The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a Product Safety Warning urging consumers to immediately stop using certain Amber Brook pool drain covers due to violations of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA).
On January 29, 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned that Amber Brook pool drain covers pose entrapment and drowning hazards and do not comply with mandatory federal safety standards under the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.
The product safety warning is identified as No. 26-223.
According to CPSC, the drain covers do not bear the required product markings mandated under the VGBA. In addition, the covers fail to:
• State the required service life of the cover.
• Provide instal lation and maintenance instructions.
•Meet other performance and labeling requirements outlined in the act.
Because compliant drain covers are a critical layer of protection against suction entrapment, missing markings and documentation represent a serious safety concern. Improper
Amber Brook Pool Drain Cover Photo credit: CPSC or non-compliant drain covers can increase the risk of body, limb, hair or evisceration entrapment — hazards the VGBA was specifically designed to address.
Note: The seller has not agreed to the recall. CPSC issued a notice of violation to the seller ‘Guangzhouruienlinmaoyiyouxiangongsi’ of China, doing business as Amber Brook. As of the date of the warning, the firm has not agreed to conduct a recall or offer a remedy to consumers.
In the absence of a voluntary recall, CPSC is urging immediate consumer action.
The affected products are round main drain covers with two screws, measuring approximately 8.3 inches in diameter with a 2-inch water inlet and outlet. The covers are white and made of ABS plastic.
The drain covers were sold online at Walmart.com from August 2025 through November 2025 for approximately $22. CPSC notes they may also have been sold on other platforms or by additional third-party sellers.
The products were manufactured in China.
CPSC is urging consumers to:
• Immediately remove, replace and dispose of the drain covers.
• Stop using pools equipped with the drain covers until they are replaced with VGBA-compliant covers.
• Not sell or give away the hazardous drain covers.
• Ensure all pools and spas are equipped with VGBA-compliant drain covers.
• Teach children to stay away from drains.
Incidents involving injury or product defects can be reported to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov.
http://www.SaferProducts.gov.
For pool and spa service professionals, this warning serves as a reminder to verify that all installed suction outlet covers are properly marked and compliant with VGBA requirements, including visible product labeling and service life information.
With online marketplaces continuing to introduce low-cost aftermarket components into the U.S. market, technicians may encounter non-compliant fittings during routine service calls.
Documenting drain cover model information and confirming certification status can help protect both clients and service companies from significant liability exposure.
As always, maintaining properly rated, installed and documented suction outlet components remains a fundamental element of pool and spa safety compliance.
