Thought Leadership

Imagine a world where there are a handful of recalls a year. Each one would be big news, even if it involved a relatively low hazard or small number of products. But that’s not the world we live in. In fact, there are more than 3,000 recalls every year in the U.S. alone – roughly nine per day. At that pace, it’s no wonder response rates are often very low. But just how low depends on many factors.

Global recalls bring an added layer of complexity. There are numerous, sometimes conflicting, regulations to follow. Consumers and the media often have different expectations and reactions. Various stakeholders typically speak many languages. Companies that directly operate exclusively in one country may assume they will avoid these complications. But that isn’t always the case. It is easier than ever to move products across borders, and it happens frequently for a number of reasons.

Today, recall compliance touches everyone involved with the product lifecycle. In the past, the onus was primarily on manufacturers, but in the face of increased regulatory pressure, retailers must also take steps to ensure that recalled products are properly managed—and kept out of consumers’ hands. Retailers big and small can get caught off guard when a recall is announced. Knowing that it’s illegal to sell or distribute recalled products is one thing.

When boxing legend Mike Tyson said, “Everybody has a plan until they get hit,” he meant it literally. But he could have just as easily been talking about product recalls. When a company “gets hit” with word of a serious issue that requires a recall, they will hopefully have a detailed plan to turn to.

You have a recall plan in place. You update it regularly. And while you hope you won’t have to use it anytime soon, that day arrives anyway. Good thing you’re ready. Except you realize one or more of your internal team members who were assigned to these tasks have retired, moved away, or otherwise left the company. Now what? If that sounds familiar – or sounds like something that could happen to your company – you’re not alone. According to ADP Research Institute, the