Consumer Product Safety Commission

1
Consumer Product Safety Commission

• OISM 470W
• Marissa Korchynsky

2
Todays Topics

• What is the CPSC?
• Lets Brainstorm!
• Behind the scenes
• Strategy of a product Recall
• Reporting a problem
• The 10 Product Safety Principles

• Did You Know ?
• Contact the CPSC
• Test your Knowledge
• In Summary, Remember..
• Bibliography

3
What is the CPSC?

• Definition The Consumer Product Safety
  Commission (CPSC) is an independent federal
  regulatory agency which was created to protect
  the public against unreasonable risks of injuries
  and deaths associated with consumer products.
• The CPSC strives to save lives and keep families
  safe.
• Control over about 15,000 consumer products.
• Uses many different ways to portray its messages
  about product hazards to the public.
• Examples Media coverage, publications,
  telephone hotline,
• website, fax-on-demand service, etc.

4
Brainstorming ExerciseHow can the CPSC
benefit YOUR organization?

• The CPSC can be applied to almost anything in our
  lives.
• Open your eyes to work hazards
• Where in your place of work can you find safety
  product hazards?
• --at home
• --in an office
• -- in a laboratory

5
Behind the Scenes of the CPSC

• How do they operate?
• Reporting a Problem
• The Strategy of a Product Recall
• -Why it is recalled?
• -Term effects
• -Recent Recalls
• The 10 Product Safety Principles

6
The Fundamentals of the CPSC

• A. Development of Standards
• B. Hazard Identification and Reduction
• C. Enforcement and Compliance
• D. Field Investigations
• E. Public Information Programs

7
B. Hazard Identification and Reduction

• The Commission studies and investigates injuries,
  deaths, diseases and economic losses associated
  with consumer products.
• CPSC works with several groups in this effort.
• Examples
• --NEISS National Electronic Injury
  Surveillance System
• --CDC Centers for Disease Control
• --Other additional studies

8
C. Enforcement and Compliance

• What does Enforcement mean in this case?
• The CPSC educates and informs regulated
  industries.
• Perform criminal and civil investigations, as
  well as importations surveillance.
• Fast Track Product Recall Program started in
  1995 to speed up the recall of hazardous
  products.
• In year 2000, about 120 firms participated in the
  Program.
• Some examples of recalls
• --Over 12 million molded resin patio chairs were
  recalled before they could collapse.
• --More than 25 million Pokemon containers
  recalled because parts contained are hazardous to
  children.

9
D. Field Investigations

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

10
E. Public Information Programs

• Purpose to inform consumers about safe use of
  products and product recalls
• Large focus on COMMUNICATION
• How ?
• --Media, such as print, press conferences, and
  live action news coverage
• --Publications Consumer Product Safety Review

11
The Strategy of a Product Recall

• Why a product is recalled
• Recall through administrative litigation
• Fast Track Product Recall
• New development of recall roundup

12
Methods of product recall (cont.)

• Check CPSCs website frequently
• In the Recalls section new recalls are posted
  as soon as they are issued
• Join CPSCs email list (on the website as well)
  to receive their recall notices the same day they
  are received

13
Reporting an unsafe product

• I want to report an unsafe product. What do I
  do?
• Email hazard_at_cpsc.gov
• Phone [phone] x650
• Fax [phone]
• Letter U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commision,
  Injury Report, Washington, DC 20207

14
The 10 Product Safety Principles

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

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

15
Did You Know . ?

• The CPSC works every day of their lives to battle
  products that do not meet good quality standards
  and specifications.
• Hundreds of products are recalled each year to
  protect consumers lives.
• We will now take a look at some real life
  problems that you may have not known existed.

16
Do you know where your child or 5 year old sister
is right now?

• The largest problem in consumer products goes
  back to the home and children.
• Special Study Childrens Playground Equipment
• -In 1999, an estimated 205,850 playground
  equipment-related
• injuries were treated in U.S. hospital ERs.
• -3/4ths of all injuries were from ropes, cords,
  etc.
• What can you do to make your child/relatives
• safe?
• CPSCs Recommendations
• --Protective Surfacing
• --Improved construction and materials
• --Changes in equipment types
• --Increased recognition of hazards

17
Some more examples.

• In 2000, increase of amount of scooter injuries
  due to part malfunctions.
• Future development of pool alarms
• Safety Standard for Cigarette Lighters

18
Contact the CPSC!

• 1-800-638-CPSC
• CPSC Hotline
• Washington, D.C. 20207

• info_at_cpsc.gov
• http//www.cpsc.gov

19
Test your CPSC Knowledge

• Which of the following products is not
• Covered under the CPSCs guidelines?
• Coffee makers
• Automobiles
• Lawn mowers
• fireworks

20
? Test It Again! ?

• True or False When someone reports an
• Unsafe product, the Consumer Product
• Safety Commission immediately withdraws
• The product from the market.

21
In Summary, Remember

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

22
Bibliography

• http//www.cpsc.gov
• http//www.cpsc.gov/about/faq.htmlrep
• http//www.cpsc.gov/businfo/psc.html10prin
• http//www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/reports/2000rpt.p
  df
• http//www.cpsc.gov/kids/kidsafety/