Will Toy Recall Companies Be Held to Account?
January 31st, 2008 joshua
The Consumer Product Safety Commission promises it has not forgotten about last year’s record amount of toy recalls, but its history suggests it will.
A spokesperson for the agency told Consumer Reports manufacturers of toys that violated the lead paint standard will face additional punishment as the CPSC reviews last year’s case load. Unfortunately, the consumer magazine says the agency is all bark, but rarely has bite.
In the past, the farthest the CPSC has gone to punish manufacturers is to fine a company for not informing consumers of the dangers of their products, meaning that if a company issues a voluntary recall in conjunction with the CPSC, it’s unlikely any further fallout will occur.
Fining a company for selling products laced with lead paint would be a bit of contradiction in policy. Companies – because of higher U.S. wages and taxes – are practically encouraged to export the manufacture of these toys. The problem with this allowance is that American companies do not have eyes on the production of the products. The benefit is higher profits for companies.
But in exchange for these higher profits, a company must take the responsibility of ensuring its products are safe for consumers.
Second in this fight is the CPSC’s inability to enforce fines. The agency is underfunded and really only has the money to spend informing consumers of recalls. Consumer Reports says the burden of proof on the companies issuing the defective products is too difficult to prove.
