December 1, 2011
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today honored Consumer Reports and its policy and advocacy division Consumers Union with a special award in recognition of “exceptional contributions to consumer product safety.”
The organization was one of five honorees chosen by CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum to receive the first Chairman’s Circle of Commendation Awards.
The awards were established this year to identify and honor those who had helped consumers by, in the CPSC’s words, “directly and significantly reducing deaths, preventing injuries, and improving product safety.”
Consumer Reports President Jim Guest accepted the award at a ceremony today at CPSC headquarters.
The CPSC commended Consumer Reports for its “expansive work to test and research the safety of products,” which the Commission said has contributed to numerous recalls and helped consumers stay informed.
The CPSC also noted the enormous amount of safety information available to the public through Consumer Reports print, online, and video materials.
The CPSC praised Consumers Union for its long history of advocating on behalf of consumers in the halls of government, as well as its work in helping set safety standards for consumer products.
The four other award recipients at today’s event were Nancy Cowles, Executive Director of Kids in Danger; Dr. Gary Smith, Director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio; Gene Rider, the President of Intertek Consumer Goods, North America; and the ASTM Subcommittee F15.18 on cribs, toddler beds, play yards, cradles and changing tables.