In August 2000, 14.4 million tires were recalled from sport-utility vehicles
following reports that 119 people had died in accidents relating to the
tires. The far-reaching recall was an example of U.S. government consumer
protection agencies at work.
The government regularly releases product safety and consumer information on
the Internet. The U.S. Consumer Gateway is an
all-encompassing consumer information portal. The site issues news alerts
about important safety issues.
The U.S. Consumer Gateway issues safety news and advice on many topics, such
as health, money, food, children and technology. The site also posts
ScamAlerts, such as
Scholarship Scams and
Federal and Postal Job Scams. You can also find
Tips for Online Investing.
The Federal Consumer Information Center was
established in February 2000 and is another essential resource for
consumers. The center publishes
Scam and Fraud alerts and instructions for
Filing
a Complaint. The center's
site contains advice on many subjects, such as
How to Spot Health Fraud.
The Consumer Action Handbook
is one of the FCIC's invaluable publications. This booklet, in print and
online, can help you resolve consumer complaints. For example, if you have a
mechanical problem with a new car, the handbook explains how to deal with
the car manufacturer. The handbook includes a
directory of Federal Agencies,
Consumer Organizations and
State, County and City
Government Consumer Protection Offices. Consumers will also find advice
on home improvement loans, travel tips and resources for people with
disabilities.
Who Handles What?
Over 15,000 products, from refrigerators to pencil sharpeners, are regulated
by the
Consumer Product Safety Commission. The agency
is responsible for testing products and enforcing safety guidelines. Visit
the
CPSC Recall page for
the latest safety news. You can also search a directory of recalled products and
report unsafe
products.
If you are not sure which agency
to report to, check the
CPSC's Directory
for a list of products under other agencies' jurisdiction.
Products outside the CPSC's watch include vehicles and child
safety seats. The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
is responsible for testing the safety of these
products. The agency's
New Car Assessment Program conducts crash tests and
evaluates safety features on new vehicles. The agency's site provides
detailed information on
air bags and
Automotive Safety Information for Persons with Disabilities.
The agency also maintains a
list of recalls and
relies on the public to
report vehicle safety problems.
The Food and Drug Administration works to maintain the safety of food,
cosmetics, medicines and medical devices. The FDA offers
Consumer
Information for radiation-emitting
products, clinical trials and other topics. At
Consumer Drug Information, patients can learn about
the side effects of many drugs.
The Federal Trade Commission protects consumers
through antitrust legislation and by monitoring the economic market. The FTC
embarked on a
Gasoline Price Investigation
to study the causes of recent price hikes. The
Consumer Protection
division also offers reports on identity theft, telemarketing and tobacco.
If you have grievances to report about air travel, telephone issues, environmental violations and more, visit GovSpot's Government Complaint Center.
--- J. Britten
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