HFA Announces CPSC Proposal on Tip-Over Safety

February 1, 2022  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry   

The text in the CPSC proposal was initially published in July 2021, but the Commission did not receive a staff briefing until December 2021. This vote officially starts the rulemaking process, with the rule being published in the Federal Register in early February. There is a 75-day comment period that will be open for HFA members and the organization to provide critical input to the proposed standard. The general timeline for a CPSC rulemaking is difficult to predict as the Commission is required to submit an acceptable cost-benefit analysis as well as consider voluntary standard alternatives. Going through the normal procedure, we would expect this process to take multiple years.

The CPSC proposal prescribes a series of complicated tests for manufacturers to perform on clothing storage units for them to be imported into, produced in, and sold in the United States. It also includes a hangtag rating system that is very difficult for retailers and consumers to understand. During the January 19 vote, the CPSC approved an amendment that would reduce the implementation timeline from the initial 180 days down to 30 days. Given the complexities involved, this represents a significant shift. HFA is planning to submit a set of comments on the technical and practical aspects of the rule.

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