According to one report, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is prevented, by law, from disclosing the manufacturer and names of dangerous products that many consumers in Virginia and across the nation have in their home. One prime example is the Fisher-Price Rock and Play Sleeper. While the sleeper has since been recalled, 32 infants died due to the defective product. According to the CPSC, it knew that the sleeper was causing fatalities as far back as 2009, one decade before the sleeper was taken off store shelves.
However, Section 6B of the Consumer Product Safety Act prohibits the agency from disclosing information about whether a product is safe while claims involving the product are under investigation. According to some, 6B keeps consumers in the dark, allowing them to unknowingly purchase dangerous products even if the manufacturer and CPSC are aware that the products are harmful.
Some people do support 6B, claiming that it keeps consumers from being fed information that is misleading or inaccurate. However, to repeal 6B would require an act of Congress.
Unfortunately, sometimes a recall comes too little, too late for those already harmed by dangerous products. When this is the case, a person might want to learn more about products liability claims. Companies have a duty of care to ensure their products are free of potential hazards, and if they fail to meet this duty of care it may be possible to hold the company responsible in court. However, as this post does not contain legal advice, those who need more information about product liability claims will want to take the steps necessary to learn more about this topic.