H.R.1767 - Awning Safety Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1767, the Awning Safety Act of 2025, directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish a mandatory consumer product safety standard for retractable awnings. This standard aims to mitigate the risk of death or serious injury associated with these awnings, specifically addressing hazards like unexpected opening during bungee tie-down removal. The CPSC is tasked with defining the scope of retractable awning devices covered by the standard.
Expected Effects
The primary effect will be the creation of new safety regulations for retractable awnings. Manufacturers will need to comply with these standards, potentially leading to design changes and increased production costs. Consumers should benefit from safer awning products.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced risk of injury from retractable awnings.
- Increased consumer confidence in awning safety.
- Potentially lower insurance costs related to awning accidents.
- Clearer safety guidelines for manufacturers.
- Enhanced public awareness of awning-related hazards.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increase in the cost of retractable awnings due to compliance with new safety standards.
- Possible delays in the availability of awnings as manufacturers adapt to the new regulations.
- The scope of the regulations may be too broad or too narrow, impacting certain types of awnings disproportionately.
- Increased regulatory burden on manufacturers.
- Possible legal challenges to the CPSC's interpretation of the Act.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce. By setting safety standards for products sold across state lines, the Act falls under this purview. The Act also aligns with the general welfare clause as it aims to protect consumers from harm.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).