Bipartisan Panel Urges Congress To Toss Out Decades Of Trade Policy
November 19, 2024, Fox News
A federal China commission released its sprawling yearly report to Congress. For the first time the report recommends lawmakers end China’s favored trade status and the provision that allows goods under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free. The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission is now directly advocating for Congress to end the Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) China has enjoyed since 2004. “In our hearing on the threats to American consumers this year we heard from administration and expert witnesses who were starkly clear: U.S. agencies do not know if the majority of packages coming from China include a baby toy painted with a toxic chemical—a counterfeit piece of clothing made with slave labor—or a pin head amount of fentanyl which is enough to kill the average citizen,” Commission Chair Robin Cleveland said.
New York State Lawmakers Eye Limiting PFAS
November 21, 2024, Spectrum 1 News
State lawmakers want to strengthen laws prohibiting PFAS that have been found to poison ground and drinking water — and officials on both sides of the aisle are on board. The Legislature will consider a variety of proposals to prohibit use of these chemicals in the state, which have been found to disrupt the endocrine and immune systems, child development, hormones and fertility, according to The National Institute of Health. Officials with the state Department of Environmental Conservation told lawmakers the man-made chemicals are present in each of the state’s superfund sites, or areas contaminated with hazardous materials, and most inactive landfills. The agency has found harmful levels of PFAS in over 400 inactive landfills across the state.
When You’re Told You’re Not Strategic Enough
October 25, 2024, Harvard business Review
Being told you’re not strategic enough can be frustrating. If your strategy isn’t seen and understood, it’s as if it doesn’t exist at all. By making your strategy visible and easy you can shift perceptions, align your team with long-term goals, and be recognized for your strategic approach. Crises and day-to-day pressures should not get in the way of your strategic thinking; instead, use these moments to demonstrate your foresight and ability to connect immediate actions to the bigger picture.
Indiana Congressman Introduces National Amusement Park Ride Safety Act
November 21, 2024, Fox 59 News
An Indiana congressman introduced a new bill that aims to increase the safety of amusement park rides. According to U.S. Rep. André Carson, (D-Ind.) the National Amusement Park Safety Act would work to create safety standards for amusement park rides nationwide. This would increase the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s ability to ensure that the safety standards are met, and to investigate accidents and tackle and correct defects. It would also increase safety training for roller operators and serve as a way of collecting accident and defect data across the United States. “Millions of Americans enjoy amusement park rides every year with the expectation that the rides are safe, and that safety incidents will be thoroughly investigated,” Rep. Carson said. “But there are too many gaps in our current policies that put people at risk.”
Why Cycling In The U.S. Urgently Needs Safety Measures
November 20, 2024, NetNewsLedger.com
Cycling in the U.S. has seen a significant rise in popularity as people embrace it for fitness, commuting and transportation. With this surge in cyclists, the number of accidents involving bikes has also increased. Unfortunately, the U.S. is not as equipped as it could be to keep cyclists safe. This has led to a troubling rise in cycling-related injuries and fatalities across the country. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that in 2022, bicycles and bicycle accessories resulted in over 405,410 emergency department-treated injuries.
CPSC: Stop Using Tiergrade Digital Combination Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Detectors
November 21, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers about the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation associated with the use of Tiergrade combination smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. The detectors can fail to alert consumers to the presence of hazardous carbon monoxide and smoke. Consumers will not be properly warned of carbon monoxide or fire dangers if their combination smoke and CO detector is defective and fails to properly alert, increasing the risk of severe injury or death.
EPA Extends Comment Deadline On Manufacture Of Certain PFAS During Fluorination Of HDPE And Other Plastic Containers
November 20, 2024, Bergeson & Campbell (National Law Review)
On November 20, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an extension to the comment period for the notice published September 30, 2024, seeking public comment on the manufacture of PFAS substances (PFAS) during the fluorination of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and other plastic containers to inform regulations as appropriate under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Comments are now due December 30, 2024.
Automakers Face Surge Of Recall Issues As Safety Takes Center Stage
November 23. 2024, The Pinnacle Gazette
The automotive industry is currently grappling with several significant recall announcements, putting safety at the forefront of consumer concerns. General Motors, Tesla, Ford, and others announce significant recalls due to serious safety concerns affecting thousands of vehicles.
Senators Hold Hearing On AI Fraud And Scams, Vow To Pass AI Bills In Coming Weeks
November 22, 2024, Mintz (National Law Review)
On November 19, the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security convened a hearing on “Protecting Consumers from Artificial Intelligence Enabled Fraud and Scams.” The Subcommittee heard from witnesses who testified about how AI technologies and tools enable fraud and scams, while Senators from both parties asked questions that highlighted the need for federal laws to crack down on such activity. The hearing comes as Senators try to pass AI legislation during the lame-duck session of Congress. Subcommittee Chair Hickenlooper (D-CO) specifically discussed five AI bills during the hearing, which he noted have all received bipartisan support and vowed to get “across the finish line and passed into law in the coming weeks.”
