Consumer Protection
My political career began as a consumer advocate when I led the successful campaign in 1969 to put freshness dates on products sold in the supermarket. I am a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, where I serve as the Chairwoman of the Consumer Protection subcommittee. On the Committee, I have continued my efforts to protect consumers from unfair business practices, unsafe products, insurance abuses, and harmful chemicals in products, and to improve the safety of children's products, vehicles, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
Legislation I've Introduced
Safe Cosmetics Act – The Safe Cosmetics Act would phase out the use of dangerous chemicals, including carcinogens and reproductive toxins, from use in personal care products. Visit Cosmetic Safety for more information.
More on Consumer Protection
“Edith Ramirez has been a leader in efforts to promote privacy protections for emerging technologies, stop unethical business practices, and inform consumers as they navigate the marketplace. Under Chairwoman Ramirez, the Federal Trade Commission saved consumers billions of dollars through its enforcement actions. It was a pleasure to work with her as Ranking Member of the House subcommittee on consumer protection, and I thank her for her nearly seven years of service on the Commission.”
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“Edith Ramirez has been a leader in efforts to promote privacy protections for emerging technologies, stop unethical business practices, and inform consumers as they navigate the marketplace. Under Chairwoman Ramirez, the Federal Trade Commission saved consumers billions of dollars through its enforcement actions. It was a pleasure to work with her as Ranking Member of the House subcommittee on consumer protection, and I thank her for her nearly seven years of service on the Commission.”
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After three reports of toddler deaths in IKEA Malm dresser tip-over accidents, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky called for a full recall. In June, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and IKEA announced a recall, which included stopping the sale of unstable dressers and providing repair kits or refunds for consumers. Congresswoman Schakowsky also introduced the Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth (STURDY) Act to improve the industry standard for dresser stability.
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representatives Jan Schakowsky, Ranking Member on the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade (IL-09); Frank Pallone, Jr., Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee (NJ-06); G. K. Butterfield (NC-01); and Lois Capps (CA-24) wrote Administrator Denise Turner Roth at the General Services Administration (GSA) calling on the agency to reduce the number of vehicles in the federal fleet under open recalls and end the practice of selling vehicles before recalls have been fixed.
CHICAGO - Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky participated in an event highlighting a new report by Kids In Danger (KID) and Shane’s Foundation that analyzes injury statistics and presents independent testing results for furniture tip-overs, revealing significant risks to children from dressers and chests in the home and dangerous inadequacies in current safety standards and testing. KID’s testing illustrates the instability of furniture commonly found in children’s rooms and offers recommendations to improve furniture stability.
In February, a 22-month old from Apple Valley, Minnesota was killed by a falling Malm dresser; his family was unaware of the danger the Malm dresser posed, including two previous deaths from Malm dresser tip-overs
Today, after urging from the lawmakers, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and IKEA announced a recall of Malm dressers, stopping the sale of Malm dressers until safety improvements are made, and offering a refund for consumers who have purchased Malm dressers
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) has introduced the Protect Consumers from Phony Phone Charges Act to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to restrict unauthorized third-party fees sneaked onto consumers’ wireless and landline phone bills:
In February, a 22-month old from Apple Valley, Minnesota was killed by a falling Malm dresser; his family was unaware of the danger the Malm dresser posed, including two deaths from Malm dresser tip-overs
Committee Leaders Respond to Insufficient Results After Testing Deadly Takata Air Bags
Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) issued the following statement in response to the investigation into defective Takata airbag inflators.
Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) issued the following statement today in response to the “Proactive Safety Principles” released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a group of automakers.