Consumer safety commission looks to reduce regulatory burdens

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is asking the public to suggest ways the agency could reduce the burdens and costs of its existing rules, regulations and practices without harming consumers.

President Trump directed federal agencies in an executive order in January to eliminate two rules for every new rule proposed in an effort to trim down the nation’s regulatory rulebook.

Trump claims regulations are stifling business growth and argued on the campaign trail that 70 percent could go.

{mosads}But in a statement in February, CPSC’s former Chairman Elliot Kaye said Trump’s executive order didn’t apply to independent agencies such as CPSC.

Though the agency has looked to follow the spirit of presidential orders in the past, as long as they advance sound public policy and do not conflict with the agency’s critical public health and safety mission, he said Trump’s order “clearly fails” on those accounts.

“To voluntarily follow it would lead to poor public policy decisions by ignoring the many necessary benefits provided by consumer protections that save lives and protect all of America’s families,” Kaye said in a statement.

“It would also be counter to our safety mission, as it would cruelly and unfairly have us pit vulnerable populations against each other when it comes to making safety decisions.”

Kaye has since been replaced by acting Chair Ann Marie Buerkle, who was nominated to the commission by Obama in 2013. 

Though the president’s regulatory executive orders are not definitively applicable to independent agencies, Buerkle said it’s important to comply with the spirit of such orders.

“Seeking to reduce regulatory burdens is responsible governance,” she said in a statement.

“The agency’s recent request for information seeking public input on ways to potentially reduce burdens and costs is not limited to existing rules. CPSC is interested in hearing any and all ideas, big or small, that might help ease regulatory burdens without compromising safety.”

In the notice set to publish in Friday’s Federal Register, CPCS asks the public to submit suggestions by Sept. 30.

The story was updated to reflect that Kaye is the former CPSC chair and include a comment from CPSC.