U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

This presentation was prepared by CPSC staff, has not been reviewed or approved by, and may not reflect the views of, the Commission.

Product Screening

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Jacob J. MillerRegional Product Safety Attaché, Asia-Pacific

U.S. Embassy, Beijing

Market Surveillance Activities

• Program plan for regulated products; surveillance for defects and other risksRetail

• Check for conformity with regulations and for recalled productsInternet

• Investigators at key ports of entry• Analysts identify most likely at-

risk products

Ports and Airports

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Retail Surveillance

• Includes in-store screening of products to ensure products are labeled properly, are contained in proper child-resistant packaging when required, and meet generally accepted industry voluntary standards in addition to mandatory standards. Includes on-site XRF testing, when feasible.

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Retail Surveillance

• Targeted blitzes focused on holiday toy safety, lead content in children’s products, and poor quality electrical products

• If there is a question about whether the product may pose a hazard, or if more in-depth examination and testing are required, official samples are collected for rapid lab analysis.

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Internet Surveillance

• No longer a new challenge– many firms sell their products exclusively from Internet websites, and there would be no CPSC oversight of these sellers at all if Internet surveillance was not conducted.

• CPSC dedicates investigative staff to Internet surveillance, some full-time.

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Ecommerce – Direct to Consumer

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“Infinite“ number of unique customer paths

Port Surveillance

• Certificates of Conformity

• Tracking Labels

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Examinations in Warehouses

Field Screening Tools

• XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence)• FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer)• Other tools and screening guides

– Toy standard, F963– Small parts cylinder– Push-Pull (force) gauges

• 15J Products– Children's upper outerwear with

drawstrings– Handheld hair dryers– Holiday lights– Extension cords

• X-ray fluorescence (XRF)

• Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)

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Port Surveillance – Lead, Phthalates

Baby Shoes Containing Lead

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Port Surveillance – Children’s Products

• Toy Labeling• Small Balls for Children under 3 years• Small Parts• Rattles• Pacifiers• Drawstrings• Children’s Sleepwear

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Drawstrings

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Port Surveillance – Electrical Products

• Handheld Hair Dryers

• Holiday Lights

• Extension Cords

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Hairdryers

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Lighters

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Holiday Lights

CPSC National Product Testing & Evaluation CenterTesting Areas

Impact Lab (Bike Helmets)

General Product Test Lab

Flammability/Fire Test Lab

Electrical Products Test lab Chemistry Lab

Modern Conference Space

Pool and Spa Products Lab

Machine ShopCombustion Products Test Lab

Toy Test Lab Children’s Products Lab

Outdoor Power Sports Lab

CPSC Letters of Advice

• Sent to firms with a regulatory violation• Remedies vary:

– Seizure most common, if it’s a repeat offender and product cannot be reconditioned

– Correct future production– Stop sale and correct future production– Distribution level recall– Retail level recall– Consumer level recall

• Informed Compliance inspections

What is a Corrective Action Plan (CAP)?

A detailed written proposal that spells out the steps the recalling firm will take to capture and correct hazardous products in the distribution chain and in the hands of consumers.

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What is a Fast Track Recall?

• Requirements:o Firm must initiate an acceptable CAP within 20

working days of its Full Report.

• Advantages:oAvoids written staff preliminary determination

(PD) of defect and hazard for the product;o Reduces technical analysis– focus on notification

and remedy; and,oConsumers get notification earlier!

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Jacob J. MillerRegional Product Safety Attaché, Asia-Pacific

U.S. Embassy, BeijingPhone: 86-10-8531-3318

Fax: 86-10-8531-3652 (fax)millerjj2@state.gov

Questions?

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