CPSC advances rulemaking on crib bumpers to protect infants; Proposed rule would remove padded, pillow-like bumpers from the market
March 26, 2020, cpsc.gov
In an effort to protect infants from suffocation and death associated with padded crib bumpers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted unanimously to advance rulemaking on a federal safety standard for crib bumpers. The proposed rule would prohibit the sale of padded, pillow-like bumpers that fail to meet minimum air flow requirements. The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) posits a mandatory safety standard for crib bumpers that would replace the current voluntary ASTM standard with tougher requirements to reduce the risk of injury and death to infants.
How South Korea Solved Its Face Mask Shortage
April 1, 2020, The New York Times
A “mask crisis” that created chaos in production and distribution was solved when the central government decided to intervene and purchase huge numbers of masks and distribute them to the country’s pharmacies at discounted prices.
Fixing America’s broken coronavirus supply chain
March 30, 2020, Axios
The senior Navy officer now in charge of fixing America’s coronavirus supply chain is trying to fill the most urgent needs: ventilators and personal protective gear. But barely a week into his role at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, he’s still trying to establish what’s in the pipeline and where it is.
Mattel produces urgently needed face masks using Barbie fabric
April 1, 2020, License Global
As the cases of COVID-19 continue to rise at an alarming rate, healthcare workers have signaled the alarm across the nation with a resounding plea, urgently requesting more personal protecting equipment (PPE), without which they risk their lives each day. Global entertainment giant Mattel has answered the call, throwing its manufacturing muscle into the protection of healthcare workers and the prevention of the spread of the insidious virus. The company has announced it is using fabric intended to produce its iconic Barbie dolls and Fisher-Price products to produce face masks for the nation’s fleet of essential healthcare workers.
Lawmakers Question Start-Ups on At-Home Kits for Coronavirus Testing
March 25, 2020, The New York Times
Three companies that rushed to market unauthorized kits for at-home coronavirus testing face new questions from lawmakers in Washington. On Wednesday, two House Democrats, Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois and Katie Porter of California, sent letters to the chief executives of Carbon Health, Everlywell and Nurx, asking them to explain their business and testing practices, noting that the Food and Drug Administration had not authorized any at-home specimen collection kits for coronavirus testing because “their accuracy has yet to be clearly determined.”
Interactive product labels require new regulations, study warns
March 26, 2020, Science Daily
Artificial intelligence will be increasingly used on labels on food and other products in the future to make them interactive, and regulations should be reformed now so they take account of new innovations, a study warns. Thanks to the increased use of smartphones, smart-watches and other interconnected products, labelling on foods and other goods may become more personalized and thus more helpful, addressing consumer concerns, such as nut allergies.
Revisions to Safety Standard for Children’s Folding Chairs and Stools
April 1, 2020, Federal Register
In December 2017, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a consumer product safety standard for children’s folding chairs and stools. The standard incorporated by reference the applicable ASTM voluntary standard. This direct final rule is effective on July 6, 2020, unless there are significant adverse comment by May 1, 2020.
California’s New Priority Product Under SCP Program: Carpets/Rugs Containing PFAS –
March 31, 2020, Jdsupra.com
California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control recently proposed to add carpets and rugs containing perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as a Priority Product under the state’s Safer Consumer Products program. This is a new step in the evolution of how states and government agencies are seeking to regulate and reduce exposure to PFAS in the face of delayed federal action.
Identifying and mitigating the product liability risks associated in the U.S. posed by SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19
March 31, 2020, JdSupra.com
If any of the products you manufacture, sell or otherwise handle are alleged to be related to any COVID-19 virus exposure, or if there is any reasonable potential for such a claim, you should be prepared to anticipate products liability suits. If a consumer is exposed to the COVID-19 virus as a result of using a product that is deemed “defective,” that consumer may contend that the manufacturer, distributor, seller or others in the chain of commerce should be held liable.
Putting traceability top of the agenda – is your company hoping for the best or planning for the worst?
March 27, 2020, Process and Control
The threat of costly product recalls is having a significant impact on businesses across the manufacturing sector. Leadership teams are coming under increased pressure to track and account for every stage of the production process. They are having to focus much more closely on issues such as health and safety regulations; the challenges of global supply chains and cost cutting; an increase in malicious product tampering and extortion; growing consumer awareness and the influence of social media. In response, traceability software, crisis management plans, and mock recall simulations are now essential rather than nice-to-haves. Paulo de Matos, SYSPRO Chief Product Officer, insists our Movers and Makers shouldn’t be hoping for the best but planning for the worst.
