Government Sets Import Safety Standards

November 2007

Following massive recalls that found lead paint in toys, dangerous chemicals in toothpaste, and toxins in pet food, the federal government has outlined a new plan to help ensure the safety of imported goods in the United States. This plan is a strong reversal of previous policy, and would grant new power to both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The new import safety plan would allow the FDA to impose stricter regulations on uncooperative companies. The FDA would be allowed to identify high risk manufacturers and importers and place restrictions upon them. Under the new rules, the agency could require safety certification for certain goods, or place an outright ban on hazardous imports from entering the country.

The CPSC would be granted the ability to require more product tests to ensure the safety of imports. The new import safety plan would also allow the CPSC to raise monetary penalties for companies that violate the US importation rules. Currently, the CPSC must rely on companies to voluntarily recall products, while the FDA has only enacted a few new food safety regulations since 2001.