Consumer Product Safety Consumer Product Safety CommissionCommission

OISM 470WOISM 470W

Marissa KorchynskyMarissa Korchynsky

Today’s TopicsToday’s Topics

What is the CPSC?What is the CPSC?

Let’s Brainstorm!Let’s Brainstorm!

Behind the scenes …Behind the scenes …

Strategy of a product RecallStrategy of a product Recall

Reporting a problemReporting a problem

The 10 Product Safety The 10 Product Safety PrinciplesPrinciples

Did You Know … ?Did You Know … ?

Contact the CPSCContact the CPSC

Test your KnowledgeTest your Knowledge

In Summary, Remember..In Summary, Remember..

BibliographyBibliography

What is the CPSC?What is the CPSC?

Definition:Definition: The Consumer Product Safety Commission The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is an independent federal regulatory agency (CPSC) is an independent federal regulatory agency which was created to protect the public against which was created to protect the public against unreasonable risks of injuries and deaths associated with unreasonable risks of injuries and deaths associated with consumer products.consumer products.

The CPSC strives to save lives and keep families safe.The CPSC strives to save lives and keep families safe.Control over about 15,000 consumer products.Control over about 15,000 consumer products.Uses many different ways to portray its messages about Uses many different ways to portray its messages about product hazards to the public.product hazards to the public.

Examples: Media coverage, publications, telephone Examples: Media coverage, publications, telephone hotline,hotline,

website, fax-on-demand service, etc.website, fax-on-demand service, etc.

**Brainstorming Exercise****Brainstorming Exercise**How can the CPSC benefit YOUR organization?How can the CPSC benefit YOUR organization?

The CPSC can be applied to almost The CPSC can be applied to almost anything in our lives.anything in our lives.

““Open your eyes to work hazards”Open your eyes to work hazards”

Where in your place of work can you find Where in your place of work can you find safety product hazards?safety product hazards?

--at home--at home

--in an office--in an office

-- in a laboratory-- in a laboratory

Behind the Scenes of theBehind the Scenes of the CPSCCPSC

How do they operate?How do they operate?Reporting a ProblemReporting a ProblemThe Strategy of a Product RecallThe Strategy of a Product Recall-Why it is recalled?-Why it is recalled?-Term effects-Term effects-Recent Recalls-Recent Recalls

The 10 Product Safety PrinciplesThe 10 Product Safety Principles

The Fundamentals of the CPSCThe Fundamentals of the CPSC

A. Development of StandardsA. Development of Standards

B. Hazard Identification and B. Hazard Identification and ReductionReduction

C. Enforcement and ComplianceC. Enforcement and Compliance

D. Field InvestigationsD. Field Investigations

E. Public Information ProgramsE. Public Information Programs

B. Hazard Identification and B. Hazard Identification and ReductionReduction

The Commission studies and investigates The Commission studies and investigates injuries, deaths, diseases and economic losses injuries, deaths, diseases and economic losses associated with consumer products.associated with consumer products.

CPSC works with several groups in this effort.CPSC works with several groups in this effort.

Examples:Examples:

--NEISS: National Electronic Injury Surveillance --NEISS: National Electronic Injury Surveillance SystemSystem

--CDC: Centers for Disease Control--CDC: Centers for Disease Control

--Other additional studies--Other additional studies

C. Enforcement and ComplianceC. Enforcement and ComplianceWhat does Enforcement mean in this case?What does Enforcement mean in this case?The CPSC educates and informs regulated industries.The CPSC educates and informs regulated industries.Perform criminal and civil investigations, as well as Perform criminal and civil investigations, as well as importations surveillance.importations surveillance.

Fast Track Product Recall Program – started in 1995 to Fast Track Product Recall Program – started in 1995 to speed up the recall of hazardous products.speed up the recall of hazardous products.In year 2000, about 120 firms participated in the In year 2000, about 120 firms participated in the Program.Program.

Some examples of recalls:Some examples of recalls:--Over 12 million molded resin patio chairs were recalled --Over 12 million molded resin patio chairs were recalled before they could collapse.before they could collapse.--More than 25 million Pokemon containers recalled --More than 25 million Pokemon containers recalled because parts contained are hazardous to children.because parts contained are hazardous to children.

D. Field InvestigationsD. Field Investigations

The CPSC carries out investigative, liaison and The CPSC carries out investigative, liaison and consumer with events to support all aspects of consumer with events to support all aspects of agency programs.agency programs.Publicize through local news media all product Publicize through local news media all product recallsrecallsPartnerships: the CPSC works with state and Partnerships: the CPSC works with state and local governments as well as other organizations local governments as well as other organizations to gain supportto gain supportRecall Round-Up: enacted in this aspect of the Recall Round-Up: enacted in this aspect of the CPSC as wellCPSC as well

E. Public Information ProgramsE. Public Information Programs

Purpose: to inform consumers about safe Purpose: to inform consumers about safe use of products and product recallsuse of products and product recalls

Large focus on COMMUNICATIONLarge focus on COMMUNICATION

How ?How ?

--Media, such as print, press conferences, --Media, such as print, press conferences, and live action news coverageand live action news coverage

--Publications: --Publications: Consumer Product Safety Consumer Product Safety ReviewReview

The Strategy of a Product RecallThe Strategy of a Product Recall

Why a product is recalledWhy a product is recalled

Recall through administrative litigationRecall through administrative litigation

Fast Track Product RecallFast Track Product Recall

New development of “recall roundup”New development of “recall roundup”

Methods of product recall (cont.)Methods of product recall (cont.)

Check CPSC’s website frequentlyCheck CPSC’s website frequently

In the “Recalls” section new recalls are In the “Recalls” section new recalls are posted as soon as they are issuedposted as soon as they are issued

Join CPSC’s email list (on the website as Join CPSC’s email list (on the website as well) to receive their recall notices the well) to receive their recall notices the same day they are receivedsame day they are received

Reporting an unsafe productReporting an unsafe product

I want to report an unsafe product. What do I I want to report an unsafe product. What do I do?do?

Email: Email: hazard@cpsc.govhazard@cpsc.gov

Phone: 1-800-638-2772 x650Phone: 1-800-638-2772 x650

Fax: 800-809-0924Fax: 800-809-0924

Letter: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Letter: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commision, Injury Report, Washington, DC Commision, Injury Report, Washington, DC 2020720207

The 10 Product Safety PrinciplesThe 10 Product Safety Principles

Build safety into product Build safety into product design.design.Do product safety testing Do product safety testing for all foreseeable for all foreseeable hazards.hazards.Keep informed about and Keep informed about and implement latest implement latest developments in product developments in product safety. safety. Educate consumers Educate consumers about product safety.about product safety. Track and address your Track and address your products’ safety products’ safety performance. performance.

Fully investigate product Fully investigate product safety incidents. safety incidents. Report product safety Report product safety defects promptly. defects promptly. If a defect occurs, If a defect occurs, promptly offer a promptly offer a comprehensive recall comprehensive recall plan. plan. Work with CPSC to make Work with CPSC to make sure your recall is sure your recall is effective. effective. Learn from mistakes -- Learn from mistakes -- yours and others'. yours and others'.

Did You Know …. ?Did You Know …. ?

The CPSC works every day of their lives to The CPSC works every day of their lives to battle products that do not meet good quality battle products that do not meet good quality standards and specifications. standards and specifications.

Hundreds of products are recalled each year to Hundreds of products are recalled each year to protect consumers lives.protect consumers lives.

We will now take a look at some real life We will now take a look at some real life problems that you may have not known existed.problems that you may have not known existed.

Do you know where your child or 5 Do you know where your child or 5 year old sister is right now?year old sister is right now?

The largest problem in consumer products goes back to the home and The largest problem in consumer products goes back to the home and children. children. Special Study: Children’s Playground EquipmentSpecial Study: Children’s Playground Equipment-In 1999, an estimated 205,850 playground equipment-related -In 1999, an estimated 205,850 playground equipment-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital ER’s.injuries were treated in U.S. hospital ER’s.-3/4ths of all injuries were from ropes, cords, etc.-3/4ths of all injuries were from ropes, cords, etc.

***What can you do to make your child/relatives ***What can you do to make your child/relatives safe?safe?

CPSC’s RecommendationsCPSC’s Recommendations--Protective Surfacing--Protective Surfacing--Improved construction and materials--Improved construction and materials--Changes in equipment types--Changes in equipment types--Increased recognition of hazards--Increased recognition of hazards

Some more examples….Some more examples….

In 2000, increase of In 2000, increase of amount of scooter amount of scooter injuries due to part injuries due to part malfunctions. malfunctions.

Future development Future development of pool alarmsof pool alarms

““Safety Standard for Safety Standard for Cigarette Lighters”Cigarette Lighters”

Contact the CPSC!Contact the CPSC!

1-800-638-CPSC1-800-638-CPSC

CPSC HotlineCPSC Hotline

Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. 2020720207

info@cpsc.govinfo@cpsc.gov

http://www.cpsc.govhttp://www.cpsc.gov

Test your CPSC KnowledgeTest your CPSC Knowledge

Which of the following products is notWhich of the following products is not

Covered under the CPSC’s guidelines?Covered under the CPSC’s guidelines?

A.A. Coffee makersCoffee makers

B.B. AutomobilesAutomobiles

C.C. Lawn mowersLawn mowers

D.D. fireworksfireworks

Test It Again! Test It Again!

True or False: When someone reports an True or False: When someone reports an

Unsafe product, the Consumer Product Unsafe product, the Consumer Product

Safety Commission immediately withdraws Safety Commission immediately withdraws

The product from the market.The product from the market.

In Summary, Remember…In Summary, Remember…

If a product malfunctions, stop use If a product malfunctions, stop use IMMEDIATELY. IMMEDIATELY. Call the CPSC to report a problem.Call the CPSC to report a problem.Check the CPSC website or sign up for Check the CPSC website or sign up for their email mailing list to be informed of their email mailing list to be informed of new updates.new updates.Practice safety everywhere … whether it Practice safety everywhere … whether it be the home, the office, or any other public be the home, the office, or any other public place.place.

BibliographyBibliography

http://www.cpsc.govhttp://www.cpsc.gov

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/faq.html#rephttp://www.cpsc.gov/about/faq.html#rep

http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/psc.html#10prinhttp://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/psc.html#10prinhttp://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/reports/2000rhttp://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/reports/2000rpt.pdfpt.pdf

http://www.cpsc.gov/kids/kidsafety/http://www.cpsc.gov/kids/kidsafety/