Amazon sues U.S. over product recall responsibilities

Amazon is suing the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The reason for the lawsuit is a recent order from the CPSC. This order requires Amazon to recall over 400,000 potentially dangerous products sold by other sellers on its site. The CPSC ruled in July 2024 that Amazon was distributing defective products. These products include faulty carbon monoxide detectors and hairdryers that do not meet safety standards. Amazon argues that it is not responsible for these products because it acts as a logistics provider, not as a distributor. In its lawsuit, filed on March 14 in Maryland, Amazon stated that only manufacturers and retailers should be held responsible for recalls. The company also criticized the CPSC's structure, claiming it is unconstitutional because it allows the agency to act as judge and jury. Consumer advocacy group Consumer Reports responded to Amazon's legal action. They believe it is unreasonable for a major online marketplace to avoid safety responsibilities. William Wallace, a director at Consumer Reports, stated that the lawsuit undermines the importance of having an independent safety agency in place to protect consumers. Amazon did not comment extensively on the lawsuit but has reassured customers. The company notified them to stop using the flagged products and has offered refunds. The CPSC has not yet responded to requests for comment.