Richard O’Brien from the Consumer Product Safety Commission Visit to Guangzhou

Consumer product safety is an important issue in South China and worldwide, and the U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou was fortunate to host an expert on this complex issue. Richard O’Brien from the Consumer Product Safety Commission was in Guangzhou January 11-15 to discuss consumer activism and consumer policy in the United States. In the course of three speaking events and two media interviews, Mr. O'Brien explained the development of consumer activism and consumer policy, focusing on the historical cycle of causal events, legislative response, and regulatory body creation. Explaining the role of all regulatory bodies in the U.S., including the CPSC, Mr. O'Brien emphasized the link between regulatory agencies and consumer groups, and outlined the reasons and triggers behind product recalls.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: New Certification, Testing and Other Requirements