Pompeo provision would derail product safety database

The Washington Post (2/28, Layton) reports, “The first-ever government database of product safety complaints, which is scheduled to go public in two weeks, could be scrapped as a result of a budget amendment offered by a freshman member of the House,” Rep. Mike Pompeo. Pompeo, a Republican, “won support for a measure to withhold money to implement the system, which is set to launch March 11.” The Post adds that the lawmaker, “backed by groups representing manufacturers,” said “the database would be filled with fictitious or inaccurate claims and place new financial burdens on US businesses.”

We posted recently about the plans to create the database, which would provide consumers with access to information on thousands of complaints the CPSC receives each year. We support the creation of the database and hope that Congress will restore the funding.