Acting Chairman Buerkle: On YouTube to announce Fisher Price recall of 4.7 million sleepers
April 12, 2019, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission leader takes to social media audience to help promote the agency’s action in recalling 4.7 million of Fisher-Prices popular infant sleeper.
United States : U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. Remarks at CPSC Oversight Hearing
April 18, 2019, TradingCharts.com
Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) delivered the following remarks at a Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee Hearing on: Protecting Americans From Dangerous Products: Is the Consumer Product Safety Commission Fulfilling its Mission: “Few people have heard of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), but it serves a critical role in protecting consumers from dangerous products. It is the agency that makes sure your coffee maker does not burn down your house, your baby does not die from a defective crib, your power drill does not electrocute you, your hot water heater does not poison you, and your child’s toy is not made of lead. In order to be fully effective, CPSC needs to be a proactive agency, not a reactive one. Unfortunately, I’m concerned that CPSC has become an inactive agency.
How companies should test and certify their products
April, 2019, cpsc.gov
Federal law requires manufacturers and importers to test many consumer products for compliance with consumer product safety requirements. Based on passing test results, the manufacturer or importer must certify the consumer product as compliant with the applicable consumer product safety requirements in a written or electronic certificate. Certificates are required to accompany the applicable product or shipment of products covered by the certificate, and a copy must be provided to retailers, distributors and, upon request, to the government.
New Zealand importer fined $20,000 over safety of rubber duck and other toys for young children
April 16, 2019, New Zealand Herald
A toy importer has been fined $20,000 on toy-safety related charges that included rubber ducks and squeezy animals.The Commerce Commission said Haiwing International Ltd had pleaded guilty to two representative charges that from January 2015 to July 2017 it sold 59 units of an unsafe rubber duck set and 80 units of an unsafe set of squeezy animal toys. Three other companies would soon be sentenced on toy-safety related charges, the commission said.
Senator decries “poisons” as unregulated chemicals in cosmetics draw scrutiny
April 15, 2019, CBS
The choices are endless: products promise bold-colored lips, eyes that pop, softer skin or shinier hair. But it’s what is in many of those products that may be less appealing – thousands of chemicals, including lead, phthalates and formaldehyde, chemicals experts say are putting consumers health at risk. According to the Environmental Working Group, women put an average of 168 chemicals on their face and body before they even walk out of the door; men put on an average of 85 chemicals. Studies show some of those chemicals have been linked to health problems, including cancer and infertility. A new bill in Congress aims to protect people from potentially dangerous chemicals found in everyday beauty products.
Pittsburgh area Mom who has son with special needs created safety sleeper bed out of necessity
April 16, 2019, WESA Radio
A Gibsonia-based manufacturer produces a type of bed that keeps kids from wandering at night. The Safety Sleeper looks a lot like a tent that fits over a mattress, only instead of waterproof polyester, it’s constructed with medical-grade fabric. And unlike a tent, it can only be opened from the outside.
Mattel recalls Fisher-Price seat in United States, but not in Canada — why?
April 16, 2019, Global News
After the deaths of more than 30 children using them in the last decade, Mattel decided last week to recall its popular Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper. The company sold nearly five million units of the infant seat since 2009. But despite the action in the U.S., Mattel, which manufacturers Fisher-Price products, has not stopped the sale of a similar product sold in Canada, or ordered a recall here.
Popular baby product recalled over serious safety concerns
April 17, 2019, Sunshine Coast Daily
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has recalled cots from Adairs over fears children could injure themselves. Parents who’ve already purchased the Cooper Timber Cot have been urged to “immediately stop using the cot” due to its failure to comply with mandatory safety standards. “There is a risk that a child may be injured because they may fall out of the cot or because some edges may not be rounded enough,” the ACCC shared in a statement.
A global approach to IoT cybersecurity
March 13, 2019, JD Supra
The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has published a new standard for cybersecurity in relation to consumer IoT products. The standard builds on the UK’s Code of Practice for Consumer IoT Security, published in October last year. The Code of Practice was developed by the UK Government following publication of a draft code as part of the Secure by Design report published by the Government in March 2018 and after consultation with industry, consumer associations, and academics.
From promise to delivery: European Commission’s vision, consumer protection for the future
April 17, 2019, European Parliament
In a public statement the European Parliament explained its governing vision for the next decade. It reads in part: “The European Parliament confirmed today the agreement on stronger and better enforced consumer protection rules. The main improvements will be more transparency for consumers when buying online, effective penalties and clear rules to tackle the issue of dual quality of products in the EU. The European Commission proposed the new rules in April last year as part of the New Deal for Consumers. First Vice-President Timmermans said: “With this New Deal consumers will be better protected by more transparency and sanctions for traders who go rogue. Consumers will know what they’re buying, and whom they’re buying it from. This is what a fairer Single Market means.”
