What are two functions of the Consumer Product Safety Commission CPSC Choose 2?

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If a product or service presents a safety risk or is non-compliant with a mandatory standard or ban, it may need to be recalled.

If you need to conduct a recall, the ACCC’s Consumer Product Safety Recall Guidelines provide guidance and should be read before you commence any recall action.

When a product is recalled, suppliers are required by law to notify the Minister responsible for competition and consumer policy within two days. This can be done using the online recall notification form.

Depending on the product being recalled, it may also be necessary to notify a specialist Commonwealth regulator or a state or territory electrical/gas safety authority of the recall. While many recalls are initiated by a supplier, they may also be ordered by the Commonwealth or a state and territory minister responsible for competition and consumer policy. To find out more, visit Recalls Australia.

Under the ACL, suppliers of consumer goods and related services are required to report deaths, serious injuries or illnesses associated with consumer goods. This requirement is known as mandatory reporting.

All participants in the supply chain of a consumer good are required to comply with the reporting requirement. This includes a retailer, dealer, hirer, distributor, installer, repairer, importer, manufacturer and/or exporter of the consumer goods in question.

Similarly, all participants in the supply chain for product related services linked to the goods that are associated with the death, injury or illness are required to report the incident. This could include installers and service technicians.

A supplier is required to submit a report within two days of becoming aware of a reportable incident. Suppliers can do this using the ACCC’s online form, which is available on the Product Safety Australia website. If you are unable to submit the form electronically please contact the ACCC on 1300 302 502.

Buying safe products

www.recalls.gov.au

www.productsafety.gov.au

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.

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.

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. In 2018, recalls were issued for items such as bicycles, baby strollers, propane tanks, and electric chargers.

The public database, SaferProducts.gov, has recall information on thousands of products. An agency spokesman 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 approximately 650 deaths and 100,000 injuries involving ATVs, according to the agency spokesman.