Infant Bouncer Seat: A proposed CPSC rule would establish a safety standard for the infant product
October 19, 2015, CPSC
The rule would incorporate by reference the voluntary standard ASTM F2167-15 for the seat, defined as “a freestanding product intended to support an occupant in a reclined position to facilitate bouncing by the occupant, with the aid of a caregiver or by other means.” The Commission proposes modifications to the text, placement, and formatting of warnings requirements and instructional literature requirements of ASTM F2167-15 to help further reduce injuries related to hazard patterns identified in the Commission briefing document. The proposed rule calls for comments by January 4, 2016.
The high cost of product recalls
October 30, 2015, Digital Journal
Whether your company sells food, baby strollers or cars, the costs for recalling products involves much more than the cost of the product itself. Over 2,300 recalls a year represent 32 million “things” that have to be sent back, destroyed, or replaced annually. Food recalls alone cost the American economy about $7 billion every year.
Chairman Kaye and staff participating in the 2015 North American Product Safety Summit
October 16, 2015, CPSC Public Calendar
The CPSC Chairman will be among regulatory leaders from Canada, the United States, and Mexico who will meet in Mexico City to discuss ongoing areas of common interest and collaboration under the Cooperative Engagement Framework as established at the previous 2013 summit held in Ottawa. The regulators will meet in closed sessions on November 17, followed by feature sessions on November 18-19 open to stakeholders offering a variety of presentations on consumer product safety issues such as international collaboration, border protection, risk management and requirements for industry.
EU pushes for business without borders
October 28, 2015, Politico
An internal marketing strategy released by the European Commission spells out efforts to realize a single market strategy aimed at making business rules simpler across the 28-country block. A German engineering lobbyist group criticized the strategy for ignoring the impact of digitization and whether the legal requirements governing product safety have been superseded by new technologies. A pro-business group backs the strategy.
How a small White House agency stalls life-saving regulations
October 29, 2015, Reuters Investigates
The little known Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs can delay, rewrite or kill rules mandated by Congress and as the case of requiring rearview cameras on cars shows, it often uses that power. While National Highway Traffic Safety Administration staff complained that the OIRA staff was hostile to the rearview camera from the start, the head of OIRRA says that its main job is to circulate proposed rules among other agencies to ensure they don’t conflict with existing regulations or policies, which can cause delay.
China’s new child policy lifts baby product stocks, sinks condom maker
October 30, 2015, Associated Press
Shares of companies that make diapers and baby strollers got a boost from China’s decision to scrap its one-child policy. Some analysts forecast an extra 3-6 million babies born annually in the five year period starting in 2017. Currently China has about 16.5 million births each year.
What Volkswagen’s scandal can teach supply chain professionals
October 8, 2015, ebnonline
Amidst the fall-out from the automaker’s diesel emissions scandal, and its more than $7.3 billion set-aside to cover the recalls and related damage, are a set of issues that have irked supply chain professionals for years, including: how to improve visibility up an down the supply chain, how to create more transparency between partners, and how to manage risk.
Window Covering Manufacturers Association Launches Process to Update Corded Window Covering Safety Standards
October 29, 2015, Reuters
The WCMA wants to revise the current voluntary standard in accordance with the American National Standards Institute’s process, and expects to hold its first organizational meeting before the end of the year. The groups seeks “an inclusive process to update the standard” and expects to work with regulators, as well as representatives from consumer groups and all facets of the window covering industry, according to a WCMA executive.
EU updates list of standards for general product safety directive
October 28, 2015, 4-Traders
The directive is an important piece of legislation in demonstrating presumption of conformity for certain product categories where there is no specific European regulation. Product areas mentioned in the most recent commission communication include children and articles carry and stands, safety barriers, cycle and bicycles, and gymnastic equipment.
DTI: Just 3 violators of product standard policy in Davao
October 27, 2015, Sunstar
A Davao consumer and trade official in this region of the Philippines reports this is one case more than last year. “We can attribute this to our strict implementation and constant information dissemination,” the official said, emphasizing this was achieved with the help of retailers’ cooperation.
Opinion: Why lead paint lawsuits are a dud for California cities, counties: Carmen Trutanich
October 27, 2015, Los Angeles Daily News
The former city attorney for Los Angeles (2009-2013) advises municipal officials to “be careful of what you wish for.” The 10 cities and counties that joined a lawsuit got a “golden ruling” after a court trial in Santa Clara County and a $1.15 billion judgment. The problem: “the verdict, in essence, labels ‘every‘ painted residential building, constructed prior to 1981, as a ‘public nuisance’ “ driving property values for home owners and property taxes to public entities down.
