Americans buy and use hundreds of products every day. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is tasked with helping to protect the public against the unreasonable risk of injury or death as a result of these products.
One way the CPSC fulfills its mission is by issuing product safety recalls. This article will help inform you about how to get information on product safety recalls.
First, let’s explore what a consumer product is.
What is a consumer product?
15 U.S. Code § 2052 defines a consumer product as: any article, or component part thereof, produced or distributed either
- for sale to a consumer for use in or around a permanent or temporary household or residence, a school, in recreation, or otherwise, or
- for the personal use, consumption or enjoyment of a consumer in or around a permanent or temporary household or residence, a school, in recreation, or otherwise
Among the items that do not fall under the term consumer product are: tobacco, motor vehicles, pesticides, aircraft, boats, drugs, and food. This is not a comprehensive list of excluded products under 15 U.S. Code § 2052.
What is the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)?
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission was formed in 1972 by the Consumer Product Safety Act. The CPSC’s mission is to, “protect the public against unreasonable risks of injury or death from consumer products.”1
The CPSC does not endorse products.
The CPSC does not endorse or recommend products. They provide information to consumers on what safety features to look for in products.2 They also issue consumer product recalls.
When does the CPSC recall a consumer product?
The CPSC announces recalls of products that present a significant risk to consumers, either because the product could contain a defect or because it violates a mandatory safety standard.2
How do you get information about CPSC consumer product recalls?
The CPSC recommends several ways to find out about consumer product recalls, including:2
CPSC email alerts –
Subscribe to CPSC e-mail alerts.3 The CPSC sends these alerts at the end of each business day.Follow the CPSC on Social Media –
Follow CPSC @USCPSC on Twitter. The CPSC posts most recalls on Twitter at the same time they post the recall online.-
Consider following the CPSC’s other social media channels as well:
Facebook – @USCPSC
Instagram – @uscpsc
YouTube – Youtube.com/uscpsc -
Visit SaferProducts.gov –
SaferProducts.gov is the CPSC-owned website where the public can file and read safety-related complaints about consumer products within the agency’s jurisdiction.4Report an unsafe product here: https://www.saferproducts.gov/IncidentReporting.
Search reports and recalls/repairs here: https://www.saferproducts.gov/PublicSearch.
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Visit CPSC.gov –
Explore the CPSC’s home site.Search the CPSC’s recall list here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls.
This is not a comprehensive list of ways to get information about consumer product recalls the CPSC issues.
Product safety recalls may help protect your family.
Americans buy and use many consumer products. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is tasked with helping protect the public against unreasonable risks of injury or death from consumer products. One way it does that is by issuing product safety recalls. Help keep your family safe by staying up to date on product safety recalls.
- https://www.cpsc.gov/About-CPSC
- https://www.cpsc.gov/About-CPSC/Contact-Information
- https://www.cpsc.gov/About-CPSC/Contact-Information
- https://www.saferproducts.gov/About
Categories: Product Safety/Recalls, Safety Laws, Safety Tips