In the News: January 2, 2023
The STURDY Act Signed Into Law; Will Supersede CPSC Rule
December 27, 2022, Furniture Today
The Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth Act – known as STURDY – was passed by Congress Dec. 23 as part of the $1.7 trillion fiscal 2023 omnibus spending bill. The bill was signed into law by President Biden. The SURDY Act requires the CPSC to adopt an updated version of the ASTM International F2057 voluntary standard as a new mandatory safety rule, if it is found to meet all performance requirements outlined in the Act.
Makers Of Electric Bikes Warned They Must Comply With Rigorous Safety Standards
December 20, 2022, Consumer Reports
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning companies that make electric bikes and scooters that they need to comply with strict safety standards—and threatening penalties if they do not. “I urge you to review your product line immediately and ensure that all micromobility devices that you manufacture, import, distribute or sell in the United States comply with the relevant [safety] standards,” wrote Robert S. Kaye, director of the CPSC’s Office of Compliance and Field Operations. In a related a statement CPSC Commissioner Richard Trumka indicated the Agency will ” clamp down on e-bike lithium-ion batteries fires with the same playbook successfully used to combat hoverboard fires.”
Sen. Booker, Rep. Beyer Lead Colleagues In Urging CPSC To Address Dangerous Indoor Air Pollutions Emitted By Gas Stoves
December 22, 2022, Senator Cory Booker
Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) urged Alexander Hoehn-Saric, Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, to address the high level of dangerous indoor air pollutants emitted by gas stoves. “In addition to the climate impacts, these emissions represent real health risks to millions of Americans,” wrote members of both the House and Senate to Hoehn-Saric. “These emissions can create a cumulative burden to households that are already more likely to face both indoor and outdoor air pollution.” The legislators also propose that the CPSC launch a public education campaign on the health risks of cooking with a gas stove and steps that consumers can take to minimize their risks.
When A Tough Question Puts You On The Spot
December 19, 2022, Harvard Business Review
Amidst the economic and global uncertainty that surrounds us, handling tough questions is an ongoing part of a leader’s job. In this piece, the author outlines strategies to answer difficult questions so that you can maintain the trust of your clients and colleagues, keep your relationships intact and weather any storm.
3M Will Stop Making Dangerous ‘Forever Chemicals’
December 20,2022, Washington Post
Consumer products giant 3M announced that it will stop making and using a ubiquitous class of long-lasting, hazardous chemicals that can pose health risks to millions of Americans. The company, which makes widely used products including sticky notes, adhesive tape and safety masks, pledged to “exit all manufacturing” and “work to discontinue the use” of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, across its products by the end of 2025.
Japan To Introduce Mandatory Helmet Law For People On Bicycles
December 21, 2022, Forbes
Beginning April 2023, Japan will become one of the few countries in the world to mandate the use of helmets when bicycling. The Japanese Cabinet approved a government ordinance that will introduce the helmet stipulation into Japan’s Road Traffic Act. Argentina, Cyprus, Australia and New Zealand are the only other countries to have cycle helmet compulsion, often enforced with punitive fines.
NTSB Study: At Least 119 E-Bike, E-Scooter Deaths From 2017-2021
December 22, 2022, Bicycle Retailer
A National Transportation Safety Board study found at least 119 e-bike and e-scooter fatalities occurred between 2017 and 2021. The study also notes “inadequate data collection from authorities makes identifying accidents involving micromobility devices difficult.” The NTSB recommends that the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which regulates Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, include “an explicit product code for electric bicycles in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System,” which is used to monitor consumer product related injuries.
Opportunities And Blind Spots In The White House’s Blueprint For An AI Bill Of Rights
December 19, 2022, Brookings Institution
The comprehensive document identified five core principles to guide and govern the effective development and implementation of AI systems with particular attention to the unintended consequences of civil and human rights abuses. While the identification and mitigation of the intended and unintended consequential risks of AI have been widely known for quite some time, how the Blueprint will facilitate the reprimand of such grievances is still undetermined. Further, questions remain on whether the nonbinding document will prompt necessary congressional action to govern this unregulated space.
Safe Sleep For Babies: What You Need To Know If You Offer Infant Sleep Products
December 19, 2022, Morgan Lewis
The Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021, which went into effect on November 12, 2022, makes it is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, manufacture for sale, distribute in commerce, or import into the United States padded crib bumpers and inclined infant sleep products with an incline of 10 degrees or more. However, companies should note that oversight of infant sleep products extends beyond the new regulation.
After A Major Recall, Large Questions Loom For The Laundress
December 19, 2022, Modern Retail
Experts say The Laundress is likely doing what it can to ensure the issue doesn’t happen again, but the brand has yet to identify exactly how and where what led to such a wide-scale recall. Meanwhile customers continue to hammer the company for information on its social media accounts.
Target Recalls 200K Weighted Blankets After 2 Young Girls Suffocate
December 23, 2022, Yahoo
Target is recalling about 204,000 weighted blankets sold nationwide after the suffocation deaths of two girls in April, the retailer and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced. Target has received four reports of children getting trapped after unzipping and entering the blanket, including the two fatalities. Made in China, the blankets were sold exclusively at Target stores and online from December 2018 through September 2022 for $40.
Consumer Product Safety Reforms One Step Closer In Europe
December 23, 2022, Productwise – Cooley LLP
The ‘final’ text of the new European General Product Safety Regulation is now available. This is the text of the provisional agreement reached between the European Commission, Parliament and Council during the last round of trilogue discussions. Whilst there are still a few hurdles to clear before this becomes law, and it’s possible there could still be some changes to the text, this is largely expected to represent what the final legislation should look like.
