STERICYCLE, INC. 
By
INDIANAPOLIS, IN--(Marketwired - May 21, 2014) - Stericycle ExpertSOLUTIONS™ (
The Q1 2014 Recall Index analyzed recall data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), comprising cars, child seats, equipment and tires, over the last four years. The data showed that the volume of auto related events remained relatively consistent, with an average of 688 yearly events from 2010 to 2013, or almost two per day. However, the size and scope of auto industry recalls have increased significantly in that same time period. The number of recalled units in 2013 increased by 54 percent from the prior year for a total of 28 million, and this trend shows no sign of slowing down. There were 13 million units recalled in the first quarter of 2014 alone -- the highest number of NHTSA related recalled units in any quarter over the past three years.
"Following the unprecedented amount of public awareness generated by major auto recalls in the first quarter of 2014, we felt the need to examine the challenges of these recalls in greater detail," said Mike Rozembajgier, Vice President, Stericycle. "Our Recall Index highlights that, while the number of auto recall events has remained relatively steady over the past few years, unit amounts are soaring drastically. This puts stress on the supply chain to produce replacement parts, taxes auto dealerships and used car networks, and further complicates the consumer notification and communication process."
The Recall Index found that 70 percent of the vehicles affected in Q1 2014 were produced in the last five years. This suggests that as technology advances become more pervasive, more recalls may occur due to mechanical malfunctions or software-related glitches. However, issuing a recall notification does not guarantee that the defect is fixed. According to CarFax, approximately 3.5 million used cars went up for sale online with unfixed recalls last year.
"One need look no further than recent media coverage to understand the financial and reputational implications of the 'auto recall pileup,'" continued Rozembajgier. "With small manufacturers and suppliers contributing to the majority of Q1 2014 events, it's clear that no organization is safe and that auto brands are only as strong as their weakest link. To protect consumers and the brand alike, companies must ensure they are prepared to efficiently address every facet of a recall in this increasingly complex industry."
To hear Rozembajgier elaborate further on the challenges of the "auto recall pileup" please view this video here.
As in previous quarters, the Q1 2014 Stericycle Recall Index also analyzed recall data in the pharmaceutical, medical device, consumer products and food sectors. Within the latter category, a number of interesting trends emerged in food recalls initiated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). For example, while the number of recalls remained relatively consistent with Q4 2013, the amount of recalled pounds increased more than tenfold. As a result of this surge in volume, more pounds of food were recalled in Q1 2014 than in the past two years combined. The Index also suggests that USDA recalls due to lack of facility inspections are on the rise. Five recalls in Q1 2014 were initiated as a result of no inspection, compared to the four events that occurred in all of 2013 for the same reason. To learn more about these takeaways and Index findings from other industries, please download the Q1 2014 Stericycle Recall Index report in its entirety here.
About the Stericycle Recall Index
The Stericycle Recall Index is the only report that aggregates and tracks recall data to help manufacturers and other industry stakeholders navigate the regulatory environment and identify trends. Each quarter Stericycle analyzes data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the FDA and the USDA. The Q1 2014 Stericycle Recall Index contains an analysis of data from a fourth regulatory body: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For more information, please visit http://recall.stericycleexpertsolutions.com/index/.
About Stericycle ExpertSOLUTIONS™
Stericycle ExpertSOLUTIONS™ is the industry leader in managing consumer product, pharmaceutical, medical device, juvenile product, and food and beverage recalls. Stericycle ExpertSOLUTIONS streamlines the entire product recall process and manages Notification & Response, Processing & Tracking, and Compliance & Reporting for a variety of companies. For more information, visit http://recall.stericycleexpertsolutions.com/en/.
