[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68264-68266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-34088]


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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

[CPSC Docket No. 98-C0003]


In the Matter of Century Products Company, a Corporation; 
Provisional Acceptance of a Settlement Agreement and Order

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Provisional acceptance of a settlement agreement under the 
Consumer Product Safety Act.

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SUMMARY: It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements 
which it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in 
the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20(e). 
Published below is a provisionally-accepted Settlement Agreement with 
Century Products Company, a corporation, containing a civil penalty of 
$225,000.

DATES: Any interested person may ask the Commission not to accept this 
agreement or otherwise comment on its contents by filing a written 
request with the Office of the Secretary by January 15, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to comment on this Settlement Agreement 
should send written comments to the Comment 98-C0003, Office of the 
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melvin I. Kramer, Trial Attorney, 
Office of Compliance and Enforcement, Consumer Product Safety 
Commission, Washington, DC 20207; telephone (301) 504-0626.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The text of the Agreement and Order appears 
below.


[[Page 68265]]


    Dated: December 24, 1997.
Sadye E. Dunn,
Secretary.

Settlement Agreement and Order

    1. This Settlement Agreement and Order, entered into between 
Century Products Company, a corporation (hereinafter, ``Century''), and 
the staff of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (hereinafter, 
``staff''), pursuant to the procedures set forth in 16 CFR 1118.20, is 
a compromise resolution of the matter described herein, without a 
hearing or determination of issues of law and fact.

The Parties

    2. The staff is the staff of the Consumer Product Safety Commission 
(hereinafter, ``Commission''), an independent federal regulatory agency 
of the United States government, established by Congress pursuant to 
section 4 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (hereinafter, ``CPSA''), 
as amended, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 2053.
    3. Respondent Century is a corporation organized and existing under 
the laws of the State of Delaware with its principal corporate offices 
located at 9600 Valley View Rd., Macedonia, OH 44056. Century has an 
operating division named Okla Homer Smith Furniture Manufacturing Co., 
Inc. (hereinafter, ``OHS''), located at 416 South Fifth St., Ft. Smith, 
AR 72901, which manufacturers cribs and juvenile furniture.

Staff Allegations

    4. Section 15(b) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 2064(b), requires a 
manufacturer of a consumer product who, inter alia, obtains information 
that reasonably supports the conclusion that the product contains a 
defect which could create a substantial product hazard or creates an 
unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, to immediately inform the 
Commission of the defect or risk.

A. Wooden Cribs

    5. Between April 1992 and December 31, 1993, Century through its 
OHS division, manufactured and sold, nationwide, approximately 278,000 
wooden cribs of various models.
    6. From April 1992 to December 31, 1993, OHS changed its method of 
attaching the slats to the side rails of these cribs, by using glue 
only. This allowed the slats to loosen, and partially or completely 
detach from the rails. If this occurs, a child could become entrapped 
in the larger space created by the missing or loosened slat, and could 
be asphyxiated.
    7. From February 1993 to June 1993, Respondent learned of five non-
fatal entrapment incidents in which an infant became entrapped in the 
side rail because of missing or loosened side rail slats.
    8. On September 28, 1993, a child became entrapped and was 
asphyxiated in one of these wooden cribs where a slat had fallen out.
    9. In January 1994, Century changed its method of attaching the 
slats to the side rails of these cribs from gluing only to nailing and 
gluing, to prevent this kind of an incident.
    10. When initially contacted by the staff about the death, OHS 
admitted knowing of the fatal incident referenced in paragraph 8 above, 
but failed to immediately provide the information sought by the staff 
under section 15(b) of the CPSA.
    11. Not until June 30, 1994, after repeated attempts by the staff 
to obtain this information, did Century, through its OHS division, 
provide a ``Full Report'' containing the information required by 
section 15(b) of the CPSA and 16 CFR Sec. 1115.13, including a number 
of additional incidents.
    12. Although Century, through its OHS division had obtained 
sufficient information to reasonably support the conclusion that these 
wooden cribs contained a defect which could create a substantial 
product hazard, or created an unreasonable risk of serious injury or 
death, it failed to report such information to the Commission in a 
timely manner, as required by section 15(b) of the CPSA. This is a 
violation of section 19(a)(4) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 2068(a)(4).
    13. Respondent's failure to report to the Commission, as required 
by section 15(b) of the CPSA, was committed ``knowingly'', as that term 
is defined in Section 20(d) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 2069(d), and 
Century is subject to civil penalties under Section 20 of the CPSA.

B. Strollers

    14. Between February 1995 and October 1995, Century manufactured 
and sold approximately 166,000 Travelite Sports Strollers (hereinafter, 
``Stroller'' and ``Strollers''), models 11-171, 11-181 and 11-191.
    15. The Strollers contain two defects: (a) if the front wheels of 
the Stroller hit a curb or other stationary object, the fold locks can 
break causing the stroller to fold unexpectedly, and (b) the buckle on 
the restraint strap may unlatch during normal use. If the fold lock 
fails or the restraint buckle unlatches, the child occupant could fall 
out of the Stroller and be seriously injured.
    16. Between June 1995 and June 1996, Century learned of more than 
500 reports of failures involving the Stroller's fold locks, including 
29 injuries to children occupying the Stroller.
    17. Between June 1995 and November 1996, Century learned of 
approximately 60 reports of failures involving the Stroller's restraint 
buckle, including approximately 20 injuries to the child occupant.
    18. Between August 1995 and October 1995, Century made several 
design and materials changes to the fold lock and the restraint buckle 
in an attempt to address the problems in question.
    19. On June 5, 1996, Century providing a ``Full Report'' regarding 
the fold locks, pursuant to section 15(b) of the CPSA and 16 CFR 
Sec. 1115.13.
    20. On November 1, 1996, Century provided a ``Full Report'' 
regarding the restraint buckle, pursuant to section 15(b) of the CPSA 
and 16 CFR Sec. 1115.13.
    21. Although Century had obtained sufficient information to 
reasonably support the conclusion that the Stroller contained defects 
which could create a substantial product hazard, or created an 
unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, it failed to report such 
information to the Commission in a timely manner, as required by 
section 15(b) of the CPSA. This is a violation of section 19(a)(4) of 
the CPSA.
    22. Century's failure to report to the Commission, as required by 
section 15(b) of the CPSA, was committed ``knowingly'', as that term is 
defined in section 20(d) of the CPSA, and Century is subject to civil 
penalties under section 20 of the CPSA.

Response of Century

    23. Century denies each and all of the staff allegations with 
respect to the Wooden Cribs and the Strollers. Century also denies that 
the Wooden Cribs or the Strollers contain defects which create or which 
could create a substantial product hazard within the meaning of section 
15 of the CPSA. In particular, the September 28, 1993 incident 
involving a wooden crib was the result of misuse of the product. 
Century further denies that it obtained information sufficient to 
support an obligation to report nor had any obligation to report the 
incidents regarding the Wooden Cribs or the Strollers to the Commission 
under section 15(b) of the CPSA, and thus denies that it is subject to 
civil penalties under section 20 of the CPSA. Century makes no 
admission whatsoever of any fault, liability, or statutory violation.
    24. Despite believing that the Wooden Cribs and Strollers contained 
no

[[Page 68266]]

substantial product hazard within the meaning of section 15(a) of the 
CPSA, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 2064(a), Century voluntarily reported to the CPSC 
and voluntarily conducted corrective action programs with respect to 
the Wooden Cribs and the Strollers.
    25. By entering into the Settlement Agreement and Order, Century 
does not admit any liability or wrongdoing. This Settlement Agreement 
and Order is agreed to by Century to avoid incurring additional legal 
costs and does not constitute, and is not evidence of, an admission of 
any liability or wrongdoing by Century.

Agreement of the Parties

    26. The Commission has jurisdiction in this matter.
    27. Century knowingly, voluntarily and completely waives any rights 
it may have (1) to an administrative or judicial hearing with respect 
to the Commission's claim for a civil penalty, (2) to judicial review 
or other challenge or contest of the validity of the Commission's 
action with regard to its claim for a civil penalty, (3) to a 
determination by the Commission as to whether a violation of Section 
15(b) of the CPSA, has occurred, (4) to a statement of findings of fact 
and conclusions of law with regard to the Commission's claim for a 
civil penalty, and (5) to any claims under the Equal Access to Justice 
Act.
    28. This Settlement Agreement and Order settles any allegations of 
violation of section 15(b) of the CPSA regarding the products described 
in paragraphs 5 and 14 above. In addition, having reviewed all of the 
information regarding Century's Fold N' Go Playard, models 10-710 and 
10-810, (top rail) and Century's Lil Napper Infant Swings, models 12-
344, 12-345, 12-475, and 12-476, (restraint system), which Century has 
disclosed to the staff as of the effective date of this Settlement 
Agreement and Order, the Commission agrees that it will not seek any 
civil penalty regarding these two products, pursuant to sections 
19(a)(4) and 20 of the CPSA, for failure to comply with the reporting 
requirements.
    Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, the 
CPSC shall not be precluded from seeking action with respect to the 
above referenced products on the grounds that Century failed to report 
based on information in its possession or control, but not disclosed to 
the CPSC as of the effective date of this Settlement Agreement and 
Order, or based on information received by it after the effective date 
of this Settlement Agreement and Order, unless Century had actual 
knowledge that the CPSC had been ``adequately informed'', within the 
meaning of section 15(b) of the CPSA and its regulations, 16 CFR 
Sec. 1115.
    29. Nothing in this Settlement Agreement and Order shall be 
construed to preclude the CPSC from pursuing a corrective action or 
other relief not described above.
    30. This Settlement Agreement and Order becomes effective only upon 
its final acceptance by the Commission and service of the incorporated 
Order upon Respondent.
    31. Upon provisional acceptance of this Settlement Agreement and 
Order by the Commission, the Commission shall place this Agreement and 
Order on the public record and shall publish it in the Federal Register 
in accordance with the procedure set forth in 16 CFR 1118.20(e). If the 
Commission does not receive any written request not to accept the 
Settlement Agreement and Order within 15 days, the Agreement and Order 
shall be deemed finally accepted on the 16th day after the date it is 
published in the Federal Register, in accordance with 16 CFR 
1118.20(f).
    32. Upon final acceptance of this Settlement Agreement and Order, 
the Commission shall issue the attached Order, incorporated herein by 
reference.
    33. The provisions of this Settlement Agreement and Order shall 
apply to Century and its successors and assigns.
    34. For purposes of section 6(b) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 
Sec. 2055(b), this matter shall be treated as if a complaint had 
issued, and the Commission may publicize the terms of the Settlement 
Agreement and Order.
    35. Century agrees to immediately inform the Commission if it 
learns of any additional incidents involving the products and alleged 
defects identified above.
    36. This Agreement may be used in interpreting the Order. 
Agreements, understands, representations, or interpretations made 
outside of this Settlement Agreement and Order may not be used to vary 
or to contradict its terms.

    Dated: December 4, 1997.

Century Products Company.
James Connors,
President and CEO of Century Products Company.

Counsel to Century Products Company.
Christopher Smith,
Margo Shatz Block,
Arent Fox Kintner Plotkin & Kahn.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Alan H. Schoem,
Associate Executive Director, Office of Compliance.
Eric L. Stone,
Director, Division of Administrative Litigation, Office of Compliance.

    Dated: December 5, 1997.
Melvin I. Kramer,
Trial Attorney, Division of Administrative Litigation, Office of 
Compliance.
Ronald G. Yelenik,
Trial Attorney, Division of Administrative Litigation, Office of 
Compliance.

Order

    Upon consideration of the Settlement Agreement between Respondent 
Century Products Company, a corporation, and the staff of the Consumer 
Product Safety Commission, and the Commission having jurisdiction over 
the subject matter and over Century Products Company, and it appearing 
the Settlement Agreement is in the public interest, it is
    Ordered, that the Settlement Agreement be and hereby is accepted, 
and it is
    Ordered, that within 20 days of the service of the Final Order upon 
Respondent, Century Products Company shall pay to the order of the U.S. 
Treasury a civil penalty in the amount of two hundred and twenty-five 
thousand dollars ($225,000).
    Further ordered, Century shall immediately inform the Commission if 
it learns of any additional incidents involving the products and 
alleged defects identified herein.
    Provisionally accepted and Provisional Order issued on the 24th day 
of December, 1997.

By Order of the Commission.
Sadye E. Dunn,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 97-34088 Filed 12-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-M