Dear Wendy,

The CPSC has heard from many small businesses (and large ones, too) about the impact the CPSIA may have. Our staff has been trying to identify where the Act gives us flexibility and where it does not and the truth is, there are many provisions that small businesses such as yours care about where we do not have flexibility – the Act simply rules it out. That said, where the agency can be flexible, it is looking for formal public input on how to proceed and you can find those requests for comment at this web site: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html


There has been some public discussion outside this agency about the possibility of Congress making technical amendments to the Act to provide relief for businesses like yours. I can’t predict the chances of that happening. Our Chairman has stated that the agency would be very willing to work with Congress if it goes that route.


In the meantime, many questions have been addressed in our FAQ section on the web site: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/faqs.html You might want to give that a try. Please read this carefully. Not every product needs to be tested.


Please continue to check our website for Information on the CPSIA (http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html) as it is updated regularly. You can also sign up here (https://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsialist.aspx)

to receive email updates of our new website postings.

Because Congress wrote very, very short deadlines into the Act, CPSC has been deluged with questions about how the law will be implemented. Given the huge number of questions coming in, individual substantive replies are very difficult to do (the entire agency is only a little over 450 people and there is a ton of work to do). As a result, we add new FAQs as new questions crop up (and many questions are duplicative, as you can imagine).


I can tell you that CPSC staff is very, very aware of the issues you are facing and that we are using the limited authority we have to try to find solutions as quickly as we can.

Very best regards,



Patte

Patricia Bittner
Small Business Ombudsman
Office of International Programs and Intergovernmental Affairs
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
4330 East West Highway
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Phone: 301-504-7263
Fax: 301-504-0137
email: pbittner@cpsc.gov
“Unless otherwise stated, any views or opinions expressed in this e-mail (and any attachments) are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.”