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CPSC Launches Consumer Info Database

Published March 14, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRAIN)—The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has launched a SaferProducts.gov database mandated by Congress, as part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.

Consumers are encouraged to visit www.SaferProducts.gov (click above to visit link) to submit reports of harm or risks of harm, and to search for safety information on products they own or may be considering buying. Reporting product safety incidents through this new, easy-to-use site will help CPSC identify product hazards quicker and provide consumers with safety information on products in and around the home.

"CPSC stayed on time and on budget in building this new database," said CPSC chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "Through SaferProducts.gov consumers will have open access to product safety information that they have never seen before and the information will empower them to make safer choices."

Following procedures set up by the law, CPSC will review all online reports and have five business days to transmit qualifying reports to the manufacturer, where practicable. Manufacturers then have 10 business days during which they may respond and provide comments and/or claims. At the end of the 10-day period, if all requirements are met, the report and the manufacturer's comments will be posted on SaferProducts.gov

It is important that consumers provide CPSC with information that is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge. Reports lacking required information will not be published. Similarly, information in a report of harm determined to be materially inaccurate within the 10 days provided to manufacturers to respond will not be published. Reports that potentially contain confidential information will have such information taken out before the report is posted.

Topics associated with this article: Web/Internet