Commissioner Joseph Mohorovic Incorporates Conservative Ideas Within the Consumer Product Safety Commission

RNLA's DC Young Lawyer Chapter is Proud to Host Consumer Product Safety Commissioner (CPSC) Joseph P. Mohorovic for its May Happy Hour.  With extensive public policy, product manufacturing and product testing experience, Commissioner Mohorovic will be speaking on issues facing the CPSC.

Joseph P. Mohorovic has been sworn in as a Commissioner of the U.S. CPSC.  President Barack Obama nominated Mr. Mohorovic on October 13, 2013, and he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on July 28, 2014, to a term that expires in October 2019.

Prior to joining the Commission, Mr. Mohorovic was Senior Vice President of Intertek, a global leader in product testing, where he was responsible for all aspects of performance, growth and strategic management in the North American region. Before joining Intertek, Mohorovic’s public service included two terms as State Representative for New Mexico’s 28th District before resigning elected office to serve in the CPSC administration of former Chairman Hal Stratton from 2002 through 2007.

The CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

Among some of the recent issues that Commissioner Mohorovic has addressed are:

Third-Party Testing Burden Relief: 

“I have first-hand familiarity with both the technical challenges and the legal restrictions we face in finding areas where we can lighten business’ regulatory burden in ways that do not compromise consumers’ health or safety. And while I understand those are not insignificant hurdles, I believe they can be readily overcome.”

State laws focusing on ATV’s and ROV’s:  

“ATVs and ROVs are designed, manufactured, and sold for off-road use only.  I fully understand state and local governments’ desire to be free of mandates from the federal government. I take states’ rights seriously as I make decisions as a CPSC Commissioner. I voted against the pending mandatory federal rulemaking for ROVs. But as state and local governments consider allowing on-road use of products designed and manufactured for off-road use, I feel compelled to share my views.”

Support for Padded Crib Bumper Legislation:  

“Padded crib bumpers present an array of serious risks, virtually all of them latent hazards that parents might not instinctively appreciate. Moreover, they contribute to a misperception that a soft, padded crib environment is a safe crib environment, and crib bumpers beget pillows, blankets, and other add-ons. To the contrary, professional safety experts all recognize that an uncluttered crib –an appropriate mattress and a tight-fitting sheet – is the safest environment for a baby’s sleep. Seeing padded bumpers on the shelves contradicts the message the safety community needs caregivers to remember: Bare is Best.”

To RSVP to the RNLA’s Young Lawyer’s Happy Hour, please go here or email walker@republicanlawyer.net with any questions.