[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: 16CFR1210.4]

[Page 310-315]
 
                     TITLE 16--COMMERCIAL PRACTICES
 
             CHAPTER II--CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
 
PART 1210_SAFETY STANDARD FOR CIGARETTE LIGHTERS--Table of Contents
 
               Subpart A_Requirements for Child Resistance
 
Sec.  1210.4  Test protocol.

    (a) Child test panel. (1) The test to determine if a lighter is 
resistant to successful operation by children uses a panel of children 
to test a surrogate lighter representing the production lighter intended 
for use. Written informed consent shall be obtained from a parent or 
legal guardian of a child before the child participates in the test.
    (2) The test shall be conducted using at least one, but no more than 
two, 100-child test panels in accordance with the provisions of Sec.  
1210.4(f).
    (3) The children for the test panel shall live within the United 
States.
    (4) The age and sex distribution of each 100-child panel shall be:
    (i) 30 +or- 2 children (20 +or- 1 males; 10 +or- 1 females) 42 
through 44 months old;
    (ii) 40 +or- 2 children (26 +or- 1 males; 14 +or- 1 females) 45 
through 48 months old;
    (iii) 30 +or- 2 children (20 +or- 1 males; 10 +or- 1 females) 49 
through 51 months old.

    Note: To calculate a child's age in months:
    1. Subtract the child's birth date from the test date.


                                                Month     Day      Year

Test Date                                            8        3       94
Birth Date                                           6       23       90
                                              --------------------------
Difference                                           2      -20        4


    2. Multiply the difference in years by 12 months.
    4 years x 12 months = 48 months.
    3. Add the difference in months.
    48 months + 2 months = 50 months.
    4. If the difference in days is greater than 15 (e.g. 16, 17), add 1 
month.
    If the difference in days is less than -15 (e.g., -16, -17) subtract 
1 month.
    50 months - 1 month = 49 months.
    If the difference in days is between -15 and 15 (e.g., -15, -14, ... 
14, 15), do not add or subtract 1 month.

    (5) No child with a permanent or temporary illness, injury, or 
handicap that would interfere with the child's ability to operate the 
surrogate lighter shall be selected for participation.

[[Page 311]]

    (6) Two children at a time shall participate in testing of surrogate 
lighters. Extra children whose results will not be counted in the test 
may be used if necessary to provide the required partner for test 
subjects, if the extra children are within the required age range and a 
parent or guardian of each such child has signed a consent form.
    (7) No child shall participate in more than one test panel or test 
more than one surrogate lighter. No child shall participate in both 
child-resistant package testing and surrogate lighter testing on the 
same day.
    (b) Test sites, environment, and adult testers. (1) Surrogate 
lighters shall be tested within the United States at 5 or more test 
sites throughout the geographical area for each 100-child panel if the 
sites are the customary nursery schools or day care centers of the 
participating children. No more than 20 children shall be tested at each 
site. In the alternative, surrogate lighters may be tested within the 
United States at one or more central locations, provided the 
participating children are drawn from a variety of locations within the 
geographical area.
    (2) Testing of surrogate lighters shall be conducted in a room that 
is familiar to the children on the test panel (for example, a room the 
children frequent at their customary nursery school or day care center). 
If the testing is conducted in a room that initially is unfamiliar to 
the children (for example, a room at a central location), the tester 
shall allow at least 5 minutes for the children to become accustomed to 
the new environment before starting the test. The area in which the 
testing is conducted shall be well-lighted and isolated from 
distractions. The children shall be allowed freedom of movement to work 
with their surrogate lighters, as long as the tester can watch both 
children at the same time. Two children at a time shall participate in 
testing of surrogate lighters. The children shall be seated side by side 
in chairs approximately 6 inches apart, across a table from the tester. 
The table shall be normal table height for the children, so that they 
can sit up at the table with their legs underneath and so that their 
arms will be at a comfortable height when on top of the table. The 
children's chairs shall be ``child-size.''
    (3) Each tester shall be at least 18 years old. Five or 6 adult 
testers shall be used for each 100-child test panel. Each tester shall 
test an approximately equal number of children from a 100-child test 
panel (20 +or- 2 children each for 5 testers and 17 +or- 2 children each 
for 6 testers).

    Note: When a test is initiated with five testers and one tester 
drops out, a sixth tester may be added to complete the testing. When a 
test is initiated with six testers and one tester drops out, the test 
shall be completed using the five remaining testers. When a tester drops 
out, the requirement for each tester to test an approximately equal 
number of children does not apply to that tester. When testing is 
initiated with five testers, no tester shall test more than 19 children 
until it is certain that the test can be completed with five testers.

    (c) Surrogate lighters. (1) Six surrogate lighters shall be used for 
each 100-child panel. The six lighters shall represent the range of 
forces required for operation of lighters intended for use. All 
surrogate lighters shall be the same color. The surrogate lighters shall 
be labeled with sequential numbers beginning with the number one. The 
same six surrogate lighters shall be used for the entire 100-child 
panel. The surrogate lighters may be used in more than one 100-child 
panel test. The surrogate lighters shall not be damaged or jarred during 
storage or transportation. The surrogate lighters shall not be exposed 
to extreme heat or cold. The surrogate lighters shall be tested at room 
temperature. No surrogate lighter shall be left unattended.
    (2) Each surrogate lighter shall be tested by an approximately equal 
number of children in a 100-child test panel (17 +or- 2 children).

    Note: If a surrogate lighter is permanently damaged, testing shall 
continue with the remaining lighters. When a lighter is dropped out, the 
requirement that each lighter be tested by an approximately equal number 
of children does not apply to that lighter.

    (3) Before each 100-child panel is tested, each surrogate lighter 
shall be examined to verify that it approximates the appearance, size, 
shape, and weight of a production lighter intended for use.

[[Page 312]]

    (4) Before and after each 100-child panel is tested, force 
measurements shall be taken on all operating components that could 
affect child resistance to verify that they are within reasonable 
operating tolerances for a production lighter intended for use.
    (5) Before and after testing surrogate lighters with each child, 
each surrogate lighter shall be operated outside the presence of any 
child participating in the test to verify that the lighters produce a 
signal. If the surrogate lighter will not produce a signal before the 
test, it shall be repaired before it is used in testing. If the 
surrogate lighter does not produce a signal when it is operated after 
the test, the results for the preceding test with that lighter shall be 
eliminated. The lighter shall be repaired and tested with another 
eligible child (as one of a pair of children) to complete the test 
panel.
    (d) Encouragement. (1) Prior to the test, the tester shall talk to 
the children in a normal and friendly tone to make them feel at ease and 
to gain their confidence.
    (2) The tester shall tell the children that he or she needs their 
help for a special job. The children shall not be promised a reward of 
any kind for participating, and shall not be told that the test is a 
game or contest or that it is fun.
    (3) The tester shall not discourage a child from attempting to 
operate the surrogate lighter at any time unless a child is in danger of 
hurting himself or another child. The tester shall not discuss the 
dangers of lighters or matches with the children to be tested prior to 
the end of the 10-minute test.
    (4) Whenever a child has stopped attempting to operate the surrogate 
lighter for a period of approximately one minute, the tester shall 
encourage the child to try by saying ``keep trying for just a little 
longer.''
    (5) Whenever a child says that his or her parent, grandparent, 
guardian, etc., said never to touch lighters, say ``that's right -- 
never touch a real lighter -- but your [parent, etc.] said it was OK for 
you to try to make a noise with this special lighter because it can't 
hurt you.''
    (6) The children in a pair being tested may encourage each other to 
operate the surrogate lighter and may tell or show each other how to 
operate it. (This interaction is not considered to be disruption as 
described in paragraph (e)(2) below.) However, neither child shall be 
allowed to operate the other child's lighter. If one child takes the 
other child's surrogate lighter, that surrogate lighter shall be 
immediately returned to the proper child. If this occurs, the tester 
shall say ``No. He(she) has to try to do it himself(herself).''
    (e) Children who refuse to participate. (1) If a child becomes upset 
or afraid, and cannot be reassured before the test starts, select 
another eligible child for participation in that pair.
    (2) If a child disrupts the participation of another child for more 
than one minute during the test, the test shall be stopped and both 
children eliminated from the results. An explanation shall be recorded 
on the data collection record. These two children should be replaced 
with other eligible children to complete the test panel.
    (3) If a child is not disruptive but refuses to attempt to operate 
the surrogate lighter throughout the entire test period, that child 
shall be eliminated from the test results and an explanation shall be 
recorded on the data collection record. The child shall be replaced with 
another eligible child (as one of a pair of children) to complete the 
test panel.
    (f) Test procedure. (1) To begin the test, the tester shall say ``I 
have a special lighter that will not make a flame. It makes a noise like 
this.'' Except where doing so would block the child's view of a visual 
signal, the adult tester shall place a 8\1/2\ by 11 inch sheet of 
cardboard or other rigid opaque material upright on the table in front 
of the surrogate lighter, so that the surrogate lighter cannot be seen 
by the child, and shall operate the surrogate lighter once to produce 
its signal. The tester shall say ``Your parents [or other guardian, if 
applicable] said it is OK for you to try to make that noise with your 
lighter.'' The tester shall place a surrogate lighter in each child's 
hand and say ``now you try to make a noise with your lighter. Keep 
trying until I tell you to stop.''
    (2) The adult tester shall observe the children for 5 minutes to 
determine if

[[Page 313]]

either or both of the children can successfully operate the surrogate 
lighter by producing one signal of any duration. If a child achieves a 
spark without defeating the child-resistant feature, say ``that's a 
spark -- it won't hurt you -- try to make the noise with your lighter.'' 
If any child successfully operates the surrogate lighter during this 
period, the surrogate lighter shall be taken from that child and the 
child shall not be asked to try to operate the lighter again. The tester 
shall ask the successful child to remain until the other child is 
finished.
    (3) If either or both of the children are unable to successfully 
operate the surrogate lighter during the 5-minute period specified in 
Sec.  1210.4(f)(2), the adult tester shall demonstrate the operation of 
the surrogate lighter. To conduct the demonstration, secure the 
children's full attention by saying ``Okay, give me your lighters now.'' 
Take the lighters and place them on the table in front of you out of the 
children's reach. Then say, ``I'll show you how to make the noise with 
your lighters. First I'll show you with (child's name)'s lighter and 
then I'll show you with (child's name)'s lighter.'' Pick up the first 
child's lighter. Hold the lighter approximately two feet in front of the 
children at their eye level. Hold the lighter in a vertical position in 
one hand with the child-resistant feature exposed (not covered by 
fingers, thumb, etc.) Orient the child-resistant mechanism on the 
lighter toward the children. (This may require a change in your 
orientation to the children such as sitting sideways in the chair to 
allow a normal hand position for holding the lighter while assuring that 
both children have a clear view of the mechanism. You may also need to 
reposition your chair so your hand is centered between the children.) 
Say ``now watch the lighter.'' Look at each child to verify that they 
are looking at the lighter. Operate the lighter one time in a normal 
manner according to the manufacturer's instructions. Do not exaggerate 
operating movements. Do not verbally describe the lighter's operation. 
Place the first child's lighter back on the table in front of you and 
pick up the second child's lighter. Say, ``Okay, now watch this 
lighter.'' Repeat the demonstration as described above using the second 
child's lighter.

    Note: Testers shall be trained to conduct the demonstration in a 
uniform manner, including the words spoken to the children, the way the 
lighter is held and operated, and how the tester's hand and body is 
oriented to the children. All testers must be able to operate the 
surrogate lighters using only appropriate operating movements in 
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. If any of these 
requirements are not met during the demonstration for any pair of 
children, the results for that pair of children shall be eliminated from 
the test. Another pair of eligible children shall be used to complete 
the test panel.

    (4) Each child who fails to successfully operate the surrogate 
lighter in the first 5 minutes is then given another 5 minutes in which 
to attempt the successful operation of the surrogate lighter. After the 
demonstrations give their original lighters back to the children by 
placing a lighter in each child's hand. Say ``Okay, now you try to make 
the noise with your lighters - keep trying until I tell you to stop.'' 
If any child successfully operates the surrogate lighter during this 
period, the surrogate lighter shall be taken from that child and the 
child shall not be asked to try to operate the lighter again. The tester 
shall ask the successful child to remain until the other child is 
finished.
    (5) At the end of the second 5-minute test period, take the 
surrogate lighter from any child who has not successfully operated it.
    (6) After the test is over, ask the children to stand next to you. 
Look at the children's faces and say: ``These are special lighters that 
don't make fire. Real lighters can burn you. Will you both promise me 
that you'll never try to work a real lighter?'' Wait for an affirmative 
response from each child; then thank the children for helping.
    (7) Escort the children out of the room used for testing.
    (8) After a child has participated in the testing of a surrogate 
lighter, and on the same day, provide written notice of that fact to the 
child's parent or guardian. This notification may be in the form of a 
letter provided to the school to be given to the parents or

[[Page 314]]

guardian of each child. The notification shall state that the child 
participated, shall ask the parent or guardian to warn the child not to 
play with lighters, and shall remind the parent or guardian to keep all 
lighters and matches, whether child resistant or not, out of the reach 
of children. For children who operated the surrogate lighter, the 
notification shall state that the child was able to operate the child-
resistant lighter. For children who do not defeat the child-resistant 
feature, the notification shall state that, although the child did not 
defeat the child-resistant feature, the child may be able to do so in 
the future.
    (g) Data collection and recording. Except for recording the times 
required for the children to activate the signal, recording of data 
should be avoided while the children are trying to operate the lighters, 
so that the tester's full attention is on the children during the test 
period. If actual testing is videotaped, the camera shall be stationary 
and shall be operated remotely in order to avoid distracting the 
children. Any photographs shall be taken after actual testing and shall 
simulate actual test procedure(s) (for example, the demonstration). The 
following data shall be collected and recorded for each child in the 
100-child test panel:
    (1) Sex (male or female).
    (2) Date of birth (month, day, year).
    (3) Age (in months, to the nearest month, as specified in Sec.  
1210.4(a)(4)).
    (4) The number of the lighter tested by that child.
    (5) Date of participation in the test (month, day, year).
    (6) Location where the test was given (city, state, country, and the 
name of the site or an unique number or letter code that identifies the 
test site).
    (7) The name of the tester who conducted the test.
    (8) The elapsed time (to the nearest second) at which the child 
achieved any operation of the surrogate signal in the first 5-minute 
test period.
    (9) The elapsed time (to the nearest second) at which the child 
achieved any operation of the surrogate signal in the second 5-minute 
test period.
    (10) For a single pair of children from each 100-child test panel, 
photograph(s) or video tape to show how the lighter was held in the 
tester's hand, and the orientation of the tester's body and hand to the 
children, during the demonstration.
    (h) Evaluation of test results and acceptance criterion. To 
determine whether a surrogate lighter resists operation by at least 85 
percent of the children, sequential panels of 100 children each, up to a 
maximum of 2 panels, shall be tested as prescribed below.
    (1) If no more than 10 children in the first 100-child test panel 
successfully operated the surrogate lighter, the lighter represented by 
the surrogate lighter shall be considered to be resistant to successful 
operation by at least 85 percent of the child test panel, and no further 
testing is conducted. If 11 through 18 children in the first 100-child 
test panel successfully operate the surrogate lighter, the test results 
are inconclusive, and the surrogate lighter shall be tested with a 
second 100-child test panel in accordance with this Sec.  1210.4. If 19 
or more of the children in the first 100-child test panel successfully 
operated the surrogate lighter, the lighter represented by the surrogate 
shall be considered not resistant to successful operation by at least 85 
percent of the child test panel, and no further testing is conducted.
    (2) If additional testing of the surrogate lighter is required by 
Sec.  1210.4(h)(1), conduct the test specified by this Sec.  1210.4 
using a second 100-child test panel and record the results. If a total 
of no more than 30 of the children in the combined first and second 100-
child test panels successfully operated the surrogate lighter, the 
lighter represented by the surrogate lighter shall be considered 
resistant to successful operation by at least 85 percent of the child 
test panel, and no further testing is performed. If a total of 31 or 
more children in the combined first and second 100-child test panels 
successfully operate the surrogate lighter, the lighter represented by 
the surrogate lighter shall be considered not resistant to successful 
operation by 85 percent of the child test panel, and no further testing 
is conducted.

[[Page 315]]



          Table 1--Evaluation of Test Results--Sec.  1210.4(e)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Cumulative              Successful Lighter Operations
 Test     Number of    -------------------------------------------------
panel      Children         Pass         Continue            Fail
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1      100              0-10         11-18            19 or more
1      200              11-30        --               31 or more
------------------------------------------------------------------------