The Two Final Rules That Implement Reese’s Law
October 4, 2023, Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
In March 2023, proposed safety standards were issued by the Consumer Products Safety Commission under Reese’s Law, a law aimed at protecting children 6 years of age and younger from the hazards of ingesting button cell and coin batteries. On September 21, 2023, the Consumer Product Safety Commission published two final rules in the Federal Register for 16 CFR 1263. The comprehensive nature of the final rules means that manufacturers need to act quickly and carefully to ensure compliance with the new labeling, packaging and testing requirements.
Rolling Candy Sold Nationwide Recalled After Death Of 7-Year-Old
October 5, 2023, CBS News
Two candy makers are recalling products sold nationwide because they contain rolling balls that can detach into a child’s mouth and pose a choking hazard, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said. The federal agency’s warning comes six months after a seven-year-old New York girl choked and died after a Cocco Candy Rolling Candy ball dislodged and became trapped in her throat. A separate recall involves a similar product with the same potential danger, CPSC said. Carmel, Indiana-based Candy Dynamics is recalling 70 million Slime Licker Sour Rolling Liquid Candy sold from June 2015 through July 2023 said the Agency.
Research: Can You Tell How You Come Across On Zoom?
October 6, 2023, Harvard Business Review
If you want to make a good impression and gauge what a colleague actually thinks of you, should you meet in-person or over videoconference? This is the question the authors explored in their research. The answer largely depends on whether you’re feeling anxious about social interaction. Most of us have moments when we feel a bit more socially anxious than usual. In those cases, setting a meeting on Zoom might level out the playing field, allowing you to be as aware of your impression as someone who is feeling more secure.
IKEA makes bold design move that could affect the safety of all furniture
October 5, 2023, Ideal Home
IKEA is making its new safety innovation, Anchor and Unlock, available to all furniture manufacturers, which reduces the risk of furniture tip-over accidents. While IKEA prides itself on unique innovations in home furnishing, they’ve announced a patent pledge which will allow other furniture manufacturers to adopt the Anchor and Unlock tip-over safety innovation. “At IKEA, we are proud of our innovation, and we protect it with our patents. But in this case, we hope others will adopt Anchor and Unlock for their products as well,” says Carl Ervér, patent manager at IKEA of Sweden.
Children’s Book Series Pulled From Shelves In Multiple Countries Over Safety Issue
October 2, 2023, Popculture.com
A novelty children’s book series was recalled in both the U.S. and Canada due to a serious choking hazard posed by the small pieces included. The books are called “Rainbow Road Series Board Books,” and they are made from sturdy card stock bound with colorful plastic rings. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission those rings can be detached and swallowed by children. So far, there have been two reported incidents in the U.S. and one in Australia, but regulators feared that this issue could have gotten worse without intervention.
New Standards Shield Australian Kids From Choking Dangers
October 6, 2023, Mirage News
Every year in Australia, an estimated 2,500 children under three years old visit to hospital emergency departments because of injuries from unsuitable or dangerous toys. The Australian Government has approved, with consultation and advice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), a new mandatory safety standard for toys marketed at children under three years. The new safety standard focuses on minimizing choking and suffocation risks for small children. The ACCC will enforce the new toy safety standard which will make it mandatory for all toys marketed at children under three to adhere to strict design and testing requirements ensuring toys do not contain small parts.
Australian Consumers Urged To Use And Store Lithium-Ion Batteries Safely To Prevent Deadly Fires
October 5, 2023, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
The ACCC is warning consumers about rare but serious fire hazards from lithium-ion batteries and is asking consumers to choose, check, use and dispose of the batteries safely, in its latest report. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are contained in common household items. Whilst incidents are rare, they appear to be increasing and are serious when they occur. The batteries can overheat or explode if they are used, charged or disposed of incorrectly or if they are damaged. Fires caused by the batteries can be dangerous and difficult to extinguish.
Britons Warned Of Major Law Changes Coming Soon With Overhaul Of Electric Scooter Rules
October 5, 2023, GBN
New changes are set to be introduced in the coming months which will have a huge impact on electric scooter riders around the UK. From December 5, 2023, all new and existing members of electric scooter trials must provide their name and driving license number. In addition, they must submit a photograph of the front of their driving license under new minimum standards of verification. E-scooter operators must ensure they have robust systems in place for capturing and storing the information.
How Technology Can Reshape The Elderly Healthcare System
October 6, 2023, Techbullion.com
While older adults were viewed as laggards when it comes to new technologies, statistics reveal a different reality. During the pandemic, they turned to telehealth, smartphone apps, and other digital solutions. This underscores how technology can make healthcare more patient-centric for the elderly. These tools lower barriers and enable remote care options for them. Telemedicine and mHealth apps ranked among the top digital health technologies used by older adults. As per a Health Affairs study, ownership of smartphones surged from just 18% in 2013 to 61-83% among the 50+ age group in 2021. With so many people embracing these technologies, it’s clear that the future of adult primary care will be shaped by a digital revolution.
The US Government Seems Ready To Order A Recall Of Millions Of Air Bag Inflators For Safety Concerns
October 5, 2023, Associated Press
The U.S. government appears poised to order a recall of millions of air bag inflators due to a manufacturing flaw that could send metal shrapnel rocketing through a car’s interior. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration held a public hearing to field commentary and testimony on inflators made by ARC Automotive Inc. of Knoxville, Tennessee, which supplies the devices to air bag makers and several major auto companies. At least 25 million vehicles containing ARC-made air bags could be affected. At the heart of the issue is a metal inflator canister inside the airbag device. The government contends that a crucial flaw could cause this canister to “rupture” upon impact. Instead of releasing pressurized gas to inflate the air bag, the canister essentially explodes, sending metal shrapnel into the vehicle at head height.
Unlocking Strategic Insights By Leveraging Data Analytics In Product Management
September 14, 2023, Dataversity-California
In the dynamic landscape of contemporary business, data analytics in product management has become a pivotal driver of success. Data analytics, the systematic exploration of data sets to glean valuable insights, has revolutionized how companies design, develop, and refine their products. This transformative tool empowers product managers with a nuanced understanding of customer preferences, market trends, and performance metrics, ultimately steering their decision-making with precision and enhancing their strategic edge. Understanding the intricate interplay between data analytics and product management necessitates delving into the various product lifecycle stages.
