Regulated Products Handbook

Table of Contents

A Guide for Manufacturers, Importers, Distributors, and Retailers on Procedures Relating to the Enforcement of Standards and Regulations Issued Under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA), the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA), the Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA), the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), and the Refrigerator Safety Act (RSA)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• How CPSC Enforces Its Statutes

• Penalties Applicable to Firms and Individuals
  • Penalties Available Under the CPSA
  • Penalties Available Under the FHSA
  • Penalties Available Under the FFA
  • Penalties Available Under the PPPA
• Injunctive Actions
  • Injunctions Under the CPSA
  • Injunctions Under The FHSA
  • Injunctions Under The FFA
  • Injunctions Under The PPPA
• Seizure of Violative Products
  • Seizure Under the CPSA
  • Seizure Under the FHSA
  • Seizure Under the FFA
  • Seizure Under the FD&CA (For Certain Products Regulated Under the PPPA)

• Responding to CPSC Notification of Violative Product Status
• CPSC Response to Information Submitted by Firm

• Preparing for a Product Recall
• Elements of a Recall
• Communicating Recall Information
  • News Releases
  • Recall Alerts
  • Video News Releases
  • Posters
  • Other Forms of Notice
  • Toll-Free Numbers
  • Website Information
• Developing a Firm Policy and Plan to Identify Defective Products and to Undertake a Product Recall
  • Designating a Recall Coordinator
  • Responsibilities of a Recall Coordinator
  • Role of the Recall Coordinator
• Records Maintenance
• Conclusion

• Procedures for Obtaining Authorization to Recondition
• Costs Chargeable in Connection With Reconditioning Violative Imports

• Statutory Requirements
  • Reporting Under Section 15 of the CPSA
  • Reporting Products Involved in Lawsuits
  • Reporting Certain Choking Incidents
  • Why Reporting is Required
  • When to Report
  • Reporting Procedures
  • Penalties for Failure to Report

• Policy Statement Regarding Prohibition of Exportation
• Prohibition on Exportation
• Export Notification Requirements

• Confidentiality of Information Under Section 6 of the CPSA
• Confidentiality of Reports Under Section 15(b) of the CPSA
• Confidentiality of Reports Under Section 37 of the CPSA
• Use of Information by the Commission

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Compliance
Recalls and Compliance Division
Washington, DC 20207
Telephone: (301) 504-7913
www.cpsc.gov

This handbook contains information needed by manufacturers, distributors, importers, and retailers charged with violating a CPSC statute or regulation to ensure appropriate steps are taken to comply with CPSC requirements.

Last reviewed October 2024