Highlights of CPSC Public Meeting on Its Priorities and Plans for FY 2011, Etc.
On August 25, 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Commission held a public hearing to discuss its fiscal year 2011 agenda and priorities as well as the agency's strategic plan.
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All five CPSC Commissioners were present and asked questions of the presenters who suggested areas for agency attention.
Highlights of Participant Suggestions
The following are highlights of the participants' suggestions for CPSC:
Expand import surveillance. Several presenters supported expansion of CPSC's Import Surveillance Division, as imports accounted for the vast majority of products recalled in FY 2008. One presenter stated that even though the U.S. has more than 300 U.S. ports of entry, CPSC has only had inspectors at 15 locations.1 It was also suggested CPSC do more than set a goal to screen only 1,800 samples of suspect imported goods.
Operate with greater transparency, response to public. CPSC was asked by two participants to operate with greater transparency and with more responsiveness to the public. One presenter also suggested a reworking of the CPSC website to improve navigability and access to information that is not readily apparent.
Identify emerging hazards. Several presenters suggested CPSC work more to identify emerging hazards instead of reacting to hazards after they appear.
Nanotechnology. Two presenters urged CPSC to focus more resources and staffing on the study and regulation of nanotechnologies. According to one presenter, there are currently 613 products using nanotechnology that potentially fall under CPSC's purview, however the agency has no full-time employees to review the technology and limited designated funding. Among other things, the presenters suggested requiring the use of nanotechnology to be identified on a product, issuing a voluntary nanotechnology safety standard, and conducting a study of nanotechnology used in children's products.
Next generation bar codes. One presenter suggested CPSC keep ahead of the new bar code and labeling technology being developed around the world. One such code allows any web-enabled camera phone to scan codes on products and give potential consumers information on the product such as contact information, access to a website or text messages. The presenter suggests such technology could help CPSC provide information it has struggled to disseminate such as whether the product is subject to a recall, etc.
Strengthen general apparel standard. One participant suggested that CPSC should strengthen the general wearing apparel standard of 16 CFR 1610 in order to better prevent clothing burn injuries and deaths. According to the presenter, the standard is very outdated.
Accelerate XRF study, issue guidance. One presenter asked CPSC to accelerate its analysis of the use of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) technology to test paint and thin films for lead. According to the presenter, if approved, using XRF to test lead in paint would provide significant cost savings to firms over laboratory testing. CPSC was also urged to issue guidance on the practical uses of XRF for testing metals, textiles and other materials that are commonly used in consumer goods.
Fire hazards/carbon monoxide. Two presenters cautioned CPSC against funneling too many resources away from the agency's old goals of reducing death rates associated with fire hazards and carbon monoxide poisoning, due to the agency's new overwhelming focus on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA).
Product-specific recommendations. The presenters also made the following product-specific suggestions (partial list):
update and complete the long-pending rulemaking on upholstered furniture;
complete the rulemaking on lighters;
require the use of safety glass in furniture made of glass;
require the use of flame arrestors in portable gas cans;
launch a public awareness campaign on the fire hazards of renovated mattresses;
1The Government Accountability Office has stated that CPSC's port presence is limited to 9 compliance investigators. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/18/09 news, 09081810, for BP summary.)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 08/12/09 news, 09081210, for BP summary of CPSC's announcement of this meeting.)
CPSC Webcast of meeting available at http://www.cpsc.gov/webcast/index_flash.html
CPSC public hearing schedule and presentations available at http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/FOIA/FOIA09/pubcom/2011priorities.pdf