File a Report

What information do I need to complete my Report?

You can provide us with a lot of information, but there are eight items needed for your Report to be posted on SaferProducts.gov.

Before you get started, gather the following four pieces of information. These are four of the eight required pieces of information:

1. a description of the consumer product or substance;
2. the name of the manufacturer, importer, or private labeler of the product;
3. a description of an illness, injury, or death, or the risk of illness, injury, or death related to use of the product;
4. the date or estimated date when the incident occurred or when you first became aware of the potential for the product to act in an unsafe manner;

When you file your report, you will also need to provide:

5. a description of who you are, for example, consumer, health care professional, a government agency;
6. your name and mailing address. This information will never be posted on SaferProducts.gov, but is required for all Reports posted on the website;
7. your permission to publish your Report on SaferProducts.gov;
8. your verification that the Report is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge, information, and belief.

When you fill out a Report using the online form, you can upload photos of the product, injuries, or damage to property, or provide documents with your Report. You can also provide us with much more information about the product and the incident, such as the product brand and model, where you bought the product, and who was injured.

Here is a worksheet to use as a guide for gathering information to complete the online Report form. If you prefer, you can fill out this worksheet and mail or e-mail it to us at the address provided on the top of the form.

How will you use my Report?

Reports we receive will help us in our mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death relating to the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Agency staff reviews every Report that is submitted. Where appropriate, we may undertake additional product investigations.

CPSC staff cannot respond to every Report on an individual basis. However, your Report is extremely important to CPSC because we are an agency that relies on Reports such as yours to help us in doing our job.

Can other people see and use my Report?

Yes, other people will see your Report on SaferProducts.gov if you give us permission. In addition, your Report must contain certain minimum information about the product and the incident in order for it to be posted.

People can search for Reports on SaferProducts.gov to learn about potentially harmful consumer products.

Will my information remain confidential?

Your name and contact information will never appear on SaferProducts.gov. While you are filling out the Report, you will be asked for information about yourself so CPSC can get in touch with you, if necessary, to follow up or clarify details in your Report.

At the end of your Report, you will be asked whether you would like to share your contact information with the manufacturer or private labeler. With your permission, your contact information may be given to the manufacturer or private labeler that you identify in your Report. A manufacturer or private labeler may only contact you to verify the information in the Report. This may help the manufacturer or private labeler to address the safety concern you have identified.

Your name and contact information will never appear on SaferProducts.gov. While you are filling out the Report, you will be asked for information about yourself so CPSC can get in touch with you, if necessary, to follow up or clarify details in your Report.

At the end of your Report, you will be asked whether you would like to share your contact information with the manufacturer or private labeler. With your permission, your contact information may be given to the manufacturer or private labeler that you identify in your Report. A manufacturer or private labeler may only contact you to verify the information in the Report. This may help the manufacturer or private labeler to address the safety concern you have identified.

• Automobiles, Trucks and Motorcycles: http://www.safercar.gov/
• Drugs, biologics, medical devices, dietary supplements or cosmetics: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/HowToReport/default.htm
• Car Seats: http://www.safercar.gov/
• Meat, Eggs, Poultry: http://www.usda.gov/
• Other Food Products: http://www.fda.gov/
• Full List: http://www.cpsc.gov/federal.html