SKU Recalls Drop 36% in Third Quarter 2009 Comparison vs. Third Quarter 2008; Item Count Higher

October 5, 2009 | An analysis of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall data by Toy Industry Association (TIA) staff found that the number of instances of toy recalls during the third quarter of 2009 decreased 36% versus the same time period last year.

Recalls are the “safety net” used in a robust testing system to remove faulty product from the distribution chain and, when necessary, out of consumers’ homes.

Seven individual SKUs were recalled during the period of July 1 – September 30, 2009 compared to 13 SKUs in the third quarter of 2008.  The number of individual pieces falling under the scope of the recalls in third quarter 2009 was 2,142,200; a single recall comprised 1.6 million of those pieces.

A total of 23 SKUs (4,171,400 items) have been recalled thus far in 2009 compared to 53 SKUs (6,879,710 items) that were recalled in the nine months of 2008 – a 62% reduction in SKUs and a 39% reduction in overall items.

The total number of items recalled thus far in 2009 account for less than two tenths of one percent (.14%) of the estimated three billion toys sold each year in the United States.

In 2008, the CPSC issued 563 recall notices across all product areas; 68 (12%) of the recalls in 2008 were classified as toys.

A comparison of recall statistics from third quarter 2008 to third quarter 2009 follows:

• Lead content – though two (2) SKUs were recalled each year in the third quarter, the item count increased from 3,200 items in 3Q ‘08 to 100,300 items in 3Q ‘09 
• Magnets – no recalls reported
• Fire / burns – one (1) SKU was recalled in 3Q ‘09 (1,600 items) down from 3 SKUs (774,000 items) in 3Q ‘08
• Choking – a decrease in the number of SKUs recalled items (from five (5) in 2008 to three (3) in 2009), but a ten-fold increase in the numbers of affected items (1,628,700 in 2009 compared to 124,000 in 3Q ’08) 
• Other – one (1) additional SKU (420,000 items) was recalled for a potential puncture hazard

A comparison of recall statistics from January 1 – September 30, 2009 to the same period in 2009 follows:

• Lead content – decrease of 60%, from twenty SKUs (424,930 items) in ‘08 to eight SKUs (119,180 items) in ’09
• Magnets – no recalls in ‘09, down from six SKUs (4,122,465 items) in ‘08
• Fire / burns – decrease of 88%, from eight recalls (1,125,200 items) in ’08 to one recall (1,600 items) in ‘09
• Choking – decrease of 20% for SKUs affected (from fifteen to twelve), but an overall increase in item count led largely by a single recall of 1.6 million items (1,519,465 items in 2008 compared to 2,863,020 items in 2009)
• Other – three (3) SKUs (1,196,000 items) have been recalled for other reasons in 2009 compared to four (4) SKUs (143,400 items) in 2008.

For more information about recalls, visit www.ToyInfo.org or the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website.