---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 2055a"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "2055a"
heading: "Publicly available consumer product safety information database"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/2055a"
units:
  - "Chapter 47 — Consumer Product Safety"
---

# §2055a. Publicly available consumer product safety information database

- (a) **Database required—**
  - (1) **In general—** Subject to the availability of appropriations, the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall, in accordance with the requirements of this section, establish and maintain a database on the safety of [consumer products](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-5), and other products or substances regulated by the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4), that is—
    - (A) publicly available;
    - (B) searchable; and
    - (C) accessible through the Internet website of the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4).
  - (2) **Submission of detailed implementation plan to Congress—** Not later than 180 days after August 14, 2008, the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall transmit to the [appropriate Congressional committees](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-1) a detailed plan for establishing and maintaining the database required by [paragraph (1)](#a-1), including plans for the operation, content, maintenance, and functionality of the database. The plan shall detail the integration of the database into the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4)’s overall information technology improvement objectives and plans. The plan submitted under this subsection shall include a detailed implementation schedule for the database, and plans for a public awareness campaign to be conducted by the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) to increase consumer awareness of the database.
  - (3) **Date of initial availability—** Not later than 18 months after the date on which the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) submits the plan required by [paragraph (2)](#a-2), the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall establish the database required by [paragraph (1)](#a-1).
- (b) **Content and organization—**
  - (1) **Contents—** Except as provided in [subsection (c)(4)](#c-4), the database shall include the following:
    - (A) Reports of harm relating to the use of [consumer products](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-5), and other products or substances regulated by the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4), that are received by the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) from—
      - (i) consumers;
      - (ii) local, [State](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-15), or Federal government agencies;
      - (iii) health care professionals;
      - (iv) child service providers; and
      - (v) public safety entities.
    - (B) Information derived by the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) from notice under [section 2064(c) of this title](/usc/15/2064.md?p=c) or any notice to the public relating to a voluntary corrective action taken by a [manufacturer](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-11), in consultation with the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4), of which action the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) has notified the public.
    - (C) The comments received by the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) under [subsection (c)(2)(A)](#c-2-A) to the extent requested under [subsection (c)(2)(B)](#c-2-B).
  - (2) **Submission of information—** In implementing the database, the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall establish the following:
    - (A) Electronic, telephonic, and paper-based means of submitting, for inclusion in the database, reports described in paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection.
    - (B) A requirement that any report described in [paragraph (1)(A)](#b-1-A) submitted for inclusion in such database include, at a minimum—
      - (i) a description of the [consumer product](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-5) (or other product or substance regulated by the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4)) concerned;
      - (ii) identification of the [manufacturer](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-11) or [private labeler](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-12-A) of the [consumer product](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-5) (or other product or substance regulated by the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4));
      - (iii) a description of the harm relating to the use of the [consumer product](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-5) (or other product or substance regulated by the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4));
      - (iv) contact information for the [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) submitting the report; and
      - (v) a verification by the [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) submitting the information that the information submitted is true and accurate to the best of the [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6)’s knowledge and that the [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) consents that such information be included in the database.
  - (3) **Additional information—** In addition to the reports received under [paragraph (1)](#b-1), the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall include in the database, consistent with the requirements of [section 2055(a)](/usc/15/2055.md?p=a) and (b) of this title, any additional information it determines to be in the public interest.
  - (4) **Organization of database—** The [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall categorize the information available on the database in a manner consistent with the public interest and in such manner as it determines to facilitate easy use by consumers and shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that the database is sortable and accessible by—
    - (A) the date on which information is submitted for inclusion in the database;
    - (B) the name of the [consumer product](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-5) (or other product or substance regulated by the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4));
    - (C) the model name;
    - (D) the [manufacturer](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-11)’s or [private labeler](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-12-A)’s name; and
    - (E) such other elements as the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) considers in the public interest.
  - (5) **Notice requirements—** The [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall provide clear and conspicuous notice to users of the database that the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the database.
  - (6) **Availability of contact information—** The [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) may not disclose, under this section, the name, address, or other contact information of any individual or entity that submits to the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) a report described in [paragraph (1)(A)](#b-1-A), except that the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) may provide such information to the [manufacturer](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-11) or [private labeler](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-12-A) of the product with the express written consent of the [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) submitting the information. Consumer information provided to a [manufacturer](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-11) or [private labeler](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-12-A) under this section may not be used or disseminated to any other party for any purpose other than verifying a report submitted under [paragraph (1)(A)](#b-1-A).
- (c) **Procedural requirements—**
  - (1) **Transmission of reports to manufacturers and private labelers—** Not later than 5 business days after the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) receives a report described in [subsection (b)(1)(A)](#b-1-A) which includes the information required by [subsection (b)(2)(B)](#b-2-B), the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall to the extent practicable transmit the report, subject to [subsection (b)(6)](#b-6), to the [manufacturer](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-11) or [private labeler](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-12-A) identified in the report.
  - (2) **Opportunity to comment—**
    - (A) **In general—** If the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) transmits a report under [paragraph (1)](#c-1) to a [manufacturer](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-11) or [private labeler](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-12-A), the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall provide such [manufacturer](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-11) or [private labeler](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-12-A) an opportunity to submit comments to the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) on the information contained in such report.
    - (B) **Request for inclusion in database—** A [manufacturer](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-11) or [private labeler](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-12-A) may request the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) to include its comments in the database.
    - (C) **Confidential matter—**
      - (i) **In general—** If the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) transmits a report received under [paragraph (1)](#c-1) to a [manufacturer](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-11) or [private labeler](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-12-A), the [manufacturer](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-11) or [private labeler](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-12-A) may review the report for confidential information and request that portions of the report identified as confidential be so designated.
      - (ii) **Redaction—** If the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) determines that the designated information contains, or relates to, a trade secret or other matter referred to in [section 1905 of title 18](/usc/18/1905.md), or that is subject to [section 552(b)(4) of title 5](/usc/5/552.md?p=b-4), the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall redact the designated information in the report before it is placed in the database.
      - (iii) **Review—** If the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) determines that the designated information is not confidential under [clause (ii)](#c-2-C-ii), the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall notify the [manufacturer](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-11) or [private labeler](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-12-A) and include the information in the database. The [manufacturer](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-11) or [private labeler](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-12-A) may bring an action in the district court of the [United States](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-17) in the district in which the complainant resides, or has its principal place of business, or in the [United States](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-17) District Court for the District of Columbia, to seek removal of the information from the database.
  - (3) **Publication of reports and comments—**
    - (A) **Reports—** Except as provided in [paragraph (4)(A)](#c-4-A) or [paragraph (5)](#c-5), if the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) receives a report described in [subsection (b)(1)(A)](#b-1-A), the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall make the report available in the database not later than the 10th business day after the date on which the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) transmits the report under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
    - (B) **Comments—** Except as provided in [paragraph (4)(A)](#c-4-A), if the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) receives a comment under [paragraph (2)(A)](#c-2-A) with respect to a report described in [subsection (b)(1)(A)](#b-1-A) and a request with respect to such comment under paragraph (2)(B) of this subsection, the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall make such comment available in the database at the same time as such report or as soon as practicable thereafter.
  - (4) **Inaccurate information—**
    - (A) **Inaccurate information in reports and comments received—** If, prior to making a report described in [subsection (b)(1)(A)](#b-1-A) or a comment described in paragraph (2) of this subsection available in the database, the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) receives notice that the information in such report or comment is materially inaccurate, the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall stay the publication of the report on the database as required under [paragraph (3)](#c-3) for a period of no more than 5 additional days. If the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) determines that the information in such report or comment is materially inaccurate, the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall—
      - (i) decline to add the materially inaccurate information to the database;
      - (ii) correct the materially inaccurate information in the report or comment and add the report or comment to the database; or
      - (iii) add information to correct inaccurate information in the database.
    - (B) **Inaccurate information in database—** If the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) determines, after investigation, that information previously made available in the database is materially inaccurate or duplicative of information in the database, the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall, not later than 7 business days after such determination—
      - (i) remove such information from the database;
      - (ii) correct such information; or
      - (iii) add information to correct inaccurate information in the database.
  - (5) **Obtaining certain product identification information—**
    - (A) **In general—** If the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) receives a report described in [subsection (b)(1)(A)](#b-1-A) that does not include the model or serial number of the [consumer product](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-5) concerned, the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall seek from the individual or entity submitting the report such model or serial number or, if such model or serial number is not available, a photograph of the product. If the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) obtains information relating to the serial or model number of the product or a photograph of the product, it shall immediately forward such information to the [manufacturer](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-11) of the product. The [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall make the report available in the database on the 15th business day after the date on which the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) transmits the report under [paragraph (1)](#c-1) and shall include in the database any additional information about the product obtained under this paragraph.
    - (B) **Rule of construction—** Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to—
      - (i) permit the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) to delay transmission of the report under [paragraph (1)](#c-1) until the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) has obtained the model or serial number or a photograph of the [consumer product](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-5) concerned; or
      - (ii) make inclusion in the database of a report described in [subsection (b)(1)(A)](#b-1-A) contingent on the availability of the model or serial number or a photograph of the [consumer product](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-5) concerned.
- (d) **Annual report—** The [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) shall submit to the [appropriate Congressional committees](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-1) an annual report on the database, including—
  - (1) the operation, content, maintenance, functionality, and cost of the database for the reporting year; and
  - (2) the number of reports and comments for the year—
    - (A) received by the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) under this section;
    - (B) posted on the database; and
    - (C) corrected on or removed from the database.
- (e) **GAO study—** Within 2 years after the date on which the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) establishes the database under this section, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to the [appropriate Congressional committees](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-1) containing—
  - (1) an analysis of the general utility of the database, including—
    - (A) an assessment of the extent of use of the database by consumers, including whether the database is accessed by a broad range of the public and whether consumers find the database to be useful; and
    - (B) efforts by the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) to inform the public about the database; and
  - (2) recommendations for measures to increase use of the database by consumers and to ensure use by a broad range of the public.
- (f) **Application of certain notice and disclosure requirements—**
  - (1) **In general—** The provisions of [section 2055(a)](/usc/15/2055.md?p=a) and (b) of this title shall not apply to the disclosure under this section of a report described in [subsection (b)(1)(A)](#b-1-A) of this section.
  - (2) **Construction—** [Paragraph (1)](#f-1) shall not be construed to exempt from the requirements of [section 2055(a)](/usc/15/2055.md?p=a) and (b) of this title information received by the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4) under—
    - (A) [section 2064(b) of this title](/usc/15/2064.md?p=b); or
    - (B) any other mandatory or voluntary reporting program established between a [retailer](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-13), [manufacturer](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-11), or [private labeler](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-12-A) and the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4).
- (g) **Harm defined—** In this section, the term “harm” means—
  - (1) injury, illness, or death; or
  - (2) [risk of injury](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-14), illness, or death, as determined by the [Commission](/usc/15/2052.md?p=a-4).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 92–573, § 6A, as added Pub. L. 110–314, title II, § 212(a), Aug. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 3048; amended Pub. L. 112–28, § 7, Aug. 12, 2011, 125 Stat. 281.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2011—Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 112–28, § 7(1), inserted “or paragraph (5)” after “paragraph (4)(A)”.

Subsec. (c)(4)(A). Pub. L. 112–28, § 7(2), substituted “receives notice that the information in such report or comment is materially inaccurate, the Commission shall stay the publication of the report on the database as required under paragraph (3) for a period of no more than 5 additional days. If the Commission determines that the information in such report or comment is materially inaccurate, the Commission shall—” for “determines that the information in such report or comment is materially inaccurate, the Commission shall—” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 112–28, § 7(3), added par. (5).