Background To understand the epidemiological characteristics of product harm cases in 32 hospitals in 11 areas in China from 2012 to 2014 and provide the basic data to support for product-specific survey, product harm early warning and the assessment of product safety.

Methods The descriptive epidemiologic analysis was conducted by using the surveillance data of product harm collected from 32 hospitals in 11 areas in China during 2012–2014.

Results A total of 208772 product harm cases were reported in the 32 hospitals during 2012–2014, accounting for 19.50% of total harm cases during the same period. A total of 222401 cases (times) of product harm were reported. For all the product harms, the top five products causing harms were transportation equipment except motor vehicle (36.55%), motor vehicle (21.50%), other products (20.84%), furniture (7.21%) and food, medicine and related products (5.18%). Both the case number and times of product harm were higher in males than in females. Males aged 25–44 years might be at greater risk for product harm. Most product harms, i.e. bruise, were caused by blunt force on heads.

Conclusions The epidemiologic characteristics of product harm varied with products. It is necessary to take targeted intervention measures to prevent product harm in China.