Inez Tenenbaum

Kyle A. Richardson is the editorial director of Promo Marketing. He joined the company in 2006 brings more than a decade of publishing, marketing and media experience to the magazine. If you see him, buy him a drink.

Inez Tenenbaum, who has chaired the Consumer Product Safety Commission through implementing a controversial product safety law, said Thursday that she won't seek reappointment when her term expires in October.

The commission was under fire in the years leading up to her appointment over lead in toys and children's jewelry, especially from China. Congress passed sweeping legislation, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, in 2008 to address these and other concerns.

During Tenenbaum's tenure, CPSC completed 40 rules called for in the law. The commission also enacted rules that established requirements for children's product certification and third-party testing.

Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Trade Association executive director Brent Cleaveland issued the following statement on yesterday's meeting between FJATA representatives and CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum:

"FJATA representatives today briefed Chairman Tenenbaum on FJATA's successful effort to adopt the first national Children's Jewelry Safety Standard through ASTM International. During the meeting, Chairman Tenenbaum congratulated FJATA representatives for a 'strong voluntary standard' and expressed support for the industry's efforts. The Chairman stated that she plans to raise awareness about the standard throughout the United States and around the world, including promoting the new standard in speeches, Congressional testimony and via social media."

Late last week, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) passed a series of regulations finalizing the requirements for testing children's products. The CPSC voted 3-2 to require independent, third-party product testing for manufacturers, importers and private labelers of products "designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger."

The Consumerist recently met with CPSC chair Inez Tenenbaum to discuss how the commission works with manufacturers on everything from the recall process to new standards on lead and drop-side cribs, and why some within the commission are attempting to scuttle its new products database.

ON ISSUING A RECALL:
Most of our complaints come directly from companies. If they know that someone's had a problem with their product, [the company] has 24 hours to report that to the agency. Most of our recalls are voluntary. A company comes to us, we work out a press release, and they voluntarily recall it.

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