Legislación
US (United States) Code. Title 15. Chapter 47: Consumer product safety
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15 USC CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY 01/06/03
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TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
.
-HEAD-
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
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Sec.
2051. Congressional findings and declaration of purpose.
2052. Definitions.
2053. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
(a) Establishment; Chairman.
(b) Term; vacancies.
(c) Restrictions on Commissioner's outside
activities.
(d) Quorum; seal; Vice Chairman.
(e) Offices.
(f) Functions of Chairman; request for
appropriations.
(g) Executive Director; officers and employees.
(h) Omitted.
(i) Civil action against United States.
(j) Agenda and priorities; establishment and
comments.
2054. Product safety information and research.
(a) Injury Information Clearinghouse; duties.
(b) Research, investigation and testing of consumer
products.
(c) Grants and contracts for conduct of functions.
(d) Availability to public of information.
2055. Public disclosure of information.
(a) Disclosure requirements for manufacturers or
private labelers; procedures applicable.
(b) Additional disclosure requirements for
manufacturers or private labelers; procedures
applicable.
(c) Communications with manufacturers.
(d) ''Act'' defined; coverage.
(e) Disclosure of information regarding civil actions
involving consumer product alleged to have
caused death or injury.
2056. Consumer product safety standards.
(a) Types of requirements.
(b) Reliance of Commission upon voluntary standards.
(c) Contribution of Commission to development cost.
2057. Banned hazardous products.
2057a. Banning of butyl nitrite.
(a) In general.
(b) Lawful purposes.
(c) Definitions.
(d) Effective date.
2057b. Banning of isopropal nitrite and other nitrites.
(a) In general.
(b) Lawful purposes.
(c) ''Commercial purpose'' defined.
(d) Effective date.
2058. Procedure for consumer product safety rules.
(a) Commencement of proceeding; publication of
prescribed notice of proposed rulemaking;
transmittal of notice.
(b) Voluntary standard; publication as proposed rule;
notice of reliance of Commission on standard.
(c) Publication of proposed rule; preliminary
regulatory analysis; contents; transmittal of
notice.
(d) Promulgation of rule; time.
(e) Expression of risk of injury; consideration of
available product data; needs of elderly and
handicapped.
(f) Findings; final regulatory analysis; judicial
review of rule.
(g) Effective date of rule or standard; stockpiling
of product.
(h) Amendment or revocation of rule.
(i) Petition to initiate rulemaking.
2059. Repealed.
2060. Judicial review of consumer product safety rules.
(a) Petition by persons adversely affected,
consumers, or consumer organizations.
(b) Additional data, views, or arguments.
(c) Jurisdiction; costs and attorneys' fees;
substantial evidence to support administrative
findings.
(d) Supreme Court review.
(e) Other remedies.
(f) Computation of reasonable fee for attorney.
2061. Imminent hazards.
(a) Filing of action.
(b) Relief; product condemnation and seizure.
(c) Consumer product safety rule.
(d) Jurisdiction and venue; process; subpena.
(e) Employment of attorneys by Commission.
(g) Cost-benefit analysis of compliance with relief
ordered in action for judicial review of
consumer product safety rule not required.
2062. Repealed.
2063. Product certification and labeling.
(a) Certification accompanying product; products with
more than one manufacturer.
(b) Rules to establish reasonable testing programs.
(c) Form and contents of labels.
2064. Substantial product hazards.
(a) ''Substantial product hazard'' defined.
(b) Noncompliance with applicable consumer product
safety rules; product defects; notice to
Commission by manufacturer, distributor, or
retailer.
(c) Public notice of defect or failure to comply;
mail notice.
(d) Repair; replacement; refunds; action plan.
(e) Reimbursement.
(f) Hearing.
(g) Preliminary injunction.
(h) Cost-benefit analysis of notification or other
action not required.
2065. Inspection and recordkeeping.
2066. Imported products.
(a) Refusal of admission.
(b) Samples.
(c) Modification.
(d) Supervision of modifications.
(e) Product destruction.
(f) Payment of expenses occasioned by refusal of
admission.
(g) Importation conditioned upon manufacturer's
compliance.
(h) Product surveillance program.
2067. Exemption of exports.
(a) Risk of injury to consumers within United States.
(b) Statement of exportation: filing period,
information; notification of foreign country;
petition for minimum filing period: good cause.
2068. Prohibited acts.
(a) Designation.
(b) Exception.
2069. Civil penalties.
(a) Amount of penalty.
(b) Relevant factors in determining amount of
penalty.
(c) Compromise of penalty; deductions from penalty.
(d) ''Knowingly'' defined.
2070. Criminal penalties.
2071. Injunctive enforcement and seizure.
(a) Jurisdiction.
(b) Products liable to proceeding.
2072. Suits for damages.
(a) Persons injured; costs; amount in controversy.
(b) Denial and imposition of costs.
(c) Remedies available.
2073. Private enforcement.
2074. Private remedies.
(a) Liability at common law or under State statute
not relieved by compliance.
(b) Evidence of Commission's inaction inadmissible in
actions relating to consumer products.
(c) Public information.
2075. State standards.
(a) State compliance to Federal standards.
(b) Consumer product safety requirements which impose
performance standards more stringent than
Federal standards.
(c) Exemptions.
2076. Additional functions of Consumer Product Safety Commission.
(a) Authority to conduct hearings or other inquiries.
(b) Commission powers; orders.
(c) Noncompliance with subpena or Commission order;
contempt.
(d) Disclosure of information.
(e) Performance and technical data.
(f) Purchase of consumer products by Commission.
(g) Contract authority.
(h) Research, development, and testing facilities.
(i) Recordkeeping; audit.
(j) Report to President and Congress.
(k) Budget estimates and requests; legislative
recommendations; testimony; comments on
legislation.
2076a. Report on civil penalties.
2077. Chronic Hazard Advisory Panels.
(a) Appointment; purposes.
(b) Composition; membership.
(c) Chairman and Vice Chairman; election; term.
(d) Majority vote.
(e) Administrative support services.
(f) Compensation.
(g) Requests for and disclosures of information.
(h) Information from other Federal departments and
agencies.
2078. Cooperation with States and other Federal agencies.
(a) Programs to promote Federal-State cooperation.
(b) Appropriateness of State and local programs.
(c) Cooperation of Federal departments and agencies.
(d) Utilization of National Institute of Standards
and Technology.
(e) Copies of accident or investigation reports to
other agencies; conditions.
2079. Transfers of functions.
(a) Hazardous substances and poisons.
(b) Flammable fabrics.
(c) Household refrigerators.
(d) Regulation by Commission of consumer products in
accordance with other provisions of law.
(e) Transfer of personnel, property, records, etc.;
continued application of orders, rules, etc.
(f) ''Function'' defined.
2080. Limitations on jurisdiction of Consumer Product Safety
Commission.
(a) Authority to regulate.
(b) Certain notices of proposed rulemaking; duties of
Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel.
(c) Panel report; incorporation into advance notice
and final rule.
2081. Authorization of appropriations.
2082. Interim cellulose insulation safety standard.
(a) Applicability of specification of General
Services Administration; authority and effect
of interim standard; modifications; criteria;
labeling requirements.
(b) Scope of judicial review.
(c) Enforcement; violations; promulgation of final
standard; procedures applicable to
promulgation; revision of interim standard;
procedures applicable to revision.
(d) Reporting requirements of other Federal
departments, agencies, etc., of violations.
(e) Reporting requirements of Commission to
Congressional committees; contents, time of
submission, etc.
(f) Compliance with certification requirements;
implementation; waiver; rules and regulations.
(g) Authorization of appropriations.
2083. Congressional veto of consumer product safety rules.
(a) Transmission to Congress.
(b) Disapproval by concurrent resolution.
(c) Presumptions from Congressional action or
inaction.
(d) Continuous session of Congress.
2084. Information reporting.
(a) Notification of settlements or judgments.
(b) Calculation of 24-month periods.
(c) Information required to be reported.
(d) Report not deemed an admission of liability.
(e) Definitions.
2085. Low-speed electric bicycles.
(a) Construction.
(b) Definition.
(c) Promulgation of requirements.
(d) Preemption.
-SECREF-
CHAPTER REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This chapter is referred to in sections 2055, 2219, 6004 of this
title; title 42 section 300j-22.
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15 USC Sec. 2051 01/06/03
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TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2051. Congressional findings and declaration of purpose
-STATUTE-
(a) The Congress finds that -
(1) an unacceptable number of consumer products which present
unreasonable risks of injury are distributed in commerce;
(2) complexities of consumer products and the diverse nature
and abilities of consumers using them frequently result in an
inability of users to anticipate risks and to safeguard
themselves adequately;
(3) the public should be protected against unreasonable risks
of injury associated with consumer products;
(4) control by State and local governments of unreasonable
risks of injury associated with consumer products is inadequate
and may be burdensome to manufacturers;
(5) existing Federal authority to protect consumers from
exposure to consumer products presenting unreasonable risks of
injury is inadequate; and
(6) regulation of consumer products the distribution or use of
which affects interstate or foreign commerce is necessary to
carry out this chapter.
(b) The purposes of this chapter are -
(1) to protect the public against unreasonable risks of injury
associated with consumer products;
(2) to assist consumers in evaluating the comparative safety of
consumer products;
(3) to develop uniform safety standards for consumer products
and to minimize conflicting State and local regulations; and
(4) to promote research and investigation into the causes and
prevention of product-related deaths, illnesses, and injuries.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 2, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1207.)
-MISC1-
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section 34 of Pub. L. 92-573 provided that: ''This Act (enacting
this chapter) shall take effect on the sixtieth day following the
date of its enactment (Oct. 27, 1972), except -
''(1) sections 4 and 32 (sections 2053 and 2081 of this title)
shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act (Oct. 27,
1972), and
''(2) section 30 (section 2079 of this title) shall take effect
on the later of (A) 150 days after the date of enactment of this
Act (Oct. 27, 1972), or (B) the date on which at least three
members of the Commission first take office.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 101-608, Sec. 1, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3110, provided
that: ''This Act (enacting sections 2076a and 2084 of this title,
amending sections 1193, 1194, 1262, 1274, 2053, 2055, 2056, 2058,
2061, 2064, 2066, 2069, 2077, and 2081 of this title, and enacting
provisions set out as notes under sections 2053, 2054, 2056, 2076,
and 2084 of this title) may be cited as the 'Consumer Product
Safety Improvement Act of 1990'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1981 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 97-35, title XII, Sec. 1201(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat.
703, provided that: ''This subtitle (subtitle A (Sec. 1201-1215) of
title XII of Pub. L. 97-35, enacting sections 1204, 1276, 2077, and
2083 of this title, amending sections 1193, 1201, 1262, 1263, 1274,
2052, 2054 to 2058, 2060, 2061, 2064, 2069, 2072, 2073, 2076, 2080,
and 2081 of this title, repealing sections 1204, 1475, 2059, 2062,
and 2077 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as a note
under section 2052 of this title) may be cited as the 'Consumer
Product Safety Amendments of 1981'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1978 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 95-319, Sec. 1, July 11, 1978, 92 Stat. 386, provided:
''That this Act (enacting section 2082 of this title, amending
section 2068 of this title, and enacting provision set out as a
note under section 2082 of this title) may be cited as the
'Emergency Interim Consumer Product Safety Standard Act of 1978'.''
SHORT TITLE OF 1976 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 1, May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 503, provided
that: ''This Act (amending sections 1193, 1203, 1204, 1261, 1471,
1476, 2052, 2053, 2056, 2058 to 2060, 2064, 2068, 2069, 2071 to
2073, 2075, 2076, 2078, 2079, and 2081 of this title, and section
1114 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and enacting
provisions set out as notes under sections 1193, 1261, and 2080 of
this title) may be cited as the 'Consumer Product Safety Commission
Improvements Act of 1976'.''
SHORT TITLE
Section 1 of Pub. L. 92-573 provided that: ''This Act (enacting
this chapter, amending sections 5314 and 5315 of Title 5,
Government Organization and Employees, and enacting provisions set
out as notes under this section) may be cited as the 'Consumer
Product Safety Act'.''
SEPARABILITY
Section 33 of Pub. L. 92-573 provided that: ''If any provision of
this Act (see Short Title note above), or the application of such
provision to any person or circumstances, shall be held invalid,
the remainder of this Act, or the application of such provisions to
persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held
invalid, shall not be affected thereby.''
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15 USC Sec. 2052 01/06/03
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TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2052. Definitions
-STATUTE-
(a) For purposes of this chapter:
(1) The term ''consumer product'' means any article, or
component part thereof, produced or distributed (i) for sale to a
consumer for use in or around a permanent or temporary household
or residence, a school, in recreation, or otherwise, or (ii) for
the personal use, consumption or enjoyment of a consumer in or
around a permanent or temporary household or residence, a school,
in recreation, or otherwise; but such term does not include -
(A) any article which is not customarily produced or
distributed for sale to, or use or consumption by, or enjoyment
of, a consumer,
(B) tobacco and tobacco products,
(C) motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment (as defined by
section 30102(a)(6) and (7) of title 49),
(D) pesticides (as defined by the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.)),
(E) any article which, if sold by the manufacturer, producer,
or importer, would be subject to the tax imposed by section
4181 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 4181)
(determined without regard to any exemptions from such tax
provided by section 4182 or 4221, or any other provision of
such Code), or any component of any such article,
(F) aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, or appliances (as
defined in section 40102(a) of title 49),
(G) boats which could be subjected to safety regulation under
chapter 43 of title 46; vessels, and appurtenances to vessels
(other than such boats), which could be subjected to safety
regulation under title 52 of the Revised Statutes or other
marine safety statutes administered by the department in which
the Coast Guard is operating; and equipment (including
associated equipment, as defined in section 2101(1) of title
46) to the extent that a risk of injury associated with the use
of such equipment on boats or vessels could be eliminated or
reduced by actions taken under any statute referred to in this
subparagraph,
(H) drugs, devices, or cosmetics (as such terms are defined
in sections 201(g), (h), and (i) of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321(g), (h), and (i))), or
(I) food. The term ''food'', as used in this subparagraph
means all ''food'', as defined in section 201(f) of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321(f)), including
poultry and poultry products (as defined in sections 4(e) and
(f) of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 453(e)
and (f))), meat, meat food products (as defined in section 1(j)
of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601(j))), and
eggs and egg products (as defined in section 4 of the Egg
Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1033)).
Such term includes any mechanical device which carries or conveys
passengers along, around, or over a fixed or restricted route or
course or within a defined area for the purpose of giving its
passengers amusement, which is customarily controlled or directed
by an individual who is employed for that purpose and who is not
a consumer with respect to such device, and which is not
permanently fixed to a site. Such term does not include such a
device which is permanently fixed to a site. Except for the
regulation under this chapter or the Federal Hazardous Substances
Act (15 U.S.C. 1261 et seq.) of fireworks devices or any
substance intended for use as a component of any such device, the
Commission shall have no authority under the functions
transferred pursuant to section 2079 of this title to regulate
any product or article described in subparagraph (E) of this
paragraph or described, without regard to quantity, in section
845(a)(5) of title 18. See sections 2079(d) and 2080 of this
title, for other limitations on Commission's authority to
regulate certain consumer products.
(2) The term ''consumer product safety rule'' means a consumer
products safety standard described in section 2056(a) of this
title, or a rule under this chapter declaring a consumer product
a banned hazardous product.
(3) The term ''risk of injury'' means a risk of death, personal
injury, or serious or frequent illness.
(4) The term ''manufacturer'' means any person who manufactures
or imports a consumer product.
(5) The term ''distributor'' means a person to whom a consumer
product is delivered or sold for purposes of distribution in
commerce, except that such term does not include a manufacturer
or retailer of such product.
(6) The term ''retailer'' means a person to whom a consumer
product is delivered or sold for purposes of sale or distribution
by such person to a consumer.
(7)(A) The term ''private labeler'' means an owner of a brand
or trademark on the label of a consumer product which bears a
private label.
(B) A consumer product bears a private label if (i) the product
(or its container) is labeled with the brand or trademark of a
person other than a manufacturer of the product, (ii) the person
with whose brand or trademark the product (or container) is
labeled has authorized or caused the product to be so labeled,
and (iii) the brand or trademark of a manufacturer of such
product does not appear on such label.
(8) The term ''manufactured'' means to manufacture, produce, or
assemble.
(9) The term ''Commission'' means the Consumer Product Safety
Commission, established by section 2053 of this title.
(10) The term ''State'' means a State, the District of
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands,
Guam, Wake Island, Midway Island, Kingman Reef, Johnston Island,
the Canal Zone, American Samoa, or the Trust Territory of the
Pacific Islands.
(11) The terms ''to distribute in commerce'' and ''distribution
in commerce'' mean to sell in commerce, to introduce or deliver
for introduction into commerce, or to hold for sale or
distribution after introduction into commerce.
(12) The term ''commerce'' means trade, traffic, commerce, or
transportation -
(A) between a place in a State and any place outside thereof,
or
(B) which affects trade, traffic, commerce, or transportation
described in subparagraph (A).
(13) The terms ''import'' and ''importation'' include
reimporting a consumer product manufactured or processed, in
whole or in part, in the United States.
(14) The term ''United States'', when used in the geographic
sense, means all of the States (as defined in paragraph (10)).
(b) A common carrier, contract carrier, or freight forwarder
shall not, for purposes of this chapter, be deemed to be a
manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of a consumer product solely
by reason of receiving or transporting a consumer product in the
ordinary course of its business as such a carrier or forwarder.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 3, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1208; Pub. L.
94-284, Sec. 3(b), (d), May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 503; Pub. L. 97-35,
title XII, Sec. 1213, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 724; Pub. L. 99-514,
Sec. 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, referred
to in subsec. (a)(1)(D), is act June 25, 1947, ch. 125, as amended
generally by Pub. L. 92-516, Oct. 21, 1972, 86 Stat. 973, as
amended, which is classified generally to subchapter II (Sec. 136
et seq.) of chapter 6 of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set
out under section 136 of Title 7 and Tables.
Title 52 of the Revised Statutes, referred to in subsec.
(a)(1)(G), consisted of R.S. Sec. 4399 to 4500, which were
classified to sections 170, 214, 215, 222, 224, 224a, 226, 228,
229, 230 to 234, 239, 240, 361, 362, 364, 371 to 373, 375 to 382,
384, 385, 391, 391a, 392 to 394, 399 to 404, 405 to 416, 435 to
440, 451 to 453, 460, 461 to 463, 464, 466, 467 to 482, and 489 to
498 of former Title 46, Shipping. For complete classification of
R.S. Sec. 4399 to 4500 to the Code, see Tables. A majority of such
sections of the Revised Statutes were repealed and various
provisions thereof were reenacted in Title 46, Shipping, by Pub. L.
98-89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 500. For disposition of sections of
former Title 46 into revised Title 46, Shipping, see Table at
beginning of Title 46.
The Federal Hazardous Substances Act, referred to in the
provisions following subsec. (a)(1)(I), is Pub. L. 86-613, July 12,
1960, 74 Stat. 372, as amended, which is classified generally to
chapter 30 (Sec. 1261 et seq.) of this title. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set
out under section 1261 of this title and Tables.
For definition of Canal Zone, referred to in subsec. (a)(10), see
section 3602(b) of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.
-COD-
CODIFICATION
In subsec. (a)(1)(C), (F), ''section 30102(a)(6) and (7) of title
49'' substituted for ''sections 102(3) and (4) of the National
Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. 1391(3) and
(4))'' and ''section 40102(a) of title 49'' substituted for
''section 101 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (49 App. U.S.C.
1301)'' on authority of Pub. L. 103-272, Sec. 6(b), July 5, 1994,
108 Stat. 1378, the first section of which enacted subtitles II,
III, and V to X of Title 49, Transportation.
In subsec. (a)(1)(G), ''chapter 43 of title 46'' and ''section
2101(1) of title 46'' substituted for ''the Federal Boat Safety Act
of 1971 (46 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.)'' and ''section 3(8) of the
Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 (46 U.S.C. 1452(8))'',
respectively, on authority of Pub. L. 98-89, Sec. 2(b), Aug. 26,
1983, 97 Stat. 598, section 1 of which enacted Title 46, Shipping.
-MISC3-
AMENDMENTS
1986 - Subsec. (a)(1)(E). Pub. L. 99-514 substituted ''Internal
Revenue Code of 1986'' for ''Internal Revenue Code of 1954''.
1981 - Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 97-35 inserted provisions that
term ''consumer product'' includes any mechanical device which
carries or conveys passengers along, around, or over a fixed or
restricted route or course or within a defined area for the purpose
of giving its passengers amusement, which is customarily controlled
or directed by an individual who is employed for that purpose and
who is not a consumer with respect to such device, and which is not
permanently fixed to a site and that such term does not include
such a device which is permanently fixed to a site.
1976 - Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 94-284 substituted in subpar. (D)
''pesticides'' for ''economic poisons'', and in provision following
subpar. (I) ''other limitations'' for ''limitations'', and inserted
provision which limited the authority of the Commission to regulate
any product or article described in subpar. (E).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1981 AMENDMENT
Section 1215 of Pub. L. 97-35 provided that:
''(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the amendments made
by this subtitle (see Short Title of 1981 Amendment note set out
under section 2051 of this title) shall take effect on the date of
the enactment of this Act (Aug. 13, 1981).
''(b) The amendments made by section 1207 (enacting sections
1204, 1276, and 2083 of this title and amending section 2076 of
this title) shall apply with respect to consumer product safety
rules under the Consumer Product Safety Act (this chapter) and
regulations under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (section
1261 et seq. of this title) and the Flammable Fabrics Act (section
1191 et seq. of this title) promulgated by the Consumer Product
Safety Commission after the date of the enactment of this Act (Aug.
13, 1981); and the amendments made by sections 1202, 1203, and 1206
of this subtitle (enacting section 2077 of this title and amending
sections 1193, 1262, 2056, 2057, 2058, and 2080 of this title)
shall apply with respect to regulations under the Consumer Product
Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and the Flammable
Fabrics Act for which notices of proposed rulemaking are issued
after August 14, 1981.''
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of
the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the
Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of
Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see
sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic
Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization
Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under
section 542 of Title 6.
TERMINATION OF TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see
note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and
Insular Possessions.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 2085 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2053 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2053. Consumer Product Safety Commission
-STATUTE-
(a) Establishment; Chairman
An independent regulatory commission is hereby established, to be
known as the Consumer Product Safety Commission, consisting of five
Commissioners who shall be appointed by the President, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate. In making such appointments,
the President shall consider individuals who, by reason of their
background and expertise in areas related to consumer products and
protection of the public from risks to safety, are qualified to
serve as members of the Commission. The Chairman shall be appointed
by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,
from among the members of the Commission. An individual may be
appointed as a member of the Commission and as Chairman at the same
time. Any member of the Commission may be removed by the President
for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office but for no other
cause.
(b) Term; vacancies
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), (A) the Commissioners
first appointed under this section shall be appointed for terms
ending three, four, five, six, and seven years, respectively, after
October 27, 1972, the term of each to be designated by the
President at the time of nomination; and (B) each of their
successors shall be appointed for a term of seven years from the
date of the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was
appointed.
(2) Any Commissioner appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior
to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was
appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of such term.
A Commissioner may continue to serve after the expiration of this
term until his successor has taken office, except that he may not
so continue to serve more than one year after the date on which his
term would otherwise expire under this subsection.
(c) Restrictions on Commissioner's outside activities
Not more than three of the Commissioners shall be affiliated with
the same political party. No individual (1) in the employ of, or
holding any official relation to, any person engaged in selling or
manufacturing consumer products, or (2) owning stock or bonds of
substantial value in a person so engaged, or (3) who is in any
other manner pecuniarily interested in such a person, or in a
substantial supplier of such a person, shall hold the office of
Commissioner. A Commissioner may not engage in any other business,
vocation, or employment.
(d) Quorum; seal; Vice Chairman
No vacancy in the Commission shall impair the right of the
remaining Commissioners to exercise all the powers of the
Commission, but three members of the Commission shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business, except that if there are
only three members serving on the Commission because of vacancies
in the Commission, two members of the Commission shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business, and if there are only two
members serving on the Commission because of vacancies in the
Commission, two members shall constitute a quorum for the six month
period beginning on the date of the vacancy which caused the number
of Commission members to decline to two. The Commission shall have
an official seal of which judicial notice shall be taken. The
Commission shall annually elect a Vice Chairman to act in the
absence or disability of the Chairman or in case of a vacancy in
the office of the Chairman.
(e) Offices
The Commission shall maintain a principal office and such field
offices as it deems necessary and may meet and exercise any of its
powers at any other place.
(f) Functions of Chairman; request for appropriations
(1) The Chairman of the Commission shall be the principal
executive officer of the Commission, and he shall exercise all of
the executive and administrative functions of the Commission,
including functions of the Commission with respect to (A) the
appointment and supervision of personnel employed under the
Commission (other than personnel employed regularly and full time
in the immediate offices of commissioners other than the Chairman),
(B) the distribution of business among personnel appointed and
supervised by the Chairman and among administrative units of the
Commission, and (C) the use and expenditure of funds.
(2) In carrying out any of his functions under the provisions of
this subsection the Chairman shall be governed by general policies
of the Commission and by such regulatory decisions, findings, and
determinations as the Commission may by law be authorized to make.
(3) Requests or estimates for regular, supplemental, or
deficiency appropriations on behalf of the Commission may not be
submitted by the Chairman without the prior approval of the
Commission.
(g) Executive Director; officers and employees
(1)(A) The Chairman, subject to the approval of the Commission,
shall appoint as officers of the Commission an Executive Director,
a General Counsel, an Associate Executive Director for Engineering
Sciences, an Associate Executive Director for Epidemiology, an
Associate Executive Director for Compliance and Administrative
Litigation, an Associate Executive Director for Health Sciences, an
Associate Executive Director for Economic Analysis, an Associate
Executive Director for Administration, an Associate Executive
Director for Field Operations, a Director for Office of Program,
Management, and Budget, and a Director for Office of Information
and Public Affairs. Any other individual appointed to a position
designated as an Associate Executive Director shall be appointed by
the Chairman, subject to the approval of the Commission. The
Chairman may only appoint an attorney to the position of Associate
Executive Director of Compliance and Administrative Litigation
except the position of acting Associate Executive Director of
Compliance and Administrative Litigation.
(B)(i) No individual may be appointed to such a position on an
acting basis for a period longer than 90 days unless such
appointment is approved by the Commission.
(ii) The Chairman, with the approval of the Commission, may
remove any individual serving in a position appointed under
subparagraph (A).
(C) Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to prohibit
appropriate reorganizations or changes in classification.
(2) The Chairman, subject to subsection (f)(2) of this section,
may employ such other officers and employees (including attorneys)
as are necessary in the execution of the Commission's functions.
(3) In addition to the number of positions authorized by section
5108(a) of title 5, the Chairman, subject to the approval of the
Commission, and subject to the standards and procedures prescribed
by chapter 51 of title 5, may place a total of twelve positions in
grades GS-16, GS-17, and GS-18.
(4) The appointment of any officer (other than a Commissioner) or
employee of the Commission shall not be subject, directly or
indirectly, to review or approval by any officer or entity within
the Executive Office of the President.
(h) Omitted
(i) Civil action against United States
Subsections (a) and (h) of section 2680 of title 28 do not
prohibit the bringing of a civil action on a claim against the
United States which -
(1) is based upon -
(A) misrepresentation or deceit on the part of the Commission
or any employee thereof, or
(B) any exercise or performance, or failure to exercise or
perform, a discretionary function on the part of the Commission
or any employee thereof, which exercise, performance, or
failure was grossly negligent; and
(2) is not made with respect to any agency action (as defined
in section 551(13) of title 5).
In the case of a civil action on a claim based upon the exercise or
performance of, or failure to exercise or perform, a discretionary
function, no judgment may be entered against the United States
unless the court in which such action was brought determines (based
upon consideration of all the relevant circumstances, including the
statutory responsibility of the Commission and the public interest
in encouraging rather than inhibiting the exercise of discretion)
that such exercise, performance, or failure to exercise or perform
was unreasonable.
(j) Agenda and priorities; establishment and comments
At least 30 days before the beginning of each fiscal year, the
Commission shall establish an agenda for Commission action under
the Acts under its jurisdiction and, to the extent feasible, shall
establish priorities for such actions. Before establishing such
agenda and priorities, the Commission shall conduct a public
hearing on the agenda and priorities and shall provide reasonable
opportunity for the submission of comments.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 4, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1210; Pub. L.
94-284, Sec. 4, 5(a), May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 504; Pub. L. 95-631,
Sec. 2, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3742; Pub. L. 96-373, Oct. 3, 1980,
94 Stat. 1366; Pub. L. 101-608, title I, Sec. 102-105(a), Nov. 16,
1990, 104 Stat. 3110, 3111.)
-COD-
CODIFICATION
Subsec. (h) of this section amended sections 5314 and 5315 of
Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
-MISC3-
AMENDMENTS
1990 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101-608, Sec. 102, inserted after
first sentence ''In making such appointments, the President shall
consider individuals who, by reason of their background and
expertise in areas related to consumer products and protection of
the public from risks to safety, are qualified to serve as members
of the Commission.''
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101-608, Sec. 103, inserted before period at
end of first sentence '', except that if there are only three
members serving on the Commission because of vacancies in the
Commission, two members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business, and if there are only two members
serving on the Commission because of vacancies in the Commission,
two members shall constitute a quorum for the six month period
beginning on the date of the vacancy which caused the number of
Commission members to decline to two''.
Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 101-608, Sec. 104, amended par. (1)
generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: ''The
Chairman, subject to the approval of the Commission, shall appoint
an Executive Director, a General Counsel, a Director of Engineering
Sciences, a Director of Epidemiology, and a Director of
Information. No individual so appointed may receive pay in excess
of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for grade GS-18 of the
General Schedule.''
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 101-608, Sec. 105(a), added subsec. (j).
1980 - Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 96-373 struck out prohibition
against regular personnel acceptance of employment or compensation
from manufacturer subject to this chapter for period of twelve
months following termination of employment with Commission when
compensated within preceding period of twelve months at rate in
excess of annual rate of basic pay in effect for grade GS-14 of the
General Schedule.
1978 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95-631, Sec. 2(a), substituted
''Senate. The Chairman shall be appointed by the President, by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate, from among the members
of the Commission. An individual may be appointed as a member of
the Commission and as Chairman at the same time.'' for ''Senate,
one of whom shall be designated by the President as Chairman. The
Chairman, when so designated shall act as Chairman until the
expiration of his term of office as Commissioner.''
Subsec. (i)(1)(A), (B). Pub. L. 95-631, Sec. 2(b), struck out
''before January 1, 1978,'' after ''deceit'' in cl. (A) and
''before January 1, 1978'' after ''employee thereof'' in cl. (B).
1976 - Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 4(a), added par. (3).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 4(b), substituted ''regular''
for ''full-time'' before ''officer or employee of the Commission''
and added pars. (3) and (4).
Subsec (i). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 5, added subsec. (i).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Section 105(b) of Pub. L. 101-608 provided that: ''The amendment
made by subsection (a) (amending this section) shall apply with
respect to fiscal years which begin more than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act (Nov. 16, 1990).''
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section effective Oct. 27, 1972, see section 34(1) of Pub. L.
92-573, set out as a note under section 2051 of this title.
REDUCTION IN NUMBER OF COMMISSIONERS
Pub. L. 102-389, title III, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1596,
provided in part: ''That funds shall not be available for the
personnel compensation and benefits of more than three
Commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission for fiscal
year 1993 and thereafter''.
REFERENCES IN OTHER LAWS TO GS-16, 17, OR 18 PAY RATES
References in laws to the rates of pay for GS-16, 17, or 18, or
to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be
considered references to rates payable under specified sections of
Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529
(title I, Sec. 101(c)(1)) of Pub. L. 101-509, set out in a note
under section 5376 of Title 5.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 2052, 2081 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2054 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2054. Product safety information and research
-STATUTE-
(a) Injury Information Clearinghouse; duties
The Commission shall -
(1) maintain an Injury Information Clearinghouse to collect,
investigate, analyze, and disseminate injury data, and
information, relating to the causes and prevention of death,
injury, and illness associated with consumer products;
(2) conduct such continuing studies and investigations of
deaths, injuries, diseases, other health impairments, and
economic losses resulting from accidents involving consumer
products as it deems necessary;
(3) following publication of an advance notice of proposed
rulemaking or a notice of proposed rulemaking for a product
safety rule under any rulemaking authority administered by the
Commission, assist public and private organizations or groups of
manufacturers, administratively and technically, in the
development of safety standards addressing the risk of injury
identified in such notice; and
(4) to the extent practicable and appropriate (taking into
account the resources and priorities of the Commission), assist
public and private organizations or groups of manufacturers,
administratively and technically, in the development of product
safety standards and test methods.
(b) Research, investigation and testing of consumer products
The Commission may -
(1) conduct research, studies, and investigations on the safety
of consumer products and on improving the safety of such
products;
(2) test consumer products and develop product safety test
methods and testing devices; and
(3) offer training in product safety investigation and test
methods.
(c) Grants and contracts for conduct of functions
In carrying out its functions under this section, the Commission
may make grants or enter into contracts for the conduct of such
functions with any person (including a governmental entity).
(d) Availability to public of information
Whenever the Federal contribution for any information, research,
or development activity authorized by this chapter is more than
minimal, the Commission shall include in any contract, grant, or
other arrangement for such activity, provisions effective to insure
that the rights to all information, uses, processes, patents, and
other developments resulting from that activity will be made
available to the public without charge on a nonexclusive basis.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to deprive any person
of any right which he may have had, prior to entering into any
arrangement referred to in this subsection, to any patent, patent
application, or invention.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 5, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1211; Pub. L.
97-35, title XII, Sec. 1209(a), (b), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 720.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1981 - Subsec. (a)(3), (4). Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1209(a), added
pars. (3) and (4).
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1209(b), struck out provision
that the Commission may assist public and private organizations,
administratively and technically, in the development of safety
standards and test methods.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1981 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-35, effective Aug. 13, 1981, see section
1215 of Pub. L. 97-35, set out as a note under section 2052 of this
title.
STUDY OF AVERSIVE AGENTS
Pub. L. 101-608, title II, Sec. 204, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat.
3124, provided that: ''The Consumer Product Safety Commission shall
conduct a study of requiring manufacturers of consumer products to
include aversive agents, as appropriate, in products which present
a hazard if ingested to determine the potential effectiveness of
the aversive agents in deterring ingestion. In conducting the
study, the Commission shall consult with appropriate consumer,
health, and business organizations and appropriate government
agencies. The Commission shall report to Congress the status of
the study within one year of the date of the enactment of this Act
(Nov. 16, 1990) and shall complete the study not later than 2 years
after such date of enactment.''
FIRE SAFE CIGARETTE ACT OF 1990
Pub. L. 101-352, Aug. 10, 1990, 104 Stat. 405, provided that:
''SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS.
''(a) Short Title. - This Act may be cited as the 'Fire Safe
Cigarette Act of 1990'.
''(b) Findings. - The Congress finds that -
''(1) cigarette-ignited fires are the leading cause of fire
deaths in the United States,
''(2) in 1987, there were 1,492 deaths from cigarette-ignited
fires, 3,809 serious injuries, and $395,000,000 in property
damage caused by such fires,
''(3) the final report of the Technical Study Group on
Cigarette and Little Cigar Fire Safety under the Cigarette Safety
Act of 1984 (set out below) determined that (A) it is technically
feasible and may be commercially feasible to develop a cigarette
that will have a significantly reduced propensity to ignite
furniture and mattresses, and (B) the overall impact on other
aspects of the United States society and economy may be minimal,
''(4) the final report of the Technical Study Group on
Cigarette and Little Cigar Fire Safety under the Cigarette Safety
Act of 1984 further determined that the value of a cigarette with
less of a likelihood to ignite furniture and mattresses which
would prevent property damage and personal injury and loss of
life is economically incalculable,
''(5) it is appropriate for the Congress to require by law the
completion of the research described in the final report of the
Technical Study Group on Cigarette and Little Cigar Fire Safety
and an assessment of the practicability of developing a
performance standard to reduce cigarette ignition propensity, and
''(6) it is appropriate for the Consumer Product Safety
Commission to utilize its expertise to complete the
recommendations for further work and report to Congress in a
timely fashion.
''SEC. 2. COMPLETION OF FIRE SAFETY RESEARCH.
''(a) Center for Fire Research. - At the request of the Consumer
Product Safety Commission, the National Institute for Standards and
Technology's Center for Fire Research shall -
''(1) develop a standard test method to determine cigarette
ignition propensity,
''(2) compile performance data for cigarettes using the
standard test method developed under paragraph (1), and
''(3) conduct laboratory studies on and computer modeling of
ignition physics to develop valid, user-friendly predictive
capability.
The Commission shall make such request not later than the
expiration of 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act
(Aug. 10, 1990).
''(b) Commission. - The Consumer Product Safety Commission shall
-
''(1) design and implement a study to collect baseline and
followup data about the characteristics of cigarettes, products
ignited, and smokers involved in fires, and
''(2) develop information on societal costs of
cigarette-ignited fires.
''(c) Health and Human Services. - The Consumer Product Safety
Commission, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human
Services, shall develop information on changes in the toxicity of
smoke and resultant health effects from cigarette prototypes. The
Commission shall not obligate more than $50,000 to develop such
information.
''SEC. 3. ADVISORY GROUP.
''(a) Establishment. - There is established the Technical
Advisory Group to advise and work with the Consumer Product Safety
Commission and National Institute for Standards and Technology's
Center for Fire Research on the implementation of this Act. The
Technical Advisory Group may hold hearings to develop information
to carry out its functions. The Technical Advisory Group shall
terminate 1 month after the submission of the final report of the
Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission under section 4.
''(b) Members. - The Technical Advisory Group shall consist of
the same individuals appointed to the Technical Study Group on
Cigarette and Little Cigar Fire Safety under section 3(a) of the
Cigarette Safety Act of 1984 (set out below). If such an
individual is unavailable to serve on the Technical Advisory Group,
the entity which such individual represented on such Technical
Study Group shall submit to the Chairman of the Consumer Product
Safety Commission the name of another individual to be appointed by
the Chairman to represent such group on the Technical Advisory
Group.
''SEC. 4. REPORTS.
''The Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
consultation with the Technical Advisory Group, shall submit to
Congress three reports on the activities undertaken under section 2
as follows: The first such report shall be made not later than 13
months after the date of the enactment of this Act (Aug. 10, 1990),
the second such report shall be made not later than 25 months after
such date, and the final such report shall be made not later than
36 months after such date.
''SEC. 5. CONFIDENTIALITY.
''(a) In General. - Any information provided to the National
Institute for Standards and Technology's Center for Fire Research,
to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, or to the Technical
Advisory Group under section 2 which is designated as trade secret
or confidential information shall be treated as trade secret or
confidential information subject to section 552(b)(4) of title 5,
United States Code, and section 1905 of title 18, United States
Code, and shall not be revealed, except as provided under
subsection (b). No member or employee of the Center for Fire
Research, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, or the Technical
Advisory Group and no person assigned to or consulting with the
Center for Fire Research, the Consumer Product Safety Commission,
or the Technical Advisory Group, shall disclose any such
information to any person who is not a member or employee of,
assigned to, or consulting with, the Center for Fire Research,
Consumer Product Safety Commission, or the Technical Advisory Group
unless the person submitting such information specifically and in
writing authorizes such disclosure.
''(b) Construction. - Subsection (a) does not authorize the
withholding of any information from any duly authorized
subcommittee or committee of the Congress, except that if a
subcommittee or committee of the Congress requests the Consumer
Product Safety Commission, the National Institute for Standards and
Technology's Center for Fire Research, or the Technical Advisory
Group to provide such information, the Commission, the Center for
Fire Research, or Technical Advisory Group shall notify the person
who provided the information of such a request in writing.''
ADDITIONAL REPORTING TIME
Pub. L. 99-500, Sec. 110, Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783-348, and
Pub. L. 99-591, Sec. 110, Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341-348,
provided that: ''The Interagency Committee on Cigarette and Little
Cigar Fire Safety, established pursuant to Public Law 98-567 (set
out as a note below), shall have an additional six months to
complete its final technical report and submit policy
recommendations to the Congress.''
CIGARETTE SAFETY ACT OF 1984
Pub. L. 98-567, Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2925, as amended by Pub.
L. 100-418, title V, Sec. 5115(c), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1433,
provided: ''That this Act may be cited as the 'Cigarette Safety Act
of 1984'.
''Sec. 2. (a) There is established the Interagency Committee on
Cigarette and Little Cigar Fire Safety (hereinafter in this Act
referred to as the 'Interagency Committee') which shall consist of
-
''(1) the Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission,
who shall be the Chairman of the Interagency Committee;
''(2) the United States Fire Administrator in the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, who shall be the Vice Chairman of
the Interagency Committee; and
''(3) the Assistant Secretary of Health in the Department of
Health and Human Services.
''(b) The Interagency Committee shall direct, oversee, and review
the work of the Technical Study Group on Cigarette and Little Cigar
Fire Safety (established under section 3) conducted under section 4
and shall make such policy recommendations to the Congress as it
deems appropriate. The Interagency Committee may retain and
contract with such consultants as it deems necessary to assist the
Study Group in carrying out its functions under section 4. The
Interagency Committee may request the head of any Federal
department or agency to detail any of the personnel of the
department or agency to assist the Interagency Committee or the
Study Group in carrying out its responsibilities. The authority of
the Interagency Committee to enter into contracts shall be
effective for any fiscal year only to such extent or in such
amounts as are provided in advance by appropriation Acts.
''(c) For the purpose of carrying out section 4, the Interagency
Committee or the Study Group, with the advice and consent of the
Interagency Committee, may hold such hearings, sit and act at such
times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence,
as the Interagency Committee or the Study Group considers
appropriate.
''Sec. 3. (a) There is established the Technical Study Group on
Cigarette and Little Cigar Fire Safety (hereinafter in this Act
referred to as the 'Study Group') which shall consist of -
''(1) one scientific or technical representative each from the
Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Center for Fire Research
of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the
National Cancer Institute, the Federal Trade Commission, and the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, the appointment of whom
shall be made by the heads of those agencies;
''(2) four scientific or technical representatives appointed by
the Chairman of the Interagency Committee, by and with the advice
and consent of the Interagency Committee, from a list of
individuals submitted by the Tobacco Institute;
''(3) two scientific or technical representatives appointed by
the Chairman of the Interagency Committee, by and with the advice
and consent of the Interagency Committee, who are selected from
lists of individuals submitted by the following organizations:
the American Burn Association, the American Public Health
Association, and the American Medical Association;
''(4) two scientific or technical representatives appointed by
the Chairman of the Interagency Committee, by and with the advice
and consent of the Interagency Committee, who are selected from
lists of individuals submitted by the following organizations:
the National Fire Protection Association, the International
Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire
Fighters, the International Society of Fire Service Instructors,
and the National Volunteer Fire Council; and
''(5) one scientific or technical representative appointed by
the Chairman of the Interagency Committee, by and with the advice
and consent of the Interagency Committee, from lists of
individuals submitted by the Business and Institutional Furniture
Manufacturers Association and one scientific or technical
representative appointed by the Chairman, by and with the advice
and consent of the Interagency Committee, from lists of
individuals submitted by the American Furniture Manufacturers
Association.
''(b) The persons appointed to serve on the Study Group may
designate, with the advice and consent of the Interagency
Committee, from among their number such persons to serve as team
leaders, coordinators, or chairpersons as they deem necessary or
appropriate to carry out the Study Group's functions under section
4.
''Sec. 4. The Study Group shall undertake, subject to oversight
and review by the Interagency Committee, such studies and other
activities as it considers necessary and appropriate to determine
the technical and commercial feasibility, economic impact, and
other consequences of developing cigarettes and little cigars that
will have a minimum propensity to ignite upholstered furniture or
mattresses. Such activities include identification of the
different physical characteristics of cigarettes and little cigars
which have an impact on the ignition of upholstered furniture and
mattresses, an analysis of the feasibility of altering any
pertinent characteristics to reduce ignition propensity, and an
analysis of the possible costs and benefits, both to the industry
and the public, associated with any such product modification.
''Sec. 5. The Interagency Committee shall submit one year after
the date of enactment of this Act (Oct. 30, 1984) a status report
to the Senate and the House of Representatives describing the
activities undertaken under section 4 during the preceding year.
The Interagency Committee shall submit a final technical report,
prepared by the Study Group, to the Senate and the House of
Representatives not later than thirty months after the date of
enactment of this Act (Oct. 30, 1984). The Interagency Committee
shall provide to the Congress, within sixty days after the
submission of the final technical report, any policy
recommendations the Interagency Committee deems appropriate. The
Interagency Committee and the Study Group shall terminate one month
after submission of the policy recommendations prescribed by this
section.
''Sec. 6. (a) Any information provided to the Interagency
Committee or to the Study Group under section 4 which is designated
as trade secret or confidential information shall be treated as
trade secret or confidential information subject to section
552(b)(4) of title 5, United States Code, and section 1905 of title
18, United States Code, and shall not be revealed, except as
provided under subsection (b). No member of the Study Group or
Interagency Committee, and no person assigned to or consulting with
the Study Group, shall disclose any such information to any person
who is not a member of, assigned to, or consulting with, the Study
Group or Interagency Committee unless the person submitting such
information specifically and in writing authorizes such disclosure.
''(b) Subsection (a) does not authorize the withholding of any
information from any duly authorized subcommittee or committee of
the Congress, except that if a subcommittee or committee of the
Congress requests the Interagency Committee to provide such
information, the Chairman of the Interagency Committee shall notify
the person who provided the information of such a request in
writing.
''(c) The Interagency Committee shall, on the vote of a majority
of its members, adopt reasonable procedures to protect the
confidentiality of trade secret and confidential information, as
defined in this section.
''Sec. 7. As used in this Act, the terms 'cigarettes' and 'little
cigars' have the meanings given such terms by section 3 of the
Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act (15 U.S.C. 1332).''
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1193, 1262, 2058 of this
title; title 35 section 210.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2055 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2055. Public disclosure of information
-STATUTE-
(a) Disclosure requirements for manufacturers or private labelers;
procedures applicable
(1) Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to require
the release of any information described by subsection (b) of
section 552 of title 5 or which is otherwise protected by law from
disclosure to the public.
(2) All information reported to or otherwise obtained by the
Commission or its representative under this Act which information
contains or relates to a trade secret or other matter referred to
in section 1905 of title 18 or subject to section 552(b)(4) of
title 5 shall be considered confidential and shall not be
disclosed.
(3) The Commission shall, prior to the disclosure of any
information which will permit the public to ascertain readily the
identity of a manufacturer or private labeler of a consumer
product, offer such manufacturer or private labeler an opportunity
to mark such information as confidential and therefore barred from
disclosure under paragraph (2).
(4) All information that a manufacturer or private labeler has
marked to be confidential and barred from disclosure under
paragraph (2), either at the time of submission or pursuant to
paragraph (3), shall not be disclosed, except in accordance with
the procedures established in paragraphs (5) and (6).
(5) If the Commission determines that a document marked as
confidential by a manufacturer or private labeler to be barred from
disclosure under paragraph (2) may be disclosed because it is not
confidential information as provided in paragraph (2), the
Commission shall notify such person in writing that the Commission
intends to disclose such document at a date not less than 10 days
after the date of receipt of notification.
(6) Any person receiving such notification may, if he believes
such disclosure is barred by paragraph (2), before the date set for
release of the document, bring an action in the district court of
the United States in the district in which the complainant resides,
or has his principal place or business, or in which the documents
are located, or in the United States District Court for the
District of Columbia to restrain disclosure of the document. Any
person receiving such notification may file with the appropriate
district court or court of appeals of the United States, as
appropriate, an application for a stay of disclosure. The
documents shall not be disclosed until the court has ruled on the
application for a stay.
(7) Nothing in this Act shall authorize the withholding of
information by the Commission or any officer or employee under its
control from the duly authorized committees or subcommittees of the
Congress, and the provisions of paragraphs (2) through (6) shall
not apply to such disclosures, except that the Commission shall
immediately notify the manufacturer or private labeler of any such
request for information designated as confidential by the
manufacturer or private labeler.
(8) The provisions of paragraphs (2) through (6) shall not
prohibit the disclosure of information to other officers,
employees, or representatives of the Commission (including
contractors) concerned with carrying out this Act or when relevant
in any administrative proceeding under this Act or in judicial
proceedings to which the Commission is a party. Any disclosure of
relevant information -
(A) in Commission administrative proceedings or in judicial
proceedings to which the Commission is a party, or
(B) to representatives of the Commission (including
contractors),
shall be governed by the rules of the Commission (including in
camera review rules for confidential material) for such proceedings
or for disclosures to such representatives or by court rules or
orders, except that the rules of the Commission shall not be
amended in a manner inconsistent with the purposes of this section.
(b) Additional disclosure requirements for manufacturers or private
labelers; procedures applicable
(1) Except as provided by paragraph (4) of this subsection, not
less than 30 days prior to its public disclosure of any information
obtained under this Act, or to be disclosed to the public in
connection therewith (unless the Commission finds that the public
health and safety requires a lesser period of notice and publishes
such a finding in the Federal Register), the Commission shall, to
the extent practicable, notify and provide a summary of the
information to, each manufacturer or private labeler of any
consumer product to which such information pertains, if the manner
in which such consumer product is to be designated or described in
such information will permit the public to ascertain readily the
identity of such manufacturer or private labeler, and shall provide
such manufacturer or private labeler with a reasonable opportunity
to submit comments to the Commission in regard to such
information. The Commission shall take reasonable steps to assure,
prior to its public disclosure thereof, that information from which
the identity of such manufacturer or private labeler may be readily
ascertained is accurate, and that such disclosure is fair in the
circumstances and reasonably related to effectuating the purposes
of this Act. In disclosing any information under this subsection,
the Commission may, and upon the request of the manufacturer or
private labeler shall, include with the disclosure any comments or
other information or a summary thereof submitted by such
manufacturer or private labeler to the extent permitted by and
subject to the requirements of this section.
(2) If the Commission determines that a document claimed to be
inaccurate by a manufacturer or private labeler under paragraph (1)
should be disclosed because the Commission believes it has complied
with paragraph (1), the Commission shall notify the manufacturer or
private labeler that the Commission intends to disclose such
document at a date not less than 10 days after the date of the
receipt of notification. The Commission may provide a lesser
period of notice of intent to disclose if the Commission finds that
the public health and safety requires a lesser period of notice and
publishes such finding in the Federal Register.
(3) Prior to the date set for release of the document, the
manufacturer or private labeler receiving the notice described in
paragraph (2) may bring an action in the district court of the
United States in the district in which the complainant resides, or
has his principal place of business, or in which the documents are
located or in the United States District Court for the District of
Columbia to enjoin disclosure of the document. The district court
may enjoin such disclosure if the Commission has failed to take the
reasonable steps prescribed in paragraph (1).
(4) Paragraphs (1) through (3) of this subsection shall not apply
to the public disclosure of (A) information about any consumer
product with respect to which product the Commission has filed an
action under section 2061 of this title (relating to imminently
hazardous products), or which the Commission has reasonable cause
to believe is in violation of section 2068 of this title (relating
to prohibited acts); or (B) information in the course of or
concerning a rulemaking proceeding (which shall commence upon the
publication of an advance notice of proposed rulemaking or a notice
of proposed rulemaking), an adjudicatory proceeding (which shall
commence upon the issuance of a complaint) or other administrative
or judicial proceeding under this Act.
(5) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1), the
Commission shall not disclose to the public information submitted
pursuant to section 2064(b) of this title respecting a consumer
product unless -
(A) the Commission has issued a complaint under section 2064(c)
or (d) of this title alleging that such product presents a
substantial product hazard;
(B) in lieu of proceeding against such product under section
2064(c) or (d) of this title, the Commission has accepted in
writing a remedial settlement agreement dealing with such
product; or
(C) the person who submitted the information under section
2064(b) of this title agrees to its public disclosure.
The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to the public
disclosure of information with respect to a consumer product which
is the subject of an action brought under section 2061 of this
title, or which the Commission has reasonable cause to believe is
in violation of section 2068(a) of this title, or information in
the course of or concerning a judicial proceeding.
(6) Where the Commission initiates the public disclosure of
information that reflects on the safety of a consumer product or
class of consumer products, whether or not such information would
enable the public to ascertain readily the identity of a
manufacturer or private labeler, the Commission shall establish
procedures designed to ensure that such information is accurate and
not misleading.
(7) If the Commission finds that, in the administration of this
Act, it has made public disclosure of inaccurate or misleading
information which reflects adversely upon the safety of any
consumer product or class of consumer products, or the practices of
any manufacturer, private labeler, distributor, or retailer of
consumer products, it shall, in a manner equivalent to that in
which such disclosure was made, take reasonable steps to publish a
retraction of such inaccurate or misleading information.
(8) If, after the commencement of a rulemaking or the initiation
of an adjudicatory proceeding, the Commission decides to terminate
the proceeding before taking final action, the Commission shall, in
a manner equivalent to that in which such commencement or
initiation was publicized, take reasonable steps to make known the
decision to terminate.
(c) Communications with manufacturers
The Commission shall communicate to each manufacturer of a
consumer product, insofar as may be practicable, information as to
any significant risk of injury associated with such product.
(d) ''Act'' defined; coverage
(1) For purposes of this section, the term ''Act'' means the
Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2051 et seq.), the Flammable
Fabrics Act (15 U.S.C. 1191 et seq.), the Poison Prevention
Packaging Act (15 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.), and the Federal Hazardous
Substances Act (15 U.S.C. 1261 et seq.).
(2) The provisions of this section shall apply whenever
information is to be disclosed by the Commission, any member of the
Commission, or any employee, agent, or representative of the
Commission in an official capacity.
(e) Disclosure of information regarding civil actions involving
consumer product alleged to have caused death or injury
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 552 of title 5,
subsection (a)(7) of this section, or of any other law, except as
provided in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), no member of the
Commission, no officer or employee of the Commission, and no
officer or employee of the Department of Justice may -
(A) publicly disclose information furnished under subsection
(c)(1) or (c)(2)(A) of section 2084 of this title;
(B) use such information for any purpose other than to carry
out the Commission's responsibilities; or
(C) permit anyone (other than the members, officers, and
employees of the Commission or officers or employees of the
Department of Justice who require such information for an action
filed on behalf of the Commission) to examine such information.
(2) Any report furnished under subsection (c)(1) or (c)(2)(A) of
section 2084 of this title shall be immune from legal process and
shall not be subject to subpoena or other discovery in any civil
action in a State or Federal court or in any administrative
proceeding, except in an action against such manufacturer under
section 2069, 2070, or 2071 of this title for failure to furnish
information required by section 2084 of this title.
(3) The Commission may, upon written request, furnish to any
manufacturer or to the authorized agent of such manufacturer
authenticated copies of reports furnished by or on behalf of such
manufacturer in accordance with section 2084 of this title, upon
payment of the actual or estimated cost of searching the records
and furnishing such copies.
(4) Upon written request of the Chairman or Ranking Minority
Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate or the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives or any subcommittee of such committee, the
Commission shall provide to the Chairman or Ranking Minority Member
any information furnished to the Commission under section 2084 of
this title for purposes that are related to the jurisdiction of
such committee or subcommittee.
(5) Any officer or employee of the Commission or other officer or
employee of the Federal Government who receives information
provided under section 2084 of this title, who willfully violates
the requirements of this subsection shall be subject to dismissal
or other appropriate disciplinary action consistent with procedures
and requirements established by the Office of Personnel Management.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 6, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1212; Pub. L.
97-35, title XII, Sec. 1204, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 713; Pub. L.
97-414, Sec. 9(j)(1), Jan. 4, 1983, 96 Stat. 2064; Pub. L. 101-608,
title I, Sec. 106, 112(c), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3111, 3116.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Consumer Product Safety Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(1),
is Pub. L. 92-573, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1207, as amended, which
is classified generally to this chapter. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set
out under section 2051 of this title and Tables.
The Flammable Fabrics Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), is act
June 30, 1953, ch. 164, 67 Stat. 111, as amended, which is
classified generally to chapter 25 (Sec. 1191 et seq.) of this
title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title note set out under section 1191 of this title and
Tables.
The Poison Prevention Packaging Act, referred to in subsec.
(d)(1), probably means the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970,
Pub. L. 91-601, Dec. 30, 1970, 84 Stat. 1670, as amended, which is
classified generally to chapter 39A (Sec. 1471 et seq.) of this
title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title note set out under section 1471 of this title and
Tables.
The Federal Hazardous Substances Act, referred to in subsec.
(d)(1), is Pub. L. 86-613, July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 372, as amended,
which is classified generally to chapter 30 (Sec. 1261 et seq.) of
this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code,
see Short Title note set out under section 1261 of this title and
Tables.
-MISC2-
AMENDMENTS
1990 - Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 101-608, Sec. 106, amended par.
(8) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (8) read as follows: ''The
provisions of paragraphs (2) through (6) shall not prohibit the
disclosure of information to other officers or employees concerned
with carrying out this Act or when relevant in any administrative
proceeding under this Act, or in judicial proceedings to which the
Commission is a party. Any disclosure of relevant information in
Commission administrative proceedings, or in judicial proceedings
to which the Commission is a party, shall be governed by the rules
of the Commission (including in camera review rules for
confidential material) for such proceedings or by court rules or
orders, except that the rules of the Commission shall not be
amended in a manner inconsistent with the purposes of this
section.''
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101-608, Sec. 112(c), added subsec. (e).
1983 - Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 97-414 substituted ''paragraph
(4)'' for ''paragraph (2)''.
1981 - Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 97-35 amended par. (1) generally,
substituting ''shall be construed'' for ''shall be deemed''.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 97-35 amended par. (2) generally,
substituting ''title 18, or subject to section 552(b)(4) of title
5, shall be considered confidential and shall not be disclosed''
for ''title 18 shall be considered confidential and shall not be
disclosed, except that such information may be disclosed to other
officers or employees concerned with carrying out this chapter or
when relevant in any proceeding under this chapter. Nothing in
this chapter shall authorize the withholding of information by the
Commission or any officer or employee under its control from the
duly authorized committees of the Congress''.
Subsec. (a)(3) to (8). Pub. L. 97-35 added pars. (3) to (8).
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 97-35 amended par. (1) generally,
substituting ''notice and publishes such a finding in the Federal
Register),'' for ''notice),'', and ''In disclosing any information
under this subsection, the Commission may, and upon the request of
the manufacturer or private labeler shall, include with the
disclosure any comments or other information or a summary thereof
submitted by such manufacturer or private labeler to the extent
permitted by and subject to the requirements of this section'' for
''If the Commission finds that, in the administration of this
chapter, it has made public disclosure of inaccurate or misleading
information which reflects adversely upon the safety of any
consumer product, or the practices of any manufacturer, private
labeler, distributor, or retailer of consumer products, it shall,
in a manner similar to that in which such disclosure was made,
publish a retraction of such inaccurate or misleading
information''.
Subsec. (b)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 97-35 added pars. (2) and (3),
redesignated former par. (2) as (4) and substituted ''Paragraphs
(1) through (3) of this subsection'' for ''Paragraph (1) (except
for the last sentence thereof)'' and ''a rulemaking proceeding
(which shall commence upon the publication of an advance notice of
proposed rulemaking or a notice of proposed rulemaking), an
adjudicatory proceeding (which shall commence upon the issuance of
a complaint) or other administrative or judicial proceeding under
this chapter'' for ''any administrative or judicial proceeding
under this chapter''.
Subsec. (b)(5) to (8). Pub. L. 97-35 added pars. (5) to (8).
Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 97-35 reenacted subsec. (c) without
change and added subsec. (d).
-CHANGE-
CHANGE OF NAME
Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives
treated as referring to Committee on Commerce of House of
Representatives by section 1(a) of Pub. L. 104-14, set out as a
note preceding section 21 of Title 2, The Congress. Committee on
Commerce of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Energy
and Commerce of House of Representatives, and jurisdiction over
matters relating to securities and exchanges and insurance
generally transferred to Committee on Financial Services of House
of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Seventh
Congress, Jan. 3, 2001.
-MISC4-
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1981 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-35 effective Aug. 13, 1981, see section
1215 of Pub. L. 97-35, set out as a note under section 2052 of this
title.
CONFIDENTIALITY PROTECTIONS FOR INFORMATION REPORTED ON INCIDENTS
OF CHILDREN CHOKING
For purposes of subsection (b)(5) of this section, information
reported to Consumer Product Safety Commission on incidents of
children choking on a marble, small ball, latex balloon, or other
small part contained in a toy or game, to be treated as information
submitted pursuant to section 2064(b) of this title, see section
102 of Pub. L. 103-267, set out as a Reporting Requirements note
under section 2064 of this title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 2074, 2077, 2078 of this
title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2056 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2056. Consumer product safety standards
-STATUTE-
(a) Types of requirements
The Commission may promulgate consumer product safety standards
in accordance with the provisions of section 2058 of this title. A
consumer product safety standard shall consist of one or more of
any of the following types of requirements:
(1) Requirements expressed in terms of performance
requirements.
(2) Requirements that a consumer product be marked with or
accompanied by clear and adequate warnings or instructions, or
requirements respecting the form of warnings or instructions.
Any requirement of such a standard shall be reasonably necessary to
prevent or reduce an unreasonable risk of injury associated with
such product.
(b) Reliance of Commission upon voluntary standards
(1) The Commission shall rely upon voluntary consumer product
safety standards rather than promulgate a consumer product safety
standard prescribing requirements described in subsection (a) of
this section whenever compliance with such voluntary standards
would eliminate or adequately reduce the risk of injury addressed
and it is likely that there will be substantial compliance with
such voluntary standards.
(2) The Commission shall devise procedures to monitor compliance
with any voluntary standards -
(A) upon which the Commission has relied under paragraph (1);
(B) which were developed with the participation of the
Commission; or
(C) whose development the Commission has monitored.
(c) Contribution of Commission to development cost
If any person participates with the Commission in the development
of a consumer product safety standard, the Commission may agree to
contribute to the person's cost with respect to such participation,
in any case in which the Commission determines that such
contribution is likely to result in a more satisfactory standard
than would be developed without such contribution, and that the
person is financially responsible. Regulations of the Commission
shall set forth the items of cost in which it may participate, and
shall exclude any contribution to the acquisition of land or
buildings. Payments under agreements entered into under this
subsection may be made without regard to section 3324(a) and (b) of
title 31.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 7, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1212; Pub. L.
94-284, Sec. 6, 7, 8(a), May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 505, 506; Pub. L.
95-631, Sec. 3, 4(a)-(c), 5, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3742-3744;
Pub. L. 97-35, title XII, Sec. 1202, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 703;
Pub. L. 101-608, title I, Sec. 107(a), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat.
3111.)
-COD-
CODIFICATION
In subsec. (c), ''section 3324(a) and (b) of title 31''
substituted for ''section 3648 of the Revised Statutes of the
United States (31 U.S.C. 529)'' on authority of Pub. L. 97-258,
Sec. 4(b), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1067, the first section of
which enacted Title 31, Money and Finance.
-MISC3-
AMENDMENTS
1990 - Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101-608 designated existing
provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).
1981 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97-35 amended subsec. (a) generally,
and in the requirements for consumer product safety standards,
struck out reference to composition, contents, design,
construction, finish, or packaging of consumer products, and struck
out provision that the requirements of the standards other than
requirements relating to labeling, warnings, or instructions,
shall, whenever, feasible, be expressed in terms of performance
requirements.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97-35 amended subsec. (b) generally,
substituting provisions relating to the reliance by the Commission
upon voluntary standards for provisions prescribing procedure for
development of consumer product safety standards.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97-35 amended subsec. (c) generally,
substituting provisions relating to contribution by the Commission
to the development cost of consumer safety standards for provisions
relating to publication of proposed safety rules developed from
existing standards.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 97-35 struck out subsec. (d) which related
to the acceptance of offers to develop proposed standards and the
Commission's contribution to development costs.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 97-35 struck out subsec. (e) which related
to development of proposed safety rules by the Commission.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 97-35 struck out subsec. (f) which provided
for termination of rule-making proceedings and a statement relating
to the reasons therefor.
1978 - Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95-631, Sec. 3, designated existing
provision as par. (1), and in par. (1) as so redesignated,
redesignated pars. (1) to (4) as subpars. (A) and (D), in subpar.
(D) as so redesignated, inserted provision including as a means of
commencing a proceeding, a publication in the Federal Register of a
statement that the Commission intends to develop the proposed
consumer product safety standard, added subpar. (E), struck out
provision that the period specified within which the offeror of an
accepted offer develops the proposed standard be a period ending
150 days after the date the offer was accepted unless the
Commission for good cause found, and included such finding in the
notice that a different period was appropriate, and added par. (2).
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 95-631, Sec. 5, amended subsec. (c)
generally, inserting provisions relating to subsec. (b)(1)(D) and
striking out provisions for publication of a proposed consumer
product safety rule, in lieu of acceptance of an offer under
subsec. (d), where a standard had been issued or adopted by any
Federal agency or by any other qualified agency, organization, or
institution and the standard if promulgated under the chapter would
eliminate or reduce the unreasonable risk of injury associated with
the product.
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 95-631, Sec. 4(a)(1), inserted
''subsection (b)(2) and by'' after ''as provided by'' and
substituted references to subsec. (b)(1)(D)(ii)(I) for (b)(4)(B) of
this section and subsec. (b)(1)(E) for (b) of this section.
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 95-631, Sec. 4(a)(2)(A)-(C), inserted in
first sentence ''or if any person participates with the Commission
in the development of a consumer product safety standard under
subsection (b)(2)(A) or subsection (e) of this section'' after
''under this subsection'', ''or the person's cost with respect to
such participation'' after ''safety standards'' and ''or person''
after ''offeror''.
Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 95-631, Sec. 4(a)(3), added par. (4).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 95-631, Sec. (4)(b), amended provisions
generally, and among other changes, substituted references to
subsec. (b)(1)(D)(ii)(I) of this section for prior references to
subsec. (b) of this section, and struck out par. (3) defining the
development period, now covered in subsec. (b)(1)(E) of this
section.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 95-631, Sec. 4(c), amended provisions
generally, and among other changes, reduced the period within which
to publish a proposed consumer product safety standard to
forty-five days from 150 days and required the publication in the
Federal Register of the reasons for not publishing the proposed
standard, including a statement indicative of the taking of other
approaches such as a voluntary consumer safety standard adopted by
persons to be subject to the proposed standard.
1976 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 6, designated existing
provision as par. (1), redesignated as subpars. (A) and (B)
existing pars. (1) and (2), and added par. (2).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 7(a), substituted ''date the
offer is accepted'' for ''publication of notice'' in provision
following par. (4)(B).
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 8(a), inserted provision
which permits the Commission to advance public moneys without the
need of authorized appropriations as required by section 529 of
title 31.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 7(b), permitted the Commission
to develop and publish a proposed consumer safety product rule if
the development period as specified in par. (3) ends.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 7(c), provided that if within
60 days after publication of notice for a proceeding for the
development of a consumer product safety standard (or longer if the
Commission so prescribe), no offer is submitted or none is
acceptable, the Commission terminate the proceeding or develop
proposals of its own, which proposals be published as a rule within
150 days after the expiration of the 60 day period or the
proceeding then terminated, and that if an offer is accepted within
the 60 day period, then within 210 days after acceptance, the
Commission must publish the proposal as a rule or terminate the
proceeding.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1981 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-35 applicable with respect to regulations
under this chapter and chapters 25 and 30 of this title for which
notices of proposed rulemaking are issued after Aug. 14, 1981, see
section 1215 of Pub. L. 97-35, set out as a note under section 2052
of this title.
AUTOMATIC GARAGE DOOR OPENERS
Section 203 of Pub. L. 101-608 provided that:
''(a) Consumer Product Safety Rule. - The provisions of
subsection (b) shall be considered to be a consumer product safety
rule issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission under section
9 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2058).
''(b) Requirements. -
''(1) Effective on and after January 1, 1991, each automatic
residential garage door opener manufactured on or after that date
for sale in the United States shall conform to the entrapment
protection requirements of the American National Standards
Institute Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Standards for Safety -
UL 325, third edition, as revised May 4, 1988.
''(2)(A) Effective on and after January 1, 1993, all
residential automatic garage door openers manufactured on and
after such date for sale in the United States shall conform to
any additional entrapment protection requirements of the American
National Standards Institute Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
Standards for Safety - UL 325, third edition, which were issued
after the date of the enactment of this Act (Nov. 16, 1990) to
become effective on or before January 1, 1993.
''(B) If, by June 1, 1992, the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.,
has not issued a revision to the May 4, 1988, Standards for
Safety - UL 325, third edition, to require an entrapment
protection feature or device in addition to that required by the
May 4, 1988, Standard, the Consumer Product Safety Commission
shall begin a rulemaking proceeding, to be completed no later
than October 31, 1992, to require an additional such feature or
device on all automatic residential garage door openers
manufactured on or after January 1, 1993, for sale in the United
States. If such a revision is issued by the Underwriters
Laboratories, Inc. after the rulemaking has commenced, the
rulemaking shall be terminated and the revision shall be
incorporated in the consumer product safety rule under subsection
(a) unless the Commission has determined under subsection (c)
that such revision does not carry out the purposes of subsection
(b).
''(c) Revision of Rule. - If, after June 1, 1992, or the date of
a revision described in subsection (b)(2)(B) if later, the
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. proposes to further revise the
entrapment protection requirements of the American National
Standards Institute Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Standards for
Safety - UL 325, third edition, the Laboratories shall notify the
Consumer Product Safety Commission of the proposed revision and the
proposed revision shall be incorporated in the consumer product
safety rule under subsection (a) unless, within 30 days of such
notice, the Commission notifies the Laboratories that the
Commission has determined that such revision does not carry out the
purposes of subsection (b).
''(d) Labeling. - On and after January 1, 1991, a manufacturer
selling or offering for sale in the United States an automatic
residential garage door opener manufactured on or after January 1,
1991, shall clearly identify on any container of the system and on
the system the month or week and year the system was manufactured
and its conformance with the requirements of subsection (b). The
display of the UL logo or listing mark, and compliance with the
date marking requirements of UL 325, on both the container and the
system, shall satisfy the requirements of this subsection.
''(e) Notification. - Effective on and after July 1, 1991, all
manufacturers of automatic residential garage door openers shall,
in consultation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, notify
the public of the potential for entrapment by garage doors equipped
with automatic garage door openers and advise the public to test
their openers for the entrapment protection feature or device
required by subsection (b).
''(f) Preemption. - In applying section 26(a) of the Consumer
Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2075) (15 U.S.C. 2075(a)) with
respect to the consumer product safety rule of the Consumer Product
Safety Commission under subsection (a), only those provisions of
laws of States or political subdivisions which relate to the
labeling of automatic residential garage door openers and those
provisions which do not provide at least the equivalent degree of
protection from the risk of injury associated with automatic
residential garage door openers as the consumer product safety rule
provides shall be subject to such section.
''(g) Regulations. - Section 553 of title 5, United States Code,
shall apply with respect to the issuance of any regulations by the
Consumer Product Safety Commission to implement the requirements of
this section and sections 7 and 9 of the Consumer Product Safety
Act (15 U.S.C. 2056, 2058) do not apply to such issuance. Any
additional or revised requirement issued by the Commission shall
provide an adequate degree of protection to the public.
''(h) Construction. - Nothing in this section shall affect or
modify in any way the obligations or liabilities of any person
under the common law or any Federal or State law.''
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 2052, 2058, 2060, 6004 of
this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2057 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2057. Banned hazardous products
-STATUTE-
Whenever the Commission finds that -
(1) a consumer product is being, or will be, distributed in
commerce and such consumer product presents an unreasonable risk
of injury; and
(2) no feasible consumer product safety standard under this
chapter would adequately protect the public from the unreasonable
risk of injury associated with such product,
the Commission may, in accordance with section 2058 of this title,
promulgate a rule declaring such product a banned hazardous
product.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 8, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1215; Pub. L.
97-35, title XII, Sec. 1203(c), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 713.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1981 - Pub. L. 97-35 substituted ''may, in accordance with'' for
''may propose and, in accordance with''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1981 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-35 applicable with respect to regulations
under this chapter and chapters 25 and 30 of this title for which
notices of proposed rulemaking are issued after Aug. 14, 1981, see
section 1215 of Pub. L. 97-35, set out as a note under section 2052
of this title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 2057a, 2057b, 2058, 2060
of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2057a 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2057a. Banning of butyl nitrite
-STATUTE-
(a) In general
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, butyl
nitrite shall be considered a banned hazardous product under
section 2057 of this title.
(b) Lawful purposes
For the purposes of section 2057 of this title, it shall not be
unlawful for any person to manufacture for sale, offer for sale,
distribute in commerce, or import into the United States butyl
nitrite for any commercial purpose or any other purpose approved
under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et
seq.).
(c) Definitions
For purposes of this section:
(1) The term ''butyl nitrite'' includes n-butyl nitrite,
isobutyl nitrite, secondary butyl nitrite, tertiary butyl
nitrite, and mixtures containing these chemicals.
(2) The term ''commercial purpose'' means any commercial
purpose other than for the production of consumer products
containing butyl nitrite that may be used for inhaling or
otherwise introducing butyl nitrite into the human body for
euphoric or physical effects.
(d) Effective date
This section shall take effect 90 days after November 18, 1988.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 100-690, title II, Sec. 2404, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat.
4231.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, referred to in subsec.
(b), is act June 25, 1938, ch. 675, 52 Stat. 1040, as amended,
which is classified generally to chapter 9 (Sec. 301 et seq.) of
Title 21, Food and Drugs. For complete classification of this Act
to the Code, see section 301 of Title 21 and Tables.
-COD-
CODIFICATION
Section was enacted as part of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988
and also as part of the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse, Drug Abuse,
and Mental Health Amendments Act of 1988, and not as part of the
Consumer Product Safety Act which comprises this chapter.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2057b 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2057b. Banning of isopropal nitrite and other nitrites
-STATUTE-
(a) In general
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, volatile
alkyl nitrite shall be considered a banned hazardous product under
section 2057 of this title.
(b) Lawful purposes
For the purposes of section 2057 of this title, it shall not be
unlawful for any person to manufacture for sale, offer for sale,
distribute in commerce, or import into the United States volatile
alkyl nitrites for any commercial purpose or any other purpose
approved under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C.
301 et seq.).
(c) ''Commercial purpose'' defined
For purposes of this section, the term ''commercial purpose''
means any commercial purpose other than for the production of
consumer products containing volatile alkyl nitrites that may be
used for inhaling or otherwise introducing volatile alkyl nitrites
into the human body for euphoric or physical effects.
(d) Effective date
This section shall take effect 90 days after November 29, 1990.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 101-647, title XXXII, Sec. 3202, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat.
4917.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, referred to in subsec.
(b), is act June 25, 1938, ch. 675, 52 Stat. 1040, as amended,
which is classified generally to chapter 9 (Sec. 301 et seq.) of
Title 21, Food and Drugs. For complete classification of this Act
to the Code, see section 301 of Title 21 and Tables.
-COD-
CODIFICATION
Section was enacted as part of the Crime Control Act of 1990, and
not as part of the Consumer Product Safety Act which comprises this
chapter.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2058 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2058. Procedure for consumer product safety rules
-STATUTE-
(a) Commencement of proceeding; publication of prescribed notice of
proposed rulemaking; transmittal of notice
A proceeding for the development of a consumer product safety
rule shall be commenced by the publication in the Federal Register
of an advance notice of proposed rulemaking which shall -
(1) identify the product and the nature of the risk of injury
associated with the product;
(2) include a summary of each of the regulatory alternatives
under consideration by the Commission (including voluntary
consumer product safety standards);
(3) include information with respect to any existing standard
known to the Commission which may be relevant to the proceedings,
together with a summary of the reasons why the Commission
believes preliminarily that such standard does not eliminate or
adequately reduce the risk of injury identified in paragraph (1);
(4) invite interested persons to submit to the Commission,
within such period as the Commission shall specify in the notice
(which period shall not be less than 30 days or more than 60 days
after the date of publication of the notice), comments with
respect to the risk of injury identified by the Commission, the
regulatory alternatives being considered, and other possible
alternatives for addressing the risk;
(5) invite any person (other than the Commission) to submit to
the Commission, within such period as the Commission shall
specify in the notice (which period shall not be less than 30
days after the date of publication of the notice), an existing
standard or a portion of a standard as a proposed consumer
product safety standard; and
(6) invite any person (other than the Commission) to submit to
the Commission, within such period as the Commission shall
specify in the notice (which period shall not be less than 30
days after the date of publication of the notice), a statement of
intention to modify or develop a voluntary consumer product
safety standard to address the risk of injury identified in
paragraph (1) together with a description of a plan to modify or
develop the standard.
The Commission shall transmit such notice within 10 calendar days
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives.
(b) Voluntary standard; publication as proposed rule; notice of
reliance of Commission on standard
(1) If the Commission determines that any standard submitted to
it in response to an invitation in a notice published under
subsection (a)(5) of this section if promulgated (in whole, in
part, or in combination with any other standard submitted to the
Commission or any part of such a standard) as a consumer product
safety standard, would eliminate or adequately reduce the risk of
injury identified in the notice under subsection (a)(1) of this
section, the Commission may publish such standard, in whole, in
part, or in such combination and with nonmaterial modifications, as
a proposed consumer product safety rule.
(2) If the Commission determines that -
(A) compliance with any standard submitted to it in response to
an invitation in a notice published under subsection (a)(6) of
this section is likely to result in the elimination or adequate
reduction of the risk of injury identified in the notice, and
(B) it is likely that there will be substantial compliance with
such standard,
the Commission shall terminate any proceeding to promulgate a
consumer product safety rule respecting such risk of injury and
shall publish in the Federal Register a notice which includes the
determination of the Commission and which notifies the public that
the Commission will rely on the voluntary standard to eliminate or
reduce the risk of injury, except that the Commission shall
terminate any such proceeding and rely on a voluntary standard only
if such voluntary standard is in existence. For purposes of this
section, a voluntary standard shall be considered to be in
existence when it is finally approved by the organization or other
person which developed such standard, irrespective of the effective
date of the standard. Before relying upon any voluntary consumer
product safety standard, the Commission shall afford interested
persons (including manufacturers, consumers, and consumer
organizations) a reasonable opportunity to submit written comments
regarding such standard. The Commission shall consider such
comments in making any determination regarding reliance on the
involved voluntary standard under this subsection.
(c) Publication of proposed rule; preliminary regulatory analysis;
contents; transmittal of notice
No consumer product safety rule may be proposed by the Commission
unless, not less than 60 days after publication of the notice
required in subsection (a) of this section, the Commission
publishes in the Federal Register the text of the proposed rule,
including any alternatives, which the Commission proposes to
promulgate, together with a preliminary regulatory analysis
containing -
(1) a preliminary description of the potential benefits and
potential costs of the proposed rule, including any benefits or
costs that cannot be quantified in monetary terms, and an
identification of those likely to receive the benefits and bear
the costs;
(2) a discussion of the reasons any standard or portion of a
standard submitted to the Commission under subsection (a)(5) of
this section was not published by the Commission as the proposed
rule or part of the proposed rule;
(3) a discussion of the reasons for the Commission's
preliminary determination that efforts proposed under subsection
(a)(6) of this section and assisted by the Commission as required
by section 2054(a)(3) of this title would not, within a
reasonable period of time, be likely to result in the development
of a voluntary consumer product safety standard that would
eliminate or adequately reduce the risk of injury addressed by
the proposed rule; and
(4) a description of any reasonable alternatives to the
proposed rule, together with a summary description of their
potential costs and benefits, and a brief explanation of why such
alternatives should not be published as a proposed rule.
The Commission shall transmit such notice within 10 calendar days
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives. Any proposed consumer product safety rule shall be
issued within twelve months after the date of publication of an
advance notice of proposed rulemaking under subsection (a) of this
section relating to the product involved, unless the Commission
determines that such proposed rule is not reasonably necessary to
eliminate or reduce the risk of injury associated with the product
or is not in the public interest. The Commission may extend the
twelve-month period for good cause. If the Commission extends such
period, it shall immediately transmit notice of such extension to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives. Such notice shall include an explanation of the
reasons for such extension, together with an estimate of the date
by which the Commission anticipates such rulemaking will be
completed. The Commission shall publish notice of such extension
and the information submitted to the Congress in the Federal
Register.
(d) Promulgation of rule; time
(1) Within 60 days after the publication under subsection (c) of
this section of a proposed consumer product safety rule respecting
a risk of injury associated with a consumer product, the Commission
shall -
(A) promulgate a consumer product safety rule respecting the
risk of injury associated with such product, if it makes the
findings required under subsection (f) of this section, or
(B) withdraw the applicable notice of proposed rulemaking if it
determines that such rule is not (i) reasonably necessary to
eliminate or reduce an unreasonable risk of injury associated
with the product, or (ii) in the public interest;
except that the Commission may extend such 60-day period for good
cause shown (if it publishes its reasons therefor in the Federal
Register).
(2) Consumer product safety rules shall be promulgated in
accordance with section 553 of title 5, except that the Commission
shall give interested persons an opportunity for the oral
presentation of data, views, or arguments, in addition to an
opportunity to make written submissions. A transcript shall be
kept of any oral presentation.
(e) Expression of risk of injury; consideration of available
product data; needs of elderly and handicapped
A consumer product safety rule shall express in the rule itself
the risk of injury which the standard is designed to eliminate or
reduce. In promulgating such a rule the Commission shall consider
relevant available product data including the results of research,
development, testing, and investigation activities conducted
generally and pursuant to this chapter. In the promulgation of
such a rule the Commission shall also consider and take into
account the special needs of elderly and handicapped persons to
determine the extent to which such persons may be adversely
affected by such rule.
(f) Findings; final regulatory analysis; judicial review of rule
(1) Prior to promulgating a consumer product safety rule, the
Commission shall consider, and shall make appropriate findings for
inclusion in such rule with respect to -
(A) the degree and nature of the risk of injury the rule is
designed to eliminate or reduce;
(B) the approximate number of consumer products, or types or
classes thereof, subject to such rule;
(C) the need of the public for the consumer products subject to
such rule, and the probable effect of such rule upon the utility,
cost, or availability of such products to meet such need; and
(D) any means of achieving the objective of the order while
minimizing adverse effects on competition or disruption or
dislocation of manufacturing and other commercial practices
consistent with the public health and safety.
(2) The Commission shall not promulgate a consumer product safety
rule unless it has prepared, on the basis of the findings of the
Commission under paragraph (1) and on other information before the
Commission, a final regulatory analysis of the rule containing the
following information:
(A) A description of the potential benefits and potential costs
of the rule, including costs and benefits that cannot be
quantified in monetary terms, and the identification of those
likely to receive the benefits and bear the costs.
(B) A description of any alternatives to the final rule which
were considered by the Commission, together with a summary
description of their potential benefits and costs and a brief
explanation of the reasons why these alternatives were not
chosen.
(C) A summary of any significant issues raised by the comments
submitted during the public comment period in response to the
preliminary regulatory analysis, and a summary of the assessment
by the Commission of such issues.
The Commission shall publish its final regulatory analysis with the
rule.
(3) The Commission shall not promulgate a consumer product safety
rule unless it finds (and includes such finding in the rule) -
(A) that the rule (including its effective date) is reasonably
necessary to eliminate or reduce an unreasonable risk of injury
associated with such product;
(B) that the promulgation of the rule is in the public
interest;
(C) in the case of a rule declaring the product a banned
hazardous product, that no feasible consumer product safety
standard under this chapter would adequately protect the public
from the unreasonable risk of injury associated with such
product;
(D) in the case of a rule which relates to a risk of injury
with respect to which persons who would be subject to such rule
have adopted and implemented a voluntary consumer product safety
standard, that -
(i) compliance with such voluntary consumer product safety
standard is not likely to result in the elimination or adequate
reduction of such risk of injury; or
(ii) it is unlikely that there will be substantial compliance
with such voluntary consumer product safety standard;
(E) that the benefits expected from the rule bear a reasonable
relationship to its costs; and
(F) that the rule imposes the least burdensome requirement
which prevents or adequately reduces the risk of injury for which
the rule is being promulgated.
(4)(A) Any preliminary or final regulatory analysis prepared
under subsection (c) or (f)(2) of this section shall not be subject
to independent judicial review, except that when an action for
judicial review of a rule is instituted, the contents of any such
regulatory analysis shall constitute part of the whole rulemaking
record of agency action in connection with such review.
(B) The provisions of subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to
alter the substantive or procedural standards otherwise applicable
to judicial review of any action by the Commission.
(g) Effective date of rule or standard; stockpiling of product
(1) Each consumer product safety rule shall specify the date such
rule is to take effect not exceeding 180 days from the date
promulgated, unless the Commission finds, for good cause shown,
that a later effective date is in the public interest and publishes
its reasons for such finding. The effective date of a consumer
product safety standard under this chapter shall be set at a date
at least 30 days after the date of promulgation unless the
Commission for good cause shown determines that an earlier
effective date is in the public interest. In no case may the
effective date be set at a date which is earlier than the date of
promulgation. A consumer product safety standard shall be
applicable only to consumer products manufactured after the
effective date.
(2) The Commission may by rule prohibit a manufacturer of a
consumer product from stockpiling any product to which a consumer
product safety rule applies, so as to prevent such manufacturer
from circumventing the purpose of such consumer product safety
rule. For purposes of this paragraph, the term ''stockpiling''
means manufacturing or importing a product between the date of
promulgation of such consumer product safety rule and its effective
date at a rate which is significantly greater (as determined under
the rule under this paragraph) than the rate at which such product
was produced or imported during a base period (prescribed in the
rule under this paragraph) ending before the date of promulgation
of the consumer product safety rule.
(h) Amendment or revocation of rule
The Commission may by rule amend or revoke any consumer product
safety rule. Such amendment or revocation shall specify the date
on which it is to take effect which shall not exceed 180 days from
the date the amendment or revocation is published unless the
Commission finds for good cause shown that a later effective date
is in the public interest and publishes its reasons for such
finding. Where an amendment involves a material change in a
consumer product safety rule, sections 2056 and 2057 of this title,
and subsections (a) through (g) of this section shall apply. In
order to revoke a consumer product safety rule, the Commission
shall publish a proposal to revoke such rule in the Federal
Register, and allow oral and written presentations in accordance
with subsection (d)(2) of this section. It may revoke such rule
only if it determines that the rule is not reasonably necessary to
eliminate or reduce an unreasonable risk of injury associated with
the product. Section 2060 of this title shall apply to any
amendment of a consumer product safety rule which involves a
material change and to any revocation of a consumer product safety
rule, in the same manner and to the same extent as such section
applies to the Commission's action in promulgating such a rule.
(i) Petition to initiate rulemaking
The Commission shall grant, in whole or in part, or deny any
petition under section 553(e) of title 5 requesting the Commission
to initiate a rulemaking, within a reasonable time after the date
on which such petition is filed. The Commission shall state the
reasons for granting or denying such petition. The Commission may
not deny any such petition on the basis of a voluntary standard
unless the voluntary standard is in existence at the time of the
denial of the petition, the Commission has determined that the
voluntary standard is likely to result in the elimination or
adequate reduction of the risk of injury identified in the
petition, and it is likely that there will be substantial
compliance with the standard.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 9, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1215; Pub. L.
94-284, Sec. 9, May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 506; Pub. L. 95-631, Sec.
4(d), Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3744; Pub. L. 97-35, title XII, Sec.
1203(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 704; Pub. L. 101-608, title I,
Sec. 108(a), 109, 110(a), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3112, 3113.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1990 - Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 101-608, Sec. 108(a), struck out
period at end and inserted '', except that the Commission shall
terminate any such proceeding and rely on a voluntary standard only
if such voluntary standard is in existence. For purposes of this
section, a voluntary standard shall be considered to be in
existence when it is finally approved by the organization or other
person which developed such standard, irrespective of the effective
date of the standard. Before relying upon any voluntary consumer
product safety standard, the Commission shall afford interested
persons (including manufacturers, consumers, and consumer
organizations) a reasonable opportunity to submit written comments
regarding such standard. The Commission shall consider such
comments in making any determination regarding reliance on the
involved voluntary standard under this subsection.''
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101-608, Sec. 109, inserted at end ''Any
proposed consumer product safety rule shall be issued within twelve
months after the date of publication of an advance notice of
proposed rulemaking under subsection (a) relating to the product
involved, unless the Commission determines that such proposed rule
is not reasonably necessary to eliminate or reduce the risk of
injury associated with the product or is not in the public
interest. The Commission may extend the twelve-month period for
good cause. If the Commission extends such period, it shall
immediately transmit notice of such extension to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.
Such notice shall include an explanation of the reasons for such
extension, together with an estimate of the date by which the
Commission anticipates such rulemaking will be completed. The
Commission shall publish notice of such extension and the
information submitted to the Congress in the Federal Register.''
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 101-608, Sec. 110(a), added subsec. (i).
1981 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97-35 amended subsec. (a) generally,
substituting provisions for the commencement of rule-making
proceedings by the publication of a notice of proposed rule-making
for provisions for the promulgation of rule after publication of a
notice according to specified provisions of law and to withdraw
applicable notice of proceeding upon determination that such rule
was not reasonably necessary to eliminate or reduce an unreasonable
risk of injury associated with the product or that it was in the
public interest, and providing for certain other procedural
safeguards.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97-35 amended subsec. (b) generally,
substituting provisions relating to the publication of a voluntary
standard as a proposed consumer product safety rule and notice of
reliance by the Commission on such standard for provisions that a
consumer product safety rule shall express the risk of injury which
the standard is designed to eliminate or reduce.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97-35 amended subsec. (c) generally,
substituting provisions relating to the publication in the Federal
Register of the text of the proposed rule, including alternatives,
with a preliminary regulatory analysis, and for the transmittal of
such notice to certain committees of Congress for provisions
relating to the requirement that the Commission make appropriate
findings with respect to certain specified factors for inclusion in
a consumer product safety rule.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 97-35 amended subsec. (d) generally,
substituting provisions relating to the time for promulgation of
the rule in accordance with section 553 of title 5 or withdrawal of
the applicable notice for provisions relating to the effective
dates for rules and standards and the authority of the Commission
to prohibit stockpiling.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 97-35 amended subsec. (e) generally,
substituting provisions relating to the requirement that the
consumer product safety rule express the risk of injury which is to
be eliminated or reduced and requiring, that in promulgating the
rule, the Commission to consider available product data and the
needs of the elderly and handicapped persons for provisions
relating to the amendment and revocation of rules.
Subsecs. (f) to (h). Pub. L. 97-35 added subsecs. (f) to (h).
1978 - Subsec. (a)(1), (2). Pub. L. 95-631 substituted in pars.
(1) and (2) reference to section 2056 of this title for prior
reference to section 2056(c), (e)(1), or (f) of this title.
1976 - Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94-284 inserted provision directing
the Commission to take into consideration the special needs of the
elderly and the handicapped in promulgating a consumer product
safety rule.
-CHANGE-
CHANGE OF NAME
Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives
treated as referring to Committee on Commerce of House of
Representatives by section 1(a) of Pub. L. 104-14, set out as a
note preceding section 21 of Title 2, The Congress. Committee on
Commerce of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Energy
and Commerce of House of Representatives, and jurisdiction over
matters relating to securities and exchanges and insurance
generally transferred to Committee on Financial Services of House
of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Seventh
Congress, Jan. 3, 2001.
-MISC4-
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1981 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-35 applicable with respect to regulations
under this chapter and chapters 25 and 30 of this title for which
notices of proposed rulemaking are issued after Aug. 14, 1981, see
section 1215 of Pub. L. 97-35, set out as a note under section 2052
of this title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 2056, 2057, 2060, 2064,
2067, 2068, 2082, 6004 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2059 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2059. Repealed. Pub. L. 97-35, title XII, Sec. 1210, Aug. 13,
1981, 95 Stat. 721
-MISC1-
Section, Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 10, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1217;
Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 10(a), May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 506, related to
filing of a petition by an interested person for issuance,
amendment, or revocation of a consumer product safety rule.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF REPEAL
Repeal effective Aug. 14, 1981, see section 1215 of Pub. L.
97-35, set out as an Effective Date of 1981 Amendment note under
section 2052 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2060 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2060. Judicial review of consumer product safety rules
-STATUTE-
(a) Petition by persons adversely affected, consumers, or consumer
organizations
Not later than 60 days after a consumer product safety rule is
promulgated by the Commission, any person adversely affected by
such rule, or any consumer or consumer organization, may file a
petition with the United States court of appeals for the District
of Columbia, or for the circuit in which such person, consumer, or
organization resides or has his principal place of business for
judicial review of such rule. Copies of the petition shall be
forthwith transmitted by the clerk of the court to the Commission
or other officer designated by it for that purpose and to the
Attorney General. The record of the proceedings on which the
Commission based its rule shall be filed in the court as provided
for in section 2112 of title 28. For purposes of this section, the
term ''record'' means such consumer product safety rule; any notice
or proposal published pursuant to section 2056, 2057, or 2058 of
this title; the transcript required by section 2058(d)(2) of this
title of any oral presentation; any written submission of
interested parties; and any other information which the Commission
considers relevant to such rule.
(b) Additional data, views, or arguments
If the petitioner applies to the court for leave to adduce
additional data, views, or arguments and shows to the satisfaction
of the court that such additional data, views, or arguments are
material and that there were reasonable grounds for the
petitioner's failure to adduce such data, views, or arguments in
the proceeding before the Commission, the court may order the
Commission to provide additional opportunity for the oral
presentation of data, views, or arguments and for written
submissions. The Commission may modify its findings, or make new
findings by reason of the additional data, views, or arguments so
taken and shall file such modified or new findings, and its
recommendation, if any, for the modification or setting aside of
its original rule, with the return of such additional data, views,
or arguments.
(c) Jurisdiction; costs and attorneys' fees; substantial evidence
to support administrative findings
Upon the filing of the petition under subsection (a) of this
section the court shall have jurisdiction to review the consumer
product safety rule in accordance with chapter 7 of title 5, and to
grant appropriate relief, including interim relief, as provided in
such chapter. A court may in the interest of justice include in
such relief an award of the costs of suit, including reasonable
attorneys' fees (determined in accordance with subsection (f) of
this section (FOOTNOTE 1) and reasonable expert witnesses' fees.
Attorneys' fees may be awarded against the United States (or any
agency or official of the United States) without regard to section
2412 of title 28 or any other provision of law. The consumer
product safety rule shall not be affirmed unless the Commission's
findings under sections 2058(f)(1) and 2058(f)(3) of this title are
supported by substantial evidence on the record taken as a whole.
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. Probably should be followed by a
closing parenthesis.
(d) Supreme Court review
The judgment of the court affirming or setting aside, in whole or
in part, any consumer product safety rule shall be final, subject
to review by the Supreme Court of the United States upon certiorari
or certification, as provided in section 1254 of title 28.
(e) Other remedies
The remedies provided for in this section shall be in addition to
and not in lieu of any other remedies provided by law.
(f) Computation of reasonable fee for attorney
For purposes of this section and sections 2072(a) and 2073 of
this title, a reasonable attorney's fee is a fee (1) which is based
upon (A) the actual time expended by an attorney in providing
advice and other legal services in connection with representing a
person in an action brought under this section, and (B) such
reasonable expenses as may be incurred by the attorney in the
provision of such services, and (2) which is computed at the rate
prevailing for the provision of similar services with respect to
actions brought in the court which is awarding such fee.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 11, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1218; Pub. L.
94-284, Sec. 10(b), 11(a), May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 507; Pub. L.
97-35, title XII, Sec. 1211(h)(1)-(3)(A), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat.
723; Pub. L. 97-414, Sec. 9(j)(2), Jan. 4, 1983, 96 Stat. 2064.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1983 - Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97-414 substituted ''subsection (f)
of this section'' for ''section 2059(e)(4) of this title''.
1981 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1211(h)(2), substituted
reference to section 2058(d)(2) of this title for reference to
section 2058(a)(2) of this title.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1211(h)(1), substituted
reference to section 2058(f)(1) and (3) of this title for reference
to section 2058(c) of this title.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1211(h)(3)(A), added subsec.
(f).
1976 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 11(a), permitted the
Commission to file the record of its proceedings on which its rule
was based with the court in lieu of transmitting the record to the
Attorney General.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 10(b), inserted provision
permitting the court to award costs, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, in the interest of justice.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1981 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-35 effective Aug. 13, 1981, see section
1215 of Pub. L. 97-35, set out as a note under section 2052 of this
title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 2058, 2072, 2073, 2082,
6004 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2061 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2061. Imminent hazards
-STATUTE-
(a) Filing of action
The Commission may file in a United States district court an
action (1) against an imminently hazardous consumer product for
seizure of such product under subsection (b)(2) of this section, or
(2) against any person who is a manufacturer, distributor, or
retailer of such product, or (3) against both. Such an action may
be filed notwithstanding the existence of a consumer product safety
rule applicable to such product, or the pendency of any
administrative or judicial proceedings under any other provision of
this chapter. As used in this section, and hereinafter in this
chapter, the term ''imminently hazardous consumer product'' means a
consumer product which presents imminent and unreasonable risk of
death, serious illness, or severe personal injury.
(b) Relief; product condemnation and seizure
(1) The district court in which such action is filed shall have
jurisdiction to declare such product an imminently hazardous
consumer product, and (in the case of an action under subsection
(a)(2) of this section) to grant (as ancillary to such declaration
or in lieu thereof) such temporary or permanent relief as may be
necessary to protect the public from such risk. Such relief may
include a mandatory order requiring the notification of such risk
to purchasers of such product known to the defendant, public
notice, the recall, the repair or the replacement of, or refund
for, such product.
(2) In the case of an action under subsection (a)(1) of this
section, the consumer product may be proceeded against by process
of libel for the seizure and condemnation of such product in any
United States district court within the jurisdiction of which such
consumer product is found. Proceedings and cases instituted under
the authority of the preceding sentence shall conform as nearly as
possible to proceedings in rem in admiralty.
(c) Consumer product safety rule
Where appropriate, concurrently with the filing of such action or
as soon thereafter as may be practicable, the Commission shall
initiate a proceeding to promulgate a consumer product safety rule
applicable to the consumer product with respect to which such
action is filed.
(d) Jurisdiction and venue; process; subpena
(1) An action under subsection (a)(2) of this section may be
brought in the United States district court for the District of
Columbia or in any judicial district in which any of the defendants
is found, is an inhabitant or transacts business; and process in
such an action may be served on a defendant in any other district
in which such defendant resides or may be found. Subpenas
requiring attendance of witnesses in such an action may run into
any other district. In determining the judicial district in which
an action may be brought under this section in instances in which
such action may be brought in more than one judicial district, the
Commission shall take into account the convenience of the parties.
(2) Whenever proceedings under this section involving
substantially similar consumer products are pending in courts in
two or more judicial districts, they shall be consolidated for
trial by order of any such court upon application reasonably made
by any party in interest, upon notice to all other parties in
interest.
(e) Employment of attorneys by Commission
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in any action under
this section, the Commission may direct attorneys employed by it to
appear and represent it.
(g) (FOOTNOTE 1) Cost-benefit analysis of compliance with relief
ordered in action for judicial review of consumer product
safety rule not required
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. Probably should be ''(f)''.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the
Commission, in determining whether to bring an action against a
consumer product or a person under this section, to prepare a
comparison of the costs that would be incurred in complying with
the relief that may be ordered in such action with the benefits to
the public from such relief.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 12, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1218; Pub. L.
97-35, title XII, Sec. 1205(a)(2), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 716;
Pub. L. 101-608, title I, Sec. 111(a)(1), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat.
3114.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1990 - Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 101-608 added subsec. (g).
1981 - Subsecs. (d) to (f). Pub. L. 97-35 redesignated subsecs.
(e) and (f) as (d) and (e), respectively. Former subsec. (d),
which provided for consultation with the Product Safety Advisory
Council by the Commission prior to commencing an action, was struck
out.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1981 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-35 effective Aug. 13, 1981, see section
1215 of Pub. L. 97-35, set out as a note under section 2052 of this
title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 2055, 2064, 2066 of this
title; title 42 section 300j-22.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2062 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2062. Repealed. Pub. L. 97-35, title XII, Sec. 1211(b), Aug.
13, 1981, 95 Stat. 721
-MISC1-
Section, Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 13, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1219,
provided that Commission could prescribe procedures to insure that
manufacturer of a new consumer product notify Commission of new
product prior to its distribution.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF REPEAL
Repeal effective Aug. 13, 1981, see section 1215 of Pub. L.
97-35, set out as an Effective Date of 1981 Amendment note under
section 2052 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2063 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2063. Product certification and labeling
-STATUTE-
(a) Certification accompanying product; products with more than one
manufacturer
(1) Every manufacturer of a product which is subject to a
consumer product safety standard under this chapter and which is
distributed in commerce (and the private labeler of such product if
it bears a private label) shall issue a certificate which shall
certify that such product conforms to all applicable consumer
product safety standards, and shall specify any standard which is
applicable. Such certificate shall accompany the product or shall
otherwise be furnished to any distributor or retailer to whom the
product is delivered. Any certificate under this subsection shall
be based on a test of each product or upon a reasonable testing
program; shall state the name of the manufacturer or private
labeler issuing the certificate; and shall include the date and
place of manufacture.
(2) In the case of a consumer product for which there is more
than one manufacturer or more than one private labeler, the
Commission may by rule designate one or more of such manufacturers
or one or more of such private labelers (as the case may be) as the
persons who shall issue the certificate required by paragraph (1)
of this subsection, and may exempt all other manufacturers of such
product or all other private labelers of the product (as the case
may be) from the requirement under paragraph (1) to issue a
certificate with respect to such product.
(b) Rules to establish reasonable testing programs
The Commission may by rule prescribe reasonable testing programs
for consumer products which are subject to consumer product safety
standards under this chapter and for which a certificate is
required under subsection (a) of this section. Any test or testing
program on the basis of which a certificate is issued under
subsection (a) of this section may, at the option of the person
required to certify the product, be conducted by an independent
third party qualified to perform such tests or testing programs.
(c) Form and contents of labels
The Commission may by rule require the use and prescribe the form
and content of labels which contain the following information (or
that portion of it specified in the rule) -
(1) The date and place of manufacture of any consumer product.
(2) A suitable identification of the manufacturer of the
consumer product, unless the product bears a private label in
which case it shall identify the private labeler and shall also
contain a code mark which will permit the seller of such product
to identify the manufacturer thereof to the purchaser upon his
request.
(3) In the case of a consumer product subject to a consumer
product safety rule, a certification that the product meets all
applicable consumer product safety standards and a specification
of the standards which are applicable.
Such labels, where practicable, may be required by the Commission
to be permanently marked on or affixed to any such consumer
product. The Commission may, in appropriate cases, permit
information required under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this
subsection to be coded.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 14, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1220.)
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 2066, 2068, 2082 of this
title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2064 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2064. Substantial product hazards
-STATUTE-
(a) ''Substantial product hazard'' defined
For purposes of this section, the term ''substantial product
hazard'' means -
(1) a failure to comply with an applicable consumer product
safety rule which creates a substantial risk of injury to the
public, or
(2) a product defect which (because of the pattern of defect,
the number of defective products distributed in commerce, the
severity of the risk, or otherwise) creates a substantial risk of
injury to the public.
(b) Noncompliance with applicable consumer product safety rules;
product defects; notice to Commission by manufacturer,
distributor, or retailer
Every manufacturer of a consumer product distributed in commerce,
and every distributor and retailer of such product, who obtains
information which reasonably supports the conclusion that such
product -
(1) fails to comply with an applicable consumer product safety
rule or with a voluntary consumer product safety standard upon
which the Commission has relied under section 2058 of this title;
(2) contains a defect which could create a substantial product
hazard described in subsection (a)(2) of this section; or
(3) creates an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death,
shall immediately inform the Commission of such failure to comply,
of such defect, or of such risk, unless such manufacturer,
distributor, or retailer has actual knowledge that the Commission
has been adequately informed of such defect, failure to comply, or
such risk.
(c) Public notice of defect or failure to comply; mail notice
If the Commission determines (after affording interested persons,
including consumers and consumer organizations, an opportunity for
a hearing in accordance with subsection (f) of this section) that a
product distributed in commerce presents a substantial product
hazard and that notification is required in order to adequately
protect the public from such substantial product hazard, the
Commission may order the manufacturer or any distributor or
retailer of the product to take any one or more of the following
actions:
(1) To give public notice of the defect or failure to comply.
(2) To mail notice to each person who is a manufacturer,
distributor, or retailer of such product.
(3) To mail notice to every person to whom the person required
to give notice knows such product was delivered or sold.
Any such order shall specify the form and content of any notice
required to be given under such order.
(d) Repair; replacement; refunds; action plan
If the Commission determines (after affording interested parties,
including consumers and consumer organizations, an opportunity for
a hearing in accordance with subsection (f) of this section) that a
product distributed in commerce presents a substantial product
hazard and that action under this subsection is in the public
interest, it may order the manufacturer or any distributor or
retailer of such product to take whichever of the following actions
the person to whom the order is directed elects:
(1) To bring such product into conformity with the requirements
of the applicable consumer product safety rule or to repair the
defect in such product.
(2) To replace such product with a like or equivalent product
which complies with the applicable consumer product safety rule
or which does not contain the defect.
(3) To refund the purchase price of such product (less a
reasonable allowance for use, if such product has been in the
possession of a consumer for one year or more (A) at the time of
public notice under subsection (c) of this section, or (B) at the
time the consumer receives actual notice of the defect or
noncompliance, whichever first occurs).
An order under this subsection may also require the person to whom
it applies to submit a plan, satisfactory to the Commission, for
taking action under whichever of the preceding paragraphs of this
subsection under which such person has elected to act. The
Commission shall specify in the order the persons to whom refunds
must be made if the person to whom the order is directed elects to
take action described in paragraph (3). If an order under this
subsection is directed to more than one person, the Commission
shall specify which person has the election under this subsection.
An order under this subsection may prohibit the person to whom it
applies from manufacturing for sale, offering for sale,
distributing in commerce, or importing into the customs territory
of the United States (as defined in general note 2 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States), or from doing any
combination of such actions, the product with respect to which the
order was issued.
(e) Reimbursement
(1) No charge shall be made to any person (other than a
manufacturer, distributor, or retailer) who avails himself of any
remedy provided under an order issued under subsection (d) of this
section, and the person subject to the order shall reimburse each
person (other than a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer) who is
entitled to such a remedy for any reasonable and foreseeable
expenses incurred by such person in availing himself of such
remedy.
(2) An order issued under subsection (c) or (d) of this section
with respect to a product may require any person who is a
manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of the product to reimburse
any other person who is a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of
such product for such other person's expenses in connection with
carrying out the order, if the Commission determines such
reimbursement to be in the public interest.
(f) Hearing
An order under subsection (c) or (d) of this section may be
issued only after an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with
section 554 of title 5 except that, if the Commission determines
that any person who wishes to participate in such hearing is a part
of a class of participants who share an identity of interest, the
Commission may limit such person's participation in such hearing to
participation through a single representative designated by such
class (or by the Commission if such class fails to designate such a
representative). Any settlement offer which is submitted to the
presiding officer at a hearing under this subsection shall be
transmitted by the officer to the Commission for its consideration
unless the settlement offer is clearly frivolous or duplicative of
offers previously made.
(g) Preliminary injunction
(1) If the Commission has initiated a proceeding under this
section for the issuance of an order under subsection (d) of this
section with respect to a product which the Commission has reason
to believe presents a substantial product hazard, the Commission
(without regard to section 2076(b)(7) of this title) or the
Attorney General may, in accordance with section 2061(d)(1) of this
title, apply to a district court of the United States for the
issuance of a preliminary injunction to restrain the distribution
in commerce of such product pending the completion of such
proceeding. If such a preliminary injunction has been issued, the
Commission (or the Attorney General if the preliminary injunction
was issued upon an application of the Attorney General) may apply
to the issuing court for extensions of such preliminary injunction.
(2) Any preliminary injunction, and any extension of a
preliminary injunction, issued under this subsection with respect
to a product shall be in effect for such period as the issuing
court prescribes not to exceed a period which extends beyond the
thirtieth day from the date of the issuance of the preliminary
injunction (or, in the case of a preliminary injunction which has
been extended, the date of its extension) or the date of the
completion or termination of the proceeding under this section
respecting such product, whichever date occurs first.
(3) The amount in controversy requirement of section 1331 of
title 28 does not apply with respect to the jurisdiction of a
district court of the United States to issue or exend (FOOTNOTE 1)
a preliminary injunction under this subsection.
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. Probably should be ''extend''.
(h) Cost-benefit analysis of notification or other action not
required
Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the
Commission, in determining that a product distributed in commerce
presents a substantial product hazard and that notification or
other action under this section should be taken, to prepare a
comparison of the costs that would be incurred in providing
notification or taking other action under this section with the
benefits from such notification or action.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 15, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1221; Pub. L.
94-284, Sec. 12(a), May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 508; Pub. L. 97-35,
title XII, Sec. 1211(h)(4), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 723; Pub. L.
97-414, Sec. 9(j)(3), (m), Jan. 4, 1983, 96 Stat. 2064, 2065; Pub.
L. 100-418, title I, Sec. 1214(d), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1156;
Pub. L. 101-608, title I, Sec. 111(a)(2), 112(a), 113, Nov. 16,
1990, 104 Stat. 3114, 3115, 3117.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, referred to
in subsec. (d), is not set out in the Code. See Publication of
Harmonized Tariff Schedule note set out under section 1202 of Title
19, Customs Duties.
-MISC2-
AMENDMENTS
1990 - Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101-608, Sec. 112(a)(4), (5), in
concluding provisions substituted ''comply, of such defect, or of
such risk'' for ''comply or of such defect'' and ''defect, failure
to comply, or such risk'' for ''defect or failure to comply''.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 101-608, Sec. 112(a)(1), inserted
reference to voluntary consumer product safety standard upon which
Commission has relied under section 2058 of this title.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 101-608, Sec. 112(a)(2), (3), added par.
(3).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 101-608, Sec. 113, inserted at end ''Any
settlement offer which is submitted to the presiding officer at a
hearing under this subsection shall be transmitted by the officer
to the Commission for its consideration unless the settlement offer
is clearly frivolous or duplicative of offers previously made.''
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 101-608, Sec. 111(a)(2), added subsec. (h).
1988 - Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100-418 substituted ''general note 2
of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States'' for
''general headnote 2 to the Tariff Schedules of the United States''
in last sentence.
1983 - Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 97-414 clarified previous
inconsistencies in 1982 amendment by substituting ''section
206(d)(1)'' for ''section 206(c)(1)'' and amending Pub. L. 97-35,
Sec. 1211(h)(4), so as to strike out direction that par. (1) be
amended by inserting '', Science and Transportation'' after ''on
Commerce''.
1981 - Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1211(h)(4),
substituted reference to section 2061(c)(1) for reference to
section 2061(e)(1), but probably should have substituted instead
reference to section 2061(d)(1) in view of the redesignation of
section 2061(e)(1) as section 2061(d)(1) by section 1205(a)(2) of
Pub. L. 97-35 and the nonexistence of a section 2061(c)(1) of this
title. Provisions of Pub. L. 97-35 directing that '', Science and
Transportation'' be inserted after ''on Commerce'' could not be
executed in view of lack of such language in text. Section
1211(h)(4) of Pub. L. 97-35 was subsequently amended by Pub. L.
97-414. See 1983 Amendment note above.
1976 - Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 12(a)(1), provided, in
provision following par. (3), that an order issued under this
subsection may prohibit the person to whom it applies from
manufacturing for sale, offering for sale, distributing in
commerce, or importing into the customs territory of the United
States, the product for which the order was issued.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 12(a)(2), added subsec. (g).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-418 effective Jan. 1, 1989, and
applicable with respect to articles entered on or after such date,
see section 1217(b)(1) of Pub. L. 100-418, set out as an Effective
Date note under section 3001 of Title 19, Customs Duties.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1981 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-35 effective Aug. 13, 1981, see section
1215 of Pub. L. 97-35, set out as a note under section 2052 of this
title.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Pub. L. 103-267, title I, Sec. 102, June 16, 1994, 108 Stat. 726,
provided that:
''(a) Reports to Consumer Product Safety Commission. -
''(1) Requirement to report. - Each manufacturer, distributor,
retailer, and importer of a marble, small ball, or latex balloon,
or a toy or game that contains a marble, small ball, latex
balloon, or other small part, shall report to the Commission any
information obtained by such manufacturer, distributor, retailer,
or importer which reasonably supports the conclusion that -
''(A) an incident occurred in which a child (regardless of
age) choked on such a marble, small ball, or latex balloon or
on a marble, small ball, latex balloon, or other small part
contained in such toy or game; and
''(B) as a result of that incident the child died, suffered
serious injury, ceased breathing for any length of time, or was
treated by a medical professional.
''(2) Treatment under cpsa. - For purposes of section 19(a)(3)
of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2068(a)(3)), the
requirement to report information under this subsection is deemed
to be a requirement under such Act (15 U.S.C. 2051 et seq.).
''(3) Effect on liability. - A report by a manufacturer,
distributor, retailer, or importer under paragraph (1) shall not
be interpreted, for any purpose, as an admission of liability or
of the truth of the information contained in the report.
''(b) Confidentiality Protections. - The confidentiality
protections of section 6(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15
U.S.C. 2055(b)) apply to any information reported to the Commission
under subsection (a) of this section. For purposes of section
6(b)(5) of such Act, information so reported shall be treated as
information submitted pursuant to section 15(b) of such Act (15
U.S.C. 2064(b)) respecting a consumer product.''
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 2055, 2066, 2068, 2071,
2073 of this title; title 42 section 300j-22.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2065 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2065. Inspection and recordkeeping
-STATUTE-
(a) For purposes of implementing this chapter, or rules or orders
prescribed under this chapter, officers or employees duly
designated by the Commission, upon presenting appropriate
credentials and a written notice from the Commission to the owner,
operator, or agent in charge, are authorized -
(1) to enter, at reasonable times, (A) any factory, warehouse,
or establishment in which consumer products are manufactured or
held, in connection with distribution in commerce, or (B) any
conveyance being used to transport consumer products in
connection with distribution in commerce; and
(2) to inspect, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner
such conveyance or those areas of such factory, warehouse, or
establishment where such products are manufactured, held, or
transported and which may relate to the safety of such products.
Each such inspection shall be commenced and completed with
reasonable promptness.
(b) Every person who is a manufacturer, private labeler, or
distributor of a consumer product shall establish and maintain such
records, make such reports, and provide such information as the
Commission may, by rule, reasonably require for the purposes of
implementing this chapter, or to determine compliance with rules or
orders prescribed under this chapter. Upon request of an officer
or employee duly designated by the Commission, every such
manufacturer, private labeler, or distributor shall permit the
inspection of appropriate books, records, and papers relevant to
determining whether such manufacturer, private labeler, or
distributor has acted or is acting in compliance with this chapter
and rules under this chapter.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 16, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1222.)
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2066 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2066. Imported products
-STATUTE-
(a) Refusal of admission
Any consumer product offered for importation into the customs
territory of the United States (as defined in general note 2 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States) shall be refused
admission into such customs territory if such product -
(1) fails to comply with an applicable consumer product safety
rule;
(2) is not accompanied by a certificate required by section
2063 of this title, or is not labeled in accordance with
regulations under section 2063(c) of this title;
(3) is or has been determined to be an imminently hazardous
consumer product in a proceeding brought under section 2061 of
this title;
(4) has a product defect which constitutes a substantial
product hazard (within the meaning of section 2064(a)(2)) of this
title; or
(5) is a product which was manufactured by a person who the
Commission has informed the Secretary of the Treasury is in
violation of subsection (g) of this section.
(b) Samples
The Secretary of the Treasury shall obtain without charge and
deliver to the Commission, upon the latter's request, a reasonable
number of samples of consumer products being offered for import.
Except for those owners or consignees who are or have been afforded
an opportunity for a hearing in a proceeding under section 2061 of
this title with respect to an imminently hazardous product, the
owner or consignee of the product shall be afforded an opportunity
by the Commission for a hearing in accordance with section 554 of
title 5 with respect to the importation of such products into the
customs territory of the United States. If it appears from
examination of such samples or otherwise that a product must be
refused admission under the terms of subsection (a) of this
section, such product shall be refused admission, unless subsection
(c) of this section applies and is complied with.
(c) Modification
If it appears to the Commission that any consumer product which
may be refused admission pursuant to subsection (a) of this section
can be so modified that it need not (under the terms of paragraphs
(1) through (4) of subsection (a) of this section) be refused
admission, the Commission may defer final determination as to the
admission of such product and, in accordance with such regulations
as the Commission and the Secretary of the Treasury shall jointly
agree to, permit such product to be delivered from customs custody
under bond for the purpose of permitting the owner or consignee an
opportunity to so modify such product.
(d) Supervision of modifications
All actions taken by an owner or consignee to modify such product
under subsection (c) of this section shall be subject to the
supervision of an officer or employee of the Commission and of the
Department of the Treasury. If it appears to the Commission that
the product cannot be so modified or that the owner or consignee is
not proceeding satisfactorily to modify such product, it shall be
refused admission into the customs territory of the United States,
and the Commission may direct the Secretary to demand redelivery of
the product into customs custody, and to seize the product in
accordance with section 2071(b) of this title if it is not so
redelivered.
(e) Product destruction
Products refused admission into the customs territory of the
United States under this section must be exported, except that upon
application, the Secretary of the Treasury may permit the
destruction of the product in lieu of exportation. If the owner or
consignee does not export the product within a reasonable time, the
Department of the Treasury may destroy the product.
(f) Payment of expenses occasioned by refusal of admission
All expenses (including travel, per diem or subsistence, and
salaries of officers or employees of the United States) in
connection with the destruction provided for in this section (the
amount of such expenses to be determined in accordance with
regulations of the Secretary of the Treasury) and all expenses in
connection with the storage, cartage, or labor with respect to any
consumer product refused admission under this section, shall be
paid by the owner or consignee and, in default of such payment,
shall constitute a lien against any future importations made by
such owner or consignee.
(g) Importation conditioned upon manufacturer's compliance
The Commission may, by rule, condition the importation of a
consumer product on the manufacturer's compliance with the
inspection and recordkeeping requirements of this chapter and the
Commission's rules with respect to such requirements.
(h) Product surveillance program
(1) The Commission shall establish and maintain a permanent
product surveillance program, in cooperation with other appropriate
Federal agencies, for the purpose of carrying out the Commission's
responsibilities under this chapter and the other Acts administered
by the Commission and preventing the entry of unsafe consumer
products into the commerce of the United States.
(2) The Commission may provide to the agencies with which it is
cooperating under paragraph (1) such information, data, violator
lists, test results, and other support, guidance, and documents as
may be necessary or helpful for such agencies to cooperate with the
Commission to carry out the product surveillance program under
paragraph (1).
(3) The Commission shall periodically report to the Congress the
results of the surveillance program under paragraph (1).
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 17, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1223; Pub. L.
100-418, title I, Sec. 1214(d), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1156; Pub.
L. 101-608, title I, Sec. 114, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3118.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, referred to
in subsec. (a), is not set out in the Code. See Publication of
Harmonized Tariff Schedule note set out under section 1202 of Title
19, Customs Duties.
-MISC2-
AMENDMENTS
1990 - Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 101-608 added subsec. (h).
1988 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100-418 substituted ''general note 2
of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States'' for
''general headnote 2 to the Tariff Schedules of the United
States''.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100-418 effective Jan. 1, 1989, and
applicable with respect to articles entered on or after such date,
see section 1217(b)(1) of Pub. L. 100-418, set out as an Effective
Date note under section 3001 of Title 19, Customs Duties.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2067 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2067. Exemption of exports
-STATUTE-
(a) Risk of injury to consumers within United States
This chapter shall not apply to any consumer product if (1) it
can be shown that such product is manufactured, sold, or held for
sale for export from the United States (or that such product was
imported for export), unless (A) such consumer product is in fact
distributed in commerce for use in the United States, or (B) the
Commission determines that exportation of such product presents an
unreasonable risk of injury to consumers within the United States,
and (2) such consumer product when distributed in commerce, or any
container in which it is enclosed when so distributed, bears a
stamp or label stating that such consumer product is intended for
export; except that this chapter shall apply to any consumer
product manufactured for sale, offered for sale, or sold for
shipment to any installation of the United States located outside
of the United States.
(b) Statement of exportation: filing period, information;
notification of foreign country; petition for minimum filing
period: good cause
Not less than thirty days before any person exports to a foreign
country any product -
(1) which is not in conformity with an applicable consumer
product safety standard in effect under this chapter, or
(2) which is declared to be a banned hazardous substance by a
rule promulgated under section 2058 of this title,
such person shall file a statement with the Commission notifying
the Commission of such exportation, and the Commission, upon
receipt of such statement, shall promptly notify the government of
such country of such exportation and the basis for such safety
standard or rule. Any statement filed with the Commission under
the preceding sentence shall specify the anticipated date of
shipment of such product, the country and port of destination of
such product, and the quantity of such product that will be
exported, and shall contain such other information as the
Commission may by regulation require. Upon petition filed with the
Commission by any person required to file a statement under this
subsection respecting an exportation, the Commission may, for good
cause shown, exempt such person from the requirement of this
subsection that such a statement be filed no less than thirty days
before the date of the exportation, except that in no case shall
the Commission permit such a statement to be filed later than the
tenth day before such date.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 18, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1224; Pub. L.
95-631, Sec. 6(a), Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3745.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1978 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95-631 designated existing text as
subsec. (a) and cl. (A) and in subsec. (a), as so designated, added
cl. (B), and added subsec. (b).
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 2068 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2068 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2068. Prohibited acts
-STATUTE-
(a) Designation
It shall be unlawful for any person to -
(1) manufacture for sale, offer for sale, distribute in
commerce, or import into the United States any consumer product
which is not in conformity with an applicable consumer product
safety standard under this chapter;
(2) manufacture for sale, offer for sale, distribute in
commerce, or import into the United States any consumer product
which has been declared a banned hazardous product by a rule
under this chapter;
(3) fail or refuse to permit access to or copying of records,
or fail or refuse to establish or maintain records, or fail or
refuse to make reports or provide information, or fail or refuse
to permit entry or inspection, as required under this chapter or
rule thereunder;
(4) fail to furnish information required by section 2064(b) of
this title;
(5) fail to comply with an order issued under section 2064(c)
or (d) of this title (relating to notification, to repair,
replacement, and refund, and to prohibited acts);
(6) fail to furnish a certificate required by section 2063 of
this title or issue a false certificate if such person in the
exercise of due care has reason to know that such certificate is
false or misleading in any material respect; or to fail to comply
with any rule under section 2063(c) of this title (relating to
labeling);
(7) fail to comply with any rule under section 2058(g)(2) of
this title (relating to stockpiling); or (FOOTNOTE 1)
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. Words ''or'' and ''and'' probably
should not appear at the end of pars. (7) and (8). The period at
the end of par. (9) probably should be a semicolon, and the period
at the end of par. (10) probably should be a semicolon followed by
''or''.
(8) fail to comply with any rule under section 2076(e) of this
title (relating to provision of performance and technical data);
and (FOOTNOTE 1)
(9) fail to comply with any rule or requirement under section
2082 of this title (relating to labeling and testing of cellulose
insulation). (FOOTNOTE 1)
(10) fail to file a statement with the Commission pursuant to
section 2067(b) of this title. (FOOTNOTE 1)
(11) fail to furnish information required by section 2084 of
this title.
(b) Exception
Paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of this section shall
not apply to any person (1) who holds a certificate issued in
accordance with section 2063(a) of this title to the effect that
such consumer product conforms to all applicable consumer product
safety rules, unless such person knows that such consumer product
does not conform, or (2) who relies in good faith on the
representation of the manufacturer or a distributor of such product
that the product is not subject to an applicable product safety
rule.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 19, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1224; Pub. L.
94-284, Sec. 12(b), 13(a), May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 508, 509; Pub. L.
95-319, Sec. 3(b), July 11, 1978, 92 Stat. 390; Pub. L. 95-631,
Sec. 6(b), Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3745; Pub. L. 97-414, Sec.
9(j)(4), Jan. 4, 1983, 96 Stat. 2064; Pub. L. 101-608, title I,
Sec. 112(d), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3117.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1990 - Subsec. (a)(11). Pub. L. 101-608 added par. (11).
1983 - Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 97-414, Sec. 9(j)(4)(A),
substituted ''section 2058(g)(2)'' for ''section 2058(d)(2)''.
Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 97-414, Sec. 9(j)(4)(B), redesignated
par. (9) as (8) and struck out former par. (8) which made it
unlawful for any person to fail to comply with any rule under
section 2062 of this title (relating to prior notice and
description of new consumer products).
Subsec. (a)(9), (10). Pub. L. 97-414, Sec. 9(j)(4)(B),
redesignated par. (10), as added by Pub. L. 95-319, as (9). Former
par. (9) redesignated (8).
1978 - Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 95-631 added par. (10), providing
that it be unlawful to fail to file a statement with the Commission
pursuant to section 2067(b) of this title.
Pub. L. 95-319 added par. (10), providing that it be unlawful to
fail to comply with any rule or requirement under section 2082 of
this title.
1976 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94-284 substituted ''to'' for ''and
to'' and inserted '', and to prohibited acts'' after ''refund'' in
par. (5), inserted ''or fail or refuse to establish or maintain
records,'' after ''copying of records,'' in par. (3), and added
pars. (8) and (9).
DUTY TO REPORT CHOKING INCIDENTS CAUSED BY CHILDREN'S TOYS OR GAMES
For purposes of subsec. (a)(3) of this section, requirement to
report information relating to choking incidents caused by
children's toys or games to Consumer Product Safety Commission
deemed a requirement under this chapter, see section 102 of Pub. L.
103-267, set out as a Reporting Requirements note under section
2064 of this title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 2055, 2069, 2070, 2071 of
this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2069 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2069. Civil penalties
-STATUTE-
(a) Amount of penalty
(1) Any person who knowingly violates section 2068 of this title
shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for each
such violation. Subject to paragraph (2), a violation of section
2068(a)(1), (2), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), or (11) of
this title shall constitute a separate offense with respect to each
consumer product involved, except that the maximum civil penalty
shall not exceed $1,250,000 for any related series of violations.
A violation of section 2068(a)(3) of this title shall constitute a
separate violation with respect to each failure or refusal to allow
or perform an act required thereby; and, if such violation is a
continuing one, each day of such violation shall constitute a
separate offense, except that the maximum civil penalty shall not
exceed $1,250,000 for any related series of violations.
(2) The second sentence of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall
not apply to violations of paragraph (1) or (2) of section 2068(a)
of this title -
(A) if the person who violated such paragraphs is not the
manufacturer or private labeler or a distributor of the products
involved, and
(B) if such person did not have either (i) actual knowledge
that his distribution or sale of the product violated such
paragraphs or (ii) notice from the Commission that such
distribution or sale would be a violation of such paragraphs.
(3)(A) The maximum penalty amounts authorized in paragraph (1)
shall be adjusted for inflation as provided in this paragraph.
(B) Not later than December 1, 1994, and December 1 of each fifth
calendar year thereafter, the Commission shall prescribe and
publish in the Federal Register a schedule of maximum authorized
penalties that shall apply for violations that occur after January
1 of the year immediately following such publication.
(C) The schedule of maximum authorized penalties shall be
prescribed by increasing each of the amounts referred to in
paragraph (1) by the cost-of-living adjustment for the preceding
five years. Any increase determined under the preceding sentence
shall be rounded to -
(i) in the case of penalties greater than $1,000 but less than
or equal to $10,000, the nearest multiple of $1,000;
(ii) in the case of penalties greater than $10,000 but less
than or equal to $100,000, the nearest multiple of $5,000;
(iii) in the case of penalties greater than $100,000 but less
than or equal to $200,000, the nearest multiple of $10,000; and
(iv) in the case of penalties greater than $200,000, the
nearest multiple of $25,000.
(D) For purposes of this subsection:
(i) The term ''Consumer Price Index'' means the Consumer Price
Index for all-urban consumers published by the Department of
Labor.
(ii) The term ''cost-of-living adjustment for the preceding
five years'' means the percentage by which -
(I) the Consumer Price Index for the month of June of the
calendar year preceding the adjustment; exceeds
(II) the Consumer Price Index for the month of June preceding
the date on which the maximum authorized penalty was last
adjusted.
(b) Relevant factors in determining amount of penalty
In determining the amount of any penalty to be sought upon
commencing an action seeking to assess a penalty for a violation of
section 2068(a) of this title, the Commission shall consider the
nature of the product defect, the severity of the risk of injury,
the occurrence or absence of injury, the number of defective
products distributed, and the appropriateness of such penalty in
relation to the size of the business of the person charged.
(c) Compromise of penalty; deductions from penalty
Any civil penalty under this section may be compromised by the
Commission. In determining the amount of such penalty or whether it
should be remitted or mitigated and in what amount, the Commission
shall consider the appropriateness of such penalty to the size of
the business of the person charged, the nature of the product
defect, the severity of the risk of injury, the occurrence or
absence of injury, and the number of defective products
distributed. The amount of such penalty when finally determined,
or the amount agreed on compromise, may be deducted from any sums
owing by the United States to the person charged.
(d) ''Knowingly'' defined
As used in the first sentence of subsection (a)(1) of this
section, the term ''knowingly'' means (1) the having of actual
knowledge, or (2) the presumed having of knowledge deemed to be
possessed by a reasonable man who acts in the circumstances,
including knowledge obtainable upon the exercise of due care to
ascertain the truth of representations.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 20, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1225; Pub. L.
94-284, Sec. 13(b), May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 509; Pub. L. 95-631,
Sec. 6(c), Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3745; Pub. L. 97-35, title XII,
Sec. 1211(c), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 721; Pub. L. 101-608, title
I, Sec. 112(e), 115(a), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3117, 3118.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1990 - Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 101-608, Sec. 112(e), 115(a)(1),
(2), substituted ''$5,000'' for ''$2,000'', and ''(10), or (11)''
for ''or (10)'', and substituted ''$1,250,000'' for ''$500,000'' in
two places.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 101-608, Sec. 115(a)(3), added par. (3).
1981 - Subsecs. (b) to (d). Pub. L. 97-35 added subsec. (b),
redesignated former subsec. (b) as (c), substituted ''the
Commission shall consider the appropriateness of such penalty to
the size of the business of the person charged, the nature of the
product defect, the severity of the risk of injury, the occurrence
or absence of injury, and the number of defective products
distributed'' for ''the appropriateness of such penalty to the size
of the business of the person charged and the gravity of the
violation shall be considered'', and redesignated subsec. (c) as
(d).
1978 - Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 95-631 made violation of section
2068(a)(10) of this title a separate offense.
1976 - Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 94-284 inserted reference to pars.
(8) and (9).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1981 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-35 effective Aug. 13, 1981, see section
1215 of Pub. L. 97-35, set out as a note under section 2052 of this
title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 2055 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2070 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2070. Criminal penalties
-STATUTE-
(a) Any person who knowingly and willfully violates section 2068
of this title after having received notice of noncompliance from
the Commission shall be fined not more than $50,000 or be
imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
(b) Any individual director, officer, or agent of a corporation
who knowingly and willfully authorizes, orders, or performs any of
the acts or practices constituting in whole or in part a violation
of section 2068 of this title, and who has knowledge of notice of
noncompliance received by the corporation from the Commission,
shall be subject to penalties under this section without regard to
any penalties to which that corporation may be subject under
subsection (a) of this section.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 21, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1225.)
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 2055 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2071 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2071. Injunctive enforcement and seizure
-STATUTE-
(a) Jurisdiction
The United States district courts shall have jurisdiction to take
the following action:
(1) Restrain any violation of section 2068 of this title.
(2) Restrain any person from manufacturing for sale, offering
for sale, distributing in commerce, or importing into the United
States a product in violation of an order in effect under section
2064(d) of this title.
(3) Restrain any person from distributing in commerce a product
which does not comply with a consumer product safety rule.
Such actions may be brought by the Commission (without regard to
section 2076(b)(7)(A) of this title) or by the Attorney General in
any United States district court for a district wherein any act,
omission, or transaction constituting the violation occurred, or in
such court for the district wherein the defendant is found or
transacts business. In any action under this section process may
be served on a defendant in any other district in which the
defendant resides or may be found.
(b) Products liable to proceeding
Any consumer product -
(1) which fails to conform with an applicable consumer product
safety rule, or
(2) the manufacture for sale, offering for sale, distribution
in commerce, or the importation into the United States of which
has been prohibited by an order in effect under section 2064(d)
of this title,
when introduced into or while in commerce or while held for sale
after shipment in commerce shall be liable to be proceeded against
on libel of information and condemned in any district court of the
United States within the jurisdiction of which such consumer
product is found. Proceedings in cases instituted under the
authority of this subsection shall conform as nearly as possible to
proceedings in rem in admiralty. Whenever such proceedings
involving substantially similar consumer products are pending in
courts of two or more judicial districts they shall be consolidated
for trial by order of any such court upon application reasonably
made by any party in interest upon notice to all other parties in
interest.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 22, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1225; Pub. L.
94-284, Sec. 11(b), 12(c), May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 507, 508.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1976 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 11(b), 12(c)(1),
designated existing provision as par. (1) and (3), added par. (2),
and in provision following par. (3) substituted ''(without regard
to section 2076(b)(7)(A) of this title)'' for ''(with the
concurrence of the Attorney General)''.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 12(c)(2), amended subsec. (b)
generally, inserting provision designated as par. (2) which
included within consumer products liable to proceedings, a product
of which the manufacture for sale, offering for sale, distribution
in commerce, or importation into the United States has been
prohibited.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 2055, 2066 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2072 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2072. Suits for damages
-STATUTE-
(a) Persons injured; costs; amount in controversy
Any person who shall sustain injury by reason of any knowing
(including willful) violation of a consumer product safety rule, or
any other rule or order issued by the Commission may sue any person
who knowingly (including willfully) violated any such rule or order
in any district court of the United States in the district in which
the defendant resides or is found or has an agent, shall recover
damages sustained and may, if the court determines it to be in the
interest of justice, recover the costs of suit, including
reasonable attorneys' fees (determined in accordance with section
2060(f) of this title) and reasonable expert witnesses' fees:
Provided, That the matter in controversy exceeds the sum or value
of $10,000, exclusive of interest and cost, unless such action is
brought against the United States, any agency thereof, or any
officer or employee thereof in his official capacity.
(b) Denial and imposition of costs
Except when express provision is made in a statute of the United
States, in any case in which the plaintiff is finally adjudged to
be entitled to recover less than the sum or value of $10,000,
computed without regard to any setoff or counterclaim to which the
defendant may be adjudged to be entitled, and exclusive of
interests and costs, the district court may deny costs to the
plaintiff and, in addition, may impose costs on the plaintiff.
(c) Remedies available
The remedies provided for in this section shall be in addition to
and not in lieu of any other remedies provided by common law or
under Federal or State law.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 23, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1226; Pub. L.
94-284, Sec. 10(c), May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 507; Pub. L. 96-486,
Sec. 3, Dec. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 2369; Pub. L. 97-35, title XII, Sec.
1211(h)(3)(B), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 723.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1981 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97-35 substituted ''section 2060(f)
of this title'' for ''section 2059(e)(4) of this title''.
1980 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 96-486, Sec. 3(a), struck out
provision subjecting actions under this section to section 1331 of
title 28 as to the amount in controversy and inserted proviso
establishing minimum amount in controversy and excepting actions
brought against the United States, or agencies, officers, or
employees thereof.
Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 96-486, Sec. 3(b), added subsec. (b)
and redesignated former subsec. (b) as (c).
1976 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94-284 substituted ''shall'' for
''and shall'' and provision permitting the court to award costs in
the interest of justice for a prior provision which permitted the
court to award costs in its discretion.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1981 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-35 effective Aug. 13, 1981, see section
1215 of Pub. L. 97-35, set out as a note under section 2052 of this
title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1980 AMENDMENT; APPLICABILITY
For effective date and applicability of amendment by Pub. L.
96-486, see section 4 of Pub. L. 96-486, set out as an Effective
Date of 1980 Amendment note under section 1331 of Title 28,
Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 2060 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2073 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2073. Private enforcement
-STATUTE-
Any interested person (including any individual or nonprofit,
business, or other entity) may bring an action in any United States
district court for the district in which the defendant is found or
transacts business to enforce a consumer product safety rule or an
order under section 2064 of this title, and to obtain appropriate
injunctive relief. Not less than thirty days prior to the
commencement of such action, such interested persons shall give
notice by registered mail to the Commission, to the Attorney
General, and to the person against whom such action is directed.
Such notice shall state the nature of the alleged violation of any
such standard or order, the relief to be requested, and the court
in which the action will be brought. No separate suit shall be
brought under this section if at the time the suit is brought the
same alleged violation is the subject of a pending civil or
criminal action by the United States under this chapter. In any
action under this section the court may in the interest of justice
award the costs of suit, including reasonable attorneys' fees
(determined in accordance with section 2060(f) of this title) and
reasonable expert witnesses' fees.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 24, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1226; Pub. L.
94-284, Sec. 10(d), May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 507; Pub. L. 97-35,
title XII, Sec. 1211(a), (h)(3)(C), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 721,
723.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1981 - Pub. L. 97-35 substituted ''Any interested person
(including any individual or nonprofit, business, or other
entity)'' for ''Any interested person'', and ''section 2060(f) of
this title'' for ''2059(e)(4) of this title''.
1976 - Pub. L. 94-284 substituted provision permitting the court
to award costs in the interest of justice for the provision which
permitted costs to be demanded as part of the complaint and the
court to award them to the prevailing party.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1981 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-35 effective Aug. 13, 1981, see section
1215 of Pub. L. 97-35, set out as a note under section 2052 of this
title.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 1194, 1264, 2060 of this
title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2074 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2074. Private remedies
-STATUTE-
(a) Liability at common law or under State statute not relieved by
compliance
Compliance with consumer product safety rules or other rules or
orders under this chapter shall not relieve any person from
liability at common law or under State statutory law to any other
person.
(b) Evidence of Commission's inaction inadmissible in actions
relating to consumer products
The failure of the Commission to take any action or commence a
proceeding with respect to the safety of a consumer product shall
not be admissible in evidence in litigation at common law or under
State statutory law relating to such consumer product.
(c) Public information
Subject to sections 2055(a)(2) and 2055(b) of this title but
notwithstanding section 2055(a)(1) of this title, (1) any accident
or investigation report made under this chapter by an officer or
employee of the Commission shall be made available to the public in
a manner which will not identify any injured person or any person
treating him, without the consent of the person so identified, and
(2) all reports on research projects, demonstration projects, and
other related activities shall be public information.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 25, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1227.)
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2075 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2075. State standards
-STATUTE-
(a) State compliance to Federal standards
Whenever a consumer product safety standard under this chapter is
in effect and applies to a risk of injury associated with a
consumer product, no State or political subdivision of a State
shall have any authority either to establish or to continue in
effect any provision of a safety standard or regulation which
prescribes any requirements as to the performance, composition,
contents, design, finish, construction, packaging, or labeling of
such product which are designed to deal with the same risk of
injury associated with such consumer product, unless such
requirements are identical to the requirements of the Federal
standard.
(b) Consumer product safety requirements which impose performance
standards more stringent than Federal standards
Subsection (a) of this section does not prevent the Federal
Government or the government of any State or political subdivision
of a State from establishing or continuing in effect a safety
requirement applicable to a consumer product for its own use which
requirement is designed to protect against a risk of injury
associated with the product and which is not identical to the
consumer product safety standard applicable to the product under
this chapter if the Federal, State, or political subdivision
requirement provides a higher degree of protection from such risk
of injury than the standard applicable under this chapter.
(c) Exemptions
Upon application of a State or political subdivision of a State,
the Commission may by rule, after notice and opportunity for oral
presentation of views, exempt from the provisions of subsection (a)
of this section (under such conditions as it may impose in the
rule) any proposed safety standard or regulation which is described
in such application and which is designed to protect against a risk
of injury associated with a consumer product subject to a consumer
product safety standard under this chapter if the State or
political subdivision standard or regulation -
(1) provides a significantly higher degree of protection from
such risk of injury than the consumer product safety standard
under this chapter, and
(2) does not unduly burden interstate commerce.
In determining the burden, if any, of a State or political
subdivision standard or regulation on interstate commerce, the
Commission shall consider and make appropriate (as determined by
the Commission in its discretion) findings on the technological and
economic feasibility of complying with such standard or regulation,
the cost of complying with such standard or regulation, the
geographic distribution of the consumer product to which the
standard or regulation would apply, the probability of other States
or political subdivisions applying for an exemption under this
subsection for a similar standard or regulation, and the need for a
national, uniform standard under this chapter for such consumer
product.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 26, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1227; Pub. L.
94-284, Sec. 17(d), May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 514.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1976 - Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94-284 substituted provision that a
standard provide a significantly higher degree of protection from
the risk of injury for the provision that the standard impose a
higher level of performance.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94-284 substituted requirement that a State
standard provide a significantly higher degree of protection from
the risk of injury than the standard under this chapter for the
requirement that the State standard impose a higher level of
performance, eliminated the requirement of a compelling local
condition, and inserted the requirement that the Commission make
specific findings in determining the burden on interstate commerce.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2076 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2076. Additional functions of Consumer Product Safety
Commission
-STATUTE-
(a) Authority to conduct hearings or other inquiries
The Commission may, by one or more of its members or by such
agents or agency as it may designate, conduct any hearing or other
inquiry necessary or appropriate to its functions anywhere in the
United States. A Commissioner who participates in such a hearing or
other inquiry shall not be disqualified solely by reason of such
participation from subsequently participating in a decision of the
Commission in the same manner. The Commission shall publish notice
of any proposed hearing in the Federal Register and shall afford a
reasonable opportunity for interested persons to present relevant
testimony and data.
(b) Commission powers; orders
The Commission shall also have the power -
(1) to require, by special or general orders, any person to
submit in writing such reports and answers to questions as the
Commission may prescribe to carry out a specific regulatory or
enforcement function of the Commission; and such submission shall
be made within such reasonable period and under oath or otherwise
as the Commission may determine;
(2) to administer oaths;
(3) to require by subpena the attendance and testimony of
witnesses and the production of all documentary evidence relating
to the execution of its duties;
(4) in any proceeding or investigation to order testimony to be
taken by deposition before any person who is designated by the
Commission and has the power to administer oaths and, in such
instances, to compel testimony and the production of evidence in
the same manner as authorized under paragraph (3) of this
subsection;
(5) to pay witnesses the same fees and mileage as are paid in
like circumstances in the courts of the United States;
(6) to accept gifts and voluntary and uncompensated services,
notwithstanding the provisions of section 1342 of title 31;
(7) to -
(A) initiate, prosecute, defend, or appeal (other than to the
Supreme Court of the United States), through its own legal
representative and in the name of the Commission, any civil
action if the Commission makes a written request to the
Attorney General for representation in such civil action and
the Attorney General does not within the 45-day period
beginning on the date such request was made notify the
Commission in writing that the Attorney General will represent
the Commission in such civil action, and
(B) initiate, prosecute, or appeal, through its own legal
representative, with the concurrence of the Attorney General or
through the Attorney General, any criminal action,
for the purpose of enforcing the laws subject to its
jurisdiction;
(8) to lease buildings or parts of buildings in the District of
Columbia, without regard to section 8141 of title 40, for the use
of the Commission; and
(9) to delegate any of its functions or powers, other than the
power to issue subpenas under paragraph (3), to any officer or
employee of the Commission.
An order issued under paragraph (1) shall contain a complete
statement of the reason the Commission requires the report or
answers specified in the order to carry out a specific regulatory
or enforcement function of the Commission. Such an order shall be
designed to place the least burden on the person subject to the
order as is practicable taking into account the purpose for which
the order was issued.
(c) Noncompliance with subpena or Commission order; contempt
Any United States district court within the jurisdiction of which
any inquiry is carried on, may, upon petition by the Commission
(subject to subsection (b)(7) of this section) or by the Attorney
General, in case of refusal to obey a subpena or order of the
Commission issued under subsection (b) of this section, issue an
order requiring compliance therewith; and any failure to obey the
order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt
thereof.
(d) Disclosure of information
No person shall be subject to civil liability to any person
(other than the Commission or the United States) for disclosing
information at the request of the Commission.
(e) Performance and technical data
The Commission may by rule require any manufacturer of consumer
products to provide to the Commission such performance and
technical data related to performance and safety as may be required
to carry out the purposes of this chapter, and to give such
notification of such performance and technical data at the time of
original purchase to prospective purchasers and to the first
purchaser of such product for purposes other than resale, as it
determines necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
(f) Purchase of consumer products by Commission
For purposes of carrying out this chapter, the Commission may
purchase any consumer product and it may require any manufacturer,
distributor, or retailer of a consumer product to sell the product
to the Commission at manufacturer's, distributor's, or retailer's
cost.
(g) Contract authority
The Commission is authorized to enter into contracts with
governmental entities, private organizations, or individuals for
the conduct of activities authorized by this chapter.
(h) Research, development, and testing facilities
The Commission may plan, construct, and operate a facility or
facilities suitable for research, development, and testing of
consumer products in order to carry out this chapter.
(i) Recordkeeping; audit
(1) Each recipient of assistance under this chapter pursuant to
grants or contracts entered into under other than competitive
bidding procedures shall keep such records as the Commission by
rule shall prescribe, including records which fully disclose the
amount and disposition by such recipient of the proceeds of such
assistance, the total cost of the project undertaken in connection
with which such assistance is given or used, and the amount of that
portion of the cost of the project or undertaking supplied by other
sources, and such other records as will facilitate an effective
audit.
(2) The Commission and the Comptroller General of the United
States, or their duly authorized representatives, shall have access
for the purpose of audit and examination to any books, documents,
papers, and records of the recipients that are pertinent to the
grants or contracts entered into under this chapter under other
than competitive bidding procedures.
(j) Report to President and Congress
The Commission shall prepare and submit to the President and the
Congress at the beginning of each regular session of Congress a
comprehensive report on the administration of this chapter for the
preceding fiscal year. Such report shall include -
(1) a thorough appraisal, including statistical analyses,
estimates, and long-term projections, of the incidence of injury
and effects to the population resulting from consumer products,
with a breakdown, insofar as practicable, among the various
sources of such injury;
(2) a list of consumer product safety rules prescribed or in
effect during such year;
(3) an evaluation of the degree of observance of consumer
product safety rules, including a list of enforcement actions,
court decisions, and compromises of alleged violations, by
location and company name;
(4) a summary of outstanding problems confronting the
administration of this chapter in order of priority;
(5) an analysis and evaluation of public and private consumer
product safety research activities;
(6) a list, with a brief statement of the issues, of completed
or pending judicial actions under this chapter;
(7) the extent to which technical information was disseminated
to the scientific and commercial communities and consumer
information was made available to the public;
(8) the extent of cooperation between Commission officials and
representatives of industry and other interested parties in the
implementation of this chapter, including a log or summary of
meetings held between Commission officials and representatives of
industry and other interested parties;
(9) an appraisal of significant actions of State and local
governments relating to the responsibilities of the Commission;
(10) with respect to voluntary consumer product safety
standards for which the Commission has participated in the
development through monitoring or offering of assistance and with
respect to voluntary consumer product safety standards relating
to risks of injury that are the subject or regulatory action by
the Commission, a description of -
(A) the number of such standards adopted;
(B) the nature and number of the products which are the
subject of such standards;
(C) the effectiveness of such standards in reducing potential
harm from consumer products;
(D) the degree to which staff members of the Commission
participate in the development of such standards;
(E) the amount of resources of the Commission devoted to
encouraging development of such standards; and
(F) such other information as the Commission determines
appropriate or necessary to inform the Congress on the current
status of the voluntary consumer product safety standard
program; and
(11) such recommendations for additional legislation as the
Commission deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this
chapter.
(k) Budget estimates and requests; legislative recommendations;
testimony; comments on legislation
(1) Whenever the Commission submits any budget estimate or
request to the President or the Office of Management and Budget, it
shall concurrently transmit a copy of that estimate or request to
the Congress.
(2) Whenever the Commission submits any legislative
recommendations, or testimony, or comments on legislation to the
President or the Office of Management and Budget, it shall
concurrently transmit a copy thereof to the Congress. No officer or
agency of the United States shall have any authority to require the
Commission to submit its legislative recommendations, or testimony,
or comments on legislation, to any officer or agency of the United
States for approval, comments, or review, prior to the submission
of such recommendations, testimony, or comments to the Congress.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 27, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1227; Pub. L.
94-273, Sec. 31, Apr. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 380; Pub. L. 94-284, Sec.
8(b), 11(c), (d), 14, May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 506-509; Pub. L.
95-631, Sec. 11, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3748; Pub. L. 97-35, title
XII, Sec. 1207(b), 1208, 1209(c), 1211(d), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat.
718, 720, 721.)
-COD-
CODIFICATION
In subsec. (b)(6), ''section 1342 of title 31'' substituted for
''section 3679 of the Revised Statutes (31 U.S.C. 665(b))'' on
authority of Pub. L. 97-258, Sec. 4(b), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat.
1067, the first section of which enacted Title 31, Money and
Finance.
''Section 8141 of title 40'' substituted in subsec. (b)(8) for
''the Act of March 3, 1877 (40 U.S.C. 34)'' on authority of Pub. L.
107-217, Sec. 5(c), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1303, the first
section of which enacted Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and
Works.
-MISC3-
AMENDMENTS
1981 - Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1208, substituted in par.
(1) ''may prescribe to carry out a specific regulatory or
enforcement function of the Commission'' for ''may prescribe'' and
in provision following par. (9) inserted requirement that an order
issued under par. (1) shall contain a complete statement of the
reason the Commission requires the report or answers specified in
the order to carry out a specific regulatory or enforcement
function of the commission, and that such an order shall be
designed to place the least burden on the person subject to the
order as is practicable, taking into account the purposes for which
the order was issued.
Subsec. (j)(10), (11). Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1209(c), added par.
(10) and redesignated former par. (10) as (11).
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1207(b), struck out subsec. (l)
which provided for reports to the House of Representatives and the
Senate of proposed consumer product safety rules and regulations.
Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 97-35, Sec. 1211(d), struck out subsec. (m)
which defined ''rule'', provided for a study of all the rules in
effect on Nov. 10, 1978, and required a report be made to Congress
recommending deletion of particular rules or parts of particular
rules and initiation of particular rulemaking proceedings.
1978 - Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 95-631 added subsec. (m).
1976 - Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 11(c), permitted the
Commission to initiate, defend, prosecute, or appeal any civil
action through its own legal representative provided that the
Commission make a written request to the Attorney General for such
representation and the Attorney General fail within a 45 day period
to notify the Commission in writing that the Attorney General will
represent the Commission, and with regard to criminal action,
permitted the Commission to initiate, prosecute, or appeal with its
own legal representative, with the concurrence of the Attorney
General, or through the Attorney General.
Subsec. (b)(8), (9). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 8(b), added par. (8)
and redesignated former par. (8) as par (9).
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 11(d), substituted ''(subject
to subsection (b)(7) of this section)'' for ''with the concurrence
of the Attorney General''.
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 94-273 substituted ''at the beginning of
each regular session of Congress'' for ''on or before October 1 of
each year''.
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 14, added subsec. (l).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1981 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 1207(b) of Pub. L. 97-35 applicable with
respect to consumer product safety rules under this chapter and
regulations under chapters 25 and 30 of this title promulgated
after Aug. 13, 1981, and amendment by sections 1208, 1209(c), and
1211(d) of Pub. L. 97-35 effective Aug. 13, 1981, see section 1215
of Pub. L. 97-35, set out as a note under section 2052 of this
title.
TERMINATION OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions in subsec.
(j) of this section relating to submittal of report to Congress at
the beginning of each regular session of Congress, see section 3003
of Pub. L. 104-66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113
of Title 31, Money and Finance, and page 158 of House Document No.
103-7.
USER FEE STUDY
Pub. L. 101-608, title I, Sec. 119, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat.
3122, directed Consumer Product Safety Commission to conduct a
study of feasibility of requiring entities subject to Consumer
Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2051 et seq.) to pay to Commission
amounts to defray reasonable costs of particular services provided
by Commission to such entities, with Commission to complete study
within one year of Nov. 16, 1990, and report results of study to
Congress.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 2064, 2068, 2071, 2080,
2081 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2076a 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2076a. Report on civil penalties
-STATUTE-
(1) Beginning 1 year after November 16, 1990, and every year
thereafter, the Consumer Product Safety Commission shall submit to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives the information specified in paragraph (2). Such
information may be included in the annual report to the Congress
submitted by the Commission.
(2) The Commission shall submit information with respect to the
imposition of civil penalties under the statutes which it
administers. The information shall include the number of civil
penalties imposed, an identification of the violations that led to
the imposition of such penalties, and the amount of revenue
recovered from the imposition of such penalties.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 101-608, title I, Sec. 115(d), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat.
3121.)
-COD-
CODIFICATION
Section was enacted as part of the Consumer Product Safety
Improvement Act of 1990, and not as part of the Consumer Product
Safety Act which comprises this chapter.
-CHANGE-
CHANGE OF NAME
Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives
treated as referring to Committee on Commerce of House of
Representatives by section 1(a) of Pub. L. 104-14, set out as a
note preceding section 21 of Title 2, The Congress. Committee on
Commerce of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Energy
and Commerce of House of Representatives, and jurisdiction over
matters relating to securities and exchanges and insurance
generally transferred to Committee on Financial Services of House
of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Seventh
Congress, Jan. 3, 2001.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2077 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2077. Chronic Hazard Advisory Panels
-STATUTE-
(a) Appointment; purposes
The Commission shall appoint Chronic Hazard Advisory Panels
(hereinafter referred to as the Panel or Panels) to advise the
Commission in accordance with the provisions of section 2080(b) of
this title respecting the chronic hazards of cancer, birth defects,
and gene mutations associated with consumer products.
(b) Composition; membership
Each Panel shall consist of 7 members appointed by the Commission
from a list of nominees who shall be nominated by the President of
the National Academy of Sciences from scientists -
(1) who are not officers or employees of the United States
(other than employees of the National Institutes of Health, the
National Toxicology Program, or the National Center for
Toxicological Research), and who do not receive compensation from
or have any substantial financial interest in any manufacturer,
distributor, or retailer of a consumer product; and
(2) who have demonstrated the ability to critically assess
chronic hazards and risks to human health presented by the
exposure of humans to toxic substances or as demonstrated by the
exposure of animals to such substances.
The President of the National Academy of Sciences shall nominate
for each Panel a number of individuals equal to three times the
number of members to be appointed to the Panel.
(c) Chairman and Vice Chairman; election; term
The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Panel shall be elected from
among the members and shall serve for the duration of the Panel.
(d) Majority vote
Decisions of the Panel shall be made by a majority of the Panel.
(e) Administrative support services
The Commission shall provide each Panel with such administrative
support services as it may require to carry out its duties under
section 2080 of this title.
(f) Compensation
A member of a Panel appointed under subsection (a) of this
section shall be paid at a rate not to exceed the daily equivalent
of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for grade GS-18 of the
General Schedule for each day (including traveltime) during which
the member is engaged in the actual performance of the duties of
the Panel.
(g) Requests for and disclosures of information
Each Panel shall request information and disclose information to
the public, as provided in subsection (h) of this section, only
through the Commission.
(h) Information from other Federal departments and agencies
(1) Notwithstanding any statutory restriction on the authority of
agencies and departments of the Federal Government to share
information, such agencies and departments shall provide the Panel
with such information and data as each Panel, through the
Commission, may request to carry out its duties under section 2080
of this title. Each Panel may request information, through the
Commission, from States, industry and other private sources as it
may require to carry out its responsibilities.
(2) Section 2055 of this title shall apply to the disclosure of
information by the Panel but shall not apply to the disclosure of
information to the Panel.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 28, as added Pub. L. 97-35, title XII, Sec.
1206(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 716; amended Pub. L. 101-608,
title I, Sec. 116, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3121.)
-MISC1-
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 2077, Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 28, Oct. 27, 1972, 86
Stat. 1230, provided for establishment and membership of Product
Safety Advisory Council, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 97-35, title
XII, Sec. 1205(a)(1), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 716.
AMENDMENTS
1990 - Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 101-608 inserted ''(other than
employees of the National Institutes of Health, the National
Toxicology Program, or the National Center for Toxicological
Research)'' after ''States''.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section applicable with respect to regulations under this chapter
and chapters 25 and 30 of this title for which notices of proposed
rulemaking are issued after Aug. 14, 1981, see section 1215 of Pub.
L. 97-35, set out as an Effective Date of 1981 Amendment note under
section 2052 of this title.
REFERENCES IN OTHER LAWS TO GS-16, 17, OR 18 PAY RATES
References in laws to the rates of pay for GS-16, 17, or 18, or
to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be
considered references to rates payable under specified sections of
Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529
(title I, Sec. 101(c)(1)) of Pub. L. 101-509, set out in a note
under section 5376 of Title 5.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 2080 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2078 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2078. Cooperation with States and other Federal agencies
-STATUTE-
(a) Programs to promote Federal-State cooperation
The Commission shall establish a program to promote Federal-State
cooperation for the purposes of carrying out this chapter. In
implementing such program the Commission may -
(1) accept from any State or local authorities engaged in
activities relating to health, safety, or consumer protection
assistance in such functions as injury data collection,
investigation, and educational programs, as well as other
assistance in the administration and enforcement of this chapter
which such States or localities may be able and willing to
provide and, if so agreed, may pay in advance or otherwise for
the reasonable cost of such assistance, and
(2) commission any qualified officer or employee of any State
or local agency as an officer of the Commission for the purpose
of conducting examinations, investigations, and inspections.
(b) Appropriateness of State and local programs
In determining whether such proposed State and local programs are
appropriate in implementing the purposes of this chapter, the
Commission shall give favorable consideration to programs which
establish separate State and local agencies to consolidate
functions relating to product safety and other consumer protection
activities.
(c) Cooperation of Federal departments and agencies
The Commission may obtain from any Federal department or agency
such statistics, data, program reports, and other materials as it
may deem necessary to carry out its functions under this chapter.
Each such department or agency may cooperate with the Commission
and, to the extent permitted by law, furnish such materials to it.
The Commission and the heads of other departments and agencies
engaged in administering programs related to product safety shall,
to the maximum extent practicable, cooperate and consult in order
to insure fully coordinated efforts.
(d) Utilization of National Institute of Standards and Technology
The Commission shall, to the maximum extent practicable, utilize
the resources and facilities of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology, on a reimbursable basis, to perform research and
analyses related to risks of injury associated with consumer
products (including fire and flammability risks), to develop test
methods, to conduct studies and investigations, and to provide
technical advice and assistance in connection with the functions of
the Commission.
(e) Copies of accident or investigation reports to other agencies;
conditions
The Commission may provide to another Federal agency or a State
or local agency or authority engaged in activities relating to
health, safety, or consumer protection, copies of any accident or
investigation report made under this chapter by any officer,
employee, or agent of the Commission only if (1) information which
under section 2055(a)(2) of this title is to be considered
confidential is not included in any copy of such report which is
provided under this subsection; and (2) each Federal agency and
State and local agency and authority which is to receive under this
subsection a copy of such report provides assurances satisfactory
to the Commission that the identity of any injured person and any
person who treated an injured person will not, without the consent
of the person identified, be included in -
(A) any copy of any such report, or
(B) any information contained in any such report,
which the agency or authority makes available to any member of the
public. No Federal agency or State or local agency or authority
may disclose to the public any information contained in a report
received by the agency or authority under this subsection unless
with respect to such information the Commission has complied with
the applicable requirements of section 2055(b) of this title.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 29, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1230; Pub. L.
94-284, Sec. 15, May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 510; Pub. L. 100-418, title
V, Sec. 5115(c), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1433.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1988 - Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100-418 substituted ''National
Institute of Standards and Technology'' for ''National Bureau of
Standards''.
1976 - Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 94-284 added subsec. (e).
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2079 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2079. Transfers of functions
-STATUTE-
(a) Hazardous substances and poisons
The functions of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare
under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (15 U.S.C. 1261 et seq.)
and the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970 (15 U.S.C. 1471 et
seq.) are transferred to the Commission. The functions of the
Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), to the extent such
functions relate to the administration and enforcement of the
Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970, are transferred to the
Commission.
(b) Flammable fabrics
The functions of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare,
the Secretary of Commerce, and the Federal Trade Commission under
the Flammable Fabrics Act (15 U.S.C. 1191 et seq.) are transferred
to the Commission. The functions of the Federal Trade Commission
under the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.), to
the extent such functions relate to the administration and
enforcement of the Flammable Fabrics Act, are transferred to the
Commission.
(c) Household refrigerators
The functions of the Secretary of Commerce and the Federal Trade
Commission under the Act of August 2, 1956 (15 U.S.C. 1211 et seq.)
are transferred to the Commission.
(d) Regulation by Commission of consumer products in accordance
with other provisions of law
A risk of injury which is associated with a consumer product and
which could be eliminated or reduced to a sufficient extent by
action under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (15 U.S.C. 1261
et seq.), the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970 (15 U.S.C.
1471 et seq.), or the Flammable Fabrics Act (15 U.S.C. 1191 et
seq.) may be regulated under this chapter only if the Commission by
rule finds that it is in the public interest to regulate such risk
of injury under this chapter. Such a rule shall identify the risk
of injury proposed to be regulated under this chapter and shall be
promulgated in accordance with section 553 of title 5; except that
the period to be provided by the Commission pursuant to subsection
(c) of such section for the submission of data, views, and
arguments respecting the rule shall not exceed thirty days from the
date of publication pursuant to subsection (b) of such section of a
notice respecting the rule.
(e) Transfer of personnel, property, records, etc.; continued
application of orders, rules, etc.
(1)(A) All personnel, property, records, obligations, and
commitments, which are used primarily with respect to any function
transferred under the provisions of subsections (a), (b) and (c) of
this section shall be transferred to the Commission, except those
associated with fire and flammability research in the National
Institute of Standards and Technology. The transfer of personnel
pursuant to this paragraph shall be without reduction in
classification or compensation for one year after such transfer,
except that the Chairman of the Commission shall have full
authority to assign personnel during such one-year period in order
to efficiently carry out functions transferred to the Commission
under this section.
(B) Any commissioned officer of the Public Health Service who
upon the day before the effective date of this section, is serving
as such officer primarily in the performance of functions
transferred by this chapter to the Commission, may, if such officer
so elects, acquire competitive status and be transferred to a
competitive position in the Commission subject to subparagraph (A)
of this paragraph, under the terms prescribed in paragraphs (3)
through (8)(A) of section 15(b) of the Clean Air Amendments of
1970.
(2) All orders, determinations, rules, regulations, permits,
contracts, certificates, licenses, and privileges (A) which have
been issued, made, granted, or allowed to become effective in the
exercise of functions which are transferred under this section by
any department or agency, any functions of which are transferred by
this section, and (B) which are in effect at the time this section
takes effect, shall continue in effect according to their terms
until modified, terminated, superseded, set aside, or repealed by
the Commission, by any court of competent jurisdiction, or by
operation of law.
(3) The provisions of this section shall not affect any
proceedings pending at the time this section takes effect before
any department or agency, functions of which are transferred by
this section; except that such proceedings, to the extent that they
relate to functions so transferred, shall be continued before the
Commission. Orders shall be issued in such proceedings, appeals
shall be taken therefrom, and payments shall be made pursuant to
such orders, as if this section had not been enacted; and orders
issued in any such proceedings shall continue in effect until
modified, terminated, superseded, or repealed by the Commission, by
a court of competent jurisdiction, or by operation of law.
(4) The provisions of this section shall not affect suits
commenced prior to the date this section takes effect and in all
such suits proceedings shall be had, appeals taken, and judgments
rendered, in the same manner and effect as if this section had not
been enacted; except that if before the date on which this section
takes effect, any department or agency (or officer thereof in his
official capacity) is a party to a suit involving functions
transferred to the Commission, then such suit shall be continued by
the Commission. No cause of action, and no suit, action, or other
proceeding, by or against any department or agency (or officer
thereof in his official capacity) functions of which are
transferred by this section, shall abate by reason of the enactment
of this section. Causes of actions, suits, actions, or other
proceedings may be asserted by or against the United States or the
Commission as may be appropriate and, in any litigation pending
when this section takes effect, the court may at any time, on its
own motion or that of any party, enter an order which will give
effect to the provisions of this paragraph.
(f) ''Function'' defined
For purposes of this section, (1) the term ''function'' includes
power and duty, and (2) the transfer of a function, under any
provision of law, of an agency or the head of a department shall
also be a transfer of all functions under such law which are
exercised by any office or officer of such agency, or department.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 30, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1231; Pub. L.
94-284, Sec. 3(f), 16, May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 504, 510; Pub. L.
100-418, title V, Sec. 5115(c), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1433.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Federal Hazardous Substances Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)
and (d), is Pub. L. 86-613, July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 372, as
amended, which is classified generally to chapter 30 (Sec. 1261 et
seq.) of this title, For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1261 of this title
and Tables.
The Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970, referred to in
subsecs. (a) and (d), is Pub. L. 91-601, Dec. 30, 1970, 84 Stat.
1670, as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 39A
(Sec. 1471 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of
this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
1471 of this title and Tables.
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, referred to in subsec.
(a), is act June 25, 1938, ch. 675, 52 Stat. 1040, as amended,
which is classified generally to chapter 9 (Sec. 301 et seq.) of
Title 21, Food and Drugs. For complete classification of this Act
to the Code, see section 301 of Title 21 and Tables.
The Flammable Fabrics Act, referred to in subsecs. (b) and (d),
is act June 30, 1953, ch. 164, 67 Stat. 111, as amended, which is
classified generally to chapter 25 (Sec. 1191 et seq.) of this
title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title note set out under section 1191 of this title and
Tables.
The Federal Trade Commission Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is
act Sept. 26, 1914, ch. 311, 38 Stat. 717, as amended, which is
classified generally to subchapter I (Sec. 41 et seq.) of chapter 2
of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see section 58 of this title and Tables.
Act of August 2, 1956, referred to in subsec. (c), is act Aug. 2,
1956, ch. 890, 70 Stat. 953, as amended, which is classified
generally to chapter 26 (Sec. 1211 et seq.) of this title. For
complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.
For the effective date of this section or, alternatively, the
time or date this section takes effect, referred to in subsec.
(e)(1)(B), (2), (3), and (4), see section 34(2) of Pub. L. 92-573,
set out as an Effective Date note under section 2051 of this title.
Paragraphs (3) through (8)(A) of section 15(b) of the Clean Air
Amendments of 1970, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(B), are pars. (3)
through (8)(A) of section 15(b) of Pub. L. 91-604, Dec. 31, 1970,
84 Stat. 1710, which is set out as a note under section 215 of
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.
-MISC2-
AMENDMENTS
1988 - Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 100-418 substituted ''National
Institute of Standards and Technology'' for ''National Bureau of
Standards''.
1976 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 3(f), struck out ''of
the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and''
before ''of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare'' and
substituted ''Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act'' for ''Acts
amended by subsections (b) through (f) of section 7 of the Poison
Prevention Act of 1970''.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 16, inserted requirement that
the Commission find by a rule, promulgated in accordance with
section 553 of title 5, that it is within the public interest to
regulate a risk of injury under this chapter which could be
eliminated or reduced by action under the enumerated acts.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 2052, 2081, 6004 of this
title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2080 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2080. Limitations on jurisdiction of Consumer Product Safety
Commission
-STATUTE-
(a) Authority to regulate
The Commission shall have no authority under this chapter to
regulate any risk of injury associated with a consumer product if
such risk could be eliminated or reduced to a sufficient extent by
actions taken under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
(29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.); the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C.
2011 et seq.); or the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.). The
Commission shall have no authority under this chapter to regulate
any risk of injury associated with electronic product radiation
emitted from an electronic product (as such terms are defined by
sections 355(1) and (2) (FOOTNOTE 1) of the Public Health Service
Act) if such risk of injury may be subjected to regulation under
subpart 3 (FOOTNOTE 1) of part F of title III of the Public Health
Service Act.
(FOOTNOTE 1) See References in Text note below.
(b) Certain notices of proposed rulemaking; duties of Chronic
Hazard Advisory Panel
(1) The Commission may not issue -
(A) an advance notice of proposed rulemaking for a consumer
product safety rule,
(B) a notice of proposed rulemaking for a rule under section
2076(e) of this title, or
(C) an advance notice of proposed rulemaking for regulations
under section 1261(q)(1) of this title,
relating to a risk of cancer, birth defects, or gene mutations from
a consumer product unless a Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel,
established under section 2077 of this title, has, in accordance
with paragraph (2), submitted a report to the Commission with
respect to whether a substance contained in such product is a
carcinogen, mutagen, or teratogen.
(2)(A) Before the Commission issues an advance notice of proposed
rulemaking for -
(i) a consumer product safety rule,
(ii) a rule under section 2076(e) of this title, or
(iii) a regulation under section 1261(q)(1) of this title,
relating to a risk of cancer, birth defects, or gene mutations from
a consumer product, the Commission shall request the Panel to
review the scientific data and other relevant information relating
to such risk to determine if any substance in the product is a
carcinogen, mutagen, or a teratogen and to report its determination
to the Commission.
(B) When the Commission appoints a Panel, the Panel shall convene
within 30 days after the date the final appointment is made to the
Panel. The Panel shall report its determination to the Commission
not later than 120 days after the date the Panel is convened or, if
the Panel requests additional time, within a time period specified
by the Commission. If the determination reported to the Commission
states that a substance in a product is a carcinogen, mutagen, or a
teratogen, the Panel shall include in its report an estimate, if
such an estimate is feasible, of the probable harm to human health
that will result from exposure to the substance.
(C) A Panel appointed under section 2077 of this title shall
terminate when it has submitted its report unless the Commission
extends the existence of the Panel.
(D) The Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply with
respect to any Panel established under this section.
(c) Panel report; incorporation into advance notice and final rule
Each Panel's report shall contain a complete statement of the
basis for the Panel's determination. The Commission shall consider
the report of the Panel and incorporate such report into the
advance notice of proposed rulemaking and final rule.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 31, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1232; Pub. L.
97-35, title XII, Sec. 1206(b), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 717; Pub.
L. 97-414, Sec. 9(j)(5), Jan. 4, 1983, 96 Stat. 2064.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, referred to in
subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 91-596, Dec. 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 1590, as
amended, which is classified principally to chapter 15 (Sec. 651 et
seq.) of Title 29, Labor. For complete classification of this Act
to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 651 of
Title 29 and Tables.
The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, referred to in subsec. (b), is act
Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 724, as added by act Aug. 30, 1954, ch. 1073,
Sec. 1, 68 Stat. 921, and amended, which is classified generally to
chapter 23 (Sec. 2011 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and
Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title set out under section 2011 of Title 42 and Tables.
The Clean Air Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is act July 14,
1955, ch. 360, 69 Stat. 322, as amended, which is classified
generally to chapter 85 (Sec. 7401 et seq.) of Title 42. For
complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title
note set out under section 7401 of Title 42 and Tables.
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is act
July 1, 1944, ch. 373, 58 Stat. 682, as amended. Subpart 3 of part
F of title III of the Public Health Service Act, which was
classified to subpart 3 (Sec. 263b et seq.) of part F of subchapter
II of chapter 6A of Title 42, was redesignated as subchapter C of
chapter V of act June 25, 1938, ch. 675, the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act, by Pub. L. 101-629, Sec. 19(a)(4), Nov. 28, 1990,
104 Stat. 4530, and was transferred to part C (21 U.S.C. 360hh et
seq.) of subchapter V of chapter 9 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.
Section 355 of the Public Health Service Act, which was classified
to section 263c of Title 42, was renumbered as section 531 of act
June 25, 1938, ch. 675, by Pub. L. 101-629, Sec. 19(a)(3), (4), 104
Stat. 4530, and transferred to section 360hh of Title 21. For
complete classification of the Public Health Service Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 201 of Title 42
and Tables.
The Federal Advisory Committee Act, referred to in subsec.
(b)(2)(D), is Pub. L. 92-463, Oct. 6, 1972, 86 Stat. 770, as
amended, which is set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government
Organization and Employees.
-MISC2-
AMENDMENTS
1983 - Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 97-414 struck out introductory
text ''an advance notice of proposed rulemaking for'' after
''issue'', inserted in subpar. (A) ''an advance notice of proposed
rulemaking for'' before ''a consumer'' and in subpar. (B) ''a
notice of proposed rulemaking for'' before ''a rule'', and
substituted in subpar. (C) ''an advance notice of proposed
rulemaking for regulations'' for ''a regulation''.
1981 - Pub. L. 97-35 designated existing provisions as subsec.
(a) and added subsecs. (b) and (c).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1981 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-35 applicable with respect to regulations
under this chapter and chapters 25 and 30 of this title for which
notices of proposed rulemaking are issued after Aug. 14, 1981, see
section 1215 of Pub. L. 97-35, set out as a note under section 2052
of this title.
MANUFACTURE OR SALE OF FIREARMS OR FIREARMS AMMUNITION
Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 3(e), May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 504, provided
that: ''The Consumer Product Safety Commission shall make no ruling
or order that restricts the manufacture or sale of firearms,
firearms ammunition, or components of firearms ammunition,
including black powder or gunpowder for firearms.''
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 2052, 2077 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2081 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2081. Authorization of appropriations
-STATUTE-
(a) There are authorized to be appropriated for the purposes of
carrying out the provisions of this chapter (other than the
provisions of section 2076(h) of this title which authorize the
planning and construction of research, development, and testing
facilities) and for the purpose of carrying out the functions,
powers, and duties transferred to the Commission under section 2079
of this title, not to exceed -
(1) $42,000,000 for fiscal year 1991, and
(2) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 1992.
For payment of accumulated and accrued leave under section 5551 of
title 5, severance pay under section 5595 under such title, and any
other expense related to a reduction in force in the Commission,
there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be
necessary.
(b)(1) There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may
be necessary for the planning and construction of research,
development and testing facilities described in section 2076(h) of
this title; except that no appropriation shall be made for any such
planning or construction involving an expenditure in excess of
$100,000 if such planning or construction has not been approved by
resolutions adopted in substantially the same form by the Committee
on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and by the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
For the purpose of securing consideration of such approval the
Commission shall transmit to Congress a prospectus of the proposed
facility including (but not limited to) -
(A) a brief description of the facility to be planned or
constructed;
(B) the location of the facility, and an estimate of the
maximum cost of the facility;
(C) a statement of those agencies, private and public, which
will use such facility, together with the contribution to be made
by each such agency toward the cost of such facility; and
(D) a statement of justification of the need for such facility.
(2) The estimated maximum cost of any facility approved under
this subsection as set forth in the prospectus may be increased by
the amount equal to the percentage increase, if any, as determined
by the Commission, in construction costs, from the date of the
transmittal of such prospectus to Congress, but in no event shall
the increase authorized by this paragraph exceed 10 per centum of
such estimated maximum cost.
(c) No funds appropriated under subsection (a) of this section
may be used to pay any claim described in section 2053(i) of this
title whether pursuant to a judgment of a court or under any award,
compromise, or settlement of such claim made under section 2672 of
title 28, or under any other provision of law.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 32, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1233; Pub. L.
94-284, Sec. 2, 5(b), May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 503, 505; Pub. L.
95-631, Sec. 1, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3742; Pub. L. 97-35, title
XII, Sec. 1214, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 724; Pub. L. 101-608, title
I, Sec. 117, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3121; Pub. L. 103-437, Sec.
5(c)(1), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4582.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1994 - Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 103-437 in introductory provisions
substituted ''Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives, and by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate'' for ''Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce of the House of Representatives, and by the
Committee on Commerce of the Senate''.
1990 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101-608 added pars. (1) and (2) and
struck out former pars. (1) to (9) which specified maximum
appropriations authorized for fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, to
fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 1983.
1981 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97-35 added pars. (8) and (9) and
provision following par. (9) relating to payment of accumulated or
accrued leave, severance pay, and any other expenses related to a
reduction in force in the Commission.
1978 - Subsec. (a)(5) to (7). Pub. L. 95-631 added pars. (5) to
(7).
1976 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 2, substituted
''$51,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, $14,000,000
for the period beginning July 1, 1976, and ending September 30,
1976, $60,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1977,
and $68,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978'' for
''$55,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1973, $59,000,000
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974, and $64,000,000 for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1975''.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94-284, Sec. 5(b), added subsec. (c).
-CHANGE-
CHANGE OF NAME
Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives
treated as referring to Committee on Commerce of House of
Representatives by section 1(a) of Pub. L. 104-14, set out as a
note preceding section 21 of Title 2, The Congress. Committee on
Commerce of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Energy
and Commerce of House of Representatives, and jurisdiction over
matters relating to securities and exchanges and insurance
generally transferred to Committee on Financial Services of House
of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Seventh
Congress, Jan. 3, 2001.
-MISC4-
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1981 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97-35 effective Aug. 13, 1981, see section
1215 of Pub. L. 97-35, set out as a note under section 2052 of this
title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2082 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2082. Interim cellulose insulation safety standard
-STATUTE-
(a) Applicability of specification of General Services
Administration; authority and effect of interim standard;
modifications; criteria; labeling requirements
(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2), on and after the
last day of the 60-day period beginning on July 11, 1978, the
requirements for flame resistance and corrosiveness set forth in
the General Services Administration's specification for cellulose
insulation, HH-I-515C (as such specification was in effect on
February 1, 1978), shall be deemed to be an interim consumer
product safety standard which shall have all the authority and
effect of any other consumer product safety standard promulgated by
the Commission under this chapter. During the 45-day period
beginning on July 11, 1978, the Commission may make, and shall
publish in the Federal Register, such technical, nonsubstantive
changes in such requirements as it deems appropriate to make such
requirements suitable for promulgation as a consumer product safety
standard. At the end to the 60-day period specified in the first
sentence of this paragraph, the Commission shall publish in the
Federal Register such interim consumer product safety standard, as
altered by the Commission under this paragraph.
(2) The interim consumer product safety standard established in
paragraph (1) shall provide that any cellulose insulation which is
produced or distributed for sale or use as a consumer product shall
have a flame spread rating of 0 to 25, as such rating is set forth
in the General Services Administration's specification for
cellulose insulation, HH-I-515C.
(3) During the period for which the interim consumer product
safety standard established in subsection (a) of this section is in
effect, in addition to complying with any labeling requirement
established by the Commission under this chapter, each manufacturer
or private labeler of cellulose insulation shall include the
following statement on any container of such cellulose insulation:
''ATTENTION: This material meets the applicable minimum Federal
flammability standard. This standard is based upon laboratory
tests only, which do not represent actual conditions which may
occur in the home.'' Such statement shall be located in a
conspicuous place on such container and shall appear in conspicuous
and legible type in contrast by typography, layout, and color with
other printed matter on such container.
(b) Scope of judicial review
Judicial review of the interim consumer product safety standard
established in subsection (a) of this section, as such standard is
in effect on and after the last day of the 60-day period specified
in such subsection, shall be limited solely to the issue of whether
any changes made by the Commission under paragraph (1) are
technical, nonsubstantive changes. For purposes of such review,
any change made by the Commission under paragraph (1) which
requires that any test to determine the flame spread rating of
cellulose insulation shall include a correction for variations in
test results caused by equipment used in the test shall be
considered a technical, nonsubstantive change.
(c) Enforcement; violations; promulgation of final standard;
procedures applicable to promulgation; revision of interim
standard; procedures applicable to revision
(1)(A) Any interim consumer product safety standard established
pursuant to this section shall be enforced in the same manner as
any other consumer product safety standard until such time as there
is in effect a final consumer product safety standard promulgated
by the Commission, as provided in subparagraph (B), or until such
time as it is revoked by the Commission under section 2058(e) of
this title. A violation of the interim consumer product safety
standard shall be deemed to be a violation of a consumer product
safety standard promulgated by the Commission under section 2058 of
this title.
(B) If the Commission determines that the interim consumer
product safety standard does not adequately protect the public from
the unreasonable risk of injury associated with flammable or
corrosive cellulose insulation, it shall promulgate a final
consumer product safety standard to protect against such risk.
Such final standard shall be promulgated pursuant to section 553 of
title 5, except that the Commission shall give interested persons
an opportunity for the oral presentation of data, views, or
arguments, in addition to an opportunity to make written
submissions. A transcript shall be kept of any oral presentation.
The provisions of section 2058(b), (c), and (d) of this title shall
apply to any proceeding to promulgate such final standard. In any
judicial review of such final standard under section 2060 of this
title, the court shall not require any demonstration that each
particular finding made by the Commission under section 2058(c) of
this title is supported by substantial evidence. The court shall
affirm the action of the Commission unless the court determines
that such action is not supported by substantial evidence on the
record taken as a whole.
(2)(A) Until there is in effect such a final consumer product
safety standard, the Commission shall incorporate into the interim
consumer product safety standard, in accordance with the provisions
of this paragraph, each revision superseding the requirements for
flame resistance and corrosiveness referred to in subsection (a) of
this section and promulgated by the General Services
Administration.
(B) At least 45 days before any revision superseding such
requirements is to become effective, the Administrator of the
General Services Administration shall notify the Commission of such
revision. In the case of any such revision which becomes effective
during the period beginning on February 1, 1978, and ending on July
11, 1978, such notice from the Administrator of the General
Services Administration shall be deemed to have been made on July
11, 1978.
(C)(i) No later than 45 days after receiving any notice under
subparagraph (B), the Commission shall publish the revision,
including such changes in the revision as it considers appropriate
to make the revision suitable for promulgation as an amendment to
the interim consumer product safety standard, in the Federal
Register as a proposed amendment to the interim consumer product
safety standard.
(ii) The Commission may extend the 45-day period specified in
clause (i) for an additional period of not more than 150 days if
the Commission determines that such extension is necessary to study
the technical and scientific basis for the revision involved, or to
study the safety and economic consequences of such revision.
(D)(i) Additional extensions of the 45-day period specified in
subparagraph (C)(i) may be taken by the Commission if -
(I) the Commission makes the determination required in
subparagraph (C)(ii) with respect to each such extension; and
(II) in the case of further extensions proposed by the
Commission after an initial extension under this clause, such
further extensions have not been disapproved under clause (iv).
(ii) Any extension made by the Commission under this subparagraph
shall be for a period of not more than 45 days.
(iii) Prior notice of each extension made by the Commission under
this subparagraph, together with a statement of the reasons for
such extension and an estimate of the length of time required by
the Commission to complete its action upon the revision involved,
shall be published in the Federal Register and shall be submitted
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives.
(iv) In any case in which the Commission takes an initial 45-day
extension under clause (i), the Commission may not take any further
extensions under clause (i) if each committee referred to in clause
(iii) disapproves by committee resolution any such further
extensions before the end of the 15-day period following notice of
such initial extension made by the Commission in accordance with
clause (iii).
(E) The Commission shall give interested persons an opportunity
to comment upon any proposed amendment to the interim consumer
product safety standard during the 30-day period following any
publication by the Commission under subparagraph (C).
(F) No later than 90 days after the end of the period specified
in subparagraph (E), the Commission shall promulgate the amendment
to the interim consumer product safety standard unless the
Commission determines, after consultation with the Secretary of
Energy, that -
(i) such amendment is not necessary for the protection of
consumers from the unreasonable risk of injury associated with
flammable or corrosive cellulose insulation; or
(ii) implementation of such amendment will create an undue
burden upon persons who are subject to the interim consumer
product safety standard.
(G) The provisions of section 2060 of this title shall not apply
to any judicial review of any amendment to the interim product
safety standard promulgated under this paragraph.
(d) Reporting requirements of other Federal departments, agencies,
etc., of violations
Any Federal department, agency, or instrumentality, or any
Federal independent regulatory agency, which obtains information
which reasonably indicates that cellulose insulation is being
manufactured or distributed in violation of this chapter shall
immediately inform the Commission of such information.
(e) Reporting requirements of Commission to Congressional
committees; contents, time of submission, etc.
(1) The Commission, no later than 45 days after July 11, 1978,
shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce of the House of Representatives which shall contain a
detailed statement of the manner in which the Commission intends to
carry out the enforcement of this section.
(2)(A) The Commission, no later than 6 months after the date upon
which the report required in paragraph (1) is due (and no later
than the end of each 6-month period thereafter), shall submit a
report to each committee referred to in paragraph (1) which shall
describe the enforcement activities of the Commission with respect
to this section during the most recent 6-month period.
(B) The first report which the Commission submits under
subparagraph (A) shall include the results of tests of cellulose
insulation manufactured by at least 25 manufacturers which the
Commission shall conduct to determine whether such cellulose
insulation complies with the interim consumer product safety
standard. The second such report shall include the results of such
tests with respect to 50 manufacturers who were not included in
testing conducted by the Commission for inclusion in the first
report.
(f) Compliance with certification requirements; implementation;
waiver; rules and regulations
(1) The Commission shall have the authority to require that any
person required to comply with the certification requirements of
section 2063 of this title with respect to the manufacture of
cellulose insulation shall provide for the performance of any test
or testing program required for such certification through the use
of an independent third party qualified to perform such test or
testing program. The Commission may impose such requirement
whether or not the Commission has established a testing program for
cellulose insulation under section 2063(b) of this title.
(2) The Commission, upon petition by a manufacturer, may waive
the requirements of paragraph (1) with respect to such manufacturer
if the Commission determines that the use of an independent third
party is not necessary in order for such manufacturer to comply
with the certification requirements of section 2063 of this title.
(3) The Commission may prescribe such rules as it considers
necessary to carry out the provisions of this subsection.
(g) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated, for each of the fiscal
years 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1981, such sums as may be necessary to
carry out the provisions of this section.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 35, as added Pub. L. 95-319, Sec. 3(a), July
11, 1978, 92 Stat. 386; amended Pub. L. 103-437, Sec. 5(c)(2), Nov.
2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4582.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1994 - Subsecs. (c)(2)(D)(iii), (e)(1). Pub. L. 103-437
substituted ''Committee on Energy and Commerce'' for ''Committee on
Interstate and Foreign Commerce''.
-CHANGE-
CHANGE OF NAME
Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives
treated as referring to Committee on Commerce of House of
Representatives by section 1(a) of Pub. L. 104-14, set out as a
note preceding section 21 of Title 2, The Congress. Committee on
Commerce of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Energy
and Commerce of House of Representatives, and jurisdiction over
matters relating to securities and exchanges and insurance
generally transferred to Committee on Financial Services of House
of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Seventh
Congress, Jan. 3, 2001.
-MISC4-
CONGRESSIONAL STATEMENT OF FINDINGS AND PURPOSE
Section 2 of Pub. L. 95-319 provided that:
''(a) The Congress finds that -
''(1) existing Federal, State, and local laws and regulations
are insufficient to protect the consumer from improperly
manufactured cellulose insulation;
''(2) an unreasonably large quantity of cellulose insulation is
being distributed that does not meet minimum safety standards;
''(3) an urgent need exists for the expedited setting of
interim mandatory Federal standards for the manufacture of
cellulose insulation; and
''(4) such standards are reasonably necessary to eliminate or
reduce an unreasonable risk of injury to consumers from flammable
or corrosive cellulose insulation.
''(b) It is the purpose of the Congress in this Act (enacting
this section, amending section 2068 of this title, and enacting
provisions set out as notes under sections 2051 and 2082 of this
title) to provide an interim mandatory safety standard for
cellulose insulation manufactured for use as a consumer product.''
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 2068 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2083 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2083. Congressional veto of consumer product safety rules
-STATUTE-
(a) Transmission to Congress
The Commission shall transmit to the Secretary of the Senate and
the Clerk of the House of Representatives a copy of any consumer
product safety rule promulgated by the Commission under section
2058 of this title.
(b) Disapproval by concurrent resolution
Any rule specified in subsection (a) of this section shall not
take effect if -
(1) within the 90 calendar days of continuous session of the
Congress which occur after the date of the promulgation of such
rule, both Houses of the Congress adopt a concurrent resolution,
the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows
(with the blank spaces appropriately filled): ''That the Congress
disapproves the consumer product safety rule which was
promulgated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission with
respect to and which was transmitted to the Congress on and
disapproves the rule for the following reasons: .''; or
(2) within the 60 calendar days of continuous session of the
Congress which occur after the date of the promulgation of such
rule, one House of the Congress adopts such concurrent resolution
and transmits such resolution to the other House and such
resolution is not disapproved by such other House within the 30
calendar days of continuous session of the Congress which occur
after the date of such transmittal.
(c) Presumptions from Congressional action or inaction
Congressional inaction on, or rejection of, a concurrent
resolution of disapproval under this section shall not be construed
as an expression of approval of the rule involved, and shall not be
construed to create any presumption of validity with respect to
such rule.
(d) Continuous session of Congress
For purposes of this section -
(1) continuity of session is broken only by an adjournment of
the Congress sine die; and
(2) the days on which either House is not in session because of
an adjournment of more than 3 days to a day certain are excluded
in the computation of the periods of continuous session of the
Congress specified in subsection (b) of this section.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 36, as added Pub. L. 97-35, title XII, Sec.
1207(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 718.)
-MISC1-
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section applicable with respect to consumer product safety rules
under this chapter and regulations under chapters 25 and 30 of this
title promulgated after Aug. 13, 1981, see section 1215 of Pub. L.
97-35, set out as an Effective Date of 1981 Amendment note under
section 2052 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2084 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2084. Information reporting
-STATUTE-
(a) Notification of settlements or judgments
If a particular model of a consumer product is the subject of at
least 3 civil actions that have been filed in Federal or State
court for death or grievous bodily injury which in each of the
24-month periods defined in subsection (b) of this section result
in either a final settlement involving the manufacturer or a court
judgment in favor of the plaintiff, the manufacturer of such
product shall, in accordance with subsection (c) of this section,
report to the Commission each such civil action within 30 days
after the final settlement or court judgment in the third of such
civil actions, and, within 30 days after any subsequent settlement
or judgment in that 24-month period, any other such action.
(b) Calculation of 24-month periods
The 24-month periods referred to in subsection (a) of this
section are the 24-month period commencing on January 1, 1991, and
subsequent 24-month periods beginning on January 1 of the calendar
year that is two years following the beginning of the previous
24-month period.
(c) Information required to be reported
(1) The information required by subsection (a) of this section to
be reported to the Commission, with respect to each civil action
described in subsection (a) of this section, shall include and in
addition to any voluntary information provided under paragraph (2)
shall be limited to the following:
(A) The name and address of the manufacturer.
(B) The model and model number or designation of the consumer
product subject to the civil action.
(C) A statement as to whether the civil action alleged death or
grievous bodily injury, and in the case of an allegation of
grievous bodily injury, a statement of the category of such
injury.
(D) A statement as to whether the civil action resulted in a
final settlement or a judgment in favor of the plaintiff.
(E) in (FOOTNOTE 1) the case of a judgment in favor of the
plaintiff, the name of the civil action, the number assigned the
civil action, and the court in which the civil action was filed.
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
(2) A manufacturer furnishing the report required by paragraph
(1) may include (A) a statement as to whether any judgment in favor
of the plaintiff is under appeal or is expected to be appealed or
(B) any other information which the manufacturer chooses to
provide. A manufacturer reporting to the Commission under
subsection (a) of this section need not admit or may specifically
deny that the information it submits reasonably supports the
conclusion that its consumer product caused a death or grievous
bodily injury.
(3) No statement of the amount paid by the manufacturer in a
final settlement shall be required as part of the report furnished
under subsection (a) of this section, nor shall such a statement of
settlement amount be required under any other section of this
chapter.
(d) Report not deemed an admission of liability
The reporting of a civil action described in subsection (a) of
this section by a manufacturer shall not constitute an admission of
-
(1) an unreasonable risk of injury,
(2) a defect in the consumer product which was the subject of
such action,
(3) a substantial product hazard,
(4) an imminent hazard, or
(5) any other admission of liability under any statute or under
any common law.
(e) Definitions
For purposes of this section:
(1) A grievous bodily injury includes any of the following
categories of injury: mutilation, amputation, dismemberment,
disfigurement, loss of important bodily functions, debilitating
internal disorder, severe burn, severe electric shock, and
injuries likely to require extended hospitalization.
(2) For purposes of this section, (FOOTNOTE 2) a particular
model of a consumer product is one that is distinctive in
functional design, construction, warnings or instructions related
to safety, function, user population, or other characteristics
which could affect the product's safety related performance.
(FOOTNOTE 2) So in original.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 37, as added Pub. L. 101-608, title I, Sec.
112(b), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3115.)
-MISC1-
CONGRESSIONAL REPORTS
Section 112(f) of Pub. L. 101-608 provided that:
''(1) The Consumer Product Safety Commission shall report to the
Congress on the extent to which reports made to the Commission
under section 37 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C.
2084) have assisted the Commission in carrying out its
responsibilities under such Act (15 U.S.C. 2051 et seq.). The
report -
''(A) shall provide aggregate data and not the details and
contents of individual reports filed with the Commission pursuant
to such section 37,
''(B) shall not disclose the brand names of products included
in reports under such section 15(b) or 37 (15 U.S.C. 2064(b),
2084) or the number of reports under such sections for particular
models or classes of products, and
''(C) shall include -
''(i) a comparison of the number of reports received under
such section 37 and the number of reports received under
section 15(b) of such Act,
''(ii) a comparison of the number of reports filed with the
Commission before the date of the enactment of this Act (Nov.
16, 1990) and after such date, and
''(iii) the total number of settlements and court judgments
reported under such section 37 and the total number of
rulemakings and enforcement actions undertaken in response to
such reports,
''(iv) recommendations of the Commission for additional
improvements in reporting under the Consumer Product Safety
Act.
''(2) The first report under paragraph (1) shall be due February
1, 1992, and the second such report shall be due April 1, 1993.''
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 2055, 2068 of this title.
-CITE-
15 USC Sec. 2085 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 47 - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
-HEAD-
Sec. 2085. Low-speed electric bicycles
-STATUTE-
(a) Construction
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, low-speed electric
bicycles are consumer products within the meaning of section
2052(a)(1) of this title and shall be subject to the Commission
regulations published at section 1500.18(a)(12) and part 1512 of
title 16, Code of Federal Regulations.
(b) Definition
For the purpose of this section, the term ''low-speed electric
bicycle'' means a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable
pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.), whose
maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such
a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less
than 20 mph.
(c) Promulgation of requirements
To further protect the safety of consumers who ride low-speed
electric bicycles, the Commission may promulgate new or amended
requirements applicable to such vehicles as necessary and
appropriate.
(d) Preemption
This section shall supersede any State law or requirement with
respect to low-speed electric bicycles to the extent that such
State law or requirement is more stringent than the Federal law or
requirements referred to in subsection (a) of this section.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 92-573, Sec. 38, as added Pub. L. 107-319, Sec. 1, Dec. 4,
2002, 116 Stat. 2776.)
-CITE-
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Enviado por: | El remitente no desea revelar su nombre |
Idioma: | inglés |
País: | Estados Unidos |