The Consumer Product Safety Commission Has No Assurance That Product Defects Are Being Reported and Corrected

The Consumer Product Safety Act requires manufacturers, distributors, and retailers who have information that a consumer product contains a defect or does not meet a safety standard and could create a substantial product hazard to report this fact to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Commission can order such products to be recalled, repaired, replaced, or the purchase price refunded, and it can give public notice of the hazard. When a hazard is identified, the Commission asks the firm for more information on the product and on plans to correct the hazard. The Commission staff assists in preparing plans and Commissioners approve those found acceptable.