Standard for the Surface Flammability of Carpets and Rugs

[Federal Register: March 10, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 48)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 12929-12935]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10mr00-8]

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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

16 CFR Parts 1630 and 1631

Standard for the Surface Flammability of Carpets and Rugs;
Standard for the Surface Flammability of Small Carpets and Rugs

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Final amendments.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is amending the flammability standards for
carpets and rugs and for small carpets and rugs by revising the
laundering procedure specified in those standards. The laundering
procedures help assure that any fire retardant treatment used on
carpets or on fibers used in the manufacture of carpets will not be

[[Page 12930]]

removed or degraded by cleaning, thereby creating a flammability
hazard. The Commission is issuing these amendments because the
detergent specified by the existing laundering procedure is no longer
available and the operating characteristics of the washing and drying
machines required by that procedure are no longer representative of
machines now used for home laundering.

DATES: The rule will become effective on April 10, 2000 and will apply
to products manufactured or imported after that date. The incorporation
by reference of the publication listed in this rule is approved by the
Director of the Federal Register as of April 10, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marilyn Borsari, Office of Compliance,
Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207; telephone
(301) 504-0400, extension 1370.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

The Flammable Fabrics Act (``FFA'') (15 U.S.C. 1191 et seq.)
authorizes the Commission to issue and amend flammability standards and
regulations to protect the public from unreasonable risks of death,
injury, and property damage from fire associated with products of
interior furnishing made from fabric and related materials.
In 1970, the Secretary of Commerce issued two flammability
standards for carpets and rugs to protect the public from risks of
deaths, injuries, and economic losses associated with ignition of
carpets and rugs by small ignition sources. The Standard for the
Surface Flammability of Carpets and Rugs, now codified at 16 CFR part
1630, is applicable to carpets and rugs with a surface area greater
than 24 square feet and one dimension longer than six feet. The
Standard for the Surface Flammability of Small Carpets and Rugs, now
codified at 16 CFR part 1631, is applicable to carpets and rugs which
have an area of 24 square feet or less, and no dimension longer than
six feet.
In 1973, authority to issue and amend flammability standards under
the FFA was transferred from the Department of Commerce to the Consumer
Product Safety Commission by section 30(b) of the Consumer Product
Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2079(b)).

B. Amending the Flammability Standards

As discussed below, laundering procedures are required by the
standards to help assure that any fire-retardant chemicals used in the
production of carpets or rugs will not be removed or degraded by
repeated cleaning and create a flammability hazard. However, the
current procedures are out of date in several respects.

1. Current Procedures

The carpet flammability standards describe the apparatus and
procedure to be used to test carpets and rugs for compliance with the
standards. See 16 CFR 1630.4 and 1631.4.
At the time the carpet standards were issued, some carpets and rugs
were treated with fire retardants or made from fibers that were treated
with fire retardants. Section 1630.4(b)(1)(ii) of the standard for
large carpets and rugs and Sec. 1631.4(b)(1)(ii) of the standard for
small carpets and rugs require that specimens of a carpet or rug that
has a fire-retardant treatment or that is made from fibers which have
had a fire-retardant treatment shall be tested after they have been
washed and dried 10 times in accordance with a specified laundering
procedure, or ``such number of times under such other washing and
drying procedures as shall have been found to be equivalent by the
Consumer Product Safety Commission.''
The laundering procedure specified by the standards is AATCC Test
Method 124-67, published by the American Association of Textile
Chemists and Colorists (``AATCC'').(1) \1\ This procedure involves
washing and drying the specimens in a household washing machine and
dryer. The AATCC test method is similar to the method that might be
used by consumers to clean small washable carpets and rugs such as bath
mats and small area rugs.
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\1\ Numbers in parentheses identify reference documents in the
List of Relevant Documents at the end of this notice. Requests for
inspection of any of these documents should be made at the Office of
the Secretary, 4330 East-West Highway, room 502, or by calling that
office at (301) 504-0800.
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Although the AATCC laundering procedure does not resemble the
method that consumers could be expected to use for cleaning wall-to-
wall carpeting and large carpets or rugs, the Commission has not made a
finding that any other washing and drying procedure is equivalent to
AATCC Test Method 124-67. Nor has the Commission approved an alternate
cleaning procedure that is normally used for them.
AATCC Test Method 124-67 specifies operating characteristics of the
washing machine and dryer to be used, wash water and rinse water
temperatures, exhaust temperature of the dryer, and a particular
detergent, AATCC Standard Detergent 124. AATCC Test Method 124-67 was
developed in 1967. These specifications are representative of the
equipment, wash, rinse, and drying temperatures, and detergent used for
home laundering in the 1960s. For example, AATCC Standard Detergent 124
is a high-phosphate powder with optical brightener, similar to the
phosphate-based detergents sold to consumers between 1950 and 1970.(3)
Since 1970, environmental concerns about water pollution have
resulted in the elimination of phosphate-based detergents for home
laundering. Today, all laundry detergents sold to consumers are
nonphosphate-based. Additionally, energy-efficient washing machines and
dryers currently sold for consumer use have operating characteristics
and temperature settings which differ from those specified by AATCC
Test Method 124-67.(3)

2. Revised Laundering Test Method

In 1996, AATCC revised AATCC Test Method 124, ``Appearance of
Fabrics After Repeated Home Laundering.''(2) The 1996 AATCC test method
more closely resembles the equipment and practices used for household
laundering of fabrics at this time. The revised test method differs
from AATCC Test Method 124-67 by specifying the use of 1993 AATCC
detergent, a nonphosphate-based detergent. The 1996 test method also
specifies use of a washing machine with different operating
characteristics than those specified by AATCC Test Method 124-67, and
rinse water temperatures which differ from those in the older test
method.(3) Table 1, below, provides a summary comparison of the two
test methods.

[[Page 12931]]

Table 1.--AATCC Test Method 124
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wash/Dry conditions Version 1967 Version 1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Washing machine:
Cycle.............................. Normal............................................... Normal/cotton sturdy
Wash Water Temp.................... 60<plus-minus>3 deg.C................................ 60<plus-minus>3 deg.C
Rinse Water Temp................... 41<plus-minus>3C..................................... Less than 29 deg.C
Water Level........................ Full................................................. 18<plus-minus>1 gal
Agitator Speed..................... 70<plus-minus>5 spm.................................. 179<plus-minus>1 spm
Wash Time.......................... 12 minutes...........................................
Spin Speed......................... 500-510 rpm.......................................... 630-660 rpm
Final Spin cycle................... 4 minutes............................................ 6 minutes

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

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Dryer:
Cycle............................ Normal............................................. Cotton Sturdy................ Durable Press
Exhaust Temp..................... 140-140 deg.F...................................... 140-160 deg.F................ 140-160 deg.F
Cool Down Cycle.................. 5 minutes.......................................... 5 minutes.................... 10 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
spm=strokes (or cycles) per minutes; rpm=revolutions per minute.

In 1996, AATCC also announced that when that organization's supply
of Standard Detergent 124 is depleted, that detergent will no longer be
available. AATCC is the only source for Standard Detergent 124.
Additionally, washing machines offered for sale at this time do not
have the settings and operating characteristics of the washing machine
specified by AATCC Test Method 124-67.(3)
The laundering procedures specified in the carpet flammability
standards must be followed by the Commission when testing carpets
manufactured with a fire-retardant treatment to determine their
compliance. Information available to the Commission indicates that at
this time, no carpets or rugs treated with a fire retardant or made
from fibers which have been treated with a fire retardant are offered
for sale. However, it is possible that carpets treated with fire
retardants may be marketed in the future.

3. Review of Other Existing Standards

As explained in the notice of proposed rulemaking, the Commission
staff reviewed and analyzed fourteen other international and technical
association standards or test methods to determine if any were
appropriate for consideration in this proceeding. All of the standards
designed for fabric laundering have significant deficiencies. They are
either based on earlier versions of AATCC Test Method 124 (with
obsolete detergent and equipment), require equipment not available in
the U.S., use only water in the laundering procedure, or specify
significantly lower wash and rinse water temperatures than those still
available for consumers.
Two of these methods (AATCC 138 and a Canadian standard CAN/CGSB-
4.2 No. 30.2-M90) were specifically developed for carpets. However,
they use different liquid detergents, and neither of these methods
approximates the typical home laundering used in the Flammability
Standard for Carpets and Rugs. Further, the AATCC 138 was judged to be
too harsh for the hand washable flokati rugs because of the brushing
specified by the method.

4. Proposed Amendment

On March 17, 1999, the Commission proposed to revise the laundering
procedures specified in 16 CFR 1632.5(b) to those of AATCC Test Method
124-1996. 64 FR 13132. As explained in the preamble to the proposed
rule, the Commission determined that an advance notice of proposed
rulemaking was not necessary to begin this proceeding. Id. at 13134.
The amendments preserve the original intent and effect of the existing
test method, modifying that method only as necessary to reflect the
existence of modern equipment and detergent. Moreover, the existing
regulations permit the Commission to employ a laundering test method
different from AATCC Test Method 124 if it concludes that the test
method is substantively as protective.
The Commission received comments on the proposed rule from the Soap
and Detergent Association (``SDA''), American Textile Manufacturers
Institute (``ATMI''), the National Cotton Council (``NCC''), and Shaw
Industries. ATMI and NCC both expressed their support for the proposed
revision. SDA's and Shaw Industries comments are discussed below.
Wash and Rinse Water Temperatures
SDA suggested that the Commission consider a laundering protocol
different than AATCC Test Method 124. SDA's suggested protocol calls
for cooler wash and rinse temperatures, stating that they are more
representative of today's laundering conditions.
The Commission declines to make this change. Many water heaters in
use today are set at 60C/140F. Thus, consumers have hotter wash water
available to them than the 32C/90F that SDA recommends. It is
appropriate that the laundering requirements reflect not necessarily
the average conditions, but the most rigorous that a consumer is likely
to use. By specifying a hot water wash and a cold water rinse, the
revised CPSC standard represents the most rigorous real, although not
necessarily average, wash conditions.
Water Hardness
SDA also suggested that the revised standard should specify water
hardness criteria. While water hardness is one factor that may affect
the flammability performance of some fabrics, the Commission has no
evidence that water hardness is a significant problem for flame
retardant treated products currently marketed. At this time, the
Commission is only correcting the outdated detergent and laundering
conditions in the current FFA standards. It is not within the scope of
this proceeding to consider additional criteria.
Ballast Load Weight
The SDA suggested changing the ballast load weight to
2.7<plus-minus>0.1 kg (6<plus-minus>0.2 lb). CPSC's current standard
specifies 3.64 kg (8 lb) while the AATCC Test Method 124 only requires
1.8kg (4 lb). SDA may not have realized that CPSC is retaining the
larger load requirement. As explained above, the Commission is only
correcting the outdated aspects of the laundering standard. It is not
altering other criteria.
Omit Reference to a Specific Date
Finally, SDA suggested that the Commission not refer to the
specific year of the AATCC standard but simply refer to the most
current method. This would alleviate the need to revise the standard
every time the AATCC standard is revised.
The Commission cannot accept this suggestion. For any change by
AATCC

[[Page 12932]]

to have the force and effect of a Commission rule the Commission must
formally adopt it through notice and comment rulemaking.
New Cleaning Method for Carpets
Shaw Industries suggested that the Commission adopt a new cleaning
method for carpets, AATCC Test Method 171-1995, because it would better
replicate the manner in which most carpets are cleaned.
AATCC Test Method 171-1995 simulates on-floor cleaning of carpets.
While most carpets are not cleaned in washing machines as AATCC Test
Method 124 prescribes, the purpose of this proceeding is to revise the
laundering requirements for those carpets that may be washed in a home
washing machine, not to require a new method.

5. Final Rule

The amendments require specimens of carpet manufactured with a
fire-retardant treatment to be tested after washing and drying 10 times
using the procedure specified in AATCC Test Method 124-1996. The
amendments incorporate that test method into the carpet flammability
standards by reference.
Existing Secs. 1630.4(b)(1)(ii) and 1631.4(b)(1)(ii) contain the
following language:

Alternatively, the selected sample or oversized specimens
thereof may be washed, dry-cleaned, or shampooed 10 times prior to
cutting of test specimens, in such manner as the manufacturer or
other interested party shall previously have established to the
satisfaction of the Consumer Product Safety Commission is normally
used for that type of carpet or rug in service. [Emphasis added.]

Alternative laundering procedures have been approved in accordance
with provisions of Secs. 1630.4(b)(1)(ii) and 1631.4(b)(1)(ii) for hide
carpets and rugs and wool flokati carpets and rugs. See 16 CFR 1630.61,
1630.62 and 1630.63; 16 CFR 1631.61 and 1631.62. The amendments change
the references in subpart C of Secs. 1630 and 1631 to the revised AATCC
Test Method 124-1996 so that they are consistent with the other
changes.

6. Effective Date

The Commission proposed that the amendments become effective 30
days after publication of a final rule. 64 FR 13134-35. As discussed in
the preamble to the proposed rule, the standard detergent specified by
the existing laundering method in the standard is no longer available.
Thus the Commission believes that an effective date 30 days after
publication of final amendments will be in the public interest. The
Commission is not withdrawing or limiting the exemption for products in
inventory or with the trade as provided by section 4(b) of the FFA.
The Commission received no comments on the proposed effective date.
The Commission continues to believe that an effective date of thirty
days allows adequate notice to all interested persons of the change in
laundering procedure, and at the same time assures that the Commission
will be able to test for compliance with the standards without
interruption. Those manufacturers who perform prototype testing in
accordance with the laundering procedure specified in the standard will
also benefit from a relatively short effective date.

C. Other Issues

1. Impact on Small Businesses

In accordance with section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act
(5 U.S.C. 605(b)), the Commission certified that the proposed
amendments to the carpet flammability standards would not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities,
including small businesses. 64 FR 13135. Because the Commission is
unaware of any carpets or rugs currently offered for sale which have
been treated with a fire-retardant treatment or made from fibers
treated with a fire-retardant, the Commission estimates that the
amendments will have no economic consequences to any manufacturers,
large or small, of carpets and rugs. In the event that some carpets
treated with a fire-retardant or made from fibers treated with a fire-
retardant treatment come onto the market in the future, manufacturers
will be able to apply for approval of any alternate laundering
procedure which is normally used for cleaning those products if the
procedure specified by the amendments is not appropriate.

2. Environmental Considerations

The amendments fall within the categories of Commission actions
described at 16 CFR 1021.5(c) that have little or no potential for
affecting the human environment. As discussed in the proposed rule,
neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact
statement is required. 64 FR 13135.

3. Executive Orders

Executive Order 12988 (February 5, 1996), requires agencies to
state in clear language the preemptive effect, if any, to be given to
any new regulation. The amendments would modify two flammability
standards issued under the FFA. With certain exceptions which are not
applicable here, no state or political subdivision of a state may enact
or continue in effect ``a flammability standard or other regulation''
applicable to the same fabric or product as an FFA standard if the
state or local flammability standard or regulation is ``designed to
protect against the same risk of the occurrence of fire'' unless the
state or local flammability standard or regulation ``is identical'' to
the FFA standard. See section 16 of the FFA (15 U.S.C. 1203).
Consequently, the amendments will preempt nonidentical state or local
flammability standards or regulations that are intended to address the
unreasonable risk of the occurrence of fire associated with ignition of
carpets and rugs.
The Commission has also evaluated this rule in light of the
principles stated in Executive Order 13132 concerning federalism, even
though that Order does not apply to independent regulatory agencies
such as CPSC. The Commission does not expect that the rule will have
any substantial direct effects on the States, the relationship between
the national government and the States, or the distribution of power
and responsibilities among various levels of government.

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Parts 1630 and 1631

Carpets, Consumer protection, Flammable materials, Floor coverings,
Incorporation by reference, Labeling, Records, Rugs, Textiles,
Warranties.

Conclusion

Therefore, pursuant to the authority of section 30(b) of the
Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2079(b)) and sections 4 and 5 of
the Flammable Fabrics Act (15 U.S.C. 1193, 1194), the Commission hereby
amends title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter II,
Subchapter D, Parts 1630 and 1631 to read as follows:

PART 1630--STANDARD FOR THE SURFACE FLAMMABILITY OF CARPETS AND
RUGS

1. The authority for subpart A of part 1630 continues to read as
follows:

Authority: Sec. 4, 67 Stat. 112, as amended, 81 Stat. 569-570;
15 U.S.C. 1193.

2. Section 1630.4 is amended by revising paragraph (b)(1)(ii),
removing footnote 3 and 4 redesignating footnote 5 as footnote 3, and
adding new paragraph (b)(1)(iii) to read as follows:

Sec. 1630.4 Test procedure.

* * * * *

[[Page 12933]]

(b) Sampling--(1) * * *
(ii) If the carpet or rug has had a fire-retardant treatment, or is
made of fibers which have had a fire-retardant treatment, the selected
sample or over-sized specimens thereof shall be washed, prior to
cutting of test specimens after they have been washed and dried either
10 times in accordance with sections 8.2.2, 8.2.3, and 8.3.1(A) of
AATCC Test Method 124-1996 ``Appearance of Fabrics after Repeated Home
Laundering,'' using wash temperature V (60 deg.<plus-minus>3 deg. C,
140 deg.<plus-minus>5 deg. F) specified in Table II of that method, and
the water level, agitator speed, washing time, spin speed and final
spin cycle specified for ``Normal/Cotton Sturdy'' in Table III, and
drying shall be performed in accordance with section 8.3.1(A) of that
test method, Tumble Dry, maximum load 3.64 Kg (8 pounds), using the
exhaust temperature (66 deg.<plus-minus>5 deg. C,
150 deg.<plus-minus>10 deg. F) and cool down time of 10 minutes
specified in the ``Durable Press'' conditions of Table IV; or such
number of times by another washing and drying procedure which the
Consumer Product Safety Commission has determined to be equivalent of
AATCC Test Method 124-1996. Alternatively, the selected sample or
oversized specimens thereof may be washed, drycleaned, or shampooed 10
times, prior to cutting of test specimens, in such manner as the
manufacturer or other interested party shall previously have
established to the satisfaction of the Consumer Product Safety
Commission is normally used for that type of carpet or rug in service.
(iii) AATCC Test Method 124-1996 ``Appearance of Fabrics after
Repeated Home Laundering,'' is found in Technical Manual of the
American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, vol. 73, 1997,
which is incorporated by reference. Copies of this document are
available from the American Association of Textile Chemists and
Colorists, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
27709. This document is also available for inspection at the Office of
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700,
Washington, DC. This incorporation by reference was approved by the
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and
1 CFR part 51.
* * * * *

3. The authority for subpart C of part 1630 continues to read as
follows:

Authority: Secs. 4, 5, 67 Stat. 112, as amended, 81 Stat. 569-
570; 15 U.S.C. 1193, 1194.

4. Section 1630.61 is amended by revising the first sentence of
paragraph (a) and adding four new sentences after the first sentence of
paragraph (a) to read as follows:

Sec. 1630.61 Hide carpets and rugs--alternative washing procedure.

(a) The Standard for the Surface Flammability of Carpets and Rugs
(FF 1-70) at Sec. 1630.4(b)(1)(ii) provides that if a carpet or rug has
had a fire-retardant treatment, or is made of fibers which have had a
fire-retardant treatment, the sample or oversized specimens thereof
selected for testing under the standard shall be washed prior to the
cutting of test specimens either 10 times under the washing and drying
procedure prescribed in Method 124-1996 of the American Association of
Textile Chemists and Colorists or such number of times under such other
washing and drying procedure as shall previously have been found to be
equivalent by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. AATCC Test Method
124-1996 ``Appearance of Fabrics after Repeated Home Laundering,'' is
found in Technical Manual of the American Association of Textile
Chemists and Colorists, vol. 73, 1997, which is incorporated by
reference. Copies of this document are available from the American
Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, P.O. Box 12215, Research
Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709. This document is also available
for inspection at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol
Street, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC. This incorporation by reference
was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. * * *
* * * * *

5. Section 1630.62 is amended by revising the first sentences in
paragraphs (a) and (d)(3) and adding four new sentences after the first
sentence of paragraph (a) to read as follows:

Sec. 1630.62 Wool flokati carpets and rugs--alternative washing
procedure.

6. Section 1630.63 is amended by revising the first sentence in
paragraph (a)(1) and adding four new sentences after the first sentence
of paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows:

Sec. 1630.63 Suspension of washing requirements for carpets and rugs
with alumina trihydrate in the backing.

(a)(1) The Standard for the Surface Flammability of Carpets and
Rugs (FF 1-70) at Sec. 1630.4(b)(1)(ii) provides that if a carpet or
rug has had a fire-retardant treatment, or is made of fibers which have
had a fire-retardant treatment, the sample or oversized specimens
thereof selected for testing under the standard shall be washed prior
to the cutting of test specimens either 10 times under the washing and
drying procedure prescribed in Method 124-1996 of the American
Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists or such number of times
under such other washing and drying procedure as shall previously have
been found to be equivalent by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
AATCC Test Method 124-1996 ``Appearance of Fabrics after Repeated Home
Laundering,'' is found in Technical Manual of the American Association
of Textile Chemists and Colorists, vol. 73, 1997, which is

[[Page 12934]]

incorporated by reference. Copies of this document are available from
the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, P.O. Box
12215, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709. This document is
also available for inspection at the Office of the Federal Register,
800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC. This
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal
Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. * * *
* * * * *

PART 1631--STANDARD FOR THE SURFACE FLAMMABILITY OF SMALL CARPETS
AND RUGS

1. The authority for subpart A of part 1631 continues to read as
follows:

Authority: Sec. 4, 67 Stat. 112, as amended, 81 Stat. 569-570;
15 U.S.C. 1193.

2. Section 1631.4 is amended by revising paragraph (b)(1)(ii),
removing footnote 3, redesignating footnotes 4 and 5 as footnotes 3 and
4 respectively, and adding new paragraph (b)(1)(iii) to read as
follows:

Sec. 1631.4 Test procedure.

* * * * *
(b) Sampling--(1) * * *
(ii) If the carpet or rug has had a fire-retardant treatment, or is
made of fibers which have had a fire-retardant treatment, the selected
sample or over-sized specimens thereof shall be washed, prior to
cutting of test specimens after they have been washed and dried either
10 times in accordance with sections 8.2.2, 8.2.3, and 8.3.1(A) of
AATCC Test Method 124-1996 ``Appearance of Fabrics after Repeated Home
Laundering,'' using wash temperature V (60 deg.<plus-minus>3 deg. C,
140 deg.<plus-minus>5 deg. F) specified in Table II of that method, and
the water level, agitator speed, washing time, spin speed and final
spin cycle specified for ``Normal/Cotton Sturdy'' in Table III, and
drying shall be performed in accordance with section 8.3.1(A) of that
test method, Tumble Dry, maximum load 3.64 Kg (8 pounds), using the
exhaust temperature (66 deg.<plus-minus>5 deg. C,
150 deg.<plus-minus>10 deg. F) and cool down time of 10 minutes
specified in the ``Durable Press'' conditions of Table IV; or such
number of times by another washing and drying procedure which the
Consumer Product Safety Commission has determined to be equivalent of
AATCC Test Method 124-1996. Alternatively, the selected sample or
oversized specimens thereof may be washed, drycleaned, or shampooed 10
times, prior to cutting of test specimens, in such manner as the
manufacturer or other interested party shall previously have
established to the satisfaction of the Consumer Product Safety
Commission is normally used for that type of carpet or rug in service.
(iii) AATCC Test Method 124-1996 ``Appearance of Fabrics after
Repeated Home Laundering,'' is found in Technical Manual of the
American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, vol. 73, 1997,
which is incorporated by reference. Copies of this document are
available from the American Association of Textile Chemists and
Colorists, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
27709. This document is also available for inspection at the Office of
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700,
Washington, DC. This incorporation by reference was approved by the
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and
1 CFR part 51.
* * * * *

3. The authority for subpart C of part 1631 continues to read as
follows:

Authority: Secs. 4, 5, 67 Stat. 112, as amended, 81 Stat. 569-
70; 15 U.S.C. 1193, 1194.

4. Section 1631.61 is amended by revising the first sentence of
paragraph (a) and adding four new sentences after the first sentence of
paragraph (a) to read as follows:

Sec. 1631.61 Hide carpets and rugs--alternative washing procedure.

5. Section 1631.62 is amended by revising the first sentences in
paragraphs (a) and (d)(3) and adding four new sentences after the first
sentence of paragraph (a) to read as follows:

Sec. 1631.62 Wool flokati carpets and rugs--alternative washing
procedure.

[[Page 12935]]

Dated: March 2, 2000.
Sadye E. Dunn,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.

List of Relevant Documents

1. American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists,
``Appearance of Durable Press Fabrics After Repeated Home
Launderings,'' AATCC Test Method 124-1969. AATCC Technical Manual,
Vol. 46, 1970.
2. American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists,
``Appearance of Fabrics After Repeated Home Laundering,'' AATCC Test
Method 124-1996. AATCC Technical Manual, Vol. 73, 1997.
3. Briefing memorandum from Margaret Neily, Project Manager,
Directorate for Engineering Sciences, to the Commission, ``Proposed
Amendments to Flammable Fabrics Act Standards to Replace Obsolete
Standard Detergent and Update Laundering Procedures Required for
Tests,'' November 18, 1998.
4. Memorandum from Gail Stafford, Directorate for Laboratory
Sciences, to Margaret Neily, Project Manager, ``Amending the
Laundering Provisions of the CPSC Flammability Regulations,'' August
18, 1998.
5. Memorandum from Gail Stafford, Directorate for Laboratory
Sciences, to Margaret Neily, Project Manager, ``Textile Laundering
Standards,'' August 18, 1998.
6. Memorandum from Gail Stafford and Shing-Bong Chen,
Directorate for Laboratory Sciences, to Margaret Neily, Project
Manager, ``Detergent Comparison Tests,'' August 19, 1998.
7. Log of Meeting on January 21, 1998 concerning Flammability
Test of Pyrovatex-treated Flame Resistant Fabrics.
8. Memorandum from Terrance R. Karels, Directorate for Economic
Analysis, to Margaret Neily, Project Manager, ``Amendments to FFA
Standards,'' August 10, 1998.
9. Memorandum from Margaret Neily, Project Manager, Directorate
for Engineering Sciences, to the Commission, ``Briefing Package
Supplement: Laundering/Detergent Update for Flammable Fabrics Act
Standards--The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) Laundering
Procedures,'' January 11, 1999.
10. Memorandum from Gail Stafford, Directorate for Laboratory
Sciences, to Margaret Neily, Project Manager, ``Soap and Detergent
Association Proposed Laundering Procedure,'' December 23, 1998.
11. Letter from Jenan Al-Atrash, Director, Human Health &
Safety, The Soap and Detergent Association, to Margaret Neily,
Technical Program Coordinator, Office of the Executive Director,
including SDA Recommended Wash Conditions for CFR 1615.4, September
15, 1998.
12. Letter from Jenan Al-Atrash, Director, Human Health &
Safety, The Soap and Detergent Association, to Margaret Neily,
Technical Program Coordinator, Office of the Executive Director,
follow-up comments to September 15, 1998, letter, November 12, 1998.
13. Memorandum from Margaret L. Neily, Project Manager,
Directorate for Engineering Sciences, to the Commission,
``Laundering/Detergent Updates--FR notice supplements,'' February
19, 1999.
14. Briefing Memorandum, from Ron Medford, AED, Office of Hazard
Identification and Reduction and Margaret L. Neily, Project Manager,
ESME, to the Commission, ``Final Rule Updating Standard Detergent
and Laundering Procedures for Flammable Fabrics Act Standards,''
January 6, 2000.
15. Memorandum from Martha A. Kosh, OS, ``Comments on Children's
Sleepwear Laundering Procedures, Mattress Pads Laundering
Procedures, Carpet and Rugs Laundering Procedures,'' June 1, 1999.
16. Memorandum from Gail Stafford, Directorate for Laboratory
Sciences, to Margaret Neily, Project Manager, ``Response to Comments
Received as a Result of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) for
the Laundering/Detergent Update for the Flammable Fabrics Act
Standards,'' October 25, 1999.

[FR Doc. 00-5530 Filed 3-9-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P