U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC, CPSC, or commission) is an independent agency of the United States government. The CPSC seeks to promote the safety of consumer products by addressing "unreasonable risks" of injury (through coordinating recalls, evaluating products that are the subject of consumer complaints or industry reports, etc.); developing uniform safety standards (some mandatory, some through a voluntary standards process); and conducting research into product-related illness and injury.[2] In part due to its small size, the CPSC attempts to coordinate with outside parties—including companies and consumer advocates—to leverage resources and expertise to achieve outcomes that advance consumer safety.[3] The agency was created in 1972 through the Consumer Product Safety Act. The agency reports to Congress and the President; it is not part of any other department or agency in the federal government.[4] The CPSC has five commissioners, who are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate for staggered seven-year terms.[4] Historically, the commission was often run by three commissioners or fewer.[5] Since 2009, however, the agency has generally been led by five commissioners, one of whom serves as chairman. The commissioners set policy for the CPSC. The CPSC is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.[1]
Agency overview
October 24, 1972
Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
500[1]
- Alexander Hoehn-Saric, Chairman
- Richard Trumka Jr., Commissioner
- Peter Feldman, Commissioner
- Mary Boyle, Commissioner
- Douglas Dziak, Commissioner
Funding and staff[edit]
In 1972 when the agency was created, it had a budget of $34.7 million and 786 staff members. By 2008 it had 401 employees on a budget of $43 million, but the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act passed in 2008 increases funding $136.4 million in 2014 with full-time employees to at least 500 by 2013.[30] Funding dropped to $127 million as of the commission’s fiscal year 2019 appropriation,[31] and it continues to have slightly more than 500 employees.[32]
Controversies[edit]
Recall of inclined infant sleepers in 2019[edit]
In 2019, the CPSC recalled inclined sleepers sold by multiple companies (including Mattel Fisher-Price’s Rock ’n Play[35] as well as Kids II’s[36] and Dorel’s rocking sleepers sold under a variety of brand names). The recalled products were associated with more than 30 infant deaths according to contemporary news reports.[37] The controversy was among those that were tied to Acting Chairman Ann Marie Burekle’s announcement of her intention to step down after waiting for years for the U.S. Senate to act on her nomination to serve an additional term and be formally elevated to full chairmanship.[38]
Recall of jogging strollers in 2019 after settlement in 2018[edit]
The CPSC sued the maker of Britax jogging strollers, then settled with the company, in 2018.[39] Reports attributed the change to the change in personnel after Republicans gained a majority on the commission,[40] although some commentators noted the unusual circumstances of the commission suing over a product that met existing standards.[41] The 2018 settlement included the company’s agreement to provide a replacement part to consumers. The replacement part—a bolt—itself was later recalled[42] because it broke easily.[43]