Philips Lighting North America agrees to pay $2 million civil penalty for failure to report defective lamps and implement compliance program
November 24, 2015, CPSC news release
The penalty settles charges the company knowingly failed to report to CPSC, as required by federal law, information about a defect and an unreasonable risk of serious injury with its EnergySaver compact fluorescent lamps. In addition, Philips has agreed to develop and maintain a compliance program and a related system of internal controls and procedures.
Product safety researchers call for ban on crib bumpers
November 24, 2015, St. Louis Public Radio
Washington University in St. Louis researchers have found 77 deaths attributable to crib bumpers between 1985 and 2012, with most cases involving suffocating due to faces pressed into the bumper, or heads wedged between the bumper and crib mattresses. The study’s authors urge CPSC: “Ban traditional crib bumpers for sale in the U.S. quickly.”
80% of electrical product recalls originated in China
November 24, 2015, pcr-line.biz
A Q3 recall study recently released by Stericycle ExpertSOLUTIONS shows that 60% of all consumer product recalls in Europe concerned goods that were made in China and Hong Kong. The Q3 Index based on data from EU’s RAPEX and RASFF rapid alert systems, reports at total of 997 recalls during the quarter, a 14% drop from Q2. The top countries of origin were China (241), Germany (22), U.S.A. (13), Turkey (11), and Japan (8).
Companies respond to ‘Trouble in Toyland’ toy safety report
November 25, 2015, NBC Today
Retailers and manufacturers respond sharply to criticism by U.S. Public Interest Research Group, stressing focus on product safety, compliance to strict standards, and vigorous testing programs.
Toyota recalls vehicles in Japan, Europe for air bag defect
November 25, 2015, business.inquirer.net
The Japanese car maker is recalling 1.6 million vehicles for defective airbags made by embattled Takata. Toyota has announced 15 million units worldwide under recall, with nearly 3 million each in the U.S. and Japan. Toyota joins Ford Motor Co., Honda, and Nissan in deciding not to use Takata inflators going forward.
European Supply Chains: A 2015 Retrospective
November 25, 2015, ebn online
Against a turbulent year of economic sluggishness, geopolitical instability, and a changing EU, a recent executive round table brought forth an analysis of top trends that have affected the management of supply chains. Among the trends: 1) new supply chain sourcing strategies brought on by current political, social, and weather trends; 2) investments being made in new technologies, and 3) new business models evolving around e-commerce level, and at the business-to-consumer and business-to-business levels.
FDA finalizes genetically engineered food labeling guidance and approves “AquAdvantage Salmon”
November 25, 2015, Mintz Levin
Call the decision “an important milestone”, the author summarizes the primary takeaway is that FDA’s “long-standing policy regarding labeling of foods containing genetically engineered ingredients has not changed, even after years of consumer and legislative pressure regarding the public’s right to know whether a food contains one or more GE ingredients.
NEISS: Treadmill injuries comprise 39% of all injuries in the exercise equipment category in 2014
November, 2015, CPSC Research
Data compiled by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for 2014 indicates there were over 24,400 injuries associated with treadmills seen in hospital emergency rooms. This represents an increase from the previous year of 2% above the incidents reported in 2014. No single item mentioned within the product code for exercise equipment in NEISS was larger than treadmills, which accounted for 39% of all reported injuries during the year.
Photo register technology guarantees recall information gets to customers
November 26, 2015, thedenverchannel.com
A new service offered by Denver-based “Registria” allows consumers to take a picture of product codes and text it to get updates about discounts and recalls. An official with the company says: “The product registration process is so cumbersome—this long paper form, sending them in, going to a web site and registering a product—we’re all mobile now.” Since Registria is not an app, it is free. Standard text messaging rates apply.
Kids safety network launches new child-centered safety website
November 25, 2015, reuters.com
A new website offers parents tips on child proofing homes, traveling with kids, or ideas for healthy living. The Kids Safety Network hopes to provide a single place where parents can find the latest safety information, reviews, trends, and tips on how to protect kids in today’s world. The site is at www.kidssafetynetwork.com.
