[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security, and U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Chair and Ranking Member of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced a resolution to mark the 50th anniversary of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

“The CPSC plays a vital role in keeping consumers safe. With an increase of dangerous products in homes across the country over the holiday season, the importance of this small but mighty agency in protecting kids and adults alike is even more apparent,” said Blumenthal. “I am proud to introduce this resolution alongside my colleagues to recognize 50 years of CPSC’s service. I will continue advocating for additional authorities and resources for this critically essential agency to bolster product safety.”  

“For 50 years, the CPSC has made safety their number one priority, making strides to reduce injuries and deaths associated with consumer products. As Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security, I look forward to working alongside them to advance product safety in the years to come,” said Blackburn.

“For 50 years, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has worked diligently to protect Americans from dangerous and deadly consumer products. Too many families have had their loved ones stolen from them because of unsafe products,” said Schakowsky. “Thanks to the efforts of the Commission, and the outstanding leadership of the current CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric, the number of consumer product-related fatalities and injuries involving young children and adults has significantly decreased. There is more work to be done and more dangerous products to get off the shelves, but in the meantime, it is my honor to introduce this resolution to commemorate the CPSC’s work and success over the last half a century.”

“The CPSC has spent half a century working with both consumer groups and industry to establish both uniform and voluntary product standards, while protecting consumers from dangerous products,” said Bilirakis. “I applaud the work the CPSC has done and look forward to working with them as they begin the next 50 years of work for the American consumer.”

The lawmakers’ resolution celebrates the history of the CPSC and the work the agency does to protect consumers by developing product safety standards and removing dangerous products from the market. The Consumer Product Safety Act was enacted into law on October 27, 1972 and established the CPSC. In the 50 years since it was established, the CPSC’s efforts have resulted in lowering consumer product-related deaths and significantly reducing injuries involving young children and adults, including reducing or nearly eliminating refrigerator door entrapments, garage doors deaths, crib deaths, and pediatric poisonings.