Latest pool safety statistics: At least 148 children fatally drowned in pools and spas this summer
September 19, 2018, cpsc.gov
The number of fatal drownings is down approximately 9% from 2017. During the same period last year, 163 children younger than age 15 drowned in swimming pools or spas, according to media reports.“ Although the decline in the number of fatal child drownings this summer is promising, drowning remains the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages one to four,” said Ann Marie Buerkle, Acting Chairman, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Infant walkers lead to thousands of emergency visits for babies
September 20, 2018, Medical Life Sciences News
According to a new study, hundreds of thousands of babies have been injured while using baby walkers. The results of the study appeared in the latest issue of the journal Pediatrics this week. The team of researchers looked at emergency visits due to injuries caused while using infant walkers between 1990 and 2014. They found that over 230,000 children below the age of 15 months have been injured. Injuries range from minor scratches and cuts to skull fractures and fractured bones, the authors say. Three in four of these injuries have occurred as babies fell off the stairs while within the walkers.
Industry, Academic Experts Lead University Consumer Product Safety Certification Program
September 24, 2018, WECT (NBC), Wilmington
The Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business’ Emerson Leadership Institute has announced the instruction panel for the 2019 Consumer Product Safety Professional Certification Program. The list includes industry leaders, attorneys, engineers, and leading business school faculty. The program is sponsored by the Society of Product Safety Professionals, and was designed by its affiliate, Consumer Product Safety Certification Services.
New Section 301 Tariffs: U.S, targets $200 billion worth of Chinese imports and China responds
September 19, 2018, Lexology (Mayer Brown LLP)
On September 17, 2018, the Office of the US Trade Representative (“USTR”) announced the final list for the third set of products imported from China that will be subject to an additional tariff (“US List 3”)1 due to the Section 301 investigation on China’s intellectual property-related trade and industrial policies.2 The new tariff will become effective September 24, 2018, initially at an ad valorem rate of 10 percent, which will increase to 25 percent on January 1, 2019.
The final list continues to cover a broad range of imports from China, such as chemicals, textiles, metal products and electronics.
Toy Association joins Americans for Free Trade Coalition to oppose harmful tariffs
September 12, 2018, Toy Association
The Toy Association announced today that it has joined Americans for Free Trade, a multi-industry coalition aimed at opposing tariffs and highlighting the benefits of international trade to the U.S. economy. Made up of more than 80 of the nation’s leading retail, manufacturing, technology, and services trade organizations, the new coalition has joined with Farmers for Free Trade in a multi-million dollar national campaign called Tariffs Hurt the Heartland. Kicking off with events in Chicago, Nashville, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, the campaign will focus on telling the stories of the American businesses, farmers, workers, and citizens.
Some critical baby and children’s products exempted from tariffs; JPMA to continue to advocate for additional exemptions
September 21, 2018, CISION PRWeb
The baby products industry received a disproportionately large share of tariff exemptions granted, and relief was noted for certain HTS codes related to car seats, high chairs, play yards and some other nursery gear. However, car seat component parts, cribs, bassinets, diaper bags, wooden safety gates, and packaging are among products that will remain subject to the full tariff.
Target deeply troubled over Trump’s tariffs as retailers push back
September 21, 2018, CNBC
Target is “deeply troubled” by the Trump administration’s escalating trade war, saying it threatens to undermine the U.S. economy, penalizes American families and raises prices on everything from backpacks to playpens. Target is among the hundreds of retailers and other companies pushing back against President Donald Trump‘s new 10 percent tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods. The U.S. trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, has received almost 6,200 comment letters on the proposed trade penalties so far.
Update: Peter Feldman’s nomination to the CPSC Commission
September 20, 2018, Linked In (Neal Cohen)
Sen. McConnell has filed cloture (to move forward to an actual vote) on the nomination of Peter A. Feldman, currently Senior Counsel (R) on the Senate Commerce Committee, to be the fifth Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission to finish the existing term and for an additional seven year term beginning October 27, 2019
How to protect yourself from counterfeits and product liability litigation
September 21, 2018, SciTech Europa
Product liability refers to a manufacturer or seller being held liable for placing a defective product into the hands of a consumer. Responsibility for a product defect that causes injury lies with all sellers of the product who are in the distribution chain. In general terms, the law requires that a product meet the ordinary expectations of the consumer. When a product has an unexpected defect or danger, the product cannot be said to be doing so, and while product liability law has developed in many countries independently, they all have a common basic rule: Liability for a product defect could rest with any party in the products chain of distribution.
How to track product recalls
September 19, 2018, Popular Science
Government agencies work hard to alert the public to recalls, disseminating the information through the news media, and keeping a real-time roster on their websites. But many remain unaware that their gadget or gizmo poses a risk. Here’s how to effectively and efficiently track recalls on everything you’ve ever purchased.
