 122 Stat. 3016 (August 14, 2008); Pub.                      necessary to accommodate scheduled
                                             identical to the federal standard. Section                        L. 112–28, 125 Stat. 273 (August 12, 2011).                        replacement of bridge ties across the
                                             26(c) of the CPSA also provides that                              ■   2. Revise § 1234.2 to read as follows:                         swing span replacement. The deviation
                                             states or political subdivisions of states                                                                                           allows the bridge to remain in the
                                                                                                               § 1234.2      Requirements for infant bath
                                             may apply to the Commission for an                                tubs.                                                              closed-to-navigation position during the
                                             exemption from this preemption under                                                                                                 maintenance to allow safe movement of
                                                                                                                  Each infant bath tub must comply
                                             certain circumstances.                                                                                                               work crews.
                                                                                                               with all applicable provisions of ASTM
                                                Section 104(b)(1)(B) of the CPSIA                              F2670–18, Standard Consumer Safety                                 DATES: This deviation is effective from
                                             refers to the rules to be issued under                            Specification for Infant Bath Tubs,                                11 a.m. on November 26, 2018 to 3 p.m.
                                             that section as ‘‘consumer product                                approved on March 1, 2018. The                                     on December 14, 2018.
                                             safety standards,’’ thus, implying that                           Director of the Federal Register                                   ADDRESSES: The docket for this
                                             the preemptive effect of section 26(a) of                         approves this incorporation by reference                           deviation, USCG–2018–0940 is available
                                             the CPSA would apply. Therefore, a rule                           in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and                             at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the
                                             issued under section 104 of the CPSIA                             1 CFR part 51. You may obtain a copy                               docket number in the ‘‘SEARCH’’ box
                                             will invoke the preemptive effect of                              from ASTM International, 100 Bar                                   and click ‘‘SEARCH.’’ Click on Open
                                             section 26(a) of the CPSA when it                                 Harbor Drive, P.O. Box 0700, West                                  Docket Folder on the line associated
                                             becomes effective.                                                Conshohocken, PA 19428; http://                                    with this deviation.
                                             XI. Effective Date                                                www.astm.org/. You may inspect a copy                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
                                                                                                               at the Division of the Secretariat, U.S.                           you have questions on this temporary
                                                Under the procedure set forth in                               Consumer Product Safety Commission,                                deviation, call or email Steven M.
                                             section 104(b)(4)(B) of the CPSIA, when                           Room 820, 4330 East West Highway,                                  Fischer, the Bridge Administrator, Coast
                                             a voluntary standard organization                                 Bethesda, MD 20814, telephone 301–                                 Guard Thirteenth District; telephone
                                             revises a standard upon which a                                   504–7923, or at the National Archives                              206–220–7282 email d13-pf-
                                             consumer product safety standard                                  and Records Administration (NARA).                                 d13bridges@uscg.mil.
                                             issued under section 104(b) of the                                For information on the availability of                             SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BNSF has
                                             CPSIA was based, the revision becomes                             this material at NARA, call 202–741–                               requested a temporary deviation from
                                             the CPSC standard within 180 days of                              6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/                           the operating schedule for the BNSF
                                             notification to the Commission, unless                            federal_register/cfr/ibr_locations.html.                           Bridge 37.0, mile 1.0, crossing
                                             the Commission determines that the                                Alberta E. Mills,                                                  Steamboat Slough (Snohomish River),
                                             revision does not improve the safety of                                                                                              near Marysville, WA. BNSF requested
                                                                                                               Secretary, Consumer Product Safety
                                             the product, or the Commission sets a                             Commission.                                                        for BNSF Bridge 37.0 be allowed to
                                             later date in the Federal Register. The                                                                                              remain in the closed-to-navigation
                                                                                                               [FR Doc. 2018–23071 Filed 10–22–18; 8:45 am]
                                             Commission has not set a different                                                                                                   position for swing span maintenance.
                                                                                                               BILLING CODE 6355–01–P
                                             effective date. Thus, in accordance with                                                                                             This maintenance will improve the
                                             this provision, this rule takes effect 180                                                                                           reliability of the bridge for marine
                                             days after we received notification from                                                                                             openings. The normal operating
                                             ASTM of revisions to these standards.                             DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
                                                                                                               SECURITY                                                           schedule for the subject bridge is in 33
                                             As discussed in the preceding section,                                                                                               CFR 117.1059. BNSF Bridge 37.0 is a
                                             this is a direct final rule. Unless we                                                                                               swing bridge and provides 8 feet of
                                                                                                               Coast Guard
                                             receive a significant adverse comment                                                                                                vertical clearance above mean high
                                             within 30 days, the rule will become                                                                                                 water elevation while in the closed-to-
                                                                                                               33 CFR Part 117
                                             effective on January 15, 2019.                                                                                                       navigation position.
                                                                                                               [Docket No. USCG–2018–0940]                                           This deviation allows the BNSF
                                             List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 1234
                                                                                                                                                                                  Bridge 37.0 to remain in the closed-to-
                                                                                                               Drawbridge Operation Regulation;
                                               Consumer protection, Imports,                                                                                                      navigation position, and need not open
                                                                                                               Steamboat Slough (Snohomish River),
                                             Incorporation by reference, Infants and                                                                                              for maritime traffic from 11 a.m. on
                                                                                                               Marysville, WA
                                             children, Labeling, Law enforcement,                                                                                                 November 26, 2018 to 3 p.m. on
                                             bath tub, and Toys.                                               AGENCY:       Coast Guard, DHS.                                    December 14, 2018 per the table below:

                                                                         From time/date                                                                   To time/date                                            Span position
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                                             11 a.m./Nov 26, 2018 .......................................................    3 p.m./Nov 30, 2018 .......................................................    Closed.
                                             11 a.m./Dec 3, 2018 .........................................................   3 p.m./Dec 7, 2018 .........................................................   Closed.
                                             11 a.m./Dec 10, 2018 .......................................................    3 p.m./Dec 14, 2018 .......................................................    Closed.




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Document Created: 2018-10-23 04:14:57
Document Modified: 2018-10-23 04:14:57
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionDirect final rule.
DatesThe rule is effective on January 15, 2019, unless we receive significant adverse comment by November 23, 2018. If we receive timely significant adverse comments, we will publish notification in the Federal Register, withdrawing this direct final rule before its effective date. The incorporation by reference of the publication listed in this rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of January 15, 2019.
ContactKeysha Walker, Compliance Officer, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone: 301-504-6820; email: [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 53371 
CFR AssociatedConsumer Protection; Imports; Incorporation by Reference; Infants and Children; Labeling; Law Enforcement; Bath Tub and Toys

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