Stratton says he will work to make 2004 safest year on record - Hal Stratton - Brief Article

CPSC Monitor, Jan, 2004

CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton will face some tough issues in 2004--not the least of which are dealing with Congress on reauthorization, crafting an upholstered furniture standard acceptable to industry and consumers, dealing with recall effectiveness and addressing rising injury rates for All-terrain vehicles.

But Stratton says his agency has made good progress in 2003, and he provided CPSC Monitor with six major priorities for his Administration for 2004:

1.Increasing public input and oversight in agency voluntary standards recommendations

2. Continued work to improve agency recall effectiveness through new initiatives, the media and Internet

3. A concerted effort to reduce residential fires through greater awareness and improved flammability standards

4.Reducing drowning in and around the home

5. Reducing the number of carbon monoxide deaths

6. Promoting product safety standards for imported products and the harmonization of international safety standards.

Stratton told the Monitor:

"We made great progress last year on several fronts, particularly in the area of illegal fireworks convictions, mattress flammability and opening up the process to stakeholders.

"I look forward to improving on CPSC's accomplishments by working with consumers and industry to make 2004 the safest year on record for America's families."