U.S. Customs and Border Protection is adding a product-safety component to its Importer Self-Assessment Program. The action, taken in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is part of a new pilot program. The intent, according to a statement by Customs, "is to maintain a higher level of product-safety compliance through a cooperative partnership between CBP, CPSC and the importer." The new Importer Self-Assessment Product Safety Initiative is a voluntary program, providing public recognition of compliance to participating companies. Other benefits to importers who agree to monitor their own product-safety performance include front-of-the-line testing, reduction of testing and access to CPSC-specific training. Customs and CPSC staff will examine the participating importer's internal control methods, based on submission of an application and completion of a questionnaire. Importers will also be subject to domestic and foreign site visits. The product-safety pilot is open to all importers who are participants in Customs' Importer Self-Assessment program. A limited number of initial applicants will be chosen for participation by Customs and CPSC staff. Detailed information on the pilot was due to be published in the Federal Register on Oct. 29.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection