Proposed Rules. Notice of petition
/register/2016/09/01/2016-20928·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Agency: Consumer Product Safety Commission
Action: Notice of petition
Citation: FR Doc. 2016-20928 · Docket No. CPSC-2016-0019
Summary
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) received a petition requesting that the Commission amend the agency's 1987 Statement of Interpretation and Enforcement Policy regarding labeling of household products containing methylene chloride (Policy Statement). The petition asks the Commission to expand the Policy Statement to address acute hazards from inhalation of methylene chloride vapors in addition to the chronic hazards addressed by the current Policy Statement. The Commission invites written comments concerning the petition.
Dates
The Office of the Secretary must receive comments on the petition by October 31, 2016.
Supplementary Information
The Commission received a petition from the Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance, Inc. (Petitioner) requesting that the Commission amend the agency's Statement of Interpretation and Enforcement Policy regarding labeling of household products containing methylene chloride (Policy Statement). The Policy Statement provides the Commission's guidance for labeling of household products containing methylene chloride, focusing particularly on paint strippers. 52 FR 34698 (Sep. 14, 1987). The Policy Statement sets forth general principles and examples for labeling to warn consumers of potential cancer hazards; it does not address acute hazards. The Petitioner asks the Commission to expand the Policy Statement to address acute hazards from inhalation of methylene chloride vapors. Petitioner notes that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) issued a Hazard Alert identifying at least 14 deaths associated with use of methylene chloride-containing paint strippers by professional bathtub refinishing operations ( ). Although the Petitioner refers to incidents involving workers, as the Commission's Policy Statement indicates, methylene chloride paint strippers are household products available for consumers to purchase and use. Petitioner asserts that revising the Policy Statement to give specific guidance on labeling for the acute hazard posed by inhalation of methylene chloride vapors, particularly when used in an enclosed space, such as when refinishing bathtubs, would help to prevent future fatalities. By this notice, the Commission seeks comments concerning this petition. Interested parties may obtain a copy of the petition from the Commission's Web site: or by writing or calling the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 820, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone (301) 504-7923. A copy of the petition is also available for viewing under “Supporting and Related Materials” in: , under Docket No. CPSC-2016-0019 . Dated: August 2, 2016. Todd A. Stevenson, Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. [FR Doc. 2016-20928 Filed 8-31-16; 8:45 am]