Consumer Reports Investigation Finds Product Safety Warning System Is Broken
December 2021, Consumer Reports
When it comes to removing dangerous products from the marketplace, most of us assume that government regulators are able to move quickly to protect us. But that’s not always true. A new Consumer Reports investigation has found a broken system within the Consumer Product Safety Commission, leaving unsuspecting consumers vulnerable to injuries or even death from dangerous products.
Bouncy Castle Accident Kills 5 Children In Australia
December 16, 2021, Fox News
The Consumer Product Safety Commission bounce houses are “not without risk” with 12 deaths being reported to the agency from 2003-2013. The CPSC estimated more than 18,000 injuries associated with bounce houses which were treated in hospital ERs
IDEO’s Sandy Speicher Asks: What Is An Office Even For
December 17, 2021, Harvard Business Review
Sandy Speicher is CEO of IDEO, the consulting firm that helped revolutionize how the businesses think about innovation. She discusses how companies can design future workplaces and processes to thrive amid the disruptions of the past few years.
Product Recalls Across Industries Increased In Q3
December 14,2021, NU Property Casualty 360
The rate of product recalls increased during that Q3 compared with the prior 3-month period, says Sedgwick. Their Q3 analysis reports a slew of business challenges. They conclude increased regulator pressure will continue to drive recalls into 2022.
Speaking Of Talk: Make The Most Of Pop-Up Conversations And Meetings
You never know whether you’ll run into your CEO on an elevator or need a quick presentation for the product design group. Is your product safety message up to date? Sign up today for the latest thinking by industry leaders on Communicating Product Safety through SPSP’s free webinar series Jan. 25-Feb. 1.
Proposition 65: OEHHA Modifies Proposed Changes To “Short-Form” Warnings
December 14, 2021, National Law Review
OEHHA’s regulations provide an option for a “short-form” warning as an acceptable alternative to the revised requirements for consumer product exposure warnings. This option requires the hazard symbol, the word “warning” in capital letters and bold print — WARNING — and a reference to OEHHA’s website, but importantly does not require a company to name a listed chemical within the text of the warning.
Hong Kong Consults Over New Standards For Toys
And Children’s Products
December 15, 2021, Market Screener
On December 1, 2021, Hong Kong announced a one-month consultation on its proposal to adopt up-to-date standards for toys and six categories of Schedule 2 Products. This stems from revisions to international standards or standards adopted by major economies so that they are applied to products supplied in Hong Kong.
Opinion: Generators Poison Thousands Annually. The U.S. Has Failed To Force Safety Changes.
December 17, 2021, NBC News
Portable generators, which emit carbon monoxide, are among the deadliest consumer products. Two decades after the government identified the danger, people are left vulnerable by a system that lets the industry regulate itself.
Study Estimates Risk Of Chemicals In Products To Young Children
December 16, 2021, IISD Knowledge Hub
The study aims to develop a mouthing exposure model to predict migration into saliva, mouthing exposure, and related health risks from a range of chemical-material combinations in children’s products. The model represents a green and sustainable chemistry tool that industries can apply to assess whether the chemicals present in their products could pose a risk to children.
CPSC Issues Life-Saving Tips To Millions After Deadly Tornadoes
December 14, 2021, CPSC.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission urges consumers in state devasted by recent tornadoes to take steps to prevent further harm and reminds them to protect themselves against carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and fires.
Silence Isn’t Golden: Failure To Report Consumer Product Safety Issues Results In Rare $91 Million Criminal Penalty.
November 5, 2021, Consumer Products Law
In one of the most significant developments in product safety law over the past decade, Gree Electric Appliances Inc. of Zhuhai, Hong Kong Gree Electric Appliances Sales Co. Ltd., and Gree USA Inc. have pled guilty to willfully failing to report to the Consumer Product Safety Commission under Section 15(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA). According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the CPSC, the Gree Companies knew their dehumidifiers were defective, failed to meet applicable safety standards, and could catch fire, but failed to timely report that information to the CPSC.
Honoring Our Heroes
SPSP Website
SPSP makes a permanent home for the salute poster at its website.
