Do Not Expect E-Filing Grace Period in July, Says Feldman

CPSC Acting Chairman Peter Feldman March 3 tamped down the idea of an enforcement transition in the early months after the e-filing effective date. This occurred at a question-and-answer session for a Covington & Burling audience. Twice, he pointed to the ongoing voluntary use of e-filing as serving that purpose. The third time the question arose, he flatly said not to expect a "grace period." He echoed agency staffers' recommendation in January (PSL, 1/12/26) to join the voluntary activity to learn the system and ensure smooth use after the July 8 deadline.

However, Feldman did assert that the agency would listen to concerns. Besides the weekly, virtual "staff hours" that Import Surveillance staff have held, he suggested that good targets for such input were himself or his staff.

Other highlights of the session – moderated by Covington's Austin Schlick, former CPSC executive director and general counsel – included:

• NEISS: The agency is eyeing a tenfold increase in participating hospitals as AI tools are expected to eliminate hand input while increasing data quality and quantity. The pun NEISS-R is being used with the R standing for "remodel" – NEISS is pronounced "nice."

 

• Retailer Reporting: Similarly, AI tools mean CPSC not only is in a position to actually use the data – described by Feldman as relegated for year to printouts stored unused – but it also is considering expansion.

 

• De Minimis: The end of tariff exclusions for low dollar shipments means more imports are being scrutinized, adding to CPSC's surveillance data. That is playing a role in the increase in recall activity.

 

• Recall Reannouncements: Expect to see promotion of legacy recalls, renegotiated to update remedies. Among the goals is to make consumers' incentive to take the remedy outweigh resale revenue. Feldman specifically mentioned Ikea's Malm dresser recall from 2016.

 

• E-Commerce Takedowns: Automated scrutiny is why the calendar 2025 tally of roughly 90,000 delisting requests was double that of calendar 2024.