Regulators Investigate AmazonBasics Products CNN Cited in Report

(CNN) – The federal agency responsible for overseeing consumer product safety is investigating Amazon-branded electronics. featured in a CNN investigation, last year, according to records and interviews.

CNN reported last year that dozens of AmazonBasics electronics were still for sale on Amazon.com, despite customers reporting that the products had melted, exploded or burst into flames. Lawmakers immediately called on the company to investigate and recall any electronic devices that could pose a danger to customers.

Investigation confirmed

Now, at least eight of the products featured in CNN’s investigation are under review by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), according to letters CNN received from the agency in response to requests from public records. Items include surge protectors, phone charging cords, a patio heater, a battery charger and a voice-activated microwave that consumers reported caught fire.

The CPSC would not say how many products are being reviewed or what safety issues are being reviewed. It also rejected CNN’s request for records on AmazonBasics products, citing pending investigations.

Consumers share testimonials

A customer who told CNN last year how his surge protector had turned into what looked like a “blowtorch” and started a fire at his home confirmed to reporters that the CPSC first contacted him in February to find out. more about his experience.

The consumer posted a review about the fire in 2018 and received a payment of approximately $ 1,500 to cover damage to his home, in a settlement in which Amazon denied any responsibility. However, CNN found that Amazon continued to sell the surge protector for nearly two years after the review was published, despite more than 40 customers also reporting that the product was a fire hazard, caused damage to their home, or belongings or described other hazards.

Amazon reacted

Amazon removed the article from its site in 2019, weeks after CNN began investigating it, but did not appear to provide any notification to customers, including reporters who purchased the device. And the company did not post a message on its site about the reason for its withdrawal.

Amazon declined to comment on the CPSC investigations, saying only that it continues to assess every report of a potential security issue and takes appropriate action and that none of the products included in CNN’s investigation have been recalled or discontinued by safety reasons.