PIRG Urges Changes to CPSC's Recall System

US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) March 5 made numerous recommendations in a report criticizing the time CPSC sometimes has taken in recalling certain products.

The review (bit.ly/3N5cBU4) highlighted the 2011-2025 timeline involving knowledge that some above ground pool straps could create footholds for children and resulting recalls. But it also pointed to injuries with previously-recalled toaster ovens and ladders, and it raised concern about unilateral safety notices as lacking remedies.

Suggestions included perennial ones like more CPSC resources, but also others such as:

• Enacting a law stronger than CPSC's rule against selling water beads.
• Enabling faster notifications from CPSC about dangerous products.
• Enhancing CPSC's mandatory recall powers.
• Strengthening requirements for "consumer friendly " recalls.
• Improving SaferProducts.gov.

PIRG linked to Acting-Chairman Peter Feldman's January announcement of revoking accreditation of four Chinese labs, and it quoted him as being "proud" of the increase in recalls over the past year due to "exerting additional pressure" on companies.