Nord Stepping Down at Product Safety Commission

The Consumer Product Safety Commission gets a new chief, at least temporarily, next week.

Acting Chair Nancy Nord plans to step down and fellow commissioner Thomas Moore will take over as acting head on June 1 until a new chairman is confirmed by the Senate.

In a statement, Nord said she plans to remain a commissioner until the end of her term in 2012.

Earlier this month, President Barack Obama announced the nomination of former South Carolina Education Superintendent Inez Moore Tenenbaum as chair of the commission. He also nominated Robert Adler, a former lawyer and adviser to the agency, as a new commissioner. Obama plans to increase the number of seats on the commission from three to five.

The appointments have been praised by consumer and industry groups alike.

The commission is tasked with ensuring that products ranging from toys and cribs to ATVs and toasters are safe for use.

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Consumer Product Safety Commission: http://www.cpsc.gov