CPSC Complaint Database Threatens Businesses

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) will post thousands of product complaints it receives each year online beginning in March despite worries from manufacturers who fear the postings will be filled with unjustified claims. The manufacturers are hoping to delay the launch set for March 11, The Washington Post reported.

National Association of Manufacturers Vice President Rosario Palmieri (pictured) told The Post, “We’re not opposed to a database. We’re opposed to a database that's full of inaccurate information.”

The database is restricted to complaints about defects that can cause injury or death and will not be posted for 15 days to give the CPSC time to notify the manufacturers and to allow them, in turn, to respond or challenge the complaint. Should a company claim the allegation is false or that it would disclose confidential information, the CPSC must decide whether to withhold the complaint.

The system, created as part of Congress’ 2008 consumer product safety law overhaul, is similar to one run by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which allows complaints about cars, child seats, or tires to be posted. However, manufacturers are not given an opportunity to respond on the NHTSA site, The Post said.