The U.S. Department of Justice, in partnership with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has filed a complaint against two Chinese companies, Cixi Miaojie Electrical Appliance Co. Ltd. and Changsha Jiayi Tianzhuo Trading Co. Ltd., over the allegedly hazardous nature of their immersion water heaters. The complaint, submitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks a mandatory recall of these products to safeguard consumers from imminent danger under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA).
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting American families from unsafe products, stating, “The Department of Justice will not allow dangerous products manufactured in China or elsewhere to flow to American consumers.” The complaint details that the immersion water heaters, marketed under the label “Lakkzoom,” pose a significant risk as they can overheat and ignite within minutes when exposed to water. The CPSC has documented 235 fire-related incidents linked to these heaters, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
CPSC Acting Chairman Peter Feldman remarked that this complaint represents the first use of the agency’s Section 12 imminent hazard authority since 1987, signaling a strong commitment to consumer safety. “When dangerous products threaten American families, the Commission will not hesitate to use every authority Congress has entrusted to us,” he stated, underscoring the collaboration between the Justice Department and CPSC to hold accountable those who introduce hazardous products into the marketplace.
The legal representation for the United States in this case includes Senior Trial Attorney James T. Nelson and Trial Attorney Jordan A. Ryan Rinear from the Enforcement Section of the Civil Division’s Enforcement & Affirmative Litigation Branch, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean M. Tepe. Residents of Washington, D.C., particularly those in neighborhoods prone to the use of such appliances, are urged to stay informed about the potential risks associated with these products and follow updates on the recall efforts.
For additional information regarding the enforcement actions by the Justice Department, residents can visit the [Enforcement & Affirmative Litigation Branch website](http://www.justice.gov/civil/enforcement-affirmative-litigation-branch).
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