CPSC Approves Adult Apparel Enforcement Discretion to Reduce Paperwork

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that it will not pursue compliance or enforcement actions against manufacturers, importers or private labelers of certain adult apparel that is determined exempt from testing under CPSC's flammability standard for not having a general conformity certificate.

According to a press release, the CPSC approved the new policy on Feb. 24, and it will take effect on March 25. With this testing exemption, however, apparel still has to comply with all flammability requirements as dictated by the Flammability Fabrics Act (FFA).

The CPSC ruled in 1984 that, based on experience enforcing the FFA, specific fabrics, such as modacrylic, nylon, polyester, wool or any plain-surface fabric weighing at least 2.6 oz. per square yard, would always meet FFA limits. The CPSC's clothing flammability standard made items created entirely from these fabrics exempt from testing.

Under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, items made by these fabrics that the CPSC has deemed compliant have been subject to certification requirements. CPSC decided to no longer pursue compliance because these certifications cost manufacturers and importers without advancing compliance or product safety.

The CPSC estimated that this decision will save the commission approximately $250 million per year in paperwork burden relief.

For more information on the CPSC, visit www.cpsc.gov.