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White House Proposes New Import Safety Rules

Tougher rules, stiffer enforcement

By Lucas Laursen,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 6, 2007 9:50 AM CST
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(Newser) – The White House is set to roll out stiffer safety regulations governing imports today, reports the Wall Street Journal. The proposals, prompted by the wave of recalls this year, represent a move toward what the Journal calls "a prevention-based regulatory system that targets the riskiest products." The FDA could require manufacturers to take precautionary measures, certify that they meet standards, and provide more data.

The agency could bar imports if requirements aren't met and recall foreign products found to be tainted, which the FDA can't do now. The Consumer Product Safety Commission could require more safety tests and impose stiffer fines for violations. Some congressional Democrats welcomed the proposals; others said they don't go far enough.

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach holds up a copy of the Physicians Desk Reference book while testifying on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 6, 2007, before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on the diabetes drug Avandia. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach holds up a copy of the Physicians Desk Reference book while testifying on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 6, 2007, before the...   (Associated Press)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 17, 2007, before a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing on food safety. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 17, 2007, before a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing on food safety....   (Associated Press)
A CIQ food safety inspector of Kaijia Food Co., walks through a wind showering room before entering their food processing room Friday Sept. 21, 2007 in Qingdao, China. Kaijia Food Co., a Chinese-Japanese joint venture, exported US$50 million worth of goods, including Japanese-style pickles to the United States and chicken...
A CIQ food safety inspector of Kaijia Food Co., walks through a "wind showering room" before entering their food processing room Friday Sept. 21, 2007 in Qingdao, China. Kaijia Food Co., a Chinese-Japanese...   (Associated Press)
Nancy Nord, acting Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on toy safety standards. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Nancy Nord, acting Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on toy...   (Associated Press)
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 6, 2007, before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on the diabetes drug Avandia. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 6, 2007, before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on...   (Associated Press)
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