Exploring Recalls Under the Tenenbaum Administration
10-27-2009
By Howard Aughinbaugh
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) recently concluded its 9th Bi-Annual Product Safety & Liability Conference in Washington, D.C. The day-and–a-half meeting of appliance professionals primarily focused on product safety, product liability prevention, and defense and product safety regulations.
The meeting was attended by AHAM members; members of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the Air-Conditioning; Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI); and outside counselors invited by a member company who are experienced in manufacturers’ risk management programs or product liability defense.
During the event, ExpertRECALL™ had the privilege of leading a panel of experts who explored how recall execution will be different under the Tenenbaum administration. The panel focused on issues dealing with the necessity of plan development for implementing recalls, including assessing when a recall is required; working with regulatory agencies; crisis communications; and managing the flow of information, especially in contemplation of future injury litigation associated with the perceived product defect.
The panel addressed and answered questions such as:
- What is important to remember when planning for product recalls?
- What are the largest mistakes companies could make in executing a recall?
- What documentation is valuable in meeting regulatory reporting obligations, closing the recall with the CPSC, and protecting the company against future actions?
- When should a company attempt a recall on its own and when should it outsource the recall?
- What are the best practices in communicating with the CPSC both prior to the recall announcement and following the recall announcement?
- What constitutes an effective recall?
Truth is, no two recalls are the same and the answers to the questions may vary slightly depending upon circumstances.
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Stericycle ExpertRECALL™ is the industry leader in recall logistics and regulatory compliance for consumer product, pharmaceutical, medical device, juvenile product, and food and beverage recalls. ExpertRECALL’s professionals are experts in recall management who can help you streamline the entire product recall process.
It seems to me that consumers aren’t always aware of product recalls. How does a company that has a product recall communicate that to consumers?
Maggie – great question!
You raise a fundamental question about consumer knowledge of recalls. Studies in the past have shown that consumers aren’t always aware of product recalls. Both the Congress and the CPSC have taken action to rectify that situation. The CPSC realizes that recall announcements are only effective if they reach the public. The CPSC is now taking a much more aggressive approach utilizing television and radio announcements to make the public aware. In addition, the CPSC has embraced social media including the blogosphere, YouTube, Twitter and Flickr to reach as wide an audience, as possible.