I don't make consumer products, but I think that part of the issue is:
- Engineering standards, and
- Insurance
For example, the Consumer Products Safety Commission must certify bicycle helmets that are sold and used in the US.
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) is an independent agency of the United States government. The CPSC seeks to promote the safety of consumer products by addressing “unreasonable risks” of injury (through coordinating recalls, evaluating products that are the subject of consumer complaints or industry reports, etc.); developing uniform safety standards (some mandatory, some through a voluntary standards process); and conducting research into product-related illness and injury.
This helps consumers feel confident that, for example, a helmet really will protect their (or their kid's) noggin during a tumble and the helmet isn't just a $50 piece of plastic.
This also helps event promoters like USA Cycling get insurance for events when the insurer says, "We'll underwrite your event
if you require that all participants wear helmets and that those helmets be approved by the CPSC. That way in the unlikely event that a person wrecks, the damage can at least try to be limited because the rider was wearing a helmet that meets modern standards."
Hell, this could easily be the difference between a mild concussion and brain damage...or worse.
But, if a rider is using "COSTCO WRAP 3 Helmet - ONLY $75" then it's a crap shoot.
Also, in order to sell products in the US, a company
must have a certain amount of insurance in order to handle such unforeseen incidents, if for some reason a faulty product does slip through quality assurance or some some condition occurs that was simply missed (e.g. the Carleton Co. Carbon Seatpost doesn't age well and cracks after 6 months in Georgia heat. This happens. We see such recalls all the time. Here's the list:
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/ There are currently
7,413 recalls out right now (most are very old). This is a good thing. Bad that it's happening, but good that we have such organizations compelling companies to deal with the issues.
Currently on it:
- May 24, 2018 (just 5 days ago) IKEA Recalls Bicycles Due to Fall Hazard:
https://www.cpsc.gov/recalls/2018/ik...to-fall-hazard
- May 9, 2018 Specialized Bicycle Components Recalls Bicycles with Stout Cranks Due to Fall and Injury Hazards:
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2018/Sp...Injury-Hazards
- March 15, 2018 Louis Garneau Recalls Bicycle Helmets Due to Risk of Head Injury:
https://www.cpsc.gov/recalls/2018/lo...of-head-injury
- October 4, 2017 SRAM Recalls Bicycle Brakes Due to Crash and Injury Hazards
https://www.cpsc.gov/recalls/2018/sr...bicycle-brakes
- I could go on...
These companies are actively dealing with those issues. That is a good thing.