Customs And Border Protection And CPSC Collaboration Results In Seizure Of Infants’ Products
October 24, 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Successful targeting efforts by U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Machinery Center of Excellence and Expertise (CEE) and the CPSC at the Port of Memphis resulted in the seizure of $61,000 in infant products. The items were determined to be unsafe for entry due to high lead paint content and choking hazards. “The combined efforts of the Machinery Center, the Port of Memphis, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission to identify and advance this shipment toward seizure serves as an illustrative example of effective enforcement through collaboration,” said Director Juan J. Porras, Machinery Center of Excellence and Expertise. On Sept. 17, 2024, CPSC provided Customs and Border Protection Memphis with a full report with referral to seize and destroy all merchandise in the detained shipment.
Federal Agency Implements First-Ever Product Safety Standards For Infant Nursing Pillows
October 21, 2024, Husch Blackwell (JD Supra)
The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a new rule on September 18, 2024, which will implement the first-ever federal safety standards for infant nursing pillows. This rule comes in response to 154 infant deaths and 64 serious injuries believed to be caused by these products between 2010 and 2022. These deaths commonly involved infants under 3 months old who were sleeping with the nursing pillows in locations such as adult beds, cribs, playpens, or couches. The new federal safety standards aim to allow nursing pillows to continue to be useful for breast or bottle feeding, while also reducing the risk of injury or death to infants. These standards intend to prevent suffocation, entrapment, or falls resulting from the use of nursing pillows by setting certain performance requirements for nursing pillows.
Expecting A Bad Performance Review? Here’s How To Prepare
July 7, 2022, Harvard Business Review
By preemptively taking action if you expect to receive a bad performance review, you may be able to steer a different course for yourself. The author offers six steps to take before and after your review if you know your performance has been subpar. First, reflect on your own assumptions about your performance to understand what you need to work on. Second, get your teammates’ perspective. Third, proactively invite your manager to have a conversation with you. Fourth, own up to your mistakes and put together a plan to improve. Fifth, follow up on that plan with your manager. Finally, show your manager you care about doing better. If you still receive a negative review despite your best efforts to be proactive, it may help you realize that your skills, strengths and interests don’t align with the needs of your current role.
California Adds PFAS Enforcement Criteria And Testing And Registration Requirements
October 24, 2024, Kelely Drye & Warren (JD Supra)
Recently adopted California legislation (AB 347) aims to fill fundamental gaps in implementation of the state’s restrictions on PFAS in juvenile products, textile articles and food packaging. As companies face immediate deadlines to comply with PFAS restrictions, the legislation provides needed clarity on enforcement; imposes registration requirements on manufacturers of covered products; and seeks to answer questions about proper test methods for establishing compliance. While penalties are to be assessed on a “case-by-case” basis under AB 347, the minimum penalty for a first-time violation is $10,000.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace Introduces Tyler’s Law To Safeguard Children From Unsafe Products
October 22, 2024, abcnews4.com
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) has introduced a new bill aimed at protecting children from dangerous products. If passed, the bill will require hospitals, medical examiner offices and coroner offices to report incidents involving the death or serious injury of a child linked to children’s products. The proposed bill is titled Tyler’s Law, after a 10-month-old who died due to a defective crib. “Too many families have suffered the unthinkable because of products designed for our most vulnerable,” said Rep. Mace. “Tyler Jonathan’s is not an isolated incident. Nursery products contribute to hundreds of child deaths annually due to inadequate safety standards,” Rep. Mace said.
Toronto Transit Commission Proposes Winter Ban On E-Bikes And E-Scooters Over Fire Risk
October 23, 2024, CBC
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is proposing a seasonal ban on e-bikes and e-scooters each year, as concerns increase over lithium-ion battery powered devices and the risk of fire. It is recommending prohibiting e-bikes and e-scooters across the transit system during the winter season from Nov. 15 to April 15 of each year. The measure comes after an e-bike caught fire on a subway train at Sheppard-Yonge subway station in December last year. The manufacturer had advised that their e-bikes were not intended to be used in adverse weather conditions, which includes operating it where snow, ice or road salt is present, the Commission said. “Fluctuating temperatures can cause condensation and lithium plating, increasing the likelihood of short circuits and fires,” the Commission said.
CPSC: Stop Using AILUKI Cordless Drills Sold On Amazon.Com Due To Risk Of Serious Injury And Death; Manufacturers Have Been Unresponsive
October 24, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to immediately stop using AILUKI cordless drills because they pose a risk of serious injury and death. Shenzhen Nuoyafangzhou Dianzishangwu Youxiangongsi, of China, manufactures this product and has been unresponsive to CPSC requests for information about this product or to conduct a recall. CPSC has received nine reports of defective cordless drills exploding, igniting, melting, smoking, or overheating, including three reports of property damage totaling $3,000 and one report of a burn injury.
Why Your Organization Needs To Craft A Comprehensive Genai Policy Now
October 23, 2024, Rumberger Kirk (JD Supra)
The rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence technologies has revolutionized various industries by automating complex tasks, creating content, and enhancing decision-making processes. However, it also poses significant business risks and ethical dilemmas. Because this technology is so easy to use and exploding in capabilities, it is crucial that companies establish a comprehensive GenAI policy. There are many reasons organizations should adopt a GenAI policy. Some open platforms can subject companies to the loss of trade secrets or confidential data. Others can expose an organization to cybersecurity risks. A policy can help prevent many unintended potential ethical, legal, quality, and security issues and inform employees about which uses are permitted.
The Importance Of Codes And Standards And Other Topics Discussed At USFA Summit
October 22, 2024, NFPA.org
Testimony delivered at this year’s summit covered climate-driven events, wildfire codes, the value of codes and standards, recruitment and retention in the fire service, firefighter health and safety, and EMS. I was honored to testify on the importance of codes and standards to the panel, which included Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, U.S. Fire Administrator Lori Moore-Merrell, as well as other White House and federal agency officials.
Legislative Efforts Against ‘Forever Chemicals’ Grow Across Nation
October 24, 2024, Governing
Legislative momentum against PFAS has surged this year, as at least 11 states enacted laws to restrict the use of “forever chemicals” in everyday consumer products or professional firefighting foam. The legislation includes bans on PFAS in apparel, cleaning products, cookware, and cosmetic and menstrual products. Meanwhile, lawmakers in some states also passed measures that require industries to pay for testing or cleanup; order companies to disclose the use of PFAS in their products; and mandate or encourage the development of PFAS alternatives, according to Safer States, an alliance of environmental health groups focused on toxic chemicals.
