CPSC Seeks Comments on Its Proposed Safety Standard Addressing Blade-Contact Injuries on Table Saws

On November 1, 2023, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to establish a performance standard for table saws. The performance standard would limit the depth of cut to 3.5 millimeters when a test probe approaches the spinning blade at a rate of 1 meter per second.

The rule would require saw manufacturers to incorporate active injury mitigation technology in each device. CPSC has indicated that the rule will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and estimates that the compliance costs will be between $100,000 and $700,000 to redesign and retool each product model. CPSC requests comments on the rule, and small businesses are encouraged to provide detailed information on the direct cost implications and whether any regulatory alternatives would minimize the impact on small entities.

Written comments are due by January 2, 2024.

• Read the supplemental proposed rule and submit comments.
• Advocacy contact: Send an email to Meagan Singer at meagan.singer@sba.gov or call (202) 921-4843 with your concerns.