Consumer Product Safety Commission & Regulatory Compliance

Consumer product safety challenges require fast, strategic guidance.

Companies facing product safety concerns, recalls, CPSC investigations, reporting obligations or regulatory enforcement actions need practical counsel that balances legal, business and reputational risks. Miles & Stockbridge’s Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Regulatory Compliance practice advises manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers across a broad range of industries — from power tools and household products to emerging technologies and renewable energy — on navigating product safety risks and regulatory requirements.

Our team helps clients manage the full lifecycle of product safety issues, from compliance planning and reporting obligations to recalls, investigations, enforcement actions and related litigation. We closely monitor regulatory developments and provide practical guidance to help clients anticipate challenges, mitigate risk and respond effectively when issues arise.

The practice is led by Dwight Stone, who has earned a national, top-tier ranking (Band 1) from Chambers USA in Product Liability: Regulatory. Dwight and the team work closely with Miles & Stockbridge’s Products Liability team to provide coordinated counsel on both regulatory and litigation risks.

When Clients Call Us

Clients frequently turn to us when:

• The CPSC requests information about a product
• A potential product defect or safety concern has been identified
• An injury report raises potential reporting obligations
• A recall is being considered or initiated
• A civil penalty investigation begins
• Product warnings or labeling are challenged
• Product liability litigation overlaps with a regulatory issue
• Global recall coordination is required

How We Can Help

Recalls & Corrective Actions

• Recall strategy and execution
• CPSC and Health Canada coordination, investigations and proceedings
• Corrective action plans and communications
• Global recall management

CPSC Reporting and Compliance

• Evaluation, preparation, and filing of reports under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA)
• Compliance program development and policy review
• Product labeling and warning requirements, including ANSI compliance considerations
• Compliance with the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA), Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) and related federal and state product safety laws

Investigations and Enforcement

• CPSC investigations and agency inquiries
• Civil penalty matters and consent agreement negotiations
• FOIA requests and responses to company data requests
• Regulatory enforcement and risk management strategies

Litigation and Risk Management

• Litigation involving the CPSC in federal court and administrative proceedings
• Product liability coordination and defense strategy
• Regulatory and litigation risk alignment
• Assessment of how CPSC investigations, reports, and filings may impact product liability litigation

What Sets Us Apart

Miles & Stockbridge offers a unique combination of consumer product safety regulatory experience and products liability litigation capabilities.

We have significant experience litigating against the CPSC, both in federal court and before administrative law judges. Our products liability background allows us to advise clients not only on regulatory compliance and enforcement matters, but also on the downstream litigation risks that often accompany product safety issues.

In addition to advising clients on product safety and regulatory matters, Dwight Stone serves as national coordinating counsel for a major global manufacturer in the defense of product liability claims, providing a dual perspective that is rare among product safety practitioners.

Our team regularly coordinates with domestic and international counsel on complex recalls and investigations, handling the CPSC and Canadian regulatory components in coordination with overseas counterparts.

We represent clients ranging from startups to Fortune 100 manufacturers, providing practical, business-focused guidance on recalls, investigations, compliance obligations, enforcement actions, and related litigation. We are known for maintaining strong working relationships with regulators while helping clients navigate complex product safety challenges.

Industries Served

We represent clients across a wide range of consumer product industries, including:

• Power tools and hardware
• Children’s toys, games and other products
• Household appliances and personal care products
• Household cleaning products
• Heating products, boilers and HVAC systems
• Technology, wearable devices, and virtual reality (VR) products
• Sporting goods and recreational equipment
• Renewable energy products, including Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy and component parts
• Other consumer products subject to CPSC regulations