Chinese-made products have accounted for more than 60% of the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) 178 recalls so far in 2007, according to a statement issued by U.S. Senator Charles Schumer's office.
Schumer is calling for the establishment of an "import czar" that would "focus on the rising tide of Chinese goods coming into the U.S."
The czar would be installed at the Department of Commerce "and oversee all matters pertaining to consumer protection of imports, including coordinating efforts of other agencies charged with consumer safety related to imports."
Schumer also wants to mandate overseas inspections. "Currently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the CPSC do not require products entering this country to undergo inspections in their point of origin.
"In addition, plants that these products are manufactured in are not subject to spot checks... these Chinese plants have no incentive to clean up their acts."
