Conversations with Consumers

In June, the White House Office of Management and Budget directed federal agencies to take action to reduce paperwork burdens.  What is the CPSC’s reaction? Well, last week we voted on a proposal that would require additional recordkeeping on top of extensive recordkeeping already required for periodic third-party testing of children’s products. By our own admission, this newest recordkeeping would probably only rarely be used. The price tag for this recordkeeping is estimated to be as high as $32.5 million at first, with an additional $13 million each year thereafter. And it must be noted that the burden would fall heavily on small businesses. This requirement was neither in the spirit of the OMB directive, nor was it good regulatory policy.

Simply put, the recent vote on “representative samples” would have added another regulatory requirement that incurred unjustifiably high costs with little benefit. As responsible regulators, it is our job to create rules that maximize safety while minimizing cost. I voted to support the definition of “representative samples” which was supported by all Commissioners, but without the additional unjustified costs. A million here, a million there, adds up to an ever-increasing burden for those trying to innovate and remain competitive, to say nothing of consumers who have to ultimately pay the cost.

Read my statement here.