Scorecard: Drum Major Institute 2008 Senate Scorecard

Org. position: Aye

Description:

"Although the CPSC is responsible for protecting consumers from more than 15,000 types of consumer products, an anemic budget and staff shortages have increasingly put Americans at risk, as demonstrated by a record-setting 448 recalls of unsafe products in 2007. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act responds vigorously to the dangers that middle-class consumers increasingly confront at stores and in their own homes. By providing the CPSC with additional funding through 2014, more staff, and easier rulemaking options, the legislation helps ensure that inspectors have the resources to safeguard consumers. Empowering state attorneys general to file suit when they believe that residents of a state have been adversely affected by a violation of a consumer product safety rule creates an additional layer of consumer protection. Independent third-party testing of children’s products ends the current insidious practice of manufacturers certifying the safety of their own goods. The ban on lead and phthalates in children’s products will benefit parents who would otherwise be unable to determine if a toy is safe. Whistleblower protections will encourage vigilant industry employees to report negligence."

(Original scorecard available at: http://www.drummajorinstitute.org/library/report.php?ID=87)