In the News: February 5, 2024

Should Amazon Be Responsible For Everything It Sells And Ships? A U.S. Agency May Soon Decide
February 1, 2024, MSN
Amazon.com is facing a government order that could make it responsible for the safety of goods that it sells for outside vendors on its website and ships for them through its logistics network. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is preparing an order that could classify Amazon’s online retail business as a distributor of goods, according to people familiar with the matter. That designation could give Amazon the same safety responsibilities as traditional retailers and potentially open Amazon up to lawsuits and extensive recalls over items sold through its website.

AAFA Demands Answers From E-Commerce Giants On Counterfeit Goods
February 1, 2024, Just Style
Steve Lamar, president and CEO of the American Apparel and Footwear Association AAFA, has urged US Congress to scrutinize major e-commerce and social media platforms. Lamar accused e-commerce and social media platforms of creating networks of misinformation and consumer deception and demanded these companies explain why they struggle to curb the promotion and sale of counterfeit goods on their sites. Furthermore, Lamar called on Congress to expedite the passage of the “much-needed” Stopping Harmful Offers on Platforms by Screening Against Fakes in E-Commerce (Shop Safe Act), which was reintroduced by US Senators Chris Coons and Thom Tillis in September 2023. AAFA says its members are “deeply concerned” about the range of risk to consumers posed by counterfeit products, including threats to consumer health and safety, as well as financial risks.

Analysis: What The Boeing Debacle Teaches About Company Culture And The Tension Between Safety And Profits
February 1, 2024, MinnPost
Because the design, construction, and maintenance of airplanes affect human lives, industry experts stress the need to prioritize the safety concerns and procedures of engineers over business executives who may want to pursue less costly paths to maximize profits. When a Boeing aircraft door blew out on an Alaska Airlines flight at about 16,000 feet, it was the latest evidence for analyst Ronald Epstein that the airplane manufacturer had elevated growing profits over rigorous safety practices and engineering expertise. Ronald Epstein, veteran research analyst for Bank of America, was unsparing in his criticism of Boeing and its vendor partner, Spirit AeroSystems, following the early January episode that left a hole in the fuselage of the Boeing 737 Max 9. “Culture isn’t found in an employee handbook,” wrote Epstein in a January analyst report. He argued that Boeing needs a “drastic” cultural overhaul. “This cultural change won’t come from FAA mandates, congressional hearings, internal memos, or one-hour all hands meetings,” Epstein wrote.

The New Rules Of Executive Presence
January-February 2024, Harvard Business Review
Over the past decade, the pandemic, political and economic instability has changed the expectations that people have of company leaders. This includes such social movements social movements such as Black Lives Matter and changing workplace technologies. This article offers a playbook for developing six attributes that increasingly factor into executive presence, citing the examples of a dozen leaders who have cracked the code.

Proposition 65: 2023 In Review
January 30, 2024, National Law Review
2023 was a busy year for Prop 65 with the highest number of Notices of Violation since its inception. The California law requires consumers receive warnings regarding the presence of chemicals that cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. Prop 65 applies to an ever-growing list of chemicals and thus impacts a wide variety of businesses in California. In 2023, there were 4,138 notices filed with the California Attorney General’s Office by 67 noticing parties—up from 3,170 notices in 2022, and the highest number filed in any year since Prop 65’s inception.

Maricopa Lawnmower Fire Sparks Federal Safety Probe
January 31, 2024, inMaricopa.com
The federal government is investigating a ride-on lawnmower that went up in flames in Maricopa last year. Maricopa Fire and Medical Department used 300 gallons of water to extinguish the lawnmower fire. The cause of the fire remains unknown. Now, half a year later, the  Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating why the mower combusted and if the model is dangerous. The agency works to protect consumers from unreasonable risk or harm by defective or violative products. CPSC Product Safety Investigator Mary B. Notsch sent a letter to Maricopa Fire and Medical Department dated Jan. 16, asking for photos and an investigation report on the mower fire. 

Denmark Launches Online Protection Against ‘Dangerous British Products’
February 1, 2024, The Local dk
The Danish Safety Technology Authority has announced automated technology to guard against products from UK-based web shops which do not live up to EU safety standards. The authority announced a new project in partnership with e-market, the Danish certification scheme for online stores, which it says will “ensure Danish consumers cannot order dangerous products from British web shops”. “After Brexit there is no guarantee that goods produced in or imported via the United Kingdom live up to the EU’s product safety rules,” the Danish authority said in a press statement. “The rules exist to protect Danish consumers from, for example, electronic products that give a shock or overheat and suddenly catch fire,” the statement continues.

Danger In The Doorway: Automatic Doors Injured Over 1,300 People In 2022
January 31, 2024, KOTA ABC
The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates in 2022, more than 1,300 people nationwide were injured by automatic doors. That is an average of nearly four people per week.There are measures in place to help protect you from faulty doors, but that doesn’t mean problems are fixed right away.

CPSC Warns: Stop Using Magnetic Fidget Balls’ High-Powered Magnetic Ball Sets Due To Ingestion Hazard; No Recall Or Remedy Offered
February 1, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to stop using and dispose of Magnetic Fidget Balls’ Magnetic Ball Sets because the loose, hazardous magnets pose a risk of serious injury or death if ingested by children. CPSC testing determined the magnetic ball sets do not comply with the requirements of the mandatory federal toy regulation because they contain one or more magnets that fit within CPSC’s small parts cylinder and the magnets are stronger than permitted. The firm has not agreed to recall these magnetic ball sets or offer a remedy to consumers. 

Exploring The Rise In Severe Injuries Associated With Electric Scooters
January 31, 2024, Anesthesiology News
Over the last five years or so, there has been an explosion in the use of electric scooters (e-scooters), electric bikes (e-bikes) and hoverboards in cities, towns and college campuses throughout the United States. However, their growth and accessibility has been associated with a sharp uptick in deaths, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), internal organ injuries and extremity fractures. The speed of such devices—while certainly an attractive aspect of commuting—also can be deadly, partly related to danger to pedestrians and a lack of people wearing helmets and padding to protect their bodies. The silent nature of their electric motors also can be a danger to others, as drivers often weave in and out of traffic and sidewalks.

A Spark In Regulation: Lithium-Ion Batteries
January 31, 2024, Foley.com
Lithium-ion (“Li-ion”) batteries are the energy source for many consumer products, including electric bicycles and scooters. While their use has become increasingly popular, Li-ion batteries have also reportedly caused hundreds of fires, severe injuries, and death. These incidents have resulted in regulatory changes in places like New York City, where in 2022 the New York City Fire Department responded to more than 200 e-scooter and e-bike fires, reportedly resulting in six deaths. Li-ion batteries are here to stay because of their energy capacity and performance, but federal, state, and local regulators are paying attention and taking action to keep consumers safe. 

Gas Stoves Are Finally Being Regulated. No, That Doesn’t Mean They’re Banned
February 1, 2024, Fast Company
 When the Department of Energy proposed new rules around efficiency requirements for stoves in 2023, it looked as if it would take aim at gas stoves. The appliances have come under fire in recent years for their harmful health and climate impacts. At that time, the DOE estimated that nearly half of such stoves sold in the U.S. wouldn’t be compliant with the new efficiency rules. But now that the Biden administration has officially released its efficiency standard rules, that’s no longer true: Some 97% of gas stoves on the market already meet the new standards, meaning just 3% need to improve their energy efficiency. The rules also set standards for the efficiency of electric stoves; 77% of models on the market already meet them. Government standards are meant to ensure that products meet a minimum level of energy efficiency, and the new rules mark the first time they’ve ever been set for stoves.