The CPSC does the vast majority of its work saving lives and making homes safer through voluntary cooperation with industry. The Commission has long emphasized voluntary cooperation with industry in developing product standards. CPSC has worked with industry to develop over 300 voluntary standards while publishing fewer than 50 mandatory rules -- a six to one ratio of voluntary to mandatory standards.

Just in her tenure, Chairman Ann Brown has held public meetings that brought together industry, consumer, and government groups to address such issues as window falls, and nighttime bicycle safety. Chairman Brown directed the staff to develop programs that encourage industry to report product hazards to CPSC as quickly as possible.

Voluntary efforts are often faster and cheaper. For example, CPSC solved a significant problem quickly when industry voluntarily agreed to remove drawstrings from children's clothing that caused strangulations. CPSC solved another problem inexpensively with industry by devising a solution to children strangling in window cords. These two efforts alone will save 35 children's lives over a five-year period.

Other success stories show that voluntary cooperation with industry has saved lives and reduced injuries by making changes to cribs, hair dryers, and bicycles, and further protects the public by working with industry to recall or correct harmful products.

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