Leaked HHS Budget Document References Dissolution of CPSC
A leaked draft document describing possible budgeting plans of the Department of Health and Human Services also mentions absorbing the Consumer Product Safety Commission, according to trade groups.
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The document suggests that CPSC would be eliminated and absorbed into HHS through the formation of an office for an assistant secretary for consumer product safety. This office would take on CPSC's current regulatory functions, although there also could be reduced funding for administrative support.
CPSC is currently an independent agency within the federal government.
The Consumer Federation of North America criticized the potential elimination of CPSC, saying its work has been invaluable amid the rapid growth of e-commerce and imported consumer products, including imports from countries with less stringent safety standards.
"CPSC plays a critical role to prevent unsafe and counterfeit goods from entering the U.S. market unchecked," the association said in an April 17 release.