§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 Consumer Product Safety 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 .)

Codification

In subsec. (a), the words "in cooperation with the Secretary of Commerce" which followed "Consumer Product Safety Commission" have been omitted from the Code in view of the transfer of functions of the Secretary of Commerce under this chapter to the Consumer Product Safety Commission pursuant to section 30(b) of Pub. L. 92–573 which is classified to section 2079(b) of this title. This transfer would result in this phrase being redundant in that it would provide for the Consumer Product Safety Commission to cooperate with itself.

Amendments

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.

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) and for "Secretary of Commerce" in subsec. (b) 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:

"(a) Within 90 days of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1998], the Consumer Product Safety Commission shall 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.

"(b) Upon completion of its report, the Academy shall send the report to the Commission, which shall provide it to the Congress.

"(c) The Commission, before promulgating any notice of proposed rulemaking or final rulemaking setting flammability standards for residential upholstered furniture, shall consider fully the findings and conclusions of the Academy."