Over two and a half million used cars for sale online were subject to unresolved recalls in 2011.

This surprising statistic was announced by Carfax, a popular online resource for automobile information, in a recently released study discussed how ignoring auto recalls can threaten public safety. California, Florida and Texas led the nation with the most used cars for sale with open recalls, each having well over 100,000 last year.

What can the automobile industry and consumers do to stop these potentially unsafe vehicles from being sold online?

In order to keep these potentially hazardous vehicles off our roads, buyers, sellers and owners need to work together. And Carfax has a few suggestions on how to do so.

Auto makers and online sellers should routinely check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Safercar.gov website for any incidents concerning vehicles for sale. Reviewing vehicle and maintenance reports is also recommended. Auto manufacturers are currently working with Carfax to further alert consumers about cars that have been recalled for safety issues.

But prospective car buyers should not assume that online retailers are taking that extra step to ensure the safety of their vehicles. Consumers would be smart to double check one of the several available online recall resources before purchasing any vehicles, from an online retailer or other source. It is better to spend a couple of minutes conducting a simple online check for open recalls than to take the chance of putting your family or others on the road in danger.

What do you think about Carfax’s study findings? Will the study’s findings effect your decision to buy used cars? Your comments are most welcome below.

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.

Throughout George W. Bush’s presidency, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was on a short leash. His strong relationship with the pharmaceutical industry and close supervision over the agency led many to argue that FDA decisions were not being made based on science, but politics.

Is history repeating itself?

The election of President Barack Obama in 2008 led many of the FDA’s staff to believe it would restore the agency’s independence. But a series of disputes between FDA and White House officials have escalated within the past four years. Fights over the regulation of sunscreen, asthma inhalers and other issues affecting the marketplace have left some agency employees disillusioned.

Consumer advocates have joined FDA in expressing their frustrations over the Obama administration’s “overly cautious” attitude towards approving regulations affecting food and medical devices. They believe that Obama is merely attempting to avoid Republican attacks. On the other hand, consumer groups have also applauded the White House for increasing the FDA’s budget for Fiscal Year 2013, as the agency has been underfunded and understaffed although it regulates 80% of the nation’s food, drugs, vaccines and medical devices.

As the presidential election nears, President Obama is keeping a watchful eye on how his administration’s decisions are being publicly perceived, including criticisms related to his “overzealous” regulations. Many view the President’s recent actions towards FDA as a strategic reaction to Republicans’ attempts to paint Obama as a “job-killer” and a “nanny-state champion.”  Some experts even argue that continued politicization may hurt industry profits and consumer protection.

But both White House officials and FDA are quick to note that their disagreements are just part of a normal give-and-take process over policy. FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg states that the agency “will continue to work with our colleagues at the White House and across government to protect and promote the health of all Americans.” While debates can be healthy when it comes to important policy decisions, they should not deter from the goal of protecting public safety.

How do you think the election year has impacted President Obama’s response to proposed FDA regulation? Do you think that this politicization could impact the global perception of FDA? We welcome your comments below.

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.

One year after recalling dirt bikes, Baja Motorsports has found its name back in the news again.

Under the request of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the company re-announced a March 2011 recall after learning of ten incidents that occurred following the initial notice. The faulty bike’s fuel tank can leak and pose the risk of a fire or burn injuries to consumers. The new announcement even asks those consumers who participated in the first recall to contact the company to see if a new repair is required.

Where do you think the breakdown in Baja Motorsports’ recall management happened?

While we do not know what steps Baja Motorsports took in executing their recall last year, or what measures were used to determine recall effectiveness, we do know that it didn’t work.

Recalls are time consuming, costly, and painful experiences for any organization. That’s why the planning, execution and evaluation phases of a recall are so important. They must be completed in a timely manner and in full cooperation with the regulatory agencies involved.

Baja Motorsports is a prime example of how failing to effectively manage a recall can have a catastrophic effect on a company. Businesses that have to re-issue recalls and start the process over again must endure the cost and pain of managing the event once more, including unwanted publicity. Not to mention the negative impact recalls can have on a company’s reputation.

At Stericycle ExpertRecall™ we focus on protecting people and reducing risk.  All manufacturers, distributors and retailers should do the same. Despite a company’s best efforts to design, produce and sell safe and reliable products, the possibility of defective items reaching consumers always exists. The very survival of your company may depend on how well and quickly you respond to that first notice that there’s a potential problem. And attempting to manage a recall without adequate planning can prove costly.

What steps does your company take in planning for managing a potential recall? How would you handle having to re-issue a recall announcement? Your thoughts are most welcome.

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.

Nine injuries. 150 fires. $300,000 in property damages. These startling figures are the consequences equated with 700 adverse reports linked to one of the largest product safety recalls in history.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Fisher-Price announced the recall of potentially dangerous Power Wheels batteries on October 22, 1998 after it was found that they could overheat and catch fire. However, the announcement failed to reach 80 percent of the consumers who purchased the potentially dangerous toys. Power Wheels remain very popular with children and parents and can be found for sale in a number of outlets from big box retailers to grocery store chains.

Neil J. Chernoff, chairman & chief executive officer of 27th Century Technology, recently launched a campaign to once again warn consumers about the affected batteries 14 years after the first announcement. They contained undersized wiring and came along with a battery charger that had no shut-off circuit. Chernoff, who was the one to initially alert the CPSC in July 1995 of the serious safety concerns tied to the toys, claims that the batteries have never been properly fixed.

While Mattel, one of several retailers who currently sell Power Wheels, states on its website that those toy cars and trucks sold after October 1998 are not affected by the recall, Chernoff states otherwise. He warns that the current battery charger still does not have a cut-off circuit. Furthermore, he takes issue with the toys’ packaging instructions on how long to charge the batteries. There is no apparent way to tell how long to charge the batteries or what the battery’s current energy level is. This could result in the batteries catching fire or even exploding.

Chernoff and 27^th Century Technologies is calling for the public’s help in their quest to persuade the CPSC to re-issue the Power Wheels batteries recall.

Re-issuing a safety recall can have a detrimental effect on a company’s reputation. It can lead those consumers who have purchased items from that business to become skeptical and question the safety of similar products. Even if Fisher-Price and the CPSC do not re-announce the Power Wheels recall, the company should take the time to ensure its products are in compliance with current safety regulations. It also needs to reassure its consumers that it has taken the necessary steps to make certain Power Wheels are safe, especially since they are used by young children.

Chernoff’s campaign serves as a reminder to those within the consumer product industry just how important it is for businesses to adequately assess the scope of a recall event, properly notify affected consumers in a timely manner and retrieve all potentially dangerous products from the market. Effective recall management is vital to preserving a company’s reputation.

How effective will the 27^th Century Technologies campaign be 14 years after the initial recall announcement was made? Will busy parents pay attention? How do you think the CPSC will react to this announcement? What steps would you take during a recall event to ensure that all affected products are withdrawn from the market? Your comments are welcome below.

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.

Over the years, the safety of children’s jewelry has been debated time and time again among consumer advocates and government representatives. The non-profit group Ecology Center recently released a study reporting that a large number of pieces of costume jewelry currently on the market contain high levels of unsafe chemicals such as lead, chromium and nickel that could lead to liver toxicity, cancer, or cause allergic reactions.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has taken note of these studies and their unsettling findings. It has enforced strict standards to protect children from dangerous chemicals detected in jewelry items and has worked to dramatically decrease the amount of jewelry recalls tied to high levels of lead from 50 within the previous decade, to just one announcement since 2011.

Most recently, CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum commended the Fashion Jewelry and Accessories Trade Association (FJATA) for its support of the new ASTM voluntary Children’s Jewelry Safety Standard, which is aimed at addressing the lack of a nationally recognized requirement for cadmium in children’s jewelry. The new industry guidelines were also developed in an effort to help jewelry manufacturers come together to identify and mitigate other potential health hazards including strangulation risks and high levels of dangerous chemicals.

The implementation of voluntary industry safety standards can dramatically diminish the need for state and federal regulations. However, should manufacturers fail to comply with these voluntary guidelines, it is a safe bet that lawmakers will feel more compelled to act in the name of public health. While FJATA executive director Brent Cleaveland has called upon state officials and legislators to base any future state laws on the Children’s Jewelry Safety Standard, there is no way to ensure this happens.

That is why it is so imperative that those within the jewelry industry comply with this ASTM International voluntary standard. Not only will it lead to the creation of safer products for consumers, but it will also fend off the need for any future federal or state regulations.

Is a voluntary standard enough to safeguard children from exposure to hazardous chemicals? Do you think it will prevent more stringent federal or state regulations being passed? How will you ensure that you are in compliance? Your thoughts are most welcome below.

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.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently discovered an alarming number of national companies are failing to report product defects correctly. Among the products of concern are defective home appliances, office equipment, clothing, and children’s products. In fact, appliances account for one in every three complaints.

In 2010, CPSC fined two companies more than half a million dollars. But in 2011, ten companies faced fines from the CPSC totaling more than $4 million dollars. In one particular case, a company that manufactures lawn maintenance products was reported to have blatantly ignored repeated reports of malfunction, including injuries to more than 150 people. As a result, the company was slapped with a fine totaling more than $1 million.

With today’s easy access to online information, manufacturers and retailers must know that the agency and consumers are watching every move they make in a recall. These questions must always be top of mind: Was a consumer misusing something? Is there a pattern? At what point do complaints equal a substantial defect? Protecting consumers remains the first priority.

How many consumer complaints do you need to receive before sharing information with regulators? How long is too long to wait to share safety concerns with the regulatory agency? What penalty do you think companies should face for not reporting defects? Let us know your thoughts below.

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.

BMW North America is the latest example of how serious the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is about cracking down on automakers. The luxury car manufacturer was recently fined $3 million for failing to notify the auto regulator about safety defects and recalls in a timely manner.

This is the largest penalty announced by NHTSA since Toyota agreed to fork over nearly $50 million for disclosure issues involving the automaker’s massive 2009 and 2010 sudden acceleration recalls. Since then, NHTSA has been warning that it would scrutinize auto manufacturers for infractions.

The latest fine was announced after the auto watchdog identified a slew of disclosure violations linked to 16 probes of BMW recalls affecting over 338,000 vehicles and motorcycles in 2010. It found that the automaker failed several times to swiftly report issues that led to recalls later down the road. NHTSA also claims that the company initially provided little information about the recalls and then dragged its feet when asked to follow up.

U.S. law gives manufacturers just five business days to notify the government of any defects in cars, trucks or motorcycles. By failing to be transparent and quick to alert the feds of potential dangerous hazards, BMW put its reputation on the line. To its credit, the company has tried to placate the regulators and consumers by reviewing and changing the recall decision-making process.

Others in the auto industry should take note. Poorly managed – and poorly communicated – recalls can have a dramatic effect on a company’s brand and bottom line. Regularly assessing and updating your recall procedures ensures that you are prepared to respond to an event the right way.

How are you responding to NHTSA’s new scrutiny of the auto industry? How often do you assess your recall procedures to ensure they are in compliance with federal regulations? Your thoughts are most welcome below.

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.

A potentially dangerous defect found in auto airbag components has sparked a federal investigation and a series of safety recall announcements.

This year alone, four auto companies have announced recalls over problems stemming from side airbags. Each one blames Swedish safety parts maker Autoliv Inc. for sending faulty airbag assemblies containing the wrong propellant in their inflation systems. According to auto safety experts, the faulty assembly could cause airbags to deploy improperly during a collision. While only 2,700 vehicles have been affected by the recalls so far, more announcements are likely on the way.

Chrysler, GM and Ford don’t expect to announce recalls related to the matter as the design of their airbag inflators is different from the ones under investigation. But other carmakers have yet to respond to the federal probe. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is still determining the scope of the issue and identifying just how many other equipment suppliers or car makers may be affected.

NHTSA has been recently paying special attention to side airbags. In an effort to reduce damage caused by rollover crashes and side impact collisions, the auto watchdog introduced a new regulation just last year requiring modifications to side airbags already in use. Look for heightened federal scrutiny of airbag components as NHTSA’s investigation continues.

Is the auto airbag issue serious, or is NHTSA overreacting in your view? Do you expect to see further airbag recalls because of the component investigation? Your thoughts are welcomed below.

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.

Could a second recall of the popular Bumbo baby seats be on the way? Quite possibly.

The baby seat was initially pulled from the market in 2007 to add a label warning against its use on raised surfaces due to a potential fall hazard. But now a coalition of consumer groups is calling on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to recall the product a second time and require the manufacturer to redesign the seat to include a safety strap.

While Bumbo International claims that the baby seat poses no risks when used properly, the product has been linked to 33 skull fractures, two of which occurred while used on the floor as recommended.  More alarming, 17 of the reported incidents involved infants as young as 3 months. The company argues that adding the recommended safety strap to the seat to keep kids from falling out would give parents a “false sense of security.” Nevertheless, consumer advocacy groups are demanding action.

While concerns from consumer groups about improper use of products can sometimes seem extreme or unrealistic, manufacturers need to remember that federal safety laws require them to design products with both “foreseeable use” and misuse in mind. Child safety is a top priority, and consumers expect manufacturers to take every precaution to communicate with them about the remotest safety hazards.

Because of that fact, Bumbo International must address this issue adequately or it will increase the likelihood the CPSC will receive additional reports of incidents involving children and subsequent product liability litigation. Adding a safety strap may prove to be the cheaper alternative.

Do you think the CPSC should require a second recall of the Bumbo Baby Seat? Should the company bow to consumer group pressure and add a safety strap? Would your company be able to handle consumer complaints tied to the misuse of your products? Please let us know your thoughts.

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.

In a tough economy, consumers are looking everywhere, including consignment shops and hand-me-down products, for ways to save that extra dollar. While purchasing second-hand items may be cost-efficient, it could put children at risk.

Fortunately, a well known toy and baby products retailer is taking the lead on removing unsafe, old and second-hand products from households. In its sixth year running, the Toys “R” Us “Great Trade-In” event draws attention to the various unsafe and recalled products that have yet to be removed from circulation and continue to put infants and children at risk for injury or even death. Until Monday, February 20^th, consumers can visit Babies “R” Us and Toys “R” Us stores nationwide to exchange a wide array of items for a 25% discount towards the purchase of a new product. Even daycare centers can even participate in this event and trade-in items in bulk.

The Toys “R” Us “Great Trade-In” event is a reminder of the key role manufacturers and retailers play in product and consumer safety. We commend Toys “R” Us for its “Great Trade-In” events which, since their launch, have resulted in 600,000 potentially unsafe products being removed from circulation. However, more must be done. An October 2011 analysis of SaferProducts.gov submissions by advocacy group Kids In Danger found that one in every seven incident reports involved a recalled product. More alarming, the majority of reported incidents occurred after the item was recalled.

What do you think about Toys “R” Us’ “Great Trade-In” event? Do the results of the Kids In Danger analysis surprise you? How will your business make certain that all affected products are retrieved and properly disposed of during a recall?  We look forward to your comments below.

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.