LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION
Rose Art Industries Ordered to pay $300,000 penalty for Failing to Report Hazards with Children's Soap Making Kit.
The US Product Safety Commission announced on June 27th, 2005 that Rose Art Industries and the Commission had reached a provisional settlement for failing to report significant product safety information to the Commission as required by law. The settlement involves a civil penalty of $300,000 against the manufacturer for failing to inform the government "in a timely manner" about a defect in soap making kits that led to injuries in young children.
Between August 1997 and December 2000 Rose Art made and sold about 125,000 Glamour Gear Soap Making Kits nationwide, intended for children aged eight and older. The kits contain bars of soap, molds and a plastic cup to melt the ingredients in a microwave. The problem ensues when then plastic cup deforms or forms a hole in its bottom while in the microwave, posing a serous burn hazard to children.
Rose Art received 10 reports of injuries attained in this manner, burned by very hot soap while removing it from the microwave in this intended container. All of these reports came into Rose Art between January 1998 and January 2002. The majority of the children suffered third and second degree burns. The firm failed to report these injuries to the CPSC, who obtained this information and proceeded with civil litigation against the firm in February of 2000.
In March 2002, Rose Art in cooperation with the CPSC recalled all of the Soap Making Kits.
According to federal law, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers are required to report to CPSC immediately (within 24 hours) after obtaining information which reasonably supports the conclusion that a product contains a defect which could create a substantial risk of injury to the public, presents an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, or violates a federal safety standard. This did not happen in this matter.
In agreeing to the settlement, Rose Art denies that the soap kits were defective and that it violated the provisions of the Consumer Products Safety Act.
Between August 1997 and December 2000 Rose Art made and sold about 125,000 Glamour Gear Soap Making Kits nationwide, intended for children aged eight and older. The kits contain bars of soap, molds and a plastic cup to melt the ingredients in a microwave. The problem ensues when then plastic cup deforms or forms a hole in its bottom while in the microwave, posing a serous burn hazard to children.
Rose Art received 10 reports of injuries attained in this manner, burned by very hot soap while removing it from the microwave in this intended container. All of these reports came into Rose Art between January 1998 and January 2002. The majority of the children suffered third and second degree burns. The firm failed to report these injuries to the CPSC, who obtained this information and proceeded with civil litigation against the firm in February of 2000.
In March 2002, Rose Art in cooperation with the CPSC recalled all of the Soap Making Kits.
According to federal law, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers are required to report to CPSC immediately (within 24 hours) after obtaining information which reasonably supports the conclusion that a product contains a defect which could create a substantial risk of injury to the public, presents an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, or violates a federal safety standard. This did not happen in this matter.
In agreeing to the settlement, Rose Art denies that the soap kits were defective and that it violated the provisions of the Consumer Products Safety Act.
Register your Case
If your child, or any member of your family was burned while using a Rose Art Soap Making Kit of any variety, please click the link below to submit your complaint and an attorney will review the matter for potential inclusion in a possible legal action.Published on Jul-5-05