U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Launches Crackdown on Fake Safety Labels Used to Push Dangerous Foreign Products into U.S. Homes

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today launched a national crackdown on the use of fake safety labels and counterfeit certification marks used to sell dangerous consumer products in the United States.

Bad actors are increasingly using counterfeit certification marks to evade U.S. safety requirements, mislead consumers, undercut compliant American businesses and move hazardous products through e-commerce platforms and other trade channels. Many of these products originate overseas, including manufacturers operating out of the People’s Republic of China.

CPSC is seeking public input through a new request for information to better identify these risks and strengthen enforcement tools. Comments must be submitted within 60 days of publication in the Federal Register.

The Commission is seeking input from businesses, consumer groups, testing laboratories and the public on: 

• The prevalence of fake consumer product safety labels in online and retail stores
• The most significant safety risks associated with fake safety labels
• Methods used to detect counterfeit markings
• The economic impacts on consumers and law-abiding businesses
• Actions the Commission can take under existing authorities

“Fake safety labels are being used to push dangerous products into American homes while evading U.S. law and undercutting honest businesses,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman. “We will hold accountable those who cheat the system and put American families at risk.”

Under federal law, it is illegal to sell, distribute or import consumer products bearing counterfeit certification marks. The Commission will use information submitted in response to this request to evaluate whether additional enforcement, policy or regulatory actions are warranted.

The Commission is also examining whether counterfeit safety labels are being used as part of broader schemes involving falsified testing, deceptive import practices and other coordinated efforts designed to bypass U.S. consumer product safety requirements.

This effort builds on CPSC’s broader work to address unsafe imported products and restore integrity to product testing and certification systems. Earlier this year, the Commission withdrew accreditation from four China-based testing laboratories after identifying unreliable and falsified test results that could have allowed hazardous products into the U.S. market. CPSC has also acted against dangerous imported products, including lead-leaching faucets; dangerous electrical appliances; and counterfeit toys posing choking hazards.