The Consumer Product Safety Commission launched the SaferProducts.gov portal for complaints and recalls related to the 15,000 types of consumer goods it oversees. The searchable database currently houses recall notices dating back to 1974, and the first complaint reports will be uploaded this month after business have had the mandated amount of review time. The web site also enables consumers, government agencies, and health care providers to file complaints online and enables businesses to register with the site so they can respond to complaints related to their products as they are filed. The advanced search feature allows the general public to search reports and recalls by keyword, product (specific or by category, company or brand, model, dates, location, and associated incidents or injuries).
Recall notices typically provide extensive information about the named product and new recalls often include descriptive pictures. The search results may be viewed in a browser, exported to a CSV file, or shared via social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Read our previous blog entry to learn how the database originated.