IKEA Launches Safety Awareness Campaign Following Dresser Tip-over Deaths
July 23, 2015, The Philadelphia Inquirer/The Star
Announcement at CPSC website calls campaign “a repair program that includes a free wall anchoring kit, for their MALM 3- and 4-drawer chests and two styles of MALM 6- drawer chests, and other chests and dressers. The chests and dressers can pose a tip-over hazard if not securely anchored to the wall.”. The company states that its products are extensively tested and its dressers are safe when “permanently attached to the wall, in accordance with the warnings and instructions.”
Fiat Chrysler’s Anti-Hacking Recall Sets an Industry Milestone
July 24, 2015, The Washington Post
Unauthorized remote access to certain vehicle systems was blocked with a network-level improvement, the company said in a statement. In addition, affected customers will receive a USB device to upgrade vehicles’ software with internal safety features. NHTSA official: “Launching a recall is the right step to protect Fiat Chrysler’s customers, and it sets an important precedent for how NHTSA and the industry will respond to cybersecurity vulnerabilities,”
House Votes To Ban States From Labeling GMO Foods
July 23, 2015, The Huffington Post
Measure would ban states such as Vermont, Maine and Connecticut, which have passed GMO-labeling laws, from putting them into practice. House bill would set up a voluntary program for companies that want to disclose genetically modified ingredients. Firms that want to claim their food is GMO-free would have to submit to a certification process overseen by the Department of Agriculture.
Product Safety in Europe
July 19, 2015, The Times of Malta
Prosafe, the Product Safety Enforcement Forum of Europe, has launched its biggest joint action ever. In the coming two years, 35 market surveillance authorities from 27 EU member states or EFTA countries will cooperate to target non-compliant products in five categories: safety barriers, LED and CFL lighting, noisy toys, fireworks and power tools.
Over 29,810 Products Inspected for Safety in Abu Dhabi
July 15, 2015, Gulf News
Authority inspects controlled products and legal measuring instruments.during the four-month-long campaign that commenced early this year. The initiative targeted a mix of consumer products such as children’s toys, household electrical appliances, new and retreaded tires and household electrical appliances.
SB763 Threatens the Credibility of Product Safety Regulations & Consumer Communications
July 14, 2015, Fox and Hounds
A former CPSC Commissioner opines on a new legislative initiative in California, which is “currently considering state legislation, SB 763, whose stated purpose – to help ensure the safety of children’s products – is a noble one… But…seeks to impose a labeling requirement on already safe products, undermining consumer confidence and imposing a costly and unnecessary requirement on businesses.”
Trampoline Parks Operate with Few Regulations
July 10, 2015,The Augusta Chronicle
Georgia lawmakers introduced a bill earlier this year to provide minimum standards for the operation of such facilities, including mandatory licensing, inspections and record-keeping, but it failed to pass. Elsewhere, Michigan, Colorado, and Arizona did pass similar legislation, as increased attention, supported by some industry leaders, is paid to the importance of safety in these popular venues.
Packaged Facts: Pet Food Recalls Return Spotlight to Pet Product Safety
July 14, 2015, prnewswire.com
Much like the widespread pet food recalls of 2007, these latest recalls have brought the issue of pet food safety into the spotlight, leaving pet food and treat marketers to allay consumer concerns about their products.
Food Liability Costs Surging in Global Economy: Swiss Re
JULY 20, 2015, Insurance Journal
In a new report, Swiss Re says that the number of annual food recalls have nearly doubled in the U.S. since 2002, affected by regulatory changes and a more globalized food supply system. Swiss Re found that half of all food recalls cost the affected companies involved more than $10 million and that this “underscores the value of risk transfer through insurance.”
83% of Supply Chain Executives Report Lackluster Performance as They Struggle to Get to Grip
July 22, 2015, logisticsit.com/Manufacturing and Logistics IT
Supply chains are being held back by the effects of globalization, according to a new survey, with a large majority from leading enterprises claiming to see only average or poor performance. Over 60% said this is primarily due to the number of partners involved and the risks this creates, which is in turn limiting their flexibility.
