What began as a complaint against one testing laboratory has grown into a full-scale investigation of virtually every drain cover on the market.
Spearheaded by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the probe could result in a range of measures. CPSC could merely require a change in the drain cover standard, or choose to recall thousands of units that have already been installed.
As part of its inquiry, CPSC held a meeting April 5 to hear from testing labs, standards writers and other involved parties to discuss the standard, how testing is conducted and what changes should be implemented. A closed-door meeting with manufacturers followed the next day, with CPSC being characterized by one source close to the investigation as taking an aggressive stance toward the manufacturers.