NAM Testimony calls for stronger CPSC.
Press Release Summary:
In testimony to Congress, member of NAM reminded lawmakers that consumer safety is manufacturers' first priority and pressed them to pass legislation that would increase resources for Consumer Product Safety Commission. Increased dollars should be directed to enhancing CPSC's personnel dedicated to product testing, evaluation, and enforcement. Coalition supports number of general and product-specific legislative measures to increase CPSC's ability to carry out its mission.
Original Press Release:
NAM Testimony Calls for Stronger, Vibrant CPSC
While Manufacturers Focus on Product Safety, Pending Legislation Weakens CPSC
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 4, 2007 - In testimony to Congress today a member of the National Association of Manufacturers reminded lawmakers that consumer safety is manufacturers' first priority and pressed for them to pass legislation that would increase resources for the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
"Manufacturers economic viability depends on the confidence of the U.S. public in their products and a strong CPSC is in all of our interests," said Joe McGuire, a member of the NAM CPSC Coalition and president of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, to a Senate Commerce subcommittee. "We aggressively support increased appropriations for this Commission in this Congress, and advocate that these increased dollars be directed to enhancing the CPSC's personnel dedicated to product testing, evaluation and enforcement.
"The Coalition supports a number of general and product-specific legislative measures to increase CPSC's ability to carry out its mission," McGuire said, referring to S. 2045, the pending bill to overhaul the Commission. However, he pointed to some provisions in the current legislation that would detract from CPSC's mission by encouraging litigation before cooperation.
"Our top priority is, and always has been, safety; the safety of products and people. While the CPSC's purpose is to increase the safety of consumer products some provisions in this bill weakens it by outsourcing its enforcement power to state officials," said Rosario Palmieri, vice president of regulatory policy at the NAM. "Any Senator who is concerned about making Americans safer should work to improve this bill."
The National Association of Manufacturers is the nation's largest industrial trade association, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the NAM has 11 additional offices across the country.Visit the NAM's award-winning web site at www.nam.org for more information about manufacturing and the economy.
CONTACT:
J.P. FIELDER (202) 637-3089
ROSARIO PALMIERI (202) 637-3177
