Robert S. Adler

Agency shutdown controversy

During the COVID-19 pandemic, then-acting chairman Adler faced criticism for secretly suspending key operations of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for several months. According to investigations by USA Today in 2020 and 2021, the agency halted routine screening of imported consumer products at U.S. ports, including high-risk items such as children's toys and other goods that could contain hazardous materials like lead or phthalates. The halt in inspections coincided with the 2020 holiday shopping season and raised concerns that potentially unsafe products were entering the U.S. market without oversight.

The lack of screening drew bipartisan condemnation from members of Congress, who expressed concern over risks to consumer safety, particularly for children. Senator Richard Blumenthal stated, “The total lack of inspections is absolutely inexcusable, especially because of the concealment.” In defense of the agency’s actions, Adler stated that "Lead in toys is not the biggest lead hazard to kids."

Selected works Adler, Robert S.; Popper, Andrew F. (February 2019). "The Misuse of Product Misuse: Victim Blaming at Its Worst." William & Mary Business Law Review. 10 (2): 337.