Consumer Reports criticizes Samsung Galaxy Note recall

Technically Incorrect: The consumer rights organization says that Samsung should be working with US authorities to ensure consumer safety.

It seemed as if Samsung was handling the Galaxy Note 7 recall in an efficient way.

On Friday, the company said it knew of 35 cases in which batteries had issues and had even exploded, and that the company was stopping sales of the phone immediately. Samsung said it would quickly replace all phones sold, though it didn't say how quickly.

Not everyone, though, is happy with what has been said.

 

Consumer rights organization Consumer Reports issued a stern criticism of the manner in which the recall is being handled.

It said it had found Note 7s still on sale on Friday.

It added that Samsung should have worked with the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the US, as the potential issues with the phone came under provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Act (PDF).

This gives government the authority to pursue measures that ensure consumer safety.

In the case of the Note 7, says Consumer Reports, the act's provisions with respect to both a "substantial product hazard" and "an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death" would necessitate immediate reporting by Samsung to the CPSC.

Neither Samsung nor the CPSC responded to a request for comment.

Consumer Reports insists that there should be clear guidelines for consumers on what the precise next steps in the recall should be. It added that if an official recall, which would involve the CPSC, had been enacted, anyone still selling a Note 7 would be committing an illegal act.

Samsung's current statement on the recall says the company will "voluntarily replace" all devices.

People have been injured by exploding phones in the past. Currently, I can find no published reports of anyone being injured due to a Note 7 battery malfunction.

source: cnet