Consumer Law

Consumer Product Safety Commission to Launch Online Consumer Complaint Database

By Brian Wolfman

In March, the Consumer Product Safety Commission will launch a web-based public database containing all consumer complaints about products. Previously, much of this information was effectively kept secret under an exemption to the Freedom of Information Act.

The Washington Post claims that the business community is "working behind the scenes to delay or revamp the project."  Meanwhile, CPSC Chair Inez Tenebaum says that the database will go forward on schedule. Businesses claim that the database will be contain inaccurate information, while consumer advocates are praising the new system under which the CPSC generally will post complaints within 15 days of receipt.

The CPSC has established a website that will link to the database and that currently contains information on the new program, including introductory webinars for the public and industry.

Full post as published by CL&P Blog on January 10, 2011 (boomark / email).