[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 165 (Monday, August 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58561-58564]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18460]


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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

[CPSC Docket No. 23-C0003]


Whirlpool Corporation

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commission publishes in the Federal Register any 
settlement that it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product 
Safety Act. Published below is a provisionally accepted Settlement 
Agreement with Whirlpool Corporation containing a civil penalty in the 
amount of $11,500,000, subject to the terms and conditions of the 
Settlement Agreement. The Commission voted unanimously (4-0) to 
provisionally accept the proposed Settlement Agreement and Order 
pertaining to Whirlpool Corporation.

DATES: Any interested person may ask the Commission not to accept this 
agreement or otherwise comment on its contents by filing a written 
request with the Office of the Secretary by September 12, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to comment on this Settlement Agreement 
should send written comments to Comment 23-C0003, Office of the 
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, 
Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone: (240) 863-8938 (mobile), (301) 504-7479 
(office); email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Kessler, Trial Attorney, 
Division of Enforcement and Litigation, Office of Compliance and Field 
Operations, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, 
Bethesda, Maryland 20814; [email protected], 301-504-7602 (office).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The text of the Settlement Agreement and 
Order appear below.

    Dated: August 23, 2023.
Alberta E. Mills,
Secretary.

United States of America

Consumer Product Safety Commission

    In the Matter of: Whirlpool Corporation

CPSC Docket No.: 23-C0003

Settlement Agreement

    1. In accordance with the Consumer Product Safety Act, 15 U.S.C. 
2051-2089 (``CPSA''), and 16 CFR 1118.20, Whirlpool Corporation 
(``Whirlpool'' or the ``Firm''), and the United States Consumer Product 
Safety Commission (``Commission''), through its staff, hereby enter 
into this Settlement Agreement (``Agreement''). The Agreement and the 
incorporated attached Order resolve staff's charges set forth below.

The Parties

    2. The Commission is an independent federal regulatory agency, 
established pursuant to, and responsible for, the enforcement of the 
CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2051-2089. By executing the Agreement, staff is acting 
on behalf of the Commission, pursuant to 16 CFR 1118.20(b). The 
Commission issues the Order under the provisions of the CPSA.
    3. Whirlpool is a corporation, organized and existing under the 
laws of the state of Delaware, with its principal place of business in 
Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Staff Charges

    4. Between December 2016 and July 2019, Whirlpool manufactured and 
distributed in the United States approximately 20,000 units of various 
KitchenAid, Whirlpool, and JennAir electric radiant heat glass 
cooktops, model numbers KCES950HSS, KCES950HBL, KCES956HSS, KCES956HBL, 
WCE97US0HS, WCE97US0HB, WCE97US6HS, WCE97US6HB, JEC4430HS, JEC4430HB, 
JEC4536HS, JEC4536HB, JEC4424HB, JED4430GB, JED4430GS, JED4536GB, and 
JED4536GS (``Subject Products'').
    5. The Subject Products are ``consumer products'' that were 
``manufactured'' and ``distribut[ed] in commerce,'' as those terms are 
defined or used in sections 3(a)(5), (7), and (10) of the CPSA, 15 
U.S.C. 2052(a)(5), (8), and (10). Whirlpool is a ``manufacturer'' of 
the Subject Products, as such term is defined in section 3(a)(11) of 
the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2052(a)(11).
Violation of CPSA Section 19(a)(4)
    6. The Subject Products contain a defect which could create a 
substantial product hazard or create an unreasonable risk of serious 
injury or death because one or more cooktop surface elements can turn 
on by themselves, posing a fire and burn hazard.
    7. Beginning in November 2017 and continuing into 2019, Whirlpool 
received numerous reports from consumers that cooktop surface elements 
turned on by themselves.
    8. Between 2007 and 2015, CPSC had publicly announced at least five 
recalls involving gas or electric cooktops manufactured by other firms 
reportedly turning on by themselves or not turning off, with each 
recall announcement warning that the defect presented a fire or burn 
hazard.
    9. Despite possessing information that reasonably supported the 
conclusion that the Subject Products contained a defect that could 
create a substantial product hazard or created an unreasonable risk of 
serious injury or death, Whirlpool did not immediately report to the 
Commission.
    10. By the time Whirlpool filed an initial report with the 
Commission under 15 U.S.C. 2064(b) concerning the Subject Products, the 
Firm had received at least 157 reports of Subject Products turning on 
by themselves, including 14 reports of property damage, four reports of 
objects igniting, and two reports of minor burns.
    11. The Commission and Whirlpool jointly announced the recall of 
the Subject Products on August 28, 2019.
Failure to Timely Report
    12. Despite having information reasonably supporting the conclusion 
that the Subject Products contained a defect or created an unreasonable 
risk of serious injury or death, Whirlpool did not notify the 
Commission immediately of such defect or risk, as required by section 
15(b)(4) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C.

[[Page 58562]]

2064(b)(4), in violation of section 19(a)(4) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 
2068(a)(4).
    13. Because the information in Whirlpool's possession about the 
Subject Products constituted actual and presumed knowledge, Whirlpool 
knowingly violated section 19(a)(4) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2068(a)(4), 
as the term ``knowingly'' is defined in section 20(d) of the CPSA, 15 
U.S.C. 2069(d).
    14. Pursuant to section 20 of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2069, Whirlpool 
is subject to civil penalties for its knowing violation of section 
19(a)(4) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2068(a)(4).

Response of Whirlpool

    15. This agreement does not constitute an admission by Whirlpool to 
the staff's charges as set forth in paragraphs 4 through 14 above, 
including without limitation that the Subject Products contained a 
defect that could create a substantial product hazard or created an 
unreasonable risk of serious injury or death; that Whirlpool failed to 
notify the Commission in a timely matter in accordance with section 
15(b) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2064(b); and that Whirlpool knowingly 
violated section 19(a)(4) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2068(a)(4), as the 
term ``knowingly'' is defined in section 20(d) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 
2069(d).
    16. Whirlpool enters into this Agreement to settle this matter and 
to avoid the cost, distraction, delay, uncertainty, and inconvenience 
of protracted litigation or other proceedings. Whirlpool does not admit 
that it violated the CPSA or any other law, and Whirlpool's willingness 
to enter into this Agreement and Order does not constitute, nor is it 
evidence of, an admission by Whirlpool of liability or violation of any 
law.
    17. At all relevant times, Whirlpool has had a product safety 
compliance program, both to help ensure the safety of its products 
before they are marketed and to identify, monitor and evaluate 
potential product safety issues on an ongoing basis. Whirlpool 
maintains that upon identifying the reported issue, Whirlpool promptly 
notified CPSC and voluntarily recalled the Subject Products pursuant to 
CPSC's Fast Track recall program.

Agreement of the Parties

    18. Under the CPSA, the Commission has jurisdiction over the matter 
involving the Subject Products and over Whirlpool.
    19. The parties enter into the Agreement for settlement purposes 
only. The Agreement does not constitute an admission by Whirlpool or a 
determination by the Commission that Whirlpool violated the CPSA.
    20. In settlement of staff's charges, Whirlpool shall pay a civil 
penalty in the amount of eleven million, five hundred thousand dollars 
($11,500,000) (``Total Civil Penalty Amount''). The $11,500,000 payment 
shall be paid within thirty (30) calendar days after receiving service 
of the Commission's final Order accepting the Agreement. All payments 
to be made under the Agreement shall constitute debts owing to the 
United States and shall be made by electronic wire transfer to the 
United States via http://www.pay.gov, for allocation to, and credit 
against, the payment obligations of Whirlpool under this Agreement. 
Failure to make such payment by the date specified in the Commission's 
final Order shall constitute Default.
    21. The Commission or the United States may seek enforcement for 
any breach of, or any failure to comply with, any provision of this 
Agreement and Order in United States District Court, to seek relief 
including, but not limited to, collecting amounts due.
    22. All unpaid amounts, if any, due and owing under the Agreement, 
shall constitute a debt due and immediately owing by Whirlpool to the 
United States, and interest shall accrue and be paid by Whirlpool at 
the federal legal rate of interest set forth at 28 U.S.C. 1961(a) and 
(b) from the date of Default, until all amounts due have been paid in 
full (hereinafter ``Default Payment Amount'' and ``Default Interest 
Balance''). Whirlpool shall consent to a Consent Judgment in the amount 
of the Default Payment Amount and Default Interest Balance, and the 
United States, at its sole option, may collect the entire Default 
Payment Amount and Default Interest Balance, or exercise any other 
rights granted by law or in equity, including, but not limited to, 
referring such matters for private collection, and Whirlpool agrees not 
to contest, and hereby waives and discharges any defenses to, any 
collection action undertaken by the United States, or its agents or 
contractors, pursuant to this paragraph. Whirlpool shall pay the United 
States all reasonable costs of collection and enforcement under this 
paragraph, respectively, including reasonable attorney's fees and 
expenses.
    23. After staff receives this Agreement executed on behalf of 
Whirlpool, staff shall promptly submit the Agreement to the Commission 
for provisional acceptance. Promptly following provisional acceptance 
of the Agreement by the Commission, the Agreement shall be placed on 
the public record and published in the Federal Register, in accordance 
with the procedures set forth in 16 CFR 1118.20(e). If the Commission 
does not receive any written request not to accept the Agreement within 
fifteen (15) calendar days, the Agreement shall be deemed finally 
accepted on the 16th calendar day after the date the Agreement is 
published in the Federal Register, in accordance with 16 CFR 
1118.20(f).
    24. This Agreement is conditioned upon, and subject to, the 
Commission's final acceptance, as set forth above, and it is subject to 
the provisions of 16 CFR 1118.20(h). Upon the later of: (i) 
Commission's final acceptance of this Agreement and service of the 
accepted Agreement upon Whirlpool, and (ii) the date of issuance of the 
final Order, this Agreement shall be in full force and effect, and 
shall be binding upon the parties.
    25. Effective upon the later of: (1) the Commission's final 
acceptance of the Agreement and service of the accepted Agreement upon 
Whirlpool and (2) and the date of issuance of the final Order, for good 
and valuable consideration, Whirlpool hereby expressly and irrevocably 
waives and agrees not to assert any past, present, or future rights to 
the following, in connection with the matter described in this 
Agreement:
    (i) an administrative or judicial hearing;
    (ii) judicial review or other challenge or contest of the 
Commission's actions;
    (iii) a determination by the Commission of whether Whirlpool failed 
to comply with the CPSA and the underlying regulations;
    (iv) a statement of findings of fact and conclusions of law; and
    (v) any claims under the Equal Access to Justice Act.
    26. Whirlpool shall maintain its compliance program (``Compliance 
Program'') designed to ensure compliance with the CPSA (``applicable 
law'') with respect to any consumer product imported, manufactured, 
distributed or sold by Whirlpool, which shall contain the following 
elements:
    (i) written standards, policies, and procedures, including those 
designed to ensure that information that may relate to or impact CPSA 
compliance are conveyed effectively to personnel responsible for CPSA 
compliance, whether or not an injury has been reported;
    (ii) procedures and systems for tracking and reviewing claims, 
including warranty claims, and reports for safety concerns and for 
implementing corrective and preventive

[[Page 58563]]

actions when compliance deficiencies or violations are identified;
    (iii) procedures requiring that information required to be 
disclosed by Whirlpool to the Commission is recorded, processed, and 
reported in accordance with applicable law;
    (iv) procedures requiring that all reporting made to the Commission 
is timely, truthful, complete, accurate, and in accordance with 
applicable law;
    (v) procedures requiring that prompt disclosure is made to 
Whirlpool's management of any significant deficiencies or material 
weaknesses in the design or operation of such internal controls that 
are reasonably likely to affect adversely, in any material respect, 
Whirlpool's ability to record, process and report to the Commission in 
accordance with applicable law;
    (vi) mechanisms to effectively communicate to all applicable 
Whirlpool employees, through training programs or other means, 
compliance-related company policies and procedures to prevent 
violations of the CPSA;
    (vii) a mechanism for confidential employee reporting of 
compliance-related questions or concerns to either a compliance officer 
or to another senior manager with authority to act as necessary;
    (viii) Whirlpool's senior management responsibility for, and 
general board oversight of, CPSA compliance, including enhancements to 
the Firm's compliance program to ensure that incident and injury data 
are reviewed and analyzed for purposes of CPSA Section 15(b) reporting;
    (ix) for at least three (3) years, an annual internal audit of the 
effectiveness of policies, procedures, systems, and training related to 
CPSA compliance that evaluates opportunities for improvement, 
deficiencies or weaknesses, and the Firm's overall culture of 
compliance; and
    (x) retention of all CPSA compliance-related records for at least 
five (5) years, and availability of such records to CPSC staff upon 
request.
    27. Whirlpool shall submit a report under CPSA Section 16(b), sworn 
to under penalty of perjury:
    (i) describing in detail its compliance program and internal 
controls and the actions Whirlpool has taken to comply with each 
subparagraph of paragraph 26;
    (ii) affirming that during the reporting period, Whirlpool has 
reviewed its compliance program and internal controls, including the 
actions referenced in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, for 
effectiveness, and that it complies with each subparagraph of paragraph 
26, or describing in detail any non-compliance with any such 
subparagraph; and
    (iii) identifying the results of the annual internal audit 
referenced in paragraph 26(ix) and any changes or modifications made 
during the reporting period to Whirlpool's compliance program or 
internal controls to ensure compliance with the terms of the CPSA and, 
in particular, the requirements of CPSA Section 15 related to timely 
reporting.
    Such reports shall be submitted annually to the Director, Office of 
Compliance, Division of Enforcement and Litigation, for a period of 
three (3) years. The first report shall be submitted 30 days after the 
close of the first 12-month reporting period, which begins on the date 
of the Commission's Final Order of Acceptance of the Agreement, and 
successive reports shall be due annually on the same date thereafter. 
Whirlpool is aware of the Commission's position that failure to make 
such timely and accurate reports as required by this Agreement and 
Order may, without limitation, constitute a violation of Section 
19(a)(3) of the CPSA and may subject the Firm to enforcement under 
Section 22 of the CPSA.
    28. Notwithstanding and in addition to the above, upon request of 
staff, Whirlpool shall promptly provide written documentation of any 
changes or modifications to its compliance program or internal controls 
and procedures, including the effective dates of the changes or 
modifications thereto. Whirlpool shall cooperate fully and truthfully 
with staff and shall make available all non-privileged information and 
materials and personnel deemed necessary by staff to evaluate 
Whirlpool's compliance with the terms of the Agreement.
    29. The parties acknowledge and agree that the Commission may 
publicize the terms of the Agreement and the Order.
    30. Whirlpool represents that the Agreement:
    (i) is entered into freely and voluntarily, without any degree of 
duress or compulsion whatsoever;
    (ii) has been duly authorized; and
    (iii) constitutes the valid and binding obligation of Whirlpool, 
enforceable against Whirlpool in accordance with its terms. The 
individuals signing the Agreement on behalf of Whirlpool represent and 
warrant that they are duly authorized by Whirlpool to execute the 
Agreement.
    31. The signatories represent that they are authorized to execute 
this Agreement.
    32. The Agreement is governed by the laws of the United States.
    33. The Agreement and the Order shall apply to, and be binding 
upon, Whirlpool and each of its parents, successors, transferees, and 
assigns; and a violation of the Agreement or Order may subject 
Whirlpool, and each of its parents, successors, transferees, and 
assigns, to appropriate legal action.
    34. The Agreement, any attachments, and the Order constitute the 
complete agreement between the parties on the subject matter contained 
therein.
    35. The Agreement may be used in interpreting the Order. 
Understandings, agreements, representations, or interpretations apart 
from those contained in the Agreement and the Order may not be used to 
vary or contradict their terms. For purposes of construction, the 
Agreement shall be deemed to have been drafted by both of the parties 
and shall not, therefore, be construed against any party, for that 
reason, in any subsequent dispute.
    36. The Agreement may not be waived, amended, modified, or 
otherwise altered, except as in accordance with the provisions of 16 
CFR 1118.20(h). The Agreement may be executed in counterparts.
    37. If any provision of the Agreement or the Order is held to be 
illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws 
effective during the terms of the Agreement and the Order, such 
provision shall be fully severable. The balance of the Agreement and 
the Order shall remain in full force and effect, unless the Commission 
and Whirlpool agree in writing that severing the provision materially 
affects the purpose of the Agreement and the Order.

(Signatures on next page)

Whirlpool Corporation

By: /s/----------------------------------------------------------------
Dated: August 7, 2023.
Nathan A. Mouw,
Whirlpool Corporation, Senior Director--Global Product Safety and 
Regulatory Affairs.

Dated: August 7, 2023.
By: /s/----------------------------------------------------------------
Eric Rubel,
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, Counsel to Whirlpool Corporation.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Mary B. Murphy, Director,
Howard Tarnoff, Deputy Director, Division of Enforcement and 
Litigation.

Dated: August 8, 2023.
By: /s/----------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph Kessler,
Trial Attorney, Division of Enforcement and Litigation, Office of 
Compliance and Field Operations.

[[Page 58564]]

United States of America

Consumer Product Safety Commission

    In the Matter of: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

CPSC Docket No.: 23-C0003

Order

    Upon consideration of the Settlement Agreement entered into between 
Whirlpool Corporation (``Whirlpool'') and the U.S. Consumer Product 
Safety Commission (``Commission'' or ``CPSC''), and the Commission 
having jurisdiction over the subject matter and over Whirlpool, and it 
appearing that the Settlement Agreement is in the public interest, the 
Settlement Agreement is incorporated by reference and it is:
    Provisionally accepted and this Order issued on the 22nd day of 
August, 2023.

    By order of the commission.

Alberta E. Mills, Secretary,
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

[FR Doc. 2023-18460 Filed 8-25-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P