CPSC Looks at Recall Registration Card Success and Ideas

CPSC found that an average of about 13% of consumers had submitted recall registration cards for a sampling of durable infant and toddler products. Those involved 21 products that were subject to corrective actions between September 2010 and May 2015. The range was 1% to 45%. Six products had sales dates that both preceded and followed inclusion of the cards mandated by the CPSIA. In three recalls all sales preceded use of the cards.

From discussion with the responding companies, CPSC assembled numerous ideas linked to card submission and recall effectiveness:

• Some companies are seeing a trend away from mail submission and towards online/telephone registration.

 

• Problems or complications with physical submission include handwriting legibility, omitted information, use of overlapping/duplicative methods like online, and failing to retain the consumer portion of the cards.

 

• Innovative approaches like mobile phone apps have seen success in increasing convenience and minimizing errors.

 

• Some firms link recall success less to the cards and more to other outreach techniques like social media or retailer partnerships. Some doubt their value.

 

• Ideas to improve registration include point-of-sale efforts and inclusion of retailers, incentives, steps to push submission online, and flexibility in how to word the cards.

More are in the report: 1.usa.gov/1pqFPMh.