Leaders of seven advocacy groups representing consumers, scientists and public-health interests demanded Wednesday that the Consumer Product Safety Commission clear up ambiguities that are causing runaway worries for small businesses.
“The vacuum of implementation information, as well as the proliferation of misinformation regarding actual testing requirements and the cost of testing is leading to confusion and fear,” according to a joint letter the groups wrote to the CPSC.
The officials said the CPSC is dawdling at a time when it should provide “common-sense and explicit interpretations” for affected businesses, “including thrift and consignment stores.”
“We strongly urge the CPSC to move quickly to clarify how this new law applies to certain products or materials that do not present a risk to children or the public,” the group said in its letter.
The federal commission didn’t author the law; it only enforces it. As such, its interpretations are slow in coming and aren’t likely to add clarity for at least a year on some of the stickiest points, some experts said earlier this week.
“Congress passed a very imperfect bill in a hurry, and it has had unintended consequences that fall disproportionately upon small manufacturers and importers,” said John Moss, a Chicago-based lawyer who counsels clients on CPSC issues. “Many products are and always have been safe but now must go through this expensive process to prove it to Congress’ satisfaction.”
David Migoya: 303-954-1506 or dmigoya@denverpost.com
