New ICPHSO Head to Be CPSC’s Marc Schoem

CPSC’s Marc Schoem October 2 will leave the agency to become executive director of the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPSHO). His first day with that group will be October 15, and his first official appearance will be at its upcoming international conference in Billund, Denmark October 20-21. He is replacing long-time ICPSHO leader Ross Koeser, who retired earlier this year after leading the organization since its beginnings in 1993.

Schoem has been at CPSC for most of its history, joining in 1974. Over the years, he held positions in the agency’s information, education, outreach, and small business ombudsman offices. However, the bulk of his work over the decades has been in what is now the Office of Compliance and Field Operations. His duties ranged from being a compliance officer, to various management positions, to his current position as deputy director.

Schoem also has been a leader with ICPHSO, spearheading much of the agency’s interaction with that organization since its founding. He has been active at its conferences, speaking about CPSC’s compliance, surveillance, investigations, and recall activities, but also typically busily helping behind the scenes.

ICPHSO President Al Kaufman stated in the organization’s press release, “Having someone of Marc’s caliber, with the vast experience he brings to this role, serving as Executive Director will enable ICPHSO to grow and prosper, furthering our mission of providing a neutral forum where product safety practitioners from many organizations can come together to advance the art and science of protecting consumers.”

In the same release, Schoem stated, “This is a natural extension of the role I have played at CPSC for the last 40 years. My hope is to build ICPHSO into an even stronger and more vibrant organization that can help stakeholders address emerging safety issues and further the dialogue between all parties involved with consumer product safety in a non-partisan and inclusive approach.”