Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC, Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, National Bulk Vendors Association, bulk vending, vending, vending machine, vending route, vending businesses |
WASHINGTON -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission split on a one-to-one vote to delay enforcement of a section in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 that deals with product tracking. The law, which goes into effect on Aug. 14, mandates that packaging on all children's products manufactured after that date include a permanent tracking label listing the name of the manufacturer; date and place of manufacture; and specific "cohort" information, such as lot, batch or run number.
According to CPSC rules, the one-to-one tie vote on May 13 triggered an automatic dismissal of the petition. However, those familiar with the case said that the agency could be re-petitioned when additional commissioners are seated.
According to CPSC officials, Section 103 is intended to provide efficient means to identify products during a recall. Many in the bulk vending industry question the viability of such labeling, and fear the financial burden it would place on manufacturers and suppliers.
The National Bulk Vendors Association maintains that the rules in the CPSIA's product labeling section could increase wholesale prices by 30% to 50%. The NBVA is seeking an exemption from labeling laws as outlined in Section 103 and is in the midst of an aggressive lobbying and fundraising effort to that end.
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