WASHINGTON, DC – Senators JD Vance (R-OH) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) have introduced legislation, the Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2023, to strengthen safety standards for foreign-made gas cylinders and level the playing field for domestic manufacturers. Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ted Budd (R-NC), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) join as original cosponsors.
“This legislation offers a bipartisan, commonsense solution to protect American citizens and level the playing field for domestic manufacturers,” said Senator Vance. “Congress shouldn’t stand idly by as foreign cylinder manufacturers take advantage of loopholes to undermine our supply chains and public safety – it’s time for us to take action.”
“For too long, foreign manufacturers have been held to a lower safety standard when it comes to products that millions of Americans use every day, undercutting Made in America companies and potentially endangering public safety,” said Senator Baldwin. “This commonsense reform will ensure gas cylinders meet the same rigorous standards, no matter where they are made, leveling the playing field for our Wisconsin manufacturers and giving consumers peace of mind that they are safe.”
“We can’t allow Ohioans’ safety to be put at risk by faulty foreign products. This bipartisan plan will ensure a level playing field for Ohio manufacturers like Worthington, and ensure that foreign producers can’t undercut American businesses by cutting corners on safety,” said Senator Brown.
“For too long, foreign cylinder manufacturers have taken advantage of loose safety and inspection standards for overseas producers, turning regulation loopholes into sheer profit. Meanwhile, American manufacturers have been making safer, higher-quality products to meet American industrial regulations,” said Senator Durbin. “It’s time to level the playing field. With the Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act, foreign cylinder manufacturers will be held to the same safety standards that American companies are while also preventing foreign companies from employing deeply unethical practices of forced or child labor.”
The bill text is available here. Read more from The Hill.
For Background, This Bill Would:
- Create a more level playing field for domestic producers and help prevent foreign manufacturers from selling counterfeit hazmat cylinders, a practice which endangers consumers.
- Hold foreign cylinder manufacturers to higher safety and inspection standards, aligning with the standards U.S. manufacturers abide by.
- Better equip DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) regulators to conduct inspections abroad and terminate authorizations if companies prevent or obstruct them.
- Require foreign manufacturers seeking authorization from PHMSA to certify several items, including, for example, that their cylinders are not manufactured using forced or child labor.
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