§2054. Product safety information and research
(a) Injury Information Clearinghouse; duties
The Commission shall-
(1) maintain an Injury Information Clearinghouse to collect, investigate, analyze, and disseminate injury data, and information, relating to the causes and prevention of death, injury, and illness associated with consumer products;
(2) conduct such continuing studies and investigations of deaths, injuries, diseases, other health impairments, and economic losses resulting from accidents involving consumer products as it deems necessary;
(3) following publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking for a product safety rule under any rulemaking authority administered by the Commission, assist public and private organizations or groups of manufacturers, administratively and technically, in the development of safety standards addressing the risk of injury identified in such notice; and
(4) to the extent practicable and appropriate (taking into account the resources and priorities of the Commission), assist public and private organizations or groups of manufacturers, administratively and technically, in the development of product safety standards and test methods.
(b) Research, investigation and testing of consumer products
The Commission may-
(1) conduct research, studies, and investigations on the safety of consumer products and on improving the safety of such products;
(2) test consumer products and develop product safety test methods and testing devices; and
(3) offer training in product safety investigation and test methods.
(c) Grants and contracts for conduct of functions
In carrying out its functions under this section, the Commission may make grants or enter into contracts for the conduct of such functions with any person (including a governmental entity).
(d) Availability to public of information
Whenever the Federal contribution for any information, research, or development activity authorized by this chapter is more than minimal, the Commission shall include in any contract, grant, or other arrangement for such activity, provisions effective to insure that the rights to all information, uses, processes, patents, and other developments resulting from that activity will be made available to the public without charge on a nonexclusive basis. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to deprive any person of any right which he may have had, prior to entering into any arrangement referred to in this subsection, to any patent, patent application, or invention.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2008-Subsec. (a)(3).
1981-Subsec. (a)(3), (4).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective on the sixtieth day following Oct. 27, 1972, see section 34 of
Study of Aversive Agents
Fire Safe Cigarette Act of 1990
"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS.
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) cigarette-ignited fires are the leading cause of fire deaths in the United States,
"(2) in 1987, there were 1,492 deaths from cigarette-ignited fires, 3,809 serious injuries, and $395,000,000 in property damage caused by such fires,
"(3) the final report of the Technical Study Group on Cigarette and Little Cigar Fire Safety under the Cigarette Safety Act of 1984 [set out below] determined that (A) it is technically feasible and may be commercially feasible to develop a cigarette that will have a significantly reduced propensity to ignite furniture and mattresses, and (B) the overall impact on other aspects of the United States society and economy may be minimal,
"(4) the final report of the Technical Study Group on Cigarette and Little Cigar Fire Safety under the Cigarette Safety Act of 1984 further determined that the value of a cigarette with less of a likelihood to ignite furniture and mattresses which would prevent property damage and personal injury and loss of life is economically incalculable,
"(5) it is appropriate for the Congress to require by law the completion of the research described in the final report of the Technical Study Group on Cigarette and Little Cigar Fire Safety and an assessment of the practicability of developing a performance standard to reduce cigarette ignition propensity, and
"(6) it is appropriate for the Consumer Product Safety Commission to utilize its expertise to complete the recommendations for further work and report to Congress in a timely fashion.
"SEC. 2. COMPLETION OF FIRE SAFETY RESEARCH.
"(a)
"(1) develop a standard test method to determine cigarette ignition propensity,
"(2) compile performance data for cigarettes using the standard test method developed under paragraph (1), and
"(3) conduct laboratory studies on and computer modeling of ignition physics to develop valid, user-friendly predictive capability.
The Commission shall make such request not later than the expiration of 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 1990].
"(b)
"(1) design and implement a study to collect baseline and followup data about the characteristics of cigarettes, products ignited, and smokers involved in fires, and
"(2) develop information on societal costs of cigarette-ignited fires.
"(c)
"SEC. 3. ADVISORY GROUP.
"(a)
"(b)
"SEC. 4. REPORTS.
"The Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in consultation with the Technical Advisory Group, shall submit to Congress three reports on the activities undertaken under section 2 as follows: The first such report shall be made not later than 13 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 1990], the second such report shall be made not later than 25 months after such date, and the final such report shall be made not later than 36 months after such date.
"SEC. 5. CONFIDENTIALITY.
"(a)
"(b)
Additional Reporting Time
Cigarette Safety Act of 1984
"(1) the Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, who shall be the Chairman of the Interagency Committee;
"(2) the United States Fire Administrator in the Federal Emergency Management Agency, who shall be the Vice Chairman of the Interagency Committee; and
"(3) the Assistant Secretary of Health in the Department of Health and Human Services.
"(b) The Interagency Committee shall direct, oversee, and review the work of the Technical Study Group on Cigarette and Little Cigar Fire Safety (established under section 3) conducted under section 4 and shall make such policy recommendations to the Congress as it deems appropriate. The Interagency Committee may retain and contract with such consultants as it deems necessary to assist the Study Group in carrying out its functions under section 4. The Interagency Committee may request the head of any Federal department or agency to detail any of the personnel of the department or agency to assist the Interagency Committee or the Study Group in carrying out its responsibilities. The authority of the Interagency Committee to enter into contracts shall be effective for any fiscal year only to such extent or in such amounts as are provided in advance by appropriation Acts.
"(c) For the purpose of carrying out section 4, the Interagency Committee or the Study Group, with the advice and consent of the Interagency Committee, may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence, as the Interagency Committee or the Study Group considers appropriate.
"
"(1) one scientific or technical representative each from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Center for Fire Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Cancer Institute, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the appointment of whom shall be made by the heads of those agencies;
"(2) four scientific or technical representatives appointed by the Chairman of the Interagency Committee, by and with the advice and consent of the Interagency Committee, from a list of individuals submitted by the Tobacco Institute;
"(3) two scientific or technical representatives appointed by the Chairman of the Interagency Committee, by and with the advice and consent of the Interagency Committee, who are selected from lists of individuals submitted by the following organizations: the American Burn Association, the American Public Health Association, and the American Medical Association;
"(4) two scientific or technical representatives appointed by the Chairman of the Interagency Committee, by and with the advice and consent of the Interagency Committee, who are selected from lists of individuals submitted by the following organizations: the National Fire Protection Association, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, and the National Volunteer Fire Council; and
"(5) one scientific or technical representative appointed by the Chairman of the Interagency Committee, by and with the advice and consent of the Interagency Committee, from lists of individuals submitted by the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association and one scientific or technical representative appointed by the Chairman, by and with the advice and consent of the Interagency Committee, from lists of individuals submitted by the American Furniture Manufacturers Association.
"(b) The persons appointed to serve on the Study Group may designate, with the advice and consent of the Interagency Committee, from among their number such persons to serve as team leaders, coordinators, or chairpersons as they deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the Study Group's functions under section 4.
"(b) Subsection (a) does not authorize the withholding of any information from any duly authorized subcommittee or committee of the Congress, except that if a subcommittee or committee of the Congress requests the Interagency Committee to provide such information, the Chairman of the Interagency Committee shall notify the person who provided the information of such a request in writing.
"(c) The Interagency Committee shall, on the vote of a majority of its members, adopt reasonable procedures to protect the confidentiality of trade secret and confidential information, as defined in this section.