Amazon has been ordered to recall more than 400,000 hazardous product types—totaling 5.5 million individual items—following a sweeping mandate by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), escalating a growing battle over accountability in the e-commerce world.
At a Glance
- The CPSC issued a final order declaring Amazon a legal distributor of unsafe third-party products sold through its Fulfilled by Amazon platform.
- Affected goods include malfunctioning carbon monoxide detectors, flammable mattresses, unsafe children’s sleepwear, and faulty hair dryers.
- Amazon must notify customers, issue refunds, and maintain public recall notices for five years.
- Amazon has filed suit against the CPSC, contesting its classification and obligations.
CPSC Triggers Historic Recall Action
In a precedent-setting action, the CPSC unanimously ruled that Amazon is not merely a logistics provider but a “distributor” under federal law. The order compels Amazon to take aggressive steps to address widespread safety risks posed by third-party goods on its platform.
Among the dangerous products flagged: faulty carbon monoxide detectors, flammable mattresses, and noncompliant children’s sleepwear. Amazon is required to notify affected customers, post alerts on product pages, offer refunds upon disposal, and submit monthly compliance reports through 2030.
Watch a report: Amazon faces pressure to recall hazardous products
Customers Ordered to Act Immediately
Consumers who purchased these items must cease use immediately and follow Amazon’s refund instructions. While Amazon claims it already removed many listings and issued some alerts, the CPSC determined its efforts fell short of legal obligations.
Consumer safety advocates welcomed the ruling. According to Consumer Federation of America, “Amazon must take responsibility for hazardous goods moving through its warehouses and platforms.”
Amazon Fights Back in Court
Amazon has responded by suing the CPSC, arguing it acts solely as a middleman and should not be liable for third-party inventory. In its legal filing, the company claims the order sets a dangerous precedent for online marketplaces.
“We disagree with the Commission’s finding and will challenge it in court,” an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement reported by AP. Critics, however, say Amazon’s enormous reach and integrated logistics make it far more than a passive host.
The battle now moves to federal court, where the future of marketplace liability—and consumer protection standards in the digital age—hangs in the balance.
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Author: Editor
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