Tuesday, October 18, 2011

A new public database for safety complaints about cribs, power tools and other consumer products is facing its first legal challenge.

A motion has been filed in federal district court in Maryland by an unnamed manufacturer which wants to stop the Consumer Product Safety Commission from publishing online a complaint about a product the company makes. The motion says there is no factual, scientific or medical evidence to support the complaint, which involves an injury to a child.

CPSC says it plans to file a court motion to have the documents unsealed.

If the case is allowed to proceed under seal, it could lead to challenges by other manufacturers -- undermining the database by squelching safety complaints from consumers and others in the courts for months or years.