New Leadership, Priorities & Continued Retail Engagement at the CPSC

As summer winds down, momentum continues to build at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The agency has seen recent important leadership transitions and has advanced significant policy developments with implications for retailers and the broader consumer product safety landscape. Throughout this period, RILA has remained an active and constructive partner, engaging with the Commission to ensure the retail industry’s perspective is reflected in CPSC priorities, rulemakings, and ongoing conversations about practical, effective product safety policy.

One of the most notable developments this summer was the Senate’s confirmation of two new CPSC Commissioners, Brien Lorenze and Karen Sessions, to serve alongside Acting Chairman Peter Feldman. These confirmations restored the agency’s quorum after several months without one, positioning the Commission to more fully advance its priorities and conduct agency business. As the Commission moves forward with a restored quorum and new leadership, continued industry engagement will be essential to help inform and shape emerging priorities – some of which are already underway.

Earlier this summer, the Commission invited stakeholder input on its Agenda & Priorities for the Fiscal Years (FY) 2027 and 2028, and RILA’s submitted comments offered overall support for the Commission’s consumer safety mission while also suggesting constructive recommendations on ways to improve clarity, predictability and practicality of CPSC’s processes without compromising on safety. RILA’s proposed actions included continued investment in technical assistance and communication supporting eFiling, recall effectiveness and efficiency improvements, expansion of CPSC’s Retailer Reporting Program, and embracing opportunities for continued stakeholder engagement. By offering these recommendations, RILA aims to support a stronger collaborative partnership with the Commission, as it works to advance its consumer protection mission in the years to come.

The Commission also turned its attention this summer to lithium-ion batteries (li-batteries) used in micromobility devices (e.g., eBikes, eScooters, removable battery packs, etc.). With their rapid growth in popularity, the CPSC proposed and asked for stakeholder feedback on a new mandatory standard aimed at reducing the risk of thermal runaway in li-batteries in these products that can result in fires, explosions, burns, and other serious hazards. RILA’s comments voiced support for the Commission creating a mandatory standard to address these hazards but encouraged the CPSC to build upon the voluntary standards already in use by industry with minimal deviations. Other recommendations included avoiding conflicting labeling requirements, providing implementation timelines that reflect real-world product development and supply chain realities, and providing a longer effective date to ensure a more orderly transition to compliant products and reduce any potential market disruptions.

RILA’s advocacy before the CPSC sends a clear message that retailers are dedicated to collaborative solutions-oriented approaches to advancing consumer safety. As Commissioners Lorenze and Sessions settle into their new roles, RILA looks forward to continuing this collaborative relationship with the Commission. Meaningful engagement between regulators and retail stakeholders remains essential to building a safer products landscape grounded in smart, effective and practical safety standards and improving the tools and processes that advance recall effectiveness.