CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC)

Statement of Regulatory Priorities

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of death and injury associated with consumer products. To achieve this goal, among other things, the CPSC:

• develops mandatory product safety standards or bans when other efforts are inadequate to address a safety hazard, or where required by statute;

• obtains repair, replacement, or refunds for defective products that present a substantial product hazard;

• develops information and education campaigns about the safety of consumer products;

• participates in the development or revision of voluntary product safety standards; and

• follows statutory mandates.

Unless directed otherwise by congressional mandate, when deciding which of these approaches to take in any specific case, the CPSC gathers and analyzes data about the nature and extent of the risk presented by the product. The Commission's rules at 16 CFR section 1009.8 require the Commission to consider, among other factors, the following criteria, when deciding the level of priority for any particular project:

• frequency and severity of injury;

• causality of injury;

• chronic illness and future injuries;

• costs and benefits of Commission action;

• unforeseen nature of the risk;

• vulnerability of the population at risk;

• probability of exposure to the hazard; and

• additional criteria that warrant Commission attention.

Significant Regulatory Actions

Currently, the Commission is considering taking action in the next 12 months on two rules, table saws (RIN 3041-AC31) and portable generators (RIN 3041-AC36), which would constitute a "significant regulatory action" under the definition of that term in Executive Order 12866.

1.Table Saws

In 2006, the Commission granted a petition requesting a rule to establish performance standards for a system to reduce or prevent injuries from contacting the blade of a table saw. The Commission has since issued a proposed rule under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA). The regulatory proceeding could result in several actions, one of which could be the development of a mandatory standard.

2. Portable Generators

The Commission has been considering options to reduce deaths and injuries related to portable generators, particularly those involving carbon monoxide poisoning. In 2016, the Commission issued a proposed rule under the CPSA. The regulatory proceeding could result in several actions, one of which could be the development of a mandatory standard.