NCJ Number
54152
Date Published
1976
Length
39 pages
Annotation
TESTIMONY PERTAINING TO ISSUES RAISED IN A GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING OFFICE (GAO) REPORT INDICATING DEFICIENCIES IN THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION'S COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS IS RECORDED.
Abstract
THE TESTIMONY WAS PRESENTED BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS OF THE U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, WHICH WAS INTERESTED IN ASSESSING THE COMMISSION'S RESPONSE TO THE GAO REPORT AND IN IDENTIFYING LEGISLATIVE STEPS THAT MIGHT BE NEEDED TO INSURE ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE IN THE AREA OF PRODUCT SAFETY. PARTICULAR CONSIDERATION WAS GIVEN TO A SENATE BILL INTENDED TO STRENGTHEN THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSION. THE BILL WOULD PROVIDE FOR CIVIL SANCTION AUTHORITY UNDER THE ACTS IMPLEMENTED BY THE COMMISSION (FEDERAL HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ACT, REFRIGERATOR SAFETY ACT, FLAMMABLE FABRICS ACT) AND WOULD ALSO AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSION TO REQUIRE THE SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN REPORTS IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO PRODUCT SAFETY. THE FORMER PROVISION WOULD ALLOW THE COMMISSION GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN BRINGING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS, WHILE THE LATTER WOULD ENABLE THE COMMISSION TO IDENTIFY MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS, IMPORTERS, OR RETAILERS ENGAGED IN THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO SAFETY STANDARDS OR PRODUCT RECALLS. GAO WITNESSES REVIEW THE DEFICIENCIES IN COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES BROUGHT OUT IN THE GAO REPORT AND COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION COMMENTS ON BOTH THE REPORT AND THE BILL. HIS TESTIMONY IS ACCOMPANIED BY A DETAILED PRESENTATION OF THE COMMISSION'S RESPONSE TO THE GAO FINDINGS. (LKM)