The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 changes the operating landscape for many manufacturers, retailers, and distributors. Modifications to the role of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have changed the responsibilities, duties, and accountability of these parties with respect to the performance, testing, advertising, and tracking of consumer products, particularly children’s products. Exponent’s Human Factors scientists have in-depth experience in drawing on sound science and engineering practices to help clients meet the highest standards of safety in the evolving regulatory landscape.
Exponent offers scientific guidance as to how the recent Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and its reauthorization and modernization of the CPSC may affect clients’ operations and responsibilities. An understanding of scientific research relating to children’s abilities and their use of products, the validity and reliability of consumer complaint data, and the effectiveness of warnings in product materials allows Exponent scientists to advise as to the most appropriate, data-driven response to these far-reaching regulatory changes. Exponent scientists and engineers have contributed to the scientific body of work relevant to key topics addressed by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, including the communication of safety information (e.g., alongside advertising), children’s ability to access product components, standards application and testing, corrective action plans for products, and the tracking and analysis of injury and consumer complaint data.
Our services include:
- Analysis and interpretation of reports of harm relating to a consumer product
- Investigation of whether a product complaint is materially accurate
- Analysis as to whether available data demonstrate a substantial product hazard
- Design of cautionary statements for product advertisements shown on internet sites, catalogs, and other locations
- Assessment of the effect of product warnings at point of sale on purchasing decisions and user behaviors
- Testing the conspicuity and comprehension of safety information
- Evaluation of difficulty of child access to product components
- Design, administration, and analysis of consumer-product interaction studies
- Assessment of developmental and age appropriateness of products or activities
- Development of Corrective Action Plans
- Assistance in developing internal standards, testing, and tracking procedures
- Assessment of impact of public safety campaigns