CPSC consumer-driven database goes public, but faces uncertain future
The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s new on-line database, SaferProducts.gov, which allows consumers to post “reports” about defective products went into operation March 11th, and the first postings are now available to the public (as of April 1st). But some members of Congress are still trying to shut it down.
Freshman legislator Representative Mike Pompeo (R-Kansas), an ardent budget-buster, authored an amendment to the 2011 budget bill to de-fund the database, and he continues to call for its demise. The cost of creating the database came to $3 million out of the CPSC’s $29 million budget for upgrading its entire information technology operation. (more…)