Amazon.com Inc. Held Responsible for Distributing Hazardous Products, Must Take Action

Amazon.com Inc. has been found responsible for distributing products that pose significant safety risks to consumers, according to a unanimous decision and order from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The order states that more than 400,000 units of faulty carbon monoxide detectors, hairdryers without electrocution protection, and children’s sleepwear that does not meet federal flammability standards are subject to the recall.

The CPSC classified Amazon as a “distributor” under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA), making the company legally accountable for the recall of these hazardous items sold by third-party vendors through the Fulfilled by Amazon program. The products in question were deemed “substantial product hazards” under the CPSA.

To address this issue, the court order mandates that Amazon develop comprehensive remediation plans to inform customers and the public about these dangerous products and implement remedies to remove them from consumers’ homes. The commission will review and address these plans in a subsequent order.

The CPSC initiated an administrative complaint against Amazon on July 14, 2021, accusing the company of distributing hazardous products. After both Amazon and the CPSC appealed various aspects of the judge’s ruling, the commission issued the new order.

During the administrative proceedings, Amazon did not dispute the hazardous nature of the products but argued that it did not qualify as a distributor under the CPSA and therefore was not obligated to take protective measures. However, the judge ruled that Amazon did function as a distributor, a ruling upheld by the commission.

Under the CPSA, the commission has the authority to require manufacturers, distributors, or retailers to notify the public about product risks and provide remedies to eliminate these hazards, such as refunds or replacements. In this case, the commission emphasized the need for Amazon to enhance its efforts to protect consumers, stating that Amazon’s previous measures, such as sending messages to initial purchasers and providing account credits, were insufficient.

The hazardous products involved in this case were sold on Amazon.com between 2018 and 2021. They included children’s sleepwear that failed to meet flammability requirements, carbon monoxide detectors that failed to alarm, and hairdryers lacking required immersion protection.

As part of the order, Amazon is required to develop and submit plans for notifying customers and the public about the hazards associated with these products. The company must also provide incentives for the return or destruction of these items, potentially including refunds or replacements. Public announcements will be made to ensure broader awareness.

Amazon’s responsibilities extend further, as the company is required to submit monthly progress reports and maintain compliance records to prevent these hazardous products from continuing to pose risks to consumers.

The Epoch Times reached out to Amazon’s Public Relations Department for comment on the commission’s ruling but did not receive a response at the time of publication. This ruling highlights the importance of holding online marketplaces accountable for the safety of products sold on their platforms and emphasizes the need for stronger measures to protect consumers from hazardous items.