CPSC Chair Lists Top Priorities, Says Database Is Going as Planned
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published the remarks of Chairman Tenenbaum at an Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers event on May 2, 2011. During the speech, she described her four biggest priorities, the work the agency is doing on voluntary standards, interactions with China, CPSC’s public database, and her thoughts on Congressional efforts to revise the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA).
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Top Priorities Include Strategic Plan, Work with China, Outreach, Public Database
Tenenbaum discussed her four biggest priorities as Chairman of the CPSC:
Implementing Strategic Plan - implementing the agency’s new, five-year Strategic Plan, which she states is guiding the agency toward a long-term approach that is more proactive and focused on prevention. She states that this is the only path that CPSC can follow if it is to meet its goal of becoming the global leader in product safety. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 07/30/10 and 09/23/10 news, 10073029 and 10092313, for BP summaries of the Strategic Plan.)
Working with Chinese gov’t. - continuing to work with the Chinese government to improve Chinese manufacturing processes. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 11/08/10 and 11/02/10 news, 10110808 and 10220211, for BP summaries of the U.S.-China product safety summit.)
Promoting outreach - promoting the activities of CPSC’s Office of Education, Global Outreach, and Small Business Ombudsman; and
Operating public database - operating the SaferProducts.gov database, which the agency knows is a very important and controversial issue to industry.
Most Reports in Database Filed by Consumers, Inaccuracy Worries Exaggerated
According to Chairman Tenenbaum, there are more than 600 reports that are available now for viewing in the public database of consumer product safety incidents that was required by the CPSIA. She says that contrary to what some are saying, the system is working as intended. For example, the majority of reports are being filed by consumers or relatives of the victim who experienced an incident -- just as CPSC staff predicted. Also as predicted, the majority of material inaccuracy claims simply involve a company telling CPSC that the consumer identified the wrong manufacturer.
Tenenbaum said that concerns about a database filled with inaccurate information were overstated and added that CPSC will forward to the Justice Department any cases of consumers knowingly submitting false information to the database as this is a federal offense.
Wants to Amend not End CPSIA as It Has Made Agency Better
The Chairman also stated that she remains open to working with Congress and stakeholders to make certain changes to the CPSIA. However, her position on the CPSIA is, “Amend it, but don’t end it.” This is because she believes that the CPSIA has made CPSC a stronger agency, with more staff and greater authorities; more influence over improving safety standards; and better positioned to be proactive abroad, at the ports, and in the marketplace.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 04/06/11 and 04/08/11 news, 11040621, for BP summary of a draft House subcommittee bill and hearing on making the CPSIA less stringent as well as CPSC staff and Commissioners stating the draft bill went too far.)
Agency Working on Voluntary Standards, Not Just CPSIA & Mandatory Standards
Tenenbaum stated that CPSC is not working exclusively on the CPSIA, nor is it focusing exclusively on mandatory standards. It is also focusing on voluntary standards work with ANSI and UL because they believe that one of the best ways to be proactive and prevent injuries is through this work on standards. Tenenbaum encouraged the association and its members to identify standards requiring revision and help lead the way along with CPSC technical staff in strengthening those standards.
Working with Chinese Mnfrs on Design Issues, Controls, Sampling, Etc.
CPSC is working proactively with global regulators, manufacturers, and suppliers overseas, especially in China, to build safety into products intended for U.S. store shelves. To this end, CPSC has intensified its relationship with its Chinese partner agency AQSIQ and is pressing Chinese companies to implement proven best practices that will result in safer products. These best practices include factoring the potential for misuse into design; putting strict controls on components and other inputs; and conducting enough sampling and testing to ensure that all of the products coming off the manufacturing line are safe for consumers.