PPAI In Action: Lardner Reflects On CPSC Workshop


How often do you multi-task?
All the time, it's the only way I get things done. Sometimes, I try not to but sometimes I can't help it. Never, I just can't do more than one thing at a time.

Article Tools: Print

| Email

| Add Comment

Share |

PPAI In Action: Lardner Reflects On CPSC Workshop

Issue: 2009dec

Anne Lardner, PPAI senior manager of public affairs, attended a two-day workshop earlier this month with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that addressed several aspects of product safety law and compliance. The workshop opened with general statements from commission staff and moved to breakout sessions.

Attendees were invited to attend four of six breakout sessions, which covered the following topics: testing; verification; sampling and statistical considerations; challenges for small/low-volume manufacturers; component testing and material changes; and lab protection against undue influence.

Approximately 45 panelists—representing businesses affected by safety laws—led the sessions, which were attended by more than 300 people in total.

“The purpose of the breakout sessions was to provide industry feedback to the agency to aid it in its rulemaking efforts,” says Lardner

A discussion on the testing challenges facing small manufacturers and those with low-volume production asked how the CPSC should define a “small-batch manufacturer,” says Lardner. ‘Everyone acknowledged that the perception of small-, mid- or large-sized manufacturers may vary by industry.”

Panelists stressed the need for different options for different manufacturers, as well as options that allow manufacturers to use their expertise to deliver safe products in a cost-effective manner, she adds. Economies of scale were of particular importance to many panelists –the requirements seemed to place larger companies at an unfair advantage in terms of the expense related to testing.

Lardner notes that while audience participation was not a part of the sessions, attendees were encouraged to submit written comments through January 11.

Comments (0)

* Name:
* Email:
Company:
* Title:
* Comments: