Transcript Slide 1

Consumer Product Safety
Commission
OISM 470W
Marissa Korchynsky
Today’s Topics
What is the CPSC?
Did You Know … ?
Let’s Brainstorm!
Contact the CPSC
Behind the scenes …
Test your Knowledge
Strategy of a product Recall
In Summary, Remember..
Reporting a problem
Bibliography
The 10 Product Safety
Principles
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.
**Brainstorming Exercise**
How 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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
The Strategy of a Product Recall
Why a product is recalled
Recall through administrative litigation
Fast Track Product Recall
New development of “recall roundup”
Methods of product recall (cont.)
Check CPSC’s website frequently
In the “Recalls” section new recalls are
posted as soon as they are issued
Join CPSC’s email list (on the website as
well) to receive their recall notices the
same day they are received
Reporting an unsafe product
I want to report an unsafe product. What do I
do?
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-800-638-2772 x650
Fax: 800-809-0924
Letter: U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commision, Injury Report, Washington, DC
20207
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'.
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.
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: Children’s Playground Equipment
-In 1999, an estimated 205,850 playground equipment-related
injuries were treated in U.S. hospital ER’s.
-3/4ths of all injuries were from ropes, cords, etc.
***What can you do to make your child/relatives
safe?
CPSC’s Recommendations
--Protective Surfacing
--Improved construction and materials
--Changes in equipment types
--Increased recognition of hazards
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”
Contact the CPSC!
1-800-638-CPSC
[email protected]
CPSC Hotline
Washington, D.C.
20207
http://www.cpsc.gov
Test your CPSC Knowledge
Which of the following products is not
Covered under the CPSC’s guidelines?
A. Coffee makers
B. Automobiles
C. Lawn mowers
D. fireworks
 Test It Again! 
True or False: When someone reports an
Unsafe product, the Consumer Product
Safety Commission immediately withdraws
The product from the market.
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.
Bibliography
http://www.cpsc.gov
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/faq.html#rep
http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/psc.html#10prin
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/reports/2000r
pt.pdf
http://www.cpsc.gov/kids/kidsafety/