New CPSC Chairman Pledges to 'Greatly Expand' Import Inspections

The Consumer Product Safety Commission will work with Congress, other agencies and the trade to “greatly expand” the number of shipments its investigators inspect at ports in an effort to keep dangerous imports out, said new Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Elliot Kaye in a statement issued after his July 31 swearing in alongside fellow newcomer Joseph Mohorovic. Kaye also highlighted private sector cooperation, and brain injuries in youth sports as his top priorities as he begins his term.

Part of the import safety effort will be through CPSC’s risk management system, which will also allow the agency to let more safe products through, said Kaye. “Through our risk management system, we will detect and detain more violative and dangerous products by using data, advanced technologies, and well-trained staff,” he said. “Importantly, we will also seek to increase the flow of compliant goods, increase confidence in the marketplace, and increase consumer safety.”

Meanwhile, the agency will continue to work with the private sector to ensure its standards are effective, said Kaye. “CPSC will attempt to work even more closely with industry and voluntary standards organizations to develop standards for products not covered by any standard and enhance standards that have not kept pace with advances in safety technology,” he said. Kaye pledged to pay attention to brain safety and youth sports in particular. “We will build upon the progress made during the past three years to accelerate the necessary culture change around brain safety in youth sports,” he said.

Kaye and incoming Commissioner Mohorovic were confirmed by the Senate on July 29 (see 14072923). In his own statement released after he was sworn in on July 31 (here), Mohorovic highlighted furniture and TV tip-overs as consumer protection priorities.