What is the purpose of the Consumer Product Safety Act?

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The Product Safety Act requires that all goods and services that companies offer to consumers must be safe. The purpose of the law is to prevent personal injury.

The Product Safety Act applies 

The law applies to goods and services offered by businesses to consumers. The law applies to all consumer products that do not fall under any product-specific legislation, but it also serves as a basis when product-specific legislation lacks requirements. 

The Product Safety Act does not apply 

The law does not apply to goods intended solely for professional purposes. In simple terms, the law does not apply to the extent that the product is subject to safety requirements or other provisions of any other product safety statute. 

When a product is safe 

According to the Product Safety Act, a product or service is safe if, in normal or reasonably predictable use, it does not present a risk, or presents a low risk, to people’s health and safety. Because the Product Safety Act does not have specify exact requirements for products, it is important that you keep track of which numerous laws and regulations, e.g. standards, apply to your item or service. 

Provide safety information 

If you are a manufacturer of an item, or if you, as a company, offer a service, you must provide such safety information as is necessary in order for the consumer to assess the risks associated with the item or service and be able to protect her/himself against these risks. Safety information may only be omitted if the risks associated with an item or service are obvious. 

As a manufacturer, you are responsible for reviewing and keeping records of complaints received regarding injury risks. Therefore, an item or its packaging must be labelled with certain particulars: 

  • the name and address of the manufacturer and
  • a reference to the item and the lot to which it belongs. 

Warn about and recall dangerous products 

If you, as a company, become aware that you are selling, or have sold, a dangerous product, you must act as soon as possible to prevent injuries. Examples of appropriate measures include halting sales of the item and informing consumers about the risk of injury. This information should help consumers avoid harm. You can provide information via, e.g. advertising in newspapers and on the internet or through a direct message to the customers. 

If the risk of injury entailed by the item cannot be eliminated by other means, you are obliged to withdraw the item. You are also subject to a notification obligation that obliges you to inform the supervisory authority of the dangerous item or service and of the measures you have taken to prevent harm to consumers. 

Safe products - Your responsability

What is the purpose of the Consumer Product Safety Act?

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Information available in Swedish.

What Is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)?

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is a U.S. government agency that protects the American public from products that may present safety hazards. This independent regulatory body focuses on consumer items that pose an unreasonable risk of fire, chemical exposure, electrical malfunction, or mechanical failure. Products that expose children to danger and injury are a particularly high priority for the CSPC.

In addition to investigating complaints from consumers concerning unsafe products, this group also issues recalls of products that may be defective or that violate mandatory standards.

Understanding the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Created by the Consumer Product Safety Act in 1972, this group keeps a watchful eye over products such as power tools, cribs, toys, household chemicals, and cigarette lighters. The CPSC's charter includes the following tasks:

  • Working with industries to develop voluntary product standards
  • Issuing mandatory standards when required
  • Banning specific products where no standard would provide adequate public protection
  • Enforcing standards and issuing recalls or repair orders when necessary
  • Conducting independent research on potential hazards
  • Responding to consumer inquiries and complaints regarding specific products
  • Informing and educating consumers through the media and government channels

The CPSC maintains a consumer hotline through which individuals may report concerns about unsafe products; the number is (800) 638-2772.

Special Considerations

CPSC Recalls

One of the agency's main missions is the recall of unsafe products. Nearly all of these are voluntary recalls in which the manufacturer agrees to remove the product from store shelves and issue refunds to those who have already bought the merchandise.

In rare cases, the agency issues a mandatory recall when the manufacturer or distributor cannot or will not take decisive action to remedy faulty products. A few examples of the many items that have been recalled include bicycles, baby strollers, propane tanks, and electric chargers.

The public database, SaferProducts.gov, has recall information on thousands of products. An agency spokesperson explains: "Through SaferProducts.gov, consumers, child service providers, health care professionals, government officials, and public safety entities can submit reports of harm (Reports) involving consumer products. Manufacturers (including importers) and private labelers identified in Reports will receive a copy of the Report and have the opportunity to comment on them. Completed Reports and manufacturer comments are published online at www.SaferProducts.gov for anyone to search."

The CPSC website contains the following information about the recalled products it lists:

  • The name of the product (as it's known to consumers)
  • The nature of the hazard
  • The remedy (such as a refund)
  • The recall date
  • The number of faulty units in circulation

The CPSC's Pool Safely is a national public education campaign that works with partners around the country who strive to reduce child drownings and entrapments in swimming pools and spas.The agency also maintains ATV Safety Info Center, which urges riders to keep all ATVs off paved public roads. Every year, there are more than 700 deaths and 100,000 injuries involving ATVs.

What are two purposes of the Consumer Product Safety Act?

developing voluntary standards with industry. issuing and enforcing mandatory standards; banning consumer products if no standard would adequately protect the public.

What is the Consumer Product Safety Act and what does it do?

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) protects the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under its jurisdiction, including products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children.

Why was the US Consumer Product Safety Act enacted?

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) was established in 1972 with the passage of the Consumer Product Safety Act. The primary responsibility of the CPSC is to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury that could occur during the use of consumer products.

What does the Consumer Product Safety Commission enforce?

CPSC is an independent federal regulatory agency formed in 1972 with a mission to protect the public against unreasonable risks of injury or death from consumer products through education, safety standards activities, regulation, and enforcement.