### §1201. Study and investigation; research, development and training

(a) The Consumer Product Safety Commission shall conduct a continuing study and investigation of the deaths, injuries, and economic losses resulting from accidental burning of products, fabrics, or related materials.

(b) In cooperation with appropriate public and private agencies, the Commission is authorized to—

(1) conduct research into the flammability of products, fabrics, and materials;

(2) conduct feasibility studies on reduction of flammability of products, fabrics, and materials;

(3) develop flammability test methods and testing devices; and

(4) offer appropriate training in the use of flammability test methods and testing devices.

(June 30, 1953, ch. 164, §14, as added Pub. L. 90–189, §10, Dec. 14, 1967, 81 Stat. 573; amended Pub. L. 92–573, §30(b), Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1231; Pub. L. 96–470, title I, §114, Oct. 19, 1980, 94 Stat. 2240; Pub. L. 97–35, title XII, §1211(e), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 721; Pub. L. 110–314, title II, §204(c)(2)(B), Aug. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 3042.)

#### **Editorial Notes**

#### Codification

In subsec. (a), pursuant to Pub. L. 92–573 and as amended by Pub. L. 110–314, the words "in cooperation with the Commission", meaning the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which followed "Consumer Product Safety Commission", have been omitted from the Code as redundant in that they would provide for the Consumer Product Safety Commission to cooperate with itself.

#### Amendments

2008—Pub. L. 110–314 substituted "Commission" for "Secretary of Commerce" in subsecs. (a) and (b).

1981—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–35 struck out provisions relating to the submission of an annual report by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to the President and to the Congress containing the results of a study and investigation.

1980—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 96–470 struck out provision requiring the Secretary to report the results of activities under this subsection to Congress.

#### **Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries**

#### 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.

#### Transfer of Functions

"Consumer Product Safety Commission" substituted for "Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare" in subsec. (a) pursuant to section 30(b) of Pub. L. 92–573, which is classified to section 2079(b) of this title and which transferred functions of Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, Secretary of Commerce, and Federal Trade Commission under this chapter to Consumer Product Safety Commission.

#### Toxicologic Risks of Flame-Retardant Chemicals in Residential Upholstered Furniture

Pub. L. 105–276, title IV, §423, Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2510, provided that within 90 days of Oct. 21, 1998, the Consumer Product Safety Commission was to make all necessary arrangements for the Committee on Toxicology of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to conduct an independent 12-month study of the potential toxicologic risks of all flame-retardant chemicals identified by the NAS and the Commission as likely candidates for use in residential upholstered furniture for the purpose of meeting regulations proposed by the Commission for flame resistance of residential upholstered furniture, and that the Academy would send the report, when complete, to the Commission, which would provide the report to Congress.