Online Submissions
Online Access
Order PDFs
Subscribe/Renew
Nobel Laureates

The Economics of Product Safety and Imperfect Information


Volume: Volume 5, No. 2

Issue: Autumn 1974

Pages: pp. 683-688

Authors: Victor P. Goldberg

Title: The Economics of Product Safety and Imperfect Information

Abstract: In an earlier article in the Bell Journal, Walter Oi analyzed the economics of product safety. His primary emphasis was on a full information model. However, since product safety is only a problem if consumer information is inadequate, policy implications of a full information analysis are suspect. This paper stresses the importance of treating product bans and liability rules as part of the consumer's information processing system.


JEL Classification

Consumer Protection (9213)
Welfare Theory General (0240)