August 7, 2014
Details
The Deputy Director of the Office of Compliance and Field Operations for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has placed manufacturers, importers, and retailers of holiday lights and decorative outfits on direct notice that products placed for sale on the United States market comply with the currently applicable voluntary safety standard, UL 588 – Seasonal and Holiday Decorative Products.
The CPSC’s Office of Compliance and Field Operations staff considers holiday lights and decorative outfits that do not meet the portions of UL 588 to be defective, presenting a substantial product hazard under Section 15(a) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. § 2064(a).
Why It Matters
Section 15(b) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. § 2064(b), requires every manufacturer, importer, distributor, and retailer of consumer products to report immediately to the Commission when it obtains information that reasonably supports the conclusion that a product distributed in commerce contains a defect that could create a substantial product hazard or creates an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death.
Manufacturers, importers, and retailers are urged to review their product lines to ensure that all holiday lights and decorative outfits for sale in the United States are in compliance with the UL 588 safety standard. CPSC staff will follow up, as appropriate, to ensure that firms are meeting their obligations in this area. Detention, seizure, destruction, or recall of these products may be sought should CPSC staff encounter non-compliant products.
How UL Can Help
To learn how UL can help you comply with this CPSC request, email [email protected]. A UL representative will follow up with you soon.