The Liberal government has introduced legislation that will require the Technical Standards and Safety Association to appoint an independent risk and safety officer.

The bill also gives the minister of consumer services more legislative authority over the independent agency, which regulates everything from amusement park rides to the stuffing used in furniture and padded bras.

The Opposition says the changes are long overdue, but that doesn't excuse the government's inaction following the explosion at Sunrise Propane last August.

The New Democrats say the amendments are an admission by the government that privatization of regulation enforcement in Ontario is not working.

NDP critic Peter Tabuns says there was "an abject failure" of the safety association to fulfill its mandate to protect the public by preventing the Sunrise blast.