CPSC considers ban on toxic flame retardants in household products
September 25, 2015, The Chicago Tribune
In an exclusive interview with the Chicago Tribune, CPSC Chairman Elliot Kaye indicates he will start a push to force toxic chemicals off the market. “Parents want and need the government to step in much more robustly,” he says. A ban is being proposed by scientists and advocates urging the CPSC to outlaw chemicals linked to cancer and other developmental problems, using authority it rarely uses without a direct order from Congress.
New Jersey Assemblyman Holley pushes for nationwide ban on supplemental mattresses for babies
September 16, 2015, tapinto
The state official urged the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to ban supplemental mattresses for soft-side play yards, calling them “a proven suffocation hazard” to babies. The CPSC has placed a petition calling for the ban on its docket, with a public comment period running through October 13.
ICPHSO announces new executive director: Marc Schoem
September 18, 2015, ICPHSO
The International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization has named Schoem as its top staff leader, succeeding long-time founding executive director Ross Koeser, who retired earlier this year. Schoem is currently Deputy Director, Office of Compliance and Field Operations with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
95% of consumers buy private brands but concerns in food quality and safety point to need for greater transparency
September 24, 2015, Reuters Press Release
Firm’s research of 3,000 consumers underscores issues with consumer confidence across all food brands. Only 12% of those surveyed “wholeheartedly trust the safety of the private and National food brands they consume.” 84% of respondents believe food retailers or manufacturers area responsible for private brand food quality and safety.
Gartner: Ranking of top European supply chain organizations for 2015
September 25, 2015, iconnect007
Gartner identified top 15 performers based on a combination of financial metrics (revenue growth, return on assets, and inventory) and the opinion of peers and analysts. A willingness to invest in technology and digital business models gives top companies an edge, according to a Gartner official.
Volkswagon CEO Martin Winterkorn resigns amid emissions scandal
September 23, 2015, The New York Times
The company admits 11 million cars worldwide contain software that in the United States was installed to fool emission testing conducted under federal law. Separately, representatives of the company’s supervisory board said they would refer the case to German authorities for possible criminal prosecution. Amid growing crisis, Bloomberg reports that the U.S. Justice Department is investigating Volkswagon AG over its admission that it cheated on federal air pollution tests, adding the specter of criminal proceedings.
After battling safety agency, Recaro changes course on car seat recall
September 20, 2015, The New York Times
After more than 18 months of resistance, about 173,000 child seats are being recalled by Recaro, due to safety problems discovered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration during routine crash tests to check compliance with federal safety standards. The company had filed a formal petition arguing that there was no serious safety problem, and that the test was in error because the size dummy used during the test actually required the vehicle’s seat belt for restraint because the dummy exceeded the recommended weight for usage of the child seat.
Columnist: California now allows firms to tell consumers a ‘made in USA’ lie
September 25, 2015, Los Angeles Times
Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill this month that allows California companies to say “made in America” as long as their products are mostly made in America—90% American-made. According to a Times columnist, the bill’s author said the requirement that made in America products be completely made in America placed an “overly burdensome regulation” on California businesses. The only goods that have to disclose country of origin, based on Federal Trade Commission rules, are textiles, wool, fur, and cars.
Korea, China to eliminate technical barriers to trade with new agreements
September 22, 2015, BusinessKorea
Closer ties between countries sought as regulators sign 3 new agreements, with a consumer product safety focus. The focus areas are: application of necessary regulations, management of conformity assessment organizations, and exchange of information relating to safety in the field of consumer products.
Commission’s 2015 EU Consumer Scorecard show untapped e-commerce potential
September 21, 2015, The Financial
Cross-boarder purchases lag as study indicates 61% of consumer’s feel more confident of on-line products sold in their own market. Product trust an issue, including product conformity and delivery, as “consumers do not yet fully trust cross-border e-commerce, Scorecard finds. Trust in product safety is relatively stable with 69% of consumers and 75% of retailers find products to be safe.
