FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Courtney Griffin, cgriffin@consumerfed.org, 603-568-0481
CFA Press Contact, media@consumerfed.org
Washington, D.C. —In a new analysis of 2024 safety data, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) highlights an alarming rise in unilateral safety warnings issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as a result of growing e-commerce risks. CFA’s findings underscore the escalating challenge of ensuring product safety in the age of global trade and online shopping, with an urgent call for stronger action to protect U.S. consumers from unsafe products.
The analysis reveals a staggering increase in unilateral safety warnings from the CPSC. In 2020, the Commission issued only three such warnings. However, in 2024, the number spiked to 64, many linked to products manufactured overseas and sold online, primarily through major e-commerce platforms. Of the 64 warnings, 42 were from China, and 61 were sold online.
The types of injuries linked to these unsafe products are deeply concerning. Among the 2024 warnings, some tragic cases stand out, including the death of a high school student from a pole that entered his eye cavity during a soccer game and the fatal accident of an elderly couple caused by a faulty tabletop fireplace. These incidents demonstrate the real dangers consumers face when unsafe products are left on the market without clear remedies.
“These numbers tell a troubling story of how e-commerce has outpaced our ability to ensure product safety,” said Courtney Griffin, Director of Consumer Product Safety at Consumer Federal of America. “CPSC is working hard to protect consumers, but unilateral safety warnings are no substitute for formal recalls.”
The CPSC plays a vital role in removing hazardous products from the marketplace, but most recalls are voluntary, relying on cooperation from manufacturers. When companies refuse to act, the CPSC can only pursue mandatory recalls through legal processes, which are often slow and ineffective. Even worse, the CPSC lacks the authority to compel foreign manufacturers—especially those in China—to comply, leaving many unsafe products unaddressed. While the CPSC’s unilateral warnings help raise awareness, they don’t offer the immediate remedy that formal recalls do, such as refunds, repairs, or replacements
The rapid rise of e-commerce, particularly products imported from China, is a major contributor to the increasing number of safety warnings. Under the current de minimis exemption, goods valued under $800 enter the U.S. with minimal inspection by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), bypassing safety checks. The volume of such shipments has exploded since the threshold was raised in 2016—from 153 million in 2015 to over 1 billion in 2023—overwhelming both CBP and the CPSC’s ability to monitor and prevent hazardous products from entering American homes.
“E-commerce has radically changed how Americans shop,” said Griffin. “As online marketplaces have grown, so too have the risk associated with unsafe products sold directly to consumers. CFA’s analysis makes clear that significant action is required to protect Americans from dangerous products.”