CPSC Discusses Upcoming 2012 Priorities, Reviews SaferProducts.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has posted a March 1, 2012 speech by Chairman Tenenbaum at the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization Conference. Her speech covers the agency's 2012 priorities, including rulemakings, and comments on the website SaferProducts.gov.
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CPSC to Continue Rulemaking Efforts on Juvenile Products, Upholstered Furniture, Etc.
According to the Chairman, CPSC efforts to continue rulemaking this year on standards for juvenile products will include bassinets and cradles, strollers, and infant carriers, in addition to new standards for bed rails and play yards. A proposed rule is in the works for recreational off-highway vehicles, as is a final rule for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). CPSC has already issued a proposed rule on fire spread in upholstered furniture without the need for manufacturers to use flame retardant chemicals. And CPSC has issued advance notices of proposed rulemakings on table saws and gel fuels and firepots.
The Chairman also noted that educational efforts are underway on the problems of furniture stability and the agency is interested in improved stability standards for children’s and adult furniture. She also stated that window blind safety is in great need of improvement to prevent strangulation.
Entries in SaferProducts.gov Contain More Specific Product Information
With respect to recalls, the Chairman stated that issuing a press release is no longer sufficient when opportunities such as Facebook, YouTube, and Tweeting exist.
She also noted that SaferProducts.gov has reached its one year anniversary and that 6,300 reports of harm or potential reports of harm have been posted, along with 3,800 comments from manufacturers. During that time, the agency has processed 675 material inaccuracy claims, with the majority involving the consumer naming the wrong manufacturer. Kitchen, home maintenance, furniture and baby products are the top four product areas that consumers report via the website. CPSC's most recent data also show that 86 percent of reports in SaferProducts.gov included specific product information, such as the model number (up from 80 percent before passage of the CPSIA amendment bill by Congress).
The Chairman noted that the Business Portal side of SaferProducts.gov can be utilized by registered users for (1) Section 15 reporting, (2) retailer reporting, and (3) registration to receive relief from certain third-party testing requirements for qualified small batch manufacturers.
(See ITT's Online Archives 12022731 for CSPC Commissioner Northup's vote against the agency's 2013 budget as she disagreed with its funding of IT systems like SaferProducts.gov, which she states is not useful to consumers.
See ITT’s Online Archives 11080519 for summary stating many CPSC database entries lack model numbers and other observations of SaferProducts.gov.)