The UK’s EU referendum: All you need to know
June 24, 2016, BBC
The world is still trying to digest the new reality of an EU without the UK among its members. What does it all mean to individuals, to trade, and to countries around the world? BBC walks through some of the basic impacts of the historic UK vote to leave the EU. How does it effect EU residents living in the UK and UK residents living in the EU? And on the business level, will a Brexit harm product safety? Probably not…but it would depend…”
Brexit: what next for the UK and EU?
June 24, 2016, The National Law Review (Squire Patton Boggs)
One attorney advises that the UK referendum was just a vote, and in immediate legal terms there is “much less to this than meets the eye.” However, there are immediate considerations that can be addressed in a proactive way to begin preparing for changes that can take place affecting employment, pensions, commercial contracts, and trade.
China, US, EU pledge to tighten product safety in e-commerce
June 22, 2016, abcnews.com
Delegates to a trilateral product safety summit being held in Beijing said in bilingual statement that they will jointly enforce product safety in online commerce. The rapid growth of international e-commerce “has created new challenges,” in protecting consumers from dangerous products. CPSC Chairman Elliot Kaye, heading up the U.S. delegation, said that the U.S.-Chinese relationship in product safety is close and cooperative, in contrast to disputes in other areas. He also said that the U.S. is making progress in crafting standards for hoverboards through the efforts of standard organizations UL and ASTM.
Interview: Enhanced EU-China cooperation on product safety benefits both sides: EU Commissioner
June 19, 2016, New China
The European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers, and Gender Equality, Vera Jourova, said that the European Union and China need to strengthen cooperation in the field of product safety which is in the interest of both sides. She said in an interview ahead of her visit to a trilateral product safety meeting in Beijing for an EU, U.S., and China product safety summit that her goal for the meeting was to build cooperation especially with fast developing e-commerce, and to create a stronger roof for quicker action and better communications between the EU and China.
The president just signed a law that affects nearly every product you use
June 22, 2016, The Washington Post
President Obama signed a bill into law that places stronger regulations on chemicals present in nearly every product Americans use, including detergents, clothing, paint thinners, cleanser, and automobiles. Congress passed the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act after decades of criticism from environment groups calling “one of the worst environmental laws on the books.
China vows to replace ‘poisonous’ running tracks at schools
June 24, 2016, The New York Times
Chinese officials have pledged to replace school running tracks made of industrial waste that have reportedly sickened thousands of children, the latest in a series of public health scandals. The Ministry of Education will coordinate with environmental protection and quality inspection authorities to inspect synthetic rubber tracks across China this summer.
Online Dealz ordered to pay $100,000 fine for selling unsafe cots, strollers
June 22, 2016, Sydney Morning Herald
An online Australian retailer which sold hundreds of unsafe cots and strollers has been ordered to pay a $100,000 penalty by the Federal Court. About 250 unsafe items were sold on line, including eBay and Gumtree, using misleading claims that they were “certified to Australian standards.”
Milwaukee among US cities accused of concealing lead
June 20, 2016 wateronline
The city of Milwaukee recently found itself in unfortunate company as one of 33 major cities accused of concealing dangerous levels of lead in its drinking water. The city advised consumers to “let the tap run three to five minutes and then fill the sample bottle,” which would distort the results of the test, intended to detect lead.
Youth education initiative to improve fireworks safety
June 24, 2016, Health News Digest
The American Pyrotechnics Association has launched a youth education initiative to promote the responsible use of consumer fireworks. The group formed a new 501 (c) (3) charitable organization and engaged former CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum to spearhead the development and distribution of age appropriate curriculum and resources to teach young people more about fireworks and fireworks safety.
Blog: How to avoid a product recall? Test, test, and test some more
June 16, 2016, London School of Economics
As recalls rise, manufacturers are advised to head off trouble early. One consultant urges businesses to avert the financial and reputation losses that flow from a recall: take pain to avoid putting out a defective product in the first place.
