Amazon challenges government safety agency over product recall order

In January 2024, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) ordered Amazon to recall over 400,000 potentially hazardous products sold by third-party sellers on its platform. This ruling came after the CPSC determined that Amazon was responsible for distributing products that did not meet federal safety standards. The ruling followed an administrative complaint authorized by the commission three years earlier, which accused Amazon of putting consumers at risk by failing to properly address the safety of certain items, including defective carbon monoxide detectors and children's sleepwear that violated flammability standards. Amazon responded to this order by filing a lawsuit against the CPSC on March 14, 2025. In its legal action, Amazon contested the ruling, claiming that it should not be considered a distributor of local third-party products but rather a logistics provider. The company asserted that the CPSC overstepped its authority with the recall directive and that the agency's structure is unconstitutional because it allows commissioners to act as judge, jury, and prosecutor in the proceedings. Despite the dispute, Amazon acknowledged the hazardous nature of the recalled items but maintained that its role does not include legal responsibility for products sold by others. This lawsuit has drawn attention from consumer advocacy groups, with some arguing that companies like Amazon should be held accountable for ensuring product safety, regardless of their self-identified role. William Wallace, director of safety advocacy at Consumer Reports, criticized Amazon’s legal position, saying it's unacceptable for a marketplace to evade sensible recall practices essential for public safety. He underscored that consumers rely on such regulatory agencies to protect them from dangerous goods. As the legal battles unfold, Amazon has taken steps to inform customers about the recalls, offering refunds to those who return the flagged items. The company also launched a dedicated product recall page in 2023 to enhance communication about product safety. Meanwhile, the CPSC emphasized its responsibility to hold companies accountable, ensuring that no corporation is above the law regarding public safety. The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for how e-commerce platforms approach product safety in the future.