Product Safety Law Imposes Major Burdens on Auto Suppliers

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A legislative reaction to recent toy recalls has unexpectedly impacted the automotive industry – one far removed from children’s products.

Congress responded to the highly publicized lead paint toy recalls in 2007-08 by passing the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), which requires specific safety-compliance certifications by suppliers.

But despite no connection between children’s products and general automotive maintenance and care products, one CPSIA provision and its interpretation – unless amended – threaten to sweep all such products into a broad safety certification net that will impose significant costs, among other burdens, on these product suppliers, with no demonstrated safety need or benefit to the distribution chain or the consumer. Read more here.