Q&A: Calculating if you should do a Product Recall or not?
Question by Ryan R: Calculating if you should do a Product Recall or not?
Hey groups
What I am searching for is a guide/calculation/equation
that assess if you should do a product recall.
I guess is would encompass risk, cost, whether a problem can be rectified etc
I assume in some cases a manufacturer may be aware of problem due to
complaints to the company, but do they recall or do they become prepared
for complaints and rectifying the problems on an ad-hoc basis?
‘Science’ behind the decision making process basically
Any advice / suggestions / URLs appreciated
TIA
R
Best answer:
Answer by billrussell42
there is no science, it’s all in the politics and public relations.
.
Add your own answer in the comments!
There’s no simple formula. Instead, the manufacturer has to do a detailed analysis of the potential risk. Some of the questions:
– does the defect appear in all products, or is it a stochastic abberation? And in the latter case, what fraction of products are affected?
– what is the risk to the consumer associated with a defective product? Is it a matter of life safety, customer convenience, or simply meeting the stated performance specification for the product?
– is there an alternative to a wholesale product recall? For example, if it is possible to identify the specific products that are likely to be defective, it is possible to target the recall to only those products? Is there a way to repair the product without doing a wholesale recall (for example, in the case of software, it is possible to download automatic upgrades)?
– what is the risk to the manufacturer of doing nothing? In addressing this question, it is important to assess both the direct legal liabilities and the marketing liabilities.
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