Wednesday, July 01, 2009
More than 50% of all consumer products recalled in 2008 by the federal government were made in China, which continues to sell faulty and dangerous goods due to a lack of accountability in the court systems of both countries. Recalls by the Consumer Product Safety Commission of Chinese-made goods have included highchairs with poorly made seat backs, steam cleaners that burn users, saunas that overheat, dune buggies with bad seat belts, soccer nets that have strangled children, and toy chests that have snapped the necks of toddlers.
American consumers have had little recourse in suing Chinese manufacturers. Going after companies in Chinese courts is “like suing Michael Jordan in Chicago,” according to one international lawyer, and civil suits in U.S. courts are hampered by the fact that the companies have no business operation in the states to go after. The Senate is now reviewing several bills that seek to make it more difficult for Chinese manufacturers to employ this defense in product liability suits. Unless a change is made in federal law, many American lawyers will continue to avoid cases against Chinese products, except in rare instances where there is an American co-defendant to pursue.
The news about consumer products follows previous accounts of Chinese-made drywall and sofas causing health problems for Americans living in the Southeast.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Chinese Makers of Shoddy Goods Rarely Face U.S. Sanctions (by Frank Greve and Grace Chung, McClatchy Newspapers)
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