Agency Announcement: Ann Marie Buerkle elevated to serve as Acting Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
February 10, 2017, cpsc.gov
A news release from the U.S, Consumer Product Safety Commission formally announced that Commissioner Ann Marie Buerkle was named Acting Chairman of the agency on February 9, 2017. Ms. Buerkle thanked Chairman Elliot Kaye for his service, and said “while we are experiencing a change in leadership, CPSC’s mission remains the same, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with all stakeholders in my new position.”
The current list under Proposition 65
January 27, 2017, oehha.ca.gov
The current Proposition 65 list is available on-line, as a PDF or Excel download, or through WestLaw, according to an announcement from California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. The Excel document also includes the listing mechanism for each chemical listing and the safe harbor level, if one has been adopted. Where available, some listings are accessible electronically.
New certification announced for consumer product professionals
February 20, 2017, Product Safety Letter
A new organization has announced the establishment of a certification program from consumer product safety professionals. The Society of Product Safety Professionals was organized by a group of graduates from Saint Louis University’s product safety management education program who wanted to expand on opportunities for professionals in the area of education and certification. The initial pilot certification examination is scheduled for December, 2017.
Switzerland updates toys ordinance to harmonize with European toy safety directive
February 17, 2017, satprnews.com
In December, 2016. Switzerland incorporated the latest requirements from the European Union’s Toy Safety Directive into its own toys ordinance. While Switzerland is not a member of the EU, it does follow many EU regulations. The latest requirements include the alignment of language, clarifying the list of products not considered as toys, clarifying the general requirements for chemicals, and various other restrictions.
Toshiba expands battery recall
February 10, 2017, itwire.com
Toshiba Australia has announced an extension of its global voluntary recall to replace the lithium-ion battery packs for some of its notebooks sold between June 2011 and September 2015. The batteries were also sold as replacements. Toshiba joins HP, Dell, Panasonic, Fujitsu, Lenovo, and Sony (at least) in recalling potentially faulty batteries.
Most experts recommend that kids under 16 shouldn’t use ATVs
February 9, 2017, claimsjournal.com
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that since 1982, more than 5,000 ATV-related deaths have been reported in the United States, with those age 16 or under having one of the highest injury rates. According to one insurance company, more than 105,000 ATV riders are injured each year, with an estimated 25 percent of all ATV injuries and deaths involving children.
Chemical trade group attacks cancer research agency
February 10, 2017, Chemical and Engineering News
A web-based campaign questions the credibility of World Health Organization agency’s cancer monographs. The American Chemistry Council, the United States chemical industry’s main trade group, has launched the “Campaign for Accuracy in Public Health Research” to attack the credibility of reports on chemicals from the International Agency for Research in Cancer.
Lead crisis in Pennsylvania school water brings class action
February 13, 2017, courthousenews.com
Water in a school district north of Pittsburgh is so heavily contaminated with lead and copper that a student suffered irreversible damage to her nervous system and the entire school is being tested, her parents say in a federal class action. The district is being sued, along with its former superintendent who resigned his position on February 5, 2017 “effective immediately.”
17.3 million homes at environmental risk
February 16, 2017, realtormag.org
A whopping 17.3 million single-family homes and condos, with a combined estimated market value of $4.9 trillion, fall in ZIP codes with high or very high risk of at least one of four environmental hazards. Those hazards include superfunds, brownfields, polluters, or poor air quality according to an index established by a data solutions company.
Ex-VW Chairman Piech refuses to testify in German emissions inquiry
February 12, 2017, channelnewsasia.com
Ex-Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Piech, who resigned after a showdown with former chief executive Martin Winterkorn, has refused to testify to German lawmakers investigating a possible government’s role in the VW emissions scandal, according to his lawyer. Testimony he had given to a law firm and government prosecutors were “not directed at the public media” Piech’s attorney said.
