Not only can a business face a lawsuit by consumers, the United States government can also bring an action against a business through the Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC was created in 1972 by Congress under the Consumer Product Safety Act. The agency began operating in 1973. Congress specifically created the CPSC to protect the public “against unreasonable risks of injuries associated with consumer products.”
What does the CPSC do?
CPSC is charged with protecting the public form unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. The CPSC handles such tasks by:
- Developing “Voluntary Standards: with standards organizations, manufactures and businesses
- Issuing and enforcing mandatory standards or banning consumer products if no feasible standard would adequately protect the public
- Obtaining the recall of products and arranging for a repair, replacement or refund for recalled products
- Researching potential product hazards
- Informing and educating consumers directly and through traditional, online, and social media and by working with foreign, state and local governments and private organizations
- Educating manufacturers worldwide about CPSC regulations, supply chain integrity and development of safe products.
Consumer Reports
Not only does the CPSC at act on its own, consumers can also submit reports to the CPSC as well. Generally consumers will make reports to the CPSC to include information related to an injury that happened. The CPSC will then send a report to the manufacture, if the manufacture was included in the report.
The Agency staff reviews every report submitted. However, the CPSC may or may not investigate into the product complaint. The complaints are used to identify patters of injuries and hazards and guide their regulatory work.
CPSC Enforcement
The CPSC will have an investigation and subsequent enforcement may follow. CPSC enforcement can be done through both civil and criminal penalties.