New CPSC Online Public Product Database to Launch Friday

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is scheduled to launch a new searchable database on March 11, which will allow the public to report harm related to the use of consumer goods, including toys, furniture, clothing and accessories and children’s products. Consumers may submit reports on the CPSC’s website, www.saferproducts.gov, and will be able to search and review the reports logged in the database. Formerly, reports filed with the CPSC would only be available to the public through a Freedom of Information Act request, which could be protested by the company.

The database has prompted industry concern from manufacturers, since its unsubstantiated injury claims will be available to the public with no guarantee from the CPSC as to the “the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of information in the Database.”  According to the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, once a report is submitted, the CPSC has “up to five business days, when practicable, to review the report, confirm that it is complete and forward the report to the manufacturer.” Manufacturers may register at www.saferproducts.gov to receive notification when a report has been filed, and retailers may be named in reports as well (however, the CPSC does not provide a means of retailer notification). Ten business days after the manufacturer has been notified, the report will be posted to the database. The manufacturer may submit comments, request publication of the comments and request that inaccurate information be removed from the database. The firm also notes that, “the names of the submitter of a report and alleged victim will be withheld from publication in the database. Although the submitter’s name will not be made publicly available, reports anonymously filed will not be posted to the database.”