In a Federal Register notice to be published August 21, the Commission states that disclosure of Commission records and studies relating to all Acts under its jurisdiction will be the rule, not the exception.
Information exempted from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act may, when not prohibited by law, nevertheless be available if the Commission determines that disclosure is in the public interest.
In accordance with the Consumer Product Safety Act, injury and accident investigation reports will continue to be available, although the names of victims and treating physicians cannot be identified in any manner without their permission.
The notice also proposes that Commission staff attempt to respond within 10 days to all requests for documents not routinely available and that search or reproduction costs only in excess of $25 be charged.
The notice states that the Commission will maintain a public reference room where records and copying facilities will be provided. The reference room will be located at the Commission headquarters, Office of the Secretary, 10th Floor, 1750 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20207.
Other subjects in the proposed policy include categories of information normally exempt from disclosure and procedures for appealing denials of information requests.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
For lifesaving information:
- Visit CPSC.gov.
- Sign up to receive our email alerts.
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, BlueSky, Threads, LinkedIn and Truth Social.
- Report a dangerous product or a product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.
- Call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 800-638-8270).
- Contact a media specialist.
Please use the below phone number for all media requests.
Phone: (301) 504-7908
Spanish: (301) 504-7800