The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced regulations governing the establishment, operation and administration of its advisory committees which include the Product Safety Advisory Council, the Technical Advisory Committee for Poison Prevention Packaging and the National Advisory Committee for the Flammable Fabrics Act.
The regulations provide detailed conflict of interest guidelines for advisory committee members. While advisory panel representatives are not legally subject to the same standards of conduct and conflict of interest regulations applicable to CPSC employees, the Commission stated that it recognizes the importance of avoiding such apparent or real conflicts of interest to maintain the independence and integrity of the advisory committees.
The conflict of interest guidelines include the following provisions:
-Committee members should not be involved in any capacity with the negotiation or performance of any CPSC contract or grant.
-Committee members should exercise caution to ensure that their public statements are not interpreted to be official policy of the Commission.
-Committee members should not become personally involved in the preparation or submission of a proposal to develop a safety standard or regulation under any of the Acts administered by the Commission.
-Committee members should not personally represent anyone in a proceeding before the Commission. Committee members should not accept employment which includes the rendering of advice or expressing views on behalf of others when such would conflict or appear to conflict with their position on an advisory committee.
The new regulations require advisory committee members to inform the Commission of any change in affiliation which could affect their representation on a committee. The Commission also reserves the right to terminate the membership of any committee member upon a determination that such action is appropriate.
The regulations appear in the September 24 Federal Register and take effect the same day. Comments may be submitted to the Commission's Office of the Secretary until October 23 and could result in amendments to the regulations.
Individuals interested in obtaining a copy of the regulations may contact the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207. (202-634-7700).
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death 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. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
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