A New Jersey consumer products company was sentenced this week to pay a criminal fine of $8 million plus an additional $395,786 in restitution to victims after pleading guilty to willfully failing to report dangerously defective air conditioners to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The case illustrates the staggering civil and even criminal consequences that can flow from failure to satisfy the Consumer Product Safety Act’s (CPSA) mandatory reporting requirements, especially the willingness of federal prosecutors to pursue criminal charges.

Continue Reading Criminal Sentencing in Royal Sovereign Case Underscores Staggering Consequences for Defective Product Reporting Failures

This week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that a company’s president and CEO must pay a $140 million judgment based on participation in a timeshare exit scheme. The FTC also took action that backed Chairman Ferguson’s prioritization of healthcare fraud with the establishment of a Healthcare Task Force in March. More on these stories after the jump.

Continue Reading FTC Blog Updates (April 20-24, 2026)

In a Law360 article published today, “How Food, Beverage Claims May Preview Cosmetic Litigation,” Crowell attorneys argue that class action litigation trends from the food and beverage industry — including lawsuits over “natural” labeling claims, deceptive packaging (slack-fill), and greenwashing — are directly foreshadowing, and providing a strategic roadmap for, the wave of similar litigation now targeting cosmetics and personal care product companies. Click here to read the full article.

A new lawsuit alleging that major gaming platforms deliberately use psychological techniques to addict minors reflects a broader litigation trend in video games and mirrors social media addiction cases already yielding significant jury verdicts. Click here to continue reading the full version of this alert.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was especially active in the consumer protection space this past week, including announcing three separate enforcement actions based on earnings claims and three more for Made in USA claims. On the competition side, the FTC took action against noncompete agreements. These stories and more after the jump.

Continue Reading FTC Blog Updates (April 13 – 17, 2026)

A new bill introduced in the California legislature proposes to overhaul the state’s product recall liability framework—and depending on where you sit in the supply chain, the consequences could be far-reaching. Assembly Bill 2462 would amend the state’s Product Recall Safety and Protection Act to redefine who qualifies as a “manufacturer,” broaden the scope of cost-free recall obligations, and dramatically increase penalties for violations. Introduced by Assembly Member Pellerin on February 20, 2026, the bill’s provisions would apply across the consumer product supply chain, touching manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and, most notably, brand licensors.

Continue Reading The Hidden Recall Risk in Your Licensing Agreement: What California’s Assembly Bill 2462 Could Mean for Your Business

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently released its Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2026–2030, setting out the agency’s enforcement priorities and operational objectives for the next five years under Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson. The plan reaffirms the FTC’s commitment to vigorously enforcing the nation’s antitrust and consumer protection laws “without fear or favor.” Critically for businesses, the plan returns the phrase “without unduly burdening legitimate business activity” to the agency’s mission statement, signaling a commitment to ending what the agency characterizes as overregulation of businesses that compete fairly and deal honestly with consumers. Despite this business-friendly framing, the plan signals robust enforcement across consumer protection, antitrust, and emerging technology — areas that will directly affect in-house counsel’s compliance planning over the coming years. Expect vigorous consumer protection enforcement — especially in tech, privacy, and children’s online safety. Click here to continue reading the full article.

The FTC has been active across both consumer protection and competition spaces in the past two weeks. In the consumer protection space, the agency announced several proposed settlements with companies and individuals, resolving complaints of alleged deceptive marketing, consumer privacy violations, and false advertising. In the competition space, the FTC and DOJ’s Antitrust Division launched a joint public inquiry into the effectiveness of the updated HSR premerger notification form. Operationally, the FTC was also engaged on several fronts, including testifying before the Joint Economic Committee, submitting its FY 2027 budget request to Congress, and announcing its five-year strategic plan. These stories and more after the jump.

Continue Reading FTC Updates (March 23 – April 3, 2026)

The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) marked the most significant expansion of FDA’s authority over cosmetics in 80 years — and the agency is putting that authority to work. From the launch of a new adverse event reporting tool to forthcoming rules on fragrance allergens and good manufacturing practices (GMP), FDA is reshaping the regulatory landscape for manufacturers, packers, and distributors of cosmetic and personal care products. Click here to continue reading the full version of this alert.

Register now to join Crowell & Moring for “Between the Lines: What CPSC Enforcement Data Reveals for 2026 and Beyond” to explore the latest regulatory enforcement trends and gain a forward-looking perspective on what 2026 and beyond may bring. The webinar will take place on Thursday, May 7, 2026 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET.

Continue Reading Register Now! Between the Lines: What CPSC Enforcement Data Reveals for 2026 and Beyond