WASHINGTON, DC - The Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, chaired by Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), today continued its oversight of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and examined the commission’s forthcoming fiscal year 2017 budget request. Members heard testimony from consumer advocates and industry representatives that are regulated by the commission and gained a better understanding of the development of voluntary standards, rules, and compliance processes.
“We must disrupt Washington. The innovation driven by the private sector cannot be replicated in the confines of the government. We need to protect the safety of the consumer, but our policies must also reflect forward thinking ideas that encourage innovation and job creation." - Chairman Burgess.
What is the Consumer Product Safety Commission?
The CPSC is a government agency seeking to protect consumers against unreasonable risks of injury associated with consumer products.
Why is the committee conducting oversight of the CPSC?
The committee is working to ensure that the CPSC’s rules and regulations are protecting consumers without unreasonably disrupting job growth and innovation. #SubCMT has held a series of hearings looking into the many ways innovation is continuously changing our economic landscape. Disruptive companies are reshaping industries across the country and the way consumers shop, travel, and interact. In order to protect consumers and jobs, the subcommittee and its members conduct ongoing oversight to understand how regulations from the CPSC and other agencies can ‘disrupt’ job growth and slow innovation for the future.
View from the Frontlines
Mark Fellin, Director at the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, testified, “Over the years, our members have taken CPSC input into account when developing and revising the ASTM juvenile product standards. We believe in the collaborative nature of the process, and that the CPSC plays an important and vital role in that process. As part of this process, CPSC staff must better understand and appreciate the realities of implementing standards for the design and production of actual products. We remain concerned that CPSC staff not arbitrarily change language, placement or dynamic performance requirements within a standard without adequate justification."
Next Steps
We all share the common goal of preventing tragic injuries from consumer products, but regulations cannot get in the way of innovation. The committee will continue to keep a close eye on the commission and look to see how it works alongside with the industry and ensure its regulations do not get in the way of jobs and innovation. Related Items
* #SubCMT Reviews CPSC Policies and Priorities
See Also
* Burgess Applauds Sensible CPSC Action Reducing Red Tape for Manufacturers
