Consumer Product Safety Act - Explained
What is the CPSA?
Written by Jason Gordon
Updated at September 26th, 2021
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What is the Consumer Product Safety Act?
The Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) was passed for the purpose of protecting consumers against dangerous products. The CPSA encompasses several consumer protection acts, such as the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). The CPSA established the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which is charged with administering the provisions of the CPSA along with its regulatory provisions. The CPSC has authority over most consumer products, except those that are expressly relegated to a separate federal agency. The CPSC has authority to establish product safety standards, seek the recall of, and potentially ban, products that are unreasonably dangerous or present a significant risk to consumers.
Note: The CPSIA is an important amendment that protects individuals against retaliation for reporting concerns about product safety. It is also dedicated to ensuring the production of safe products for children.
Example: The coverage of the CPSC is very broad. Examples of consumer products specifically relegated to other federal agencies include: food, drugs, tobacco products, firearms, medical devices, aircrafts, boats, etc.
Next Article: Product Labeling Laws Back to: CONSUMER PROTECTION
Related Topics
- Truth in Lending Act
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
- Fair Credit Billing Act
- Electronic Funds Transfer Act
- Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT)
- Equal Credit Opportunity Act
- Regulation B
- Consumer Credit Protection Act
- Consumer Advisory Council
-
Consumer Financial Protection Act
- Consumer Product Safety Act
- Consumer Product Labeling Laws
- Credit Repair Organization Act
- Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
- Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
- Privacy Act of 1974 (Privacy Act)
- Personally Identifiable Information
- Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 (RFPA)
- Electronic Communication Privacy Act of 1986 (ECPA)
- Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act of 1986 (COPPA)
- Privacy Policy
- CAN SPAM Act
Discussion Question
How do you feel about the broad authority granted to the CPSC? Do you feel the authority is sufficiently broad? Why or why not? As you have learned, defective products may create strict liability for manufacturers and sellers. Should this be balanced against the above regulations? Why or why not?