Suspension & recall of goods

Overview

Products that fail to comply with relevant safety regulations or pose a risk to consumer safety may be subject to enforcement actions, including stop-sale orders and product recalls, to protect public safety.

A supplier is the entity that bears primary responsibility for the supply of safe consumer products in Singapore. "Suppliers" include manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers. Each entity in the supply chain must assess and address potential safety hazards of the products they supply.

Suspension/Prohibition of Controlled Goods

The Consumer Product Safety Office may suspend or prohibit Controlled Goods that fail to comply with the Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Regulations (CPSR) or pose a safety risks to consumers.

When a product is suspended or prohibited, suppliers must immediately cease all supply of the affected Controlled Good. This includes removing products from sale and stopping distribution. Suspensions may be lifted once safety issues are resolved, but prohibitions are permanent and will not be lifted.

Product Recall of Controlled Goods

A product recall is a process of removing or correcting products that are deemed unsafe or defective. It is usually initiated by the supplier of the product to protect consumers from harm.

The Consumer Product Safety Office may mandate a supplier to conduct a product recall under the Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Regulations (CPSR), if the product deemed to be unsafe is one of the 33 Categories of Controlled Goods.

A Registered Supplier who fails or neglects to effect a recall of Controlled Goods shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.

Types of Product Recall:

Product recalls can be voluntary or mandatory depending on the severity of the issue.

• Voluntary recalls – Initiated by supplier
• Mandatory recalls – Mandated by the Authority

The information required for submission differs depending on the type of recall.

Stop-Sale of Consumer Goods

The Consumer Product Safety Office may direct suppliers to cease the supply of consumers goods that do not comply with the applicable safety standards and requirements under the Consumer Protection (Consumer Goods Safety Requirements) Regulations 2011 (CGSR).

Suppliers who fail to comply with the directions shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on their first conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both, and on any subsequent conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or both.