[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 16, Volume 2]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 16CFR1000.30]

[Page 14-15]
 
                     TITLE 16--COMMERCIAL PRACTICES
 
             CHAPTER II--CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
 
PART 1000_COMMISSION ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS--Table of Contents
 
Sec.  1000.30  Directorate for Laboratory Sciences.

    The Directorate for Laboratory Sciences, which is managed by the 
Associate Executive Director for Laboratory Sciences, is responsible for 
conducting engineering analyses and testing of consumer products, 
supporting

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the development of voluntary and mandatory standards, and supporting the 
Agency's compliance activities through product safety assessments. A 
wide variety of products are tested and evaluated to determine the 
causes of failure and the hazards presented. Product safety tests 
involve mechanical, electrical, and combustion engineering, as well as 
thermal and chemical analyses. Test protocols are developed, test 
fixtures and setups are designed and fabricated, and tests are conducted 
following the requirements and guidance of voluntary and mandatory 
standards and/or using sound engineering and scientific judgment. The 
Laboratory participates with and supports other agency directorates on 
multi-disciplinary teams in the development of voluntary and mandatory 
standards. The Laboratory coordinates and cooperates with other Federal 
agencies, private industry, and consumer interest groups by sharing 
engineering and scientific research, test, and evaluation expertise. 
Additionally, Corrective Action Plans, proposed by manufacturers to 
correct a product defect, are tested and evaluated to assure that the 
proposed changes adequately resolve the problem. Regulated products, 
such as children's products, sleepwear, and bicycle helmets, are 
routinely tested and evaluated for compliance with the Consumer Product 
Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the Flammable Fabrics 
Act, and the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. The Directorate is 
composed of the Mechanical Engineering Division, the Electrical 
Engineering Division (which includes flammable fabrics), and the 
Chemical Division. Overall, the directorate provides engineering, 
scientific, and other technical expertise to all entities within the 
Consumer Product Safety Commission.