THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO CONTROL WHAT TABLE SAWS YOU ARE ABLE TO BUY
You can help put a stop to this. Take action now!
One table saw manufacturer petitioned the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to mandate its own patented technology to be required on all table saws. Implementation of this rule would create a potential monopoly for the petitioner.
Does this provide consumers with options? Is this how the free market is supposed to work?
The CPSC has proposed a rule that will significantly increase the cost of table saws — for consumer table saws, more than TRIPLING the cost. It may drive other manufacturers out of the table saw business, and potentially leave thousands unemployed. All when there are already a variety of table saws on the market that comply with a voluntary safety standard and come equipped with modular blade guards, a technology proven to effectively reduce blade contact injuries. Let the Consumer Product Safety Commission know you oppose this radical, one-company proposal which will take away your choice in table saws.
Make your voice heard:
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is proposing regulation to require active injury mitigation on all table saws. This patented active injury mitigation (AIMS) technology is held by just one manufacturer. The rule would make the entire table saw industry beholden to this one manufacturer, and subject to unreasonable licensing fees or its outright refusal to license its substantial patent web. It would effectively create a monopoly.
And who petitioned for this regulation? The one manufacturer that holds the patent on the technology. This misuse of government regulation cannot be allowed to happen. The CPSC effectively will be mandating a design requirement, which is not within the Commission's statutory authority.
By CPSC's own admission, the rule would have the following results:
- Costs of table saws would more than double.
- Manufacturers may exit the table saw market.
- Small manufacturers may go out of business.
- Sales of table saws will decrease, resulting in unemployment.
Let's take a look at the facts:
Favors one manufacturer...
The manufacturer that holds the patents on active injury mitigation technology petitioned the CPSC to make its technology the law of the land.
Creates a monopoly...
The patent-holding manufacturer would have an obvious advantage. It can:
- Withhold licensing of its tech to other manufacturers.
- Make licensing fees exorbitant, if the petitioner even agrees to licensing its patents for its technology.
- The petitioner has even stated (as recently as this year) that it will protect and not license its patents. There are over 70 that are tied to AIMS technology.
- Even the CPSC states that small manufacturers will go out of business.
That's a monopoly.
Active injury mitigation would COST consumers and manufacturers …
- Portable table saws currently on the market cost $250 - $600. A government mandate will more than triple this cost, bringing the retail rate of table saws to $900-$1,600. Such burden is not justifiable for DIY or small contractor customers.
- Manufacturers would go out of business, killing competition.
- Thousands employed by these manufacturers would be out of work.
Voluntary safety standards are working …
- Table saws with Modular Blade Guards are 7 times times less likely to be associated with injuries (the CPSC's own finding).
- 71% of users prefer the Modular Blade Guard.
- There are more than 7 million of them in use.
- They have been manufactured since 2007.
Modular Blade Guard — Already Here, Already Safe.
The table saw industry takes safety very seriously. Over 20 years ago industry members voluntarily petitioned Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to update its power tool safety standard to help reduce injuries. They were successful and new requirements were published that mandate table saws be equipped with a Modular Blade Guard, which includes a riving knife. Since their introduction, these highly effective guarding systems have demonstrated a significant reduction in accidents. There are currently more than 7 million table saws in use that include a modular guarding system meeting the applicable editions of the UL 987 standard and the UL 62841-3-1 safety standard.
Take Action:
Help stop the CPSC from taking control of what table saws you can buy by sending an email to the CPSC and your Member of Congress.
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