CPSIA - CPSC's Shameful Failure of Leadership

On Monday, the CPSC will decide whether or not to extend the testing and certification stay that has been in place for two years. The 16-page document which sets out the parameters of the decision does not mention risk anywhere. That's because the law prohibits the CPSC from considering safety in its work under the CPSIA. [Ironically, the CPSC warns users that use of its http://www.saferproducts.gov/ website is at their own risk (see par. no. 2 in the user's agreement) - and ironically, we're talking about a "dot gov" website, too!]

The CPSC explains that extension of the stay is only one of its options. It can do nothing, it can roll all the existing stays forward, or just some of them (to heck with the ATV'rs and the bike industry). Presumably, they will choose to roll all of it forward to September 14, 2011. We can all be screwed on the same day. I like the symmetry of that!

The CPSC has not lost sight of the issues. They know they haven't finished their work. They note that two years ago on February 9. 2009 when the Commission first extended the testing stay. it was because delaying implementation of the testing requirement by a year "give[s] us the time needed to develop sound rules and requirements as well as implement outreach efforts to explain these [new] requirements of the CPSIA and their applicability."

How time flies! That didn't happen, so the Commission again extended the stay by another year on December 8, 2010. Why? Chairman Tenenbaum: "I voted to extend the stay on lead content testing and certification until February 10, 2011, in order to allow component testing adequate time to develop and to give our stakeholders adequate notice of new requirements." Commissioner Robert Adler: "One of the primary rationales advanced for extending the stay is to await the effective date of the so-called 15-month rule."

Where does the time go?? None of that ever happened. Hey, CPSC, take all the time you need!

So now the Commission is poised to kick the can down the road until September 14, 2011. Why that date? The CPSC Staff report notes that this gives the Commission time to sort out the new, lower lead standard due to be imposed on August 10, 2011. The CPSC is holding a hearing on February 16 on the feasibility of the 100 ppm standard. As Staff notes, if the Commission doesn't determine that 100 ppm is feasible, then they will have to set a standard between 300 ppm and 100 ppm that is feasible. "Feasibility" was defined in the CPSIA, lest there should be any disagreement, to exclude ANY consideration of economics. In other words, if it's possible at any price or under any condition, it is considered "feasible" and thus mandated by the law. I can save the CPSC some time - under that definition, it's definitely feasible. Completely unreasonable and unnecessary but "feasible".

The idea promoted in the Staff memo is that we will time to get used to all this if the stay lifts a month after the implementation of the new lead standard. [The concept of "learning disability" floats through my head. Have we heard this song before?] "Staff recommends that the Commission extend the stay to allow time for the Commission to determine whether it is technologically feasible to lower the amount of lead in children's products to 100 ppm." I guess once the Commission makes up its collective mind, the CPSC will wave a magic wand and make your business, your supply chain and your sales channel comply with the new rules in a matter of days. The fact that the rules are hazy after almost three years is no concern of theirs. Is it a concern of yours?

I love magical rules and magical plans! It must be a job requirement for Commissioners to be wizards, too.

All concerns over the "15 Month Rule" seem to have evaporated. This is presumably Robert Adler's doing (see his statement above, which is a rant that the 15 Month Rule and the stay are separable issues). The Staff report intones: "While a Commission decision to extend the current stay of enforcement will give industry an opportunity to test and certify finished products and components according to the final rule and provide the Commission time to clarify any confusion regarding the new rule, it is not necessary for the testing rule to be complete to lift the stay as to the initial test for lead compliance." Can't see any problem there, can you???

The CPSC doesn't want you to worry, however. They have apparently promulgated several documents that set out their policy and whatnot on lead, namely "Statement of Commission Enforcement Policy on Section 101 Lead Limits" (February 6, 2009) (6 pages); "Children's Products Containing Lead: Interpretative Rule on Inaccessible Component Parts" (August 7, 2009)(32 pages); "Statement of Policy: Testing and Certification of Lead Content in Children's Products" (October 2009)(5 pages); and "Interim Enforcement Policy on Component Testing and Certification of Children's Products and Other Consumer Products to the August 14,2009 Lead Limits" (December 28, 2009) (4 pages). If these four documents totalling 47 pages don't clear up everything, the CPSC is ready for you. "Manufacturers of children's products can seek guidance for what the Commission considers reasonable and representative testing in these rules."

You may have to wait a few years for a reply, but darn it, they're going to answer your question. And that's because they really CARE. We're the government and we're here to help!

A few more cock-ups aren't deterring the agency. The phthalates standard is still undrafted, likewise the certification procedures for phthalate testing labs. Oopsie! Well, they've been busy . . . and the much fantasized-over component testing "market" has failed to materialize. Imagine that, businesses that inadvertently serve the children's market with components or which derive a small percentage of sales from children's products aren't volunteering to test their items and expose themselves to the ravages of a crazy and out-of-control federal agency. Shocking!

Those of you who live in the past may recall my mentioning this very issue on November 6, 2008 (yes, 2008) when I addressed the CPSC Lead Panel. [It's a safe assumption no one was listening at the agency - opportunities for stakeholder feedback is not for listening, it's for venting.] I talked about the futility of expecting our suppliers of aluminum foil (widely used in schools in science kits) to test their products. After all, they are allowed to sell it for use with food without testing, so why should they test for me? If I asked them for a test for compliance with the CPSIA, they would certainly refuse and then ask in outrage why I was selling aluminum foil to kids anyway. As I said, who could see this coming? No one . . . .

For all the outrages that this sick situation brings to mind, NOTHING is as shameful as the CPSC's refusal to admit that this is all administrative, bureaucratic nonsense (or use your own word for "nonsense") that has nothing to do with SAFETY. Oh yeah, safety - isn't that word in the name of this agency - the Consumer Product SAFETY Commission. What about safety, guys? Are you concerned about that anymore? This failure of leadership is the basic issue I have with the folks running the agency today. There's a reason that bureaucrats are called "soul-less".

The fact is that this administration at the CPSC (Democrats) will not stand up for what's right - they are prepared to go down with the ship. It's ironic that they remain so strident and so stubborn. Mr. Obama can smell change in the air and even he has called for reconsideration of the deluge of regulations. The Republicans in the House have declared war on over-regulations and the House Energy and Commerce Committee has made reform of the CPSIA the top priority of Mary Bono-Mack's subcommittee.

As I have said again and again - this is YOUR government at work. Their shameful acts which are harming your markets and your business are destroying jobs, discouraging innovation and hurting children by impairing the activities of businesses devoted to children's welfare. This intolerable situation will only be fixed when you MAKE it change. You can do it and you must. There is a new Congress in town and they need to hear from you. Don't let the Democrats keep on wrecking your industry. This isn't about safety and never was. This is politics, pure and simple.

Make them pay for their sins. Call your Congressman.