CPSIA - ICPHSO Update on CPSC Hazard ID and Reduction Efforts

Breakout session with Jay Howell and DeWane Ray.

Has 19 team members in ports of entry. Dedicated to working with Customs to ensure compliance with regulation. Looking over manifests and are focusing on problems products and "problem importers".

Jay's and DeWane's department also accredits labs. This is mandated by the CPSIA. Working on rules on how to get accreditation recognition and how you can lose that accreditation. Likewise, they are starting an audit function.

RW: It's amazing that we lived without all this until 2008. Has a single incident been revealed that justify this use of government funds? Not to my knowledge.

JH: Have 90 days to start using labs and if there are not enough labs within 90 days, the CPSC MAY stay the requirement until there are insufficient labs. Don't want to shut down an industry.

There are more lead-in-paint labs than anything else (more than 200).

New lab update: Located in Rockville, anticipating a Spring 2010 move-in.

Heavy metals work is focused on the eight metals mentioned in ASTM F963, Looking at it from a risk-assessment standpoint. [RW: That's somewhat odd these days. One wonders what constitutes a risk now. We can only hope that professional staff will exercise the same care as in the pre-looney era to assess real risks. Otherwise, your Toxic Metals Substitution Committee better stop substituting selenium for lead. I heard about you guys!]

JH: Reminded the group that 100 ppm lead standard is mandated by law unless deemed technologically infeasible [Brace for it . . . .]

Commission is not sure there is a real phenomenon of "recall exhaustion", meaning that the deluge of recalls has numbed consumers. Voluntary recalls are often driven entirely by the CPSC and that the CPSC doesn't even see the product.

RW: Then again . . . .

Again, Jay seemed the voice of reasonableness. It would be great to return to an era of trust with this agency. But when?