Recalls of Baby Products

In 2009, the incidence of infant product recalls increased 20 percent over the previous year. Since 2006, the number of baby product recalls has more than doubled.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has ordered product recalls involving hundreds of thousands of baby strollers because of laceration hazards. They have ordered recalls of furniture items like infant cribs, infant carriers and bouncer chairs, as well as such items as baby pacifiers and baby clothing. The CPSC continues to call for tougher recall standards to protect our most vulnerable consumers.

Manufacturers, distributors and retailers share the responsibility for understanding recall standards and for knowing how to manage a recall should one ever be required. With infant products so widely distributed in the marketplace, infant product recalls can be very complex.

Companies involved with an infant product recall will be required to present a recall plan for approval by the CPSC. With this in mind, it is highly recommended that companies have in place a recall preparedness plan.  Some companies have an internal recall manager to create and execute the recall strategy, while others rely on a recall agency to mange recall logistics and recall compliance.

But either way, manufacturers today need to understand that they are in the consumer safety business, especially when products for infants and children are involved.