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CPSC: 3 Million Adult Portable Bed Rails Recalled In 3 Years; 18 Deaths Reported Since 2021
November 14, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled more than 200,000 adult portable bed rails manufactured by Medical King, of Brooklyn, New York, due to entrapment and asphyxia hazards. This is the 9th recall of adult portable bed rails CPSC has issued since 2021. In total these recalls, along with two product warnings, impacted more than 3 million units and are associated with serious injuries from head, neck or chest entrapment and 18 reported deaths. “Those taking care of the elderly or individuals with mobility limitations or those with mental challenges shouldn’t have to worry that a critical piece of support equipment they rely on could lead to serious injuries or death,” said CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric in the CPSC announcement release.

Kids In Danger Closing At End Of Year
November 13, 2024, KID
Kids In Danger (KID), a Chicago-based nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children by fighting for product safety, has made the difficult decision to close its doors by the end of 2024. According to an announcement release, “many things contributed to the decision including the difficulty of fundraising, which has always been difficult, but has become harder over the past few years.” The release continued, “Among KID’s victories are the landmark 2008 Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act including the Safe Sleep for Babies Act, Reese’s Law and the STURDY Act.”

Why Employees Quit
November-December 2024, Harvard Business Review Magazine
The so-called war for talent is still raging. But in that fight, employers continue to rely on the same hiring and retention strategies they’ve been using for decades. Why? Because they’ve been so focused on challenges such as poaching by industry rivals, competing in tight labor markets, and responding to relentless cost-cutting pressures, they haven’t addressed a more fundamental problem. That is the widespread failure to provide sustainable work experiences. To stick around and give their best, people need meaningful work, managers and colleagues who value and trust them and opportunities to advance in their careers, the authors say.

EU: Transport Safety Group Pushes To Slow E-Scooters/Unify Rules
November 13, 2024, Forbes
The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) pushed to lower speeds and increase standards for stability and stopping power for electric scooters. The ETSC recommended a universal set of rules to limit top speeds to 20 km/h (12.4 mph), replacing a patchwork of nation-by-nation regulations. It has also proposed limiting cars, trucks and vans in urban areas to 30 km/h (19mph) or less to lower the fatality risk for scooter riders, but also to benefit pedestrians and cyclists. The ETSC also recommended Europe’s governments enforce a minimum age of 16, mandatory helmets and a ban on passengers and riding after the consumption of drugs or alcohol.

PFAS Questions Every Company Needs To Ask Now
November 13, 2024, SheppardMullin (National Law Review)
2025 will be a landmark year in the regulation of PFAS. Addressing problems in this category has been a federal priority since 2021, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published its “PFAS Roadmap” outlining a program of research, control and cleanup. Most recently, the EPA adopted new reporting requirements covering all PFAS used in products since 2011, which are expected to affect 130,000 businesses. In 2025, EPA data-gathering programs will go into effect to determine where, when, and how PFAS have been and are currently being used. Thousands of facilities will also be required to submit reports on PFAS for the first time. 

U.S. Product Recalls On Track To Reach Six-Year High In 2024
November 14, 2024, PR Newswire
According to the latest Sedgwick U.S. Recall Index report, year-to-date (YTD) in 2024 there have been 2,454 product recalls across five key industries. This is closely aligned with the 2,459 recalls recorded through the first three quarters of 2023—a year that ultimately set a five-year annual high for total recalls. Should the pace of recalls continue in the fourth quarter of 2024, the U.S. will reach a six-year high by year-end. The report points out that the Consumer Product Safety Commission continued its aggressive enforcement activity during the third quarter. While the agency has increasingly leveraged unilateral press releases in past quarters, it took a step further in Q3 by issuing a unilateral recall announcement after the seller of a defective product did not cooperate in CPSC efforts to implement a recall. Other activity from the CPSC suggests this stricter enforcement and oversight is more than a passing trend.

CPSC: Stop Using Ifanze Area Rugs; Violations Of The Federal Regulations For Rug Flammability; No Recall Or Remedy Offered
November 14, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to immediately stop using iFanze Area Rugs because they pose a fire hazard. The rugs fail to comply with federal safety regulation for rug flammability. The CPSC issued a Notice of Violation to the importer, Asell Internation Inc., of Industry, California, but the firm has not been responsive to CPSC’s request for a recall of this product.

Comment Period For Proposed Rule To Establish Safety Standards For Water Beads Extended
November 13, 2024, SBA Office of Advocacy
On September 9, 2024, the Consumer Product Safety Commission published a proposed rule to establish a safety standard for water bead toys and toys containing water beads. To address the risk of injury and death, the proposed rule adds performance and labeling requirements for water bead toys and toys containing water beads. The comment period for the proposed rule is extended to December 8, 2024.

What To Consider Before Purchasing E-Bikes For Children
November 14, 2024, Oakdale Leader
Parents may wonder if they should let their children ride e-bikes. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that children between the ages of nine and 12 should not operate any product that travels faster than 10 miles per hour, including e-bikes. Parents may not realize that e-bikes are quite heavy, with some weighing in at 60 pounds. That can make e-bikes challenging for small kids to maneuver. When considering e-bikes, prospective riders must take note of the following safety guidelines. Slower is better; Wear a helmet; Do not ride with a passenger; Follow the rules of the road; and Charge e-bikes while present.

Michigan’s PFAS Drinking-Water Limits Hang In Balance Of Supreme Court Case
November 13, 2024, Bridge Michigan
The Michigan Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that could decide whether Michigan’s PFAS drinking-water standards remain in place. Chemical giant 3M sued in hopes of voiding the standards, arguing the state failed to adequately consider costs to businesses. State lawyers contend they weren’t required to do so and revoking the standards would put Michiganders at risk.