CPSC Publishes new federal safety standard for infant bath tubs
March 31, 2017, Federal Register Notice (CPSC)
The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has approved a new mandatory federal standard intended to improve the safety of infant bath tubs and prevent drowning. The new standard incorporates the most recent voluntary standard developed by ASTM International (ASTM F2670-17), Standard Consumer Safety Specifications for Infant Bath Tubs. Between January 2004 and August 2015 there were 247 incidents reported to the CPSC involving infant tubs, including 31 fatalities.
Samsung may bring back its fire-plagued Galaxy Note 7
March 28, 2017, The New York Times
The star-crossed Samsung Galaxy Note 7, whose fires prompted an unprecedented array of issues and cost to the company, may be headed back to consumers. Samsung announced that it might sell refurbished versions of the phone, though there has been no decision about in which countries the device may be sold.
Samsung hardly mentions battery safety in new phones
March 29, 2017, itweb.co.za (Reuters)
While Samsung has taken aggressive steps to design out the hazards that led to the collapse of its fire-prone Note 7 smartphones, there is little mention of safety of its new S8 smartphones now being launched. There is an eight-point safety check protocol that includes x-raying the batteries, which were the cause of fires experienced by the Note 7, resulting in the unprecedented measures and expense for Samsung.
Glyphosate to be added to Proposition 65 list of chemicals
March 28, 2017, oehha.ca.gov
Though still surrounded by litigation, glyphosate, the active ingredient of Monsanto’s Roundup® and many other weed killers, is being added to California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer. The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) says that the effective date of the listing will depend on the outcome of a request for a stay in the Fresno County Superior Court case Monsanto v. OEHHA, which challenges the agency’s ability to list the chemical.
New York State Legislature consider 6 bills affecting consumer products
March 30, 2017, asianinspection.com
The New York State Legislature is now considering 6 different legislative proposals covering such issues as phthalates in the sale of toys and children’s products and placement of warnings on certain lithium batteries and products containing such batteries. There are also proposals to prohibit the sale of certain jewelry products that contain small magnets, and to prohibit the sale of any toy containing bisphenol A and the sale of any food and beverage container containing bisphenol A designed for use by children 3 years of age or younger.
Anti-counterfeiting market analysis by product, forensic, track and trace, and applications (pharmaceutical and clothing), 2014-2025 expected to reach $184 billion
March 29, 2017, pharmiweb.com
The global anti-counterfeit packaging market is expected to reach $184.87 billion by 2025 according to one market report by a research company. The industry in North America is estimated to grow at over 33% of the global market due to high demand by industries such as pharmaceuticals, apparels, and food and beverage in the U.S. and Canada.
Nearly one-third consumers are not registering new electrical appliances
March 27, 2017, voltimum.co.uk
A research study by a UK consumer group reports that nearly one-half of consumers are not registering new electrical appliances. This despite the fact that a number of high profile safety alerts and product recalls were among the 2016 recall notices that were issued in 2016. The group, Electrical Safety First, is urging consumers to be aware of registration as an essential step when purchasing an electrical product.
German watchdog sued for being too soft on VW over emissions cheating
March 24, 2017, businesslieve.co.za
VW has faced billions of dollars of fines in the U.S. but its costs in Europe have been much lower—and critics say governments may be bowing to lobbying pressure. One German environmental group has filed suit against German motor authority KBA, accusing it of failing to act robustly enough over Volkswagen’s diesel emissions scandal.
Flame retardant chemicals market rises with attention to safety from hazards
March 23, 2017, globenewswire.com
With estimates that the focus on safety regulations could expand usage, the market for flame retardant chemicals is expected to rise in a variety of geographic centers and specifically in China and the U.S. This report by a market analysis firm estimates that a large demand will come from engineering and construction centers in such end application sectors as electronics and electrical devices, building and construction materials, furnishings, transportation and others. The report covers the period 2017-2022.
UAE: New safety regulations for hoverboards, drones, and e-transport devices
March 28, 2017, emirates247.com
With electronic personal transport devices flooding the Middle East, new and updated standards are establishing a baseline of expectations for their safe use and shipment. Hoverboards, drones, electric bikes and other forms of transport have become hugely popular, prompting UL, a global safety science firm, to urge caution and awareness, along with new global safety standards that will minimize risk and keep end users safe.
