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 October 20-21at ICPHSO’s upcoming international conference in Billund, Denmark. He will be replacing long-time ICPSHO head Ross Koeser, who retired earlier this year after leading the organization since its beginnings in 1993.

Schoem has been at CPSC most of its history, joining in 1974. He held positions in 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. Duties ranged from compliance officer, to various management positions, to his final job as deputy director.

Schoem also has been a leader with ICPHSO, spearheading much of CPSC’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 (also senior VP of technical affairs at TIA) said in the group’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."

Since the announcement, numerous organizations and people have written pieces or made statements approving of the choice.