CPSC Official: Tighten Furniture Safety Standards
August 20, 2015, Philadelphia Inquirer
CPSC Commissioner Marietta Robinson voices frustration at current industry standard that offers only “minimal stability” for dressers. Tip over problem continues to pose threat of death and injury to children due to television and furniture incidents, which brought representatives of both industries together at safety conclave.
Lumber Liquidators: 60 Minutes Program Expands on Controversy
August 16, 2015, CBS
60 Minutes explains tests it used to conclude that the LL Chinese-made laminate flooring contains toxic formaldehyde that may not meet safety standards. LL Company chairman refuses to accept methodology of the tests and says company not required by law to test their finished products as 60 Minutes did. Show acknowledges that California activists it featured are backed by Wall Street investors selling LL stock short.
Senators Urge Recall of All Vehicles With Takata Air Bags
August 20, 2015, NBC News
Two U.S. Senators serving on a Senate panel that has been investigating the Japanese auto supplier, are calling on the company to recall all vehicles containing their airbags. The move was prompted by a recent incident of a new model vehicle that did not fit the pattern among a population of 17 million older vehicles that have already been recalled.
Analysis: Do Investors Care About Green Ratings?
August 20, 2015, Huffington Post
Environmental information disclosure and transparency programs are wide spread in the business world. Consumers, employees, investors, activists, regulators, and the general public regularly encounter hazard warnings, eco-labels, and NGO-sponsored green company rankings. Read about how “Newsweek’s Green Companies Rankings” affected the stock of companies perceived in the top tier and those outside of the top rankings.
EU Lays Out Draft on New Obligatory Safety Features for Medicines
August 18, 2015, In-Pharma Technologist
As part of European efforts to help stem the spread of counterfeit medicines, the European Commission has laid out the details of a key part of its Falsified Medicines Directive. Packaging of drugs to include unique identifier encoded in a 2D barcode.
EU Withdraws Certain Standards From the General Product Safety Directive
August 16, 2015, 4-Traders
New rule does not indicate replacement standards, but announces withdrawl of certain standards for presumption of conformity with the General Product Safety Directive. Standards affected are “soother holders,’ ‘soothers,’ ‘buoyancy aids for swimming instructors,’ and ‘barbecue.’
Are Health Conscious Consumers Tipping the Recall Scales?
August 20, 2015, einpresswire
Stericycle Index examines impact of increased awareness about health and the environment on product recall and response rates. Report finds that consumer preferences for products is driving an increase in healthy living-focused product recalls and creates complexity for manufacturers, regulators, and consumers in the process.
SA Companies Adopt Voice Technology in the Supply Chain
August 21, 2015, IT Web
The technology is helping South African organizations drive efficiencies and productivity across supply chains, according to a mobile software executive. He says that one large SA retailer improved operations by using a voice-directed system for picking applications at its distribution centers throughout the country.
Brand Safety a Key Concern for IAB-But are the Correct Safeguards in Place?
August 18, 2015, Campaign Live
A digital advertising executive examines a new initiative by the Internet Advertising Bureau that addresses criticism of consumer product advertisers’ internet ad placements that are inappropriate and misleading. The initiative, IAB Believes, will cover 5 areas: brand safety, viewability, fraud, ad blocking, and privacy. Their research will delve into such areas as key word usage, and good advertising practices.
