Office History

CPSC's Office of Inspector General was established on April 9, 1989, in accordance with the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended. This law gives the Inspector General the power to act independently:  the Inspector General cannot be prevented from initiating, carrying out, or completing an audit or investigation, or from issuing any subpoena; has access to all records of the agency; reports directly to Congress; and can only be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Commissioners, who must communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer.