Senate Bill Aims To Create Digital And AI Oversight Agency; Microsoft Leaps Into Debate
May 22, 2023, MeriTalk
Two Democratic senators reintroduced legislation to establish a new Federal agency that would oversee digital platforms and AI products for a sector that has gone virtually unregulated. The Digital Platform Commission Act was introduced by Sens. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Peter Welch, D-Vt. If passed, it would create a “Federal Digital Platform Commission” that would provide comprehensive regulation of digital platforms and AI products to protect consumers, promote competition, and defend the public interest.
Microsoft Leaps Into The AI Regulation Debate,
Calls For New US Agency And Executive Order
U.S. Product Recalls Hit Four-Year High In First Quarter Of 2023
May 25, 2023, Yahoo Finance
Data from the first quarter of 2023 shows that the number of product recalls in the U.S. increased 14.2% from the previous quarter. According to Sedgwick brand protection’s latest U.S. product recall index report — which analyzes recall data from five key industries — this marks the highest single-quarter total in four years. After a second consecutive record-breaking year for the number of units recalled in 2022, stakeholders have been watching closely to see whether that trend would continue into 2023. With three quarters in the year yet to be reported and regulatory and consumer scrutiny continuing to increase, there is still the possibility of a third consecutive year with over 1 billion recalled units.
Has Cynicism Infected Your Organization?
May 25, 2023, Harvard Business Review
Workplace cynicism may be the least-understood aspect of burnout in part because of its complexity. Cynicism can be caused by a number of workplace factors, and it can be expressed in a broad range of emotional states and behaviors. Cynicism can spread rapidly throughout teams through a phenomenon known as “emotional contagion.” It’s possible to improve even deep-seated cynicism — and better yet, to prevent it from infecting your organization in the first place. Here are strategies to help reverse existing cynicism and to create an anti-cynical culture at work.
Analysis – Draft Model State PFAS Legislation: A More Holistic Approach To Regulating “Forever Chemicals” In Consumer Products
May 22, 2023, JD Supra
The Draft PFAS Prevention Model Act (Draft Model) offers a menu of policy options for state legislatures to address potential PFAS contamination and exposure from consumer products. Most notably, the Draft Model includes a near-total ban on PFAS-containing consumer products within three years. It also includes product reporting requirements, “extended producer responsibility” obligations and a new multi-jurisdictional “clearinghouse.” The Draft Model reflects a move towards a more holistic approach to the regulation of PFAS in products.
EU Publishes General Product Safety Regulation – Full Enforcement To Commence In December 2024
May 25, 2023, JD Supra
On May 23, 2023, the European Commission formally published the new General Product Safety Regulation, which reforms a variety of product safety regulations for manufacturers doing business in the European Union (EU) and its 27 member states. The regulation takes effect June 12, 2023, and will include an 18-month transitionary period for EU member states, companies subject to the regulation and others implement the new and revised regulations. Full enforcement begins December 13, 2024.
New Zealand Company, NZME, Fined For Supplying Unsafe Magnetic Toys
May 25, 2023, Mirage
NZME Advisory Limited (NZME), a broadcasting and media company, has been fined in the Auckland District Court for supplying unsafe magnetic puzzle toys, commonly known as buckyballs, which breached product safety laws and caused harm to a child in New Zealand in 2021. The toys, sold on NZME’s previously owned online store GrabOne.co.nz, were made up of small, high-powered magnetic balls. They were supplied between October 2020 and September 2021. The sale was in-breach of an unsafe goods notice which bans the supply of any magnets, sold in sets of two or more, that are a particular size and strength.
Australian Retailers Pay First Penalties For Supplying Products Allegedly In Breach Of Button Battery Standard
May 1, 2023, Australian Competition & Consumer Commission
The Reject Shop and Dusk have paid a total of nearly $240,000 after the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission issued them with infringement notices. The infringement notices related to the supply of Halloween novelty products containing potentially lethal button batteries, allegedly without complying with mandatory product safety and information standards. The penalties paid by discount retailer The Reject Shop and national homewares retailer Dusk are the ACCC’s first enforcement outcomes under button battery standards introduced last year.
NBC News Investigation: As Federal Officials Delayed Rules On Infant Loungers, Babies Continued To Die
May 25, 2023, NBC News
In September 2021, federal officials grew so alarmed by the number of babies who had suffocated after being laid down on a popular infant lounger that they issued an urgent notice to parents: Stop using it immediately. The padded, pillowy Boppy Newborn Lounger — sold to exhausted caregivers who relied on it as a safe place to put their infants — was linked to the deaths of eight babies, the Consumer Product Safety Commission warned. The federal agency announced a recall of more than 3 million of the loungers, which had been a mainstay of baby registries for years.
Hurricane Season Starts June 1: Protect Your Family From Carbon Monoxide Dangers
May 22, 2023, Medical Xpress
The Atlantic hurricane season in the U.S. starts June 1, and some dangers might not be immediately obvious: carbon monoxide poisoning, fires and electric shock. “Hurricanes and major storms in the U.S. have increased in frequency and severity in recent years. This hurricane season may bring widespread destruction that could impact millions of Americans,” said Alex Hoehn-Saric, chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. “I urge consumers to follow CPSC’s safety tips to prepare ahead of storms to prevent loss of life in a storm’s aftermath,” he said.
I’m An ER Pediatrician. I Won’t Let My Kid Do These 5 Summer Activities
May 25, 2023, NBC News Dallas
Summer is almost here, which means the weather is warmer, the days are longer and parents are gearing up for big schedule changes. It’s a favorite season for many children, and for good reason. Along with a much-needed break from school, the summer provides plenty of opportunities for fun. The season also presents unique risks to children’s health and safety, according to experts. Whether kids are enjoying the summer at home, going on vacations, or heading to camp, it’s important to ensure they are having fun safely. We spoke to pediatric emergency medicine physicians about some of the top reasons why children end up in the ER during summer; risky activities they wouldn’t let their own children do and how parents can ensure their kids stay safe this summer.
