In the News: March 29, 2021

Tesla Solar Panel Whistleblower Interviewed In CPSC Probe
March 22, 2021, CNBC
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is considering as evidence a former Tesla employee’s complaint about how the company managed and communicated about fire risks and defects in its solar installations, CNBC has learned from documents received through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Acting Chair Adler Praises Passage of 2021 Mid-Year One Plan
March 25, 2021, CPSC
“As I see it, Mid-Year One clarifies CPSC’s strong and ongoing commitment to diversity and equity in all aspects of our mission. “In effect, this plan approves enhanced efforts for developing specific approaches that identify and address product hazards disproportionately affecting minority communities and underserved populations,” Adler said. The Plan’s part one approved.

Persuading The Unpersuadable
March, April 2021, Harvard Business Review
We live in an age of polarization. Many of us may be asking ourselves how, when people disagree with or discount us, we can persuade them to rethink their positions. The author, an organizational psychologist, has spent time with a number of people who succeeded in motivating the notoriously self-confident Steve Jobs to change his mind and has analyzed the science behind their techniques.

Statement Of Commissioner Elliot Kaye On The Ongoing Urgent Need To Ensure Safe Infant Sleep
March 17, 2021, CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has made some promising advancements with its safe sleep work in recent years and is working on a number of additional rulemakings this year. But much remains to be done to address this persistent hazard in our space.

One Child Dies, One Child Injured In Separate Peloton Tread+ Accidents
March 22, 2021, Club Industry
A child died as the result of a recent incident related to Peloton’s Tread+ product, according to a letter from CEO John Foley posted on the company’s website. The CPSC posted on its Twitter page that it is investigating the incident.

‘Buyer Beware:’ Ads Hide PFAS Cookware Risks
March 25, 2021, E&E News
Consumers trying to avoid toxic chemicals in nonstick cookware face convoluted advertising claims that can confuse even the most well-informed. Misleading advertising claims make it hard for consumers to find PFAS-free options for pots and pans.

Could Your Manufacturing Business Be Impacted By PFAS?
March 23, 2021, National Law Review
PFAS is the environmental issue manufacturers across many sectors need to pay attention to now. They are getting a lot of attention now because of potential negative environmental impacts. That attention is in the form of regulation, remediation obligations, and potential lawsuits, which means potential increased risk and liability that manufacturers need to proactively assess.

Window Safety Tips For Families With Children
March 24, 2021, Times of Oman
Windows let in light and fresh air and can provide breathtaking views, but it’s vital to observe window safety, especially when young children are in the home, say experts.

Will Marketplaces Become Legally Liable For What They Sell?
March 26, 2021, RetailWire
Purchasing from online marketplaces can be a gamble for customers. Now the state of California wants to put responsibility for the safety and quality of products sold through these platforms more squarely on the shoulders of operators. A new bill, introduced to the California State Assembly last month, would impose strict liability on online retailers that communicate sales offers or facilitate transactions with third parties, according to The National Law Review.

Recall Issued On Suzuki Quad Bikes Over Lack Of Safety Information
March 25, 2021, Beef Central
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a recall notice on 490 Suzuki Australia quad bikes sold in Australia, stating that they were sold without appropriate safety information and reflectors. “The products do not comply with the Consumer Goods (Quad Bikes) Safety Standard 2019,” the notice states. “The quad bikes have not been fitted with the required reflectors, compliance certificate labels and hang tags. Required information is missing from the owner’s manuals.”

Honoring Our Heroes
SPSP Website
SPSP makes a permanent home for the salute poster at its website.

 

Posted in Chemical Hazards, Children's Products, Global Developments, Innovation, Organizational Development, Product Liability, Product Safety Rules, Product Standards, Risk Assessment, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Uncategorized