2025 has been a turbulent year for the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). As ISPA previously reported, the CPSC operated with just two out of five Commissioners for most of the year. Additionally, in August, Republican Commissioner Doug Dziak resigned, leaving CPSC Chairman Peter Feldman (R) as the sole Commissioner with all other seats vacant. Nonetheless, the work of the CPSC has continued, as the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) allows the CPSC to delegate most of its authority to the Chairman and agency staff.  

In October, President Trump nominated William Hewes III, who will need to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, to fill one of the vacancies on the CPSC in a term that expires October 26, 2031. Hewes is a former Mississippi State Senator and past Mayor of Gulfport, Mississippi.  

The Trump Administration’s priorities regarding the future of the CPSC remain unclear. Despite nominating an additional Commissioner, the administration has proposed eliminating the CPSC and embedding its functions into the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The HHS budget in brief explains that under this plan, the CPSC’s functions would transfer to the HHS Office of the Secretary, with the chief officer serving as the Assistant Secretary for Consumer Product Safety. Notably, this would require statutory changes to the CPSA. To date, there has not been legislation proposed to transfer the CPSC’s authority to HHS.  

ISPA will continue to keep its members up to date on major developments related to the CPSC. Please contact ISPA’s Government Affairs Team (Alison Keane and Marty Salamone) with any questions.