The Consumer Product Safety Commission has broad authority to identify, assess, and address product risks, but with growing numbers of consumer product recalls in 2007 and 2008 it needs the ability to enter into information sharing agreements with foreign counterparts, GAO has said.
It said CPSC faces challenges in identifying and responding to new risks in a timely manner. The agency uses various means to stay informed about product risks such as market surveillance and formal agreements and various activities with other agencies.
However, certain legal restrictions may hamper its ability to stay informed about new product hazards. The Consumer Product Safety Act stipulates for example that CPSC cannot agree to allow foreign agencies to disclose nonpublic information they receive from CPSC.
CPSC also faces challenges in collecting and analyzing large quantities of data in order to identify potential product risks, according to GAO-13-150.
It said the agency has some key efforts underway to address challenges such as upgrading its data management system, and it is working with Customs and Border Protection to test a new approach for identifying unsafe consumer products at the ports.
CPSC supported a recommendation that Congress consider amending the CPSA to give the agency greater ability to enter into information-sharing agreements with its foreign counterparts that permit reciprocal terms on disclosure of nonpublic information.
