Administrative Structure of the Consumer Product Safety Commission

In response to a congressional request, GAO discussed the administrative structure of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to determine whether: (1) a single administrator could better carry out its functions; and (2) it should remain a separate agency or be placed within another regulatory agency or an executive department. GAO found that: (1) there has been little stability in CPSC leadership since it was created; (2) there is a precedent for a single administrator with a long-term appointment; (3) former confirmed chairpersons and executive directors favor a single administrator; and (4) a single administrator would be less costly than a commission. GAO concluded that it will not make a recommendation on CPSC organizational status, since: (1) disagreement still exists about its organizational status; and (2) there is no criteria or preponderance of evidence for determining whether it should remain as a separate agency or be made part of an executive department.