Background

The CPSC will be mandating the fire code change to Cal TB 117-2013, but who is the CPSC? The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is an independent federal regulatory agency that was formed in 1972. Their goal is to protect the public against risks of injury or death from products. This is done by enforcing mandatory standards or banning products, issuing the recall of products, researching potential hazards, and educating consumers. The CPSC regulates thousands of types of products, from children’s toys to household chemicals.

Statutes

The CPSC is comprised of 520 people, including 120 investigators and compliance officers throughout the country. Additionally, while there are 10+ statutes within the CPSC there are two main ones, the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) and the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA). The CPSA gives the CPSC basic authority and authorizes the agency to develop standards and bans, as well as, moving forward with implementing recalls.  The FHSA gives the CPSC the permission to regulate or ban hazardous substances and toys or other items intended for children. Furthermore, the FHSA also requires certain hazardous household products to have warning labels.

Recalls

Products may be recalled if they pose a significant risk to the public, this can be because the product contains a defect or because it violates a mandatory safety standard (such as Cal TB 117-2013). If a product is recalled by the CPSC, it is usually suggested to stop the use of that product immediately. Recalled products may receive a refund, replacement, or repair; it is determined in the recall announcement from the CPSC what type of remedy the product is eligible for.

For more information about how the CPSC will be enforcing the change to Cal TB 117-2013 please contact FireCodeExpert@applied-textiles.com