GAO Looks at CBP's ACE, Chemicals, Rules, and Guidances

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) the week of March 12 issued four reports touching on CPSC matters, whether directly or indirectly.

The first (bit.ly/2peUVHI) – on how Customs and Border Protection (CBP) interacts with other agencies – included CPSC as one of the case studies of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).

About 30% of CPSC's targeting orders at two New York ports come from the partnership. Much of the CPSC overview is description of ongoing e-filing work. GAO urged Homeland Security (which oversees CBP) to ensure a process for interagency cooperation that prioritizes enhancements and cost sharing.

The other three GAO reports addressed:

• Chemicals: The target was sustainability, but related issues of safety and health risk played large roles in the discussion. The report (bit.ly/2phtLip) did not make recommendations, but rather explored matters such as efficiencies, use reductions, protections, and life-cycles.

 

• Rulemaking: GAO urged (bit.ly/2pbB7oz) the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to improve its process for identifying economically-significant rules, especially those created at the ends of presidential terms. At issue is the Congressional Review Act (CRA) by which Congress has limited time to repeal some regulations.

 

• Guidances: Connected to the CRA review, GAO also identified (bit.ly/2peVocK) ways to improve agency's processes for creating these. Many of the points harken back to GAO's 2015 suggestions (PSL, 9/28/15) for reviews, written policies, and communication.