CPSC approves new office for outreach, small business ombudsman

In a 4-1 vote (with Commissioner Northup voting no on fiscal grounds) CPSC approved a new office -- The Office of Education, Global Outreach, and Small Business Ombudsman.

The new office will oversee outreach to foreign regulators and contain an ombudsman office for small business, something many stakeholders have been calling for since the passage of the CPSIA.

The agency hopes that this additional focus will help manufacturers to better build safety into their products as well as answer questions and concerns of the regulated community. The office will also helping coordinate compliance with CPSIA and other regulations by foreign entities.

CPSC foresees that most of the outreach with consumers will stay in the Office of Public Affairs.