Federal Agency Investigating Safety of Lumber Liquidators’ Chinese-made Laminate Flooring
March 25, 2015, Associated Press
The CPSC announces an investigation into Chinese-made laminate flooring following a national TV Broadcast that raised concern over levels of formaldehyde. CPSC Chairman Eliot Kaye says it is still too early to make a decision on whether flooring should be recalled.
Kaye Fires Broadside at 6(b) in Lumber Liquidators Press Teleconference
March 25, 2015, The Product Safety Letter
During the teleconference announcing the start of an investigation into the safety of Chinese-made Laminate flooring, the CPSC Chairman took aim at current 6(b) information disclosure laws governing the agency’s ability to discuss details of an investigation, and contrasts the FDA’s ability to readily speak on its investigations.
EU: Defective Products: a potential defect may be sufficient for a finding of liability (CJEU, Boston Scientific Medizintechnik, C-503/13 and C-504/13)
March 19, 2015, Lexicology
Germany Court rules: “where it is found that products belonging to the same group or forming part of the same production series (…) have a potential defect, such a product may be classified as defective without there being any need to establish that that product has such a defect”.
Toys and Clothing Top List of Corrective Actions Taken in EU During 2014, Authority Reports.
March 23, 2015, European Commission
Rapid Alert System provides the means for notifying consumers throughout the EU of hazards associated with non-food products. In 2014, toys (28%) and clothing, textiles and fashion items (23%) were the two main product categories for which corrective measures had to be taken. Among the most frequently notified risks caused by these products were risk of injury, chemical risks and choking.
China Tops List of Countries Providing Dangerous Products as the Origin of 64% of Products on RAS System.
March 23, 2015, European Commission
In 2014, 64 per cent of the non-food products notified as potentially dangerous through the EU‘s rapid alert system stemmed from China and Hong Kong, with a total of 1,501 notifications, according to the EU safety annual report.
Concern Over “Terribly” Slow Consumer Response to Dangerous Infinity Cable Recall
March 27, 2015, The Young Witness
With only 5% effectiveness in a national recall of hazardous cable, electricians are claiming the consumer safety agency is responsible for the slow response. An ACCC official says the agency is “concerned” and has been “contacting the suppliers that put the recall in place every month and pushing them.”
Supply Chain Complexity Top Risk for Manufacturing Firms
March 26, 2015, Material Handling & Logistics
A recent report says over a third of businesses in manufacturing are “extremely concerned” about potential supply chain disruption. Over 77% say increasing supply chain complexity is the fastest growing risk in business continuity.
Nanotechnology Materials: Opportunities and Challenges Go Hand in Hand
March 27, 2015. Nanowerk.com
Beyond the promise of radical technological development is the need to make sure we do not make some error, and harm our environment and ourselves by exposure to new forms of hazard. An EU publication explores recent developments in nanomaterials research, and possibilities for safe, practical and resource-efficient applications
Intel: Conflict Minerals Process Featured in Fast Company
March 20, 2015, 4-traders.com
In order to eliminate conflict minerals, one company set about to understand, first, how minerals entered their supply chain. For Intel, this was at the smelter level where ore is refined, as explained in the April 2015 issue of Fast Company.
