CPSC Held Workshop on Consumer Product Testing Burden Reduction Strateg

FAIRFIELD, N.J. - May 12, 2014 - PRLog -- US Public Law 112-28 required the Commission to explore options that would reduce the third party testing cost

Workshop on Strategies to Reduce Consumer Product Testing Costs

At the workshop, two different panels discussed three areas in which determinations can be made:  lead content, phthalate content and the solubility of the seven additional heavy elements listed in the ASTM F963 Toy Safety Standard. The Federal Register Notice (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-02-27/pdf/2014-04265.pdf)  announcing the workshop provided a number of questions on which input was sought for each of the three areas addressing raw materials intrinsic properties, manufacturing practices, recycled materials content, contamination, and other technical issues.  The period of opportunity for stakeholders to submit comments on the subject closed on 17 April, 2014 after which the Commission staff will consider and evaluate all the input.  There is currently no date set for publication of the staff’s responses.

New Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Presentations offered at the workshop and video recordings of the meeting are available at the CPSC website (http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Newsroom/Multimedia/).

On a separate note, President Obama has nominated Elliot F. Kaye (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/03/27/pre...), for the position of Commissioner and Chairman, Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).  Mr. Kaye is currently the Executive Director of the CPSC and has held this position since 2013.  Elliot Kaye served previously at the Commission as Chief of Staff and Chief Counsel to Chairman Inez Tenenbaum in 2013 and prior to that as Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Counsel to the Chairman from 2010 to 2013.

Before serving at the CPSC Mr. Kaye’s career has included numerous notable legal counsel, chief of staff and communications positions and during more recent times he has been influential in driving a collaborative effort involving private industry, sports organizations and the public to reduce the growing risk of concussions and potential brain injuries suffered on the football field during youth games.

Appointment Subject to US Senate Confirmation

The appointment of Mr. Kaye is subject to confirmation by the US Senate.  The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held the confirmation hearing for CPSC Chairman nominee Elliot Kaye, and another Commissioner nominee, Joe Mohorovic, on Tuesday, 8 April 2014.  Although the nomination of both candidates did not draw any opposition from Senate committee members, it is unclear how soon the Senate might act to confirm the positions.

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Contact details:

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Fred Mills-Winkler
Technical Director, Toys
SGS – North America
291 Fairfield Avenue,
Fairfield, NJ 07004, USA

t: +1 973 575 5252 ext. 22038
Email: cts.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail

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