• Amazon responsible for product recalls and must improve its recall process says US
• CPSC criticised Amazon’s current alerts as insufficient, ordering the company to develop a new plan for addressing such issues
• The CPSC’s decision follows a 2021 lawsuit against Amazon, accusing the company of distributing over 400,000 hazardous items

Amazon responsible for product recalls, says US

US regulators have determined that Amazon is responsible for handling recalls of unsafe products sold on its platform and must improve its recall process. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) criticised Amazon’s current alerts as insufficient, ordering the company to develop a new plan for addressing such issues.

The CPSC’s decision follows a 2021 lawsuit against Amazon, accusing the company of distributing over 400,000 hazardous items, including faulty carbon monoxide detectors. Amazon, which plans to appeal the ruling, stated that it already removes unsafe products from its site and notifies customers when recalls occur.

In response to the CPSC’s findings, Amazon acknowledged it had halted sales of the identified dangerous items, including defective carbon monoxide detectors, non-compliant hairdryers, and flammable children’s pyjamas. The company claimed it had notified customers, advised them to stop using the products, and issued refunds.

However, the CPSC criticised Amazon for not using clear recall language and failing to ensure customers returned or destroyed the hazardous items, leaving users at risk. Amazon has traditionally resisted being held liable for products sold by third-party businesses on its platform, arguing that it functions merely as a logistics provider.

The commission’s decision emphasised that Amazon’s role in its “Fulfilled by Amazon” service extends beyond that of a typical shipping company, as it controls returns, communicates with customers, enforces pricing, and screens items.

This ruling adds to the broader debate about the responsibility of online platforms for the products they sell. It follows a 2020 California court decision that held Amazon liable for a defective laptop battery sold on its site. In response, Amazon introduced a product guarantee in 2021, offering refunds and a dispute resolution process for personal injury claims.

Amazon maintains that it prioritises the safety of every product in its store and has measures in place to prevent and monitor for unsafe items.