CPSC Plans Education Campaign
Vol. 851
September 15, 2011
With regulators set to enforce a new set of rules at the
start of 2012, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) has announced an awareness campaign aimed at smaller
manufacturers and sellers of children's products. The goal of the initiative,
which has three stages, is to publicize third-party testing requirements for
children's items. "Given the likely impact on those who manufacture or
import toys that are covered by the toy safety standard, we believe that it is
important to engage in a strategic outreach and education plan to the business
community and other stakeholders," the CPSC said in a statement.
Under the new rules – which originated in the Consumer
Product Safety Improvement Act – manufacturers will be required to produce
written certificates for each children's item they
make to demonstrate compliance. Manufacturers must also ensure that their
products are tested by a lab that has been accredited by the CPSC. Officially,
regulators will enforce the new rules beginning with products that are
manufactured after December
31, 2011.
In the first stage of its awareness efforts, the CPSC plans
to advertise in general interest and trade publications, complemented by the
launch of a social media campaign. In the second phase, the CPSC expects to
publish a list of frequently asked questions designed to offer detailed advice
and step-by-step accounts to help manufacturers stay in compliance with the new
standards. Finally, in stage three, the commission is planning to send members
of its staff to trade shows and conferences to deliver presentations, as
funding permits.
The CPSC has invited comments on how to best organize its
education campaign. Remarks should be submitted by October 21 at www.regulations.gov. |