Kawasaki Agrees to Pay $5.2 Million Civil Penalty, Maintain Compliance Program for Failure to Report Defective ROVs and Misrepresentation
June 2, 2017, cpsc.gov
The penalty settles charges that Kawasaki failed to immediately report to CPSC that its 2012-2016 model year Teryx4 750, Teryx4 800, and Teryx 800 recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) contained a defect that could create a substantial product hazard or that the ROVs created an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death. CPSC also alleged that Kawasaki knowingly made a material misrepresentation to CPSC staff by underreporting the number of Teryx4 750 floorboard incidents and failing to report any incidents regarding the Teryx4 800 or Teryx 800.
Fidget Spinner Round-up of Global News:
>Fidget Spinner Choking Hazard Alarms Parents, But Fire and Shock Risks Top This Month’s Recall List
June 1, 2017, Forbes.com
When it comes to the risks of fidget spinners, parents may be ahead of federal regulators. Good Housekeeping reports on a Texas mom who warned on Facebook that her daughter had choked on a piece of a fidget spinner that she put in her mouth to clean. Although the girl survived after surgery, the incident led the Good Housekeeping Institute to test a number of different fidget spinners. The findings: both brand-name spinners and knock-offs had parts that could choke children under three if they broke off.
>These Moms Are Warning Parents Everywhere About the Dangers of Fidget Spinners
May 31, 2017, Redbook Magazine
A 5-year old boy recovered quickly from surgery to remove a piece of a fidget spinner he had swallowed, but according to BuzzFeed, the boy’s mother now wants these fidget spinners to be recalled and labeled with the appropriate choking hazard warnings. She has taken to Facebook to warn moms about the choking risks associated with these popular toys. She’s not the only Mom so using social media.
>Will safety fears bring spinner craze to a halt?
May 29, 2017, Jerusalem Post
In the wake of U.S. warnings over the choking hazard threat posed by the immensely popular fidget spinner toy, in Israel the Standards Institution of Israel has launched its own investigation into the product to see whether it meets the toy safety standards set out by the state.
>Customs have seized over 200,000 fidget spinners over safety fears
May, 27, 2017, buzz.ie (with video)
Around 200,000 imported fidget spinners have been seized by Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and Revenue and Customers since 8th of May. The CCPC said in a statement: “We are currently examining samples of those products. If we find that products are uncompliant with product safety legislation, the products may be sent back to where they originally came from or destroyed. Our examinations are ongoing, however, so far the CCPC has found that some fidget spinners have a number of non-compliant characteristics.”
CPSC Commissioner Adler addresses the FY 2018 Agency Budget request to Congress
May 30, 2017, cpsc.gov
He endorses Commissioner Kaye’s request for an additional $5.5 million in funding over the formal requested amount of $123 million for FY’18. He notes that this additional request for funds is, “a figure not large enough to be a rounding error in most agencies’ budgets.”
Health Canada cancels recall of Ardene children’s jewelry
May 29, 2017, CBC News
In an unprecedented move, Health Canada has cancelled its recall of children’s jewelry sold by Canadian retailer Ardene after follow-up tests found the pieces don’t actually contain excessive amounts of lead. The retailer disputed Health Canada’s lead findings from the start. It’s the first time that a recall notice for a consumer product has been removed since the Consumer Product Safety Act came into force in 2011. Health Canada says the error might be the result of problems with new testing equipment.
California Senate passes ingredient disclosure bill
June 1, 2017, Chemical Watch
California’s Senate has passed a bill that would require increased disclosure of ingredients in cleaning products. The Cleaning Product Right to Know Act (SB 258), which is opposed by various industry groups, says such items must bear a label listing ingredients and ‘contaminants of concern’, plus pictograms communicating potential health concerns. Manufacturers would also have to provide a website where additional information could be found.
Bill to ban baby mattresses sales mysteriously marooned in committee
June 1, 2017, nj.com
A bill that would ban the sale and manufacture of supplemental baby mattresses has been slowed down without explanation in the New Jersey State Legislature. It would affect supplemental mattresses sold as additions to soft-sided play yards, playpens and porta-cribs. Those who support the bill say it would save babies’ lives. Those against the measure argue the mattresses are safe and say the bill is an economic issue.
Real flying hoverboard drone pilot stuns Lisbon soccer stadium crowd
May 30, 2017, The Drive
Soccer fans in Portugal’s capital were treated to something far more futuristic—an actual, flying hoverboard being ridden. These aren’t the little things that became trendy last year and arrived with all sorts of controversy. This thing is the real deal—a multi-rotor drone flying through the air being piloted not remotely, but from atop it.
