Democrats in the United States Congress requested Amazon to take a more active role in protecting consumers from potentially harmful products. The politicians would like to see the online marketplace recall and investigate products known to cause danger to past customers.
The chairperson for the House Energy and Commerce, as well as the chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee, penned letters to Amazon requesting an investigation. The message from the politicians is in response to recent injuries consumers received from faulty products that exploded or ignited fires when used.
In the letter, lawmakers expressed that the new concerns regarding the safety of products purchased from Amazon add to questions already in Washington regarding oversight of the company. The letter ended with a call to action that would eliminate the threat from products currently sold on the platform and correct deficiencies that allow unsafe products to make it into the hands of customers.
A report from CNN referred to more than 1,500 reviews from Amazon customers who say a product they purchased from the company began to smoke, caught fire, exploded or caused some an electrical problem. Lawmakers referred to efforts at oversight from Amazon as “grossly inadequate.” Democrats took a moment to express their unhappiness with the “Amazon Choice” and “Bestseller” label attached to some products that Amazon sells on its platform. They also admonished the company for not providing sufficient information to consumers concerning the manufacture of products.
A representative of Amazon responded to the letter by saying that safety is a top priority for the company. The representative explained that Amazon initiates a thorough investigation whenever there is a safety concern for customers. The representative assured customers that the company will address the current safety issues and identify ways to spot future issues before they become a problem.
Consumers enjoy the right to know that the products they purchase both on and offline are safe for them to use or consume. When a consumer purchases a product that causes them injury or harm, a manufacturer or vendor could be held liable for any needed compensation. Individuals with questions regarding consumer safety might receive the answers they are looking for by speaking with an attorney.