Consumer Product Safety Commission Prepared by Debbie Ditterline Oism470w, Section 1

Agenda b What is the consumer product safety commission (CPSC)? b What does the CPSC do? b Statistics b A real world example b A short exercise b Summary b Bibliography

What Is the CPSC? b An independent federal regulatory agency that helps keep American families safe by reducing the risk of injury or death from consumer products

What Is the CPSC? b Created in 1972 in the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) b Jurisdiction over 15,000 types of products b Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers of consumer products can be affected by CPSC action

What Is a Regulation? b Regulations are specific standards or instructions concerning what can or cannot be done by individuals, businesses, and other organizations

What Does the CPSC Do? b The CPSC works to reduce injuries and deaths from consumer products: By evaluating voluntary standards with industryBy evaluating voluntary standards with industry By issuing and enforcing mandatory standardsBy issuing and enforcing mandatory standards By obtaining the recall of products or arranging for their repairBy obtaining the recall of products or arranging for their repair By conducting research on potential product hazardsBy conducting research on potential product hazards By informing & educating consumersBy informing & educating consumers By responding to consumer inquiriesBy responding to consumer inquiries

The Need For Standards b Standards enable consumers to purchase a product and use it with other products they purchased form different manufacturers For example: You buy a camera that was made in JapanFor example: You buy a camera that was made in Japan You buy American-made filmYou buy American-made film You are vacationing in Spain and get the film developed while you are thereYou are vacationing in Spain and get the film developed while you are there b Standards make that process possible

Voluntary Vs. Mandatory Standards b Voluntary standards Allow manufacturers to have more inputAllow manufacturers to have more input Reduce the burdens of federal inspections, enforcement and potential penaltiesReduce the burdens of federal inspections, enforcement and potential penalties Take less time, are less costly and are easier to amendTake less time, are less costly and are easier to amend

Voluntary Vs. Mandatory Standards b Mandatory standards are sometimes necessary, determined by the CPSC b Manufacturers are still required to report to the CPSC any problems or defects with their products as soon they are aware of it Whether its governed under a voluntary or a mandatory standardWhether its governed under a voluntary or a mandatory standard Any delay in this process will result in a violation of the CPSAAny delay in this process will result in a violation of the CPSA

Research on Potential Hazards b The CPSC collects injury data to aid in analyzing safety trends Contracts with hospital emergency rooms to provide that data through reports made at the time an injured patient is treated.Contracts with hospital emergency rooms to provide that data through reports made at the time an injured patient is treated. b The raw information can be useful, since it spots trends, but the system has many limitations… The causality issue cannot be resolved satisfactorily (Was the product to blame, or the user?)The causality issue cannot be resolved satisfactorily (Was the product to blame, or the user?)

b Consumers can call the toll-free hotline ( CPSC) to: Report an unsafe productReport an unsafe product Report a product-related injuryReport a product-related injury Find out whether a product has been recalledFind out whether a product has been recalled Learn how to return a recall product or arrange for its repairLearn how to return a recall product or arrange for its repair Get info on what to look for when buying a consumer productGet info on what to look for when buying a consumer product Get info on how to use a consumer product safelyGet info on how to use a consumer product safely Receive info about ordering CPSC safety publicationsReceive info about ordering CPSC safety publications Consumer Inquiries

Statistics b Half of an estimated 4,000 consumer complaints fielded yearly by the United States CPSC hotline are child-related b The other 50% of the complaints deal with household electrical appliances

A Real World Example b L.L. Bean violated the CPSA by delaying reporting to CPSC that two of its backpack child carriers were defective Children can work their way out of the harness and fall through a leg opening or topple out of the top of the carriersChildren can work their way out of the harness and fall through a leg opening or topple out of the top of the carriers L.L. Bean knew of 39 incidents before reporting it to the CPSCL.L. Bean knew of 39 incidents before reporting it to the CPSC Civil penalty of $750,000Civil penalty of $750,000

Recently Recalled b CPSC has recalled 19 million dive sticks used in swimming pools In shallow water, children can land on the sticks and suffer impalement.In shallow water, children can land on the sticks and suffer impalement. b Tiger Electronics Ltd. has recalled 202,000 piano toys The top section of an attached microphone can break off, which poses a choking hazard.The top section of an attached microphone can break off, which poses a choking hazard.

Recently Recalled b Bush Industries Inc. has recalled 100,000 television carts for repair They can easily tip overThey can easily tip over b Crate & Barrel has recalled for repair 4,300 children's tables Tables have a six-inch hole cut in the center, which can result in head entrapmentTables have a six-inch hole cut in the center, which can result in head entrapment

A Short Exercise b What do you do if you have received knowledge that a product you manufacture is defective? b What do you do if you or someone you know has been injured by fault of a defective product?

A Short Exercise b What will happen if you do not report your defective product to the CPSC, as a manufacturer? b What will happen if you do not report your defective product, as a consumer?

Summary b The CPSC works to protect consumers b Without standards, the world would be complete chaos at all times b The CPSC needs help from the manufacturers, as well as the consumers, to keep them updated in regards to defective products

Bibliography “Consumer Product Safety Act.” Internet February “Consumer Product Safety Commission product recalls.” Professional Safety, Vol.44 no.10. October 1999, p.12, 48. “CPSC Home Page.” Internet February Dawson, Carol. “Voluntary standards threatened.” Consumers' Research Magazine, April Gunin, Joan. “Watching Big Brother: A Look Inside the CPSC.” Home Textiles Today, April 1998, p.8. “Live and Learn.” Internet February “RegRadar.” Internet February