[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 236 (Friday, December 8, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62989-62990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-29898]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

16 CFR Part 1512


Requirements for Bicycles

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Revocation of rules.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Commission revokes two labeling rules applicable to 
bicycles introduced into interstate commerce between May 11, 1976, and 
May 11, 1978. The Commission is revoking these rules because no 
bicycles offered for sale at this time are subject to their 
requirements.

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 8, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allen F. Brauninger, Attorney, Office 
of the General Counsel, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, 
DC 20207; telephone (301) 504-0980, extension 2216.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    In 1976, the Commission published regulations prescribing safety 
requirements for bicycles under the authority of the Federal Hazardous 
Substances Act (FHSA) (15 U.S.C. 1261 et seq.), to become effective on 
May 11, 1976. (See the Federal Register notice of January 28, 1976; 41 
FR 4144.) These regulations are codified at 16 CFR Part 1512, and 
include requirements for the design, performance, and labeling of 
bicycles.
    The regulations are applicable to bicycles introduced into 
interstate commerce on and after May 11, 1976. Bicycles introduced into 
interstate commerce before that date are not subject to their 
requirements. Consequently, on the effective date of the regulations, 
bicycles introduced into interstate commerce before May 11, 1976, could 
be sold without violating the regulations or the FHSA.

B. Issuance of Temporary Labeling Requirements

    To help consumers identify bicycles manufactured to comply with the 
regulations, the Commission included a requirement in the regulations 
that bicycles introduced into interstate 

[[Page 62990]]
commerce from May 11, 1976, through May 11, 1978, had to be labeled 
with a hang tag or other removable label stating: ``Meets U.S. Consumer 
Product Safety Commission Regulations for Bicycles.'' See section 
1512.19(d) of the regulations. Section 1512.19(d) specifies minimum 
dimensions for the label and the height of the lettering of the 
required statement.
    After the effective date of the bicycle regulations, the Commission 
issued a statement of policy and interpretation to allow minor 
variations in the size of the hang tags or labels required by section 
1512.19(d). See the Federal Register of May 27, 1976. The statement of 
policy and interpretation is codified as 16 CFR 1512.50.

C. Revocation

    No bicycles introduced into commerce now or in the future are or 
will be subject to the labeling rule and policy statement codified at 
16 CFR 1512.19(d) and 1512.50. For this reason, the Commission is 
revoking that rule and policy statement.
    Generally, the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) 
requires agencies to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking and 
provide opportunity for public comment before issuing or revoking a 
regulation. However, the APA provides at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) that the 
requirement for a notice of proposed rulemaking is not applicable when 
the agency finds for good cause that notice of proposed rulemaking and 
public participation are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to 
the public interest.''
    The Commission finds for good cause that notice of proposed 
rulemaking and public participation are unnecessary. As noted, labeling 
under 16 CFR 1512.19(d) and 1512.50 was required only for bicycles 
introduced into commerce from May 11, 1976, to May 11, 1978. The rules 
being revoked have no effect on the rights or duties of any persons who 
manufacture, sell, or purchase bicycles at this time. Providing notice 
of proposed rulemaking and opportunity for submission of written 
comments on the proposal would be a meaningless procedure in this case.
    The APA also requires at 5 U.S.C. 553(d) that a substantive rule 
must be published at least 30 days before its effective date unless the 
agency finds for good cause that such delay is not needed. Again, no 
bicycles offered for sale now or in the future are or will be subject 
to the rules being revoked. Therefore, the Commission finds for good 
cause that a delayed effective date is unnecessary, and this revocation 
shall become effective immediately.

D. Conclusion

    Therefore, under the authority of section 553 of the Administrative 
Procedure Act and sections 2 and 3 of the Federal Hazardous Substances 
Act, the Commission hereby amends title 16 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations, Chapter II, Subchapter C, Part 1512 to read as follows:

PART 1512--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority for Part 1512 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Sec. 2(f)1(D), (q)(1)(A), (s), 3(e)(1), 74 Stat. 372, 
374, as amended, 80 Stat. 1304-05, 83 Stat. 187-89 (15 U.S.C. 1261, 
1262).


Sec. 1512.19  [Removed and Reserved]


Sec. 1512.50  [Removed and Reserved]

    2. Sections 1512.19(d) and 1512.50 are removed and reserved 
effective December 8, 1995.

    Dated: December 4, 1995.
Sadye E. Dunn,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 95-29898 Filed 12-7-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P