FAQ's on Product Recall

Q - What is product recall?
A – Product recall is when a manufacturer has to recall a batch, shipment or entire product line because of malfunctions or health issues.

Q – What causes product recalls?
A – Mostly products are recalled due to carelessness of the manufacturer. But sometimes recalls can take place due to damage caused to the product outside of the production facility. As an example a product can be damaged during transportation or a product might not work due to sudden climate changes. The basic idea is that a product is recalled because that product is either faulty or has a risk of causing damage to health or property.    

Q – What are the basic steps involved in recalling products?
A – The steps taken towards recalling products will vary according to the situation and the laws of the country or state, but the basic steps will remain pretty much the same. First the manufacturer notifies the relevant authorities about the recall. Then all products that might be faulty is traced down and recalled. The third step would be to notify the public about the situation through newspapers, television, radio and the internet. Finally the manufacturer will have to deal with any law suits (if there are any) that are put up against them.

Q – What are the most commonly recalled products?
A – There are many products that are very commonly recalled. Food and beverages, batteries, laptops, cameras, computer peripherals, vehicle equipment like break systems, shocks, tires and so on, medical supplies, detergents, chemical products, other electrical equipment are to name a few.

Q – What are the government agencies that deal with product recall? 
A - Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), US Cost Guard and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are amongst the top in the list.

Q – Is there any risk involved in using recalled products?
A – There is a major risk in using recalled products. A product is recalled by the manufacturer because it’s either faulty or it may cause health issues. Using such products might cause dangerous health issues and might even cause damage to property and/or life. So it is never recommended to use any type of recalled products.

 Q – How to minimize product recall?
A - The best way to minimize product recall is to make sure that all products leaving the production facility are tested and retested for faults. The manufacturer is responsible for the product, even after it has been bought by a consumer, so it is up to the manufacturer to make sure that the products will reach the consumer while the product is in good shape.

Q – How can consumers know when a product is recalled?
A - Usually the public is notified by the manufacturer or by the relevant authorities about the product recall through the television, news papers and the internet.

Q – What should a consumer do when he/she gets a faulty product?
A - The first thing the consumer should do is to take the product back to the sales dealer. If the dealer does not provide a sufficient solution, then the consumer can contact the manufacturer directly. If the manufacturer fails to comply, the consumer can contact the relevant government authorities. The relevant authority will take the necessary action against the dealer and the manufacture according to the damage caused.