CPSC to Overhaul Import Safety: Ends 'De Minimis' Exemption for Chinese Goods
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is set to overhaul its approach to imported goods, particularly from China, with significant changes on the horizon. Acting Chairman Peter Feldman has outlined plans to end the 'de minimis' exemption for Chinese goods, aiming to bolster data collection and improve the targeting of high-risk shipments.
Currently, the CPSC faces challenges in working with online marketplaces for recalls due to outdated agency authority. In 2024, recalls were on track to reach record numbers, with 2,450 recalls affecting over 580 million units in the first nine months alone. The agency has also struggled with Chinese companies during recalls due to their unreachability.
Feldman believes ending the 'de minimis' exemption will enable the CPSC to inspect up to 1 million items daily, a significant increase from the current 30,000. This change is expected to help protect American families, especially children and infants, from unsafe products. Feldman highlighted the difficulties in suing Chinese companies for safety violations, making enforcement at ports crucial. To streamline the process, the CPSC has implemented a new 'e-file' requirement for imported products.
Feldman also addressed retailers' concerns about fines for selling recalled products. He explained that the CPSC determines penalties based on egregious conduct and knowledge of wrongdoing. Furthermore, the CPSC aims to negotiate with manufacturers during recalls to provide consumers with replacements, repairs, or refunds.
The CPSC's planned changes, including ending the 'de minimis' exemption for Chinese goods and implementing the 'e-file' requirement, aim to enhance the agency's ability to protect consumers from unsafe products. By improving data collection and enforcement, the CPSC seeks to better target high-risk shipments and ensure that retailers are held accountable for selling recalled products.
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