CPSC’s New Initiative Against Fake Safety Labels

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has initiated a nationwide effort to address the issue of counterfeit safety labels on consumer products imported from countries like China.

Peter A. Feldman, the Acting Chairman of the CPSC, stated, “False safety labels are being used to introduce dangerous products into American households, often from foreign manufacturers, bypassing U.S. laws. We will hold accountable those who cheat the system, jeopardize American businesses, and endanger families.”

There’s a growing problem with counterfeit certification marks that mislead consumers and threaten U.S. businesses. The CPSC is now seeking public opinions to identify and strengthen enforcement against these counterfeit safety certifications. Feedback is requested within the next 60 days.

The CPSC is looking for insights from businesses, consumer organizations, laboratories, and the public on several key points:

• The prevalence of fake safety labels in both online and retail environments.
• Major concerns related to counterfeit safety labels.
• Methods for identifying counterfeit marks.
• The economic consequences for consumers and legitimate businesses.

It’s important to note that selling, distributing, or importing products with fake certification marks is a violation of federal law. The information gathered from public comments will help the CPSC formulate strategies against these counterfeit labels.

This crackdown is part of the CPSC’s broader objective to target unsafe imported goods.

Earlier this year, the CPSC withdrew the certification of four Chinese testing labs, declaring them unreliable for certifying product safety for the U.S. market.

Feldman remarked on the concerns, stating that the vast trade volume with China raises issues about safety standards, especially in authoritarian regimes where workers face serious repercussions for whistleblowing. He highlighted concerns regarding the integrity and compliance of inspection bodies, particularly the trustworthiness of certificates required for imports.

At that time, he noted that China accounted for a third of all imports regulated by the CPSC, yet it also represented three-quarters of all violations of product safety standards.

“This significant discrepancy emphasizes the severity of the situation we face with China,” he added.

The CPSC chairman credited President Trump’s leadership for taking a firm stance against China and other foreign entities that have compromised America’s safety and domestic operations over the years.