Safety regulators press for new furniture standards
October 9, 2015, Philadelphia Inquirer
On the heals of furniture tip-over incidents and a broad safety awareness campaign by furniture maker Ikea, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is pressing standards organization ASTM to consider stricter voluntary measures. Industry executives point to evidence that televisions being placed on unsuitable furniture cause the bulk of fatalities, while advocates note that consumers fail to install restraints because they don’t understand the critical stability that restraints provide.
Oversight Hearings: Consumer product safety and the recall process
October 8, 2015, U.S. Senate Committee hearings
A second oversight hearing on the Consumer Product Safety Commission focuses on recalls issued by the CPSC and the Commissions partnerships with industry designed to increase market surveillance. Among those testifying are CPSC Chairman Elliott Kaye, and Commissioner Ann Mary Buerkle, along with regulatory attorneys Frederick Locker and Cheryl Falvey, former CPSC general counsel, and consumer advocate Nancy Cowles.
CPSC and DOJ stop two companies from future importation of children’s products
October 8, 2015, National Law Review
Far reaching consequences from the action include binding consent decrees that prohibit the companies and individuals from conducting any future business (selling, importing, or distributing) involving children’s products or toys until the CPSC verifies certain conditions are met – all of which relate to future compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Act and Federal Hazardous Substances Act. Other conditions include the retention of an independent product safety coordinator and creation of a product safety plan.
Regulatory reform or paralysis by analysis?
October 7, 2015, The Hill
Colleagues whose service as commissioners at the CPSC overlapped, former commissioner Nancy Nord and current commissioner Robert Adler reach very different conclusions on the proposed Regulatory Accountability Act (S.2006) now being considered on Capital Hill. Is the proposal designed to slow down agency rule making, as advocated by Commissioner Adler; or is it designed to take a more measured approach to new rules, as advocated by former Commissioner Nord? You be the judge.
EU supports Georgia to surpass technical barriers to international trade
October 7, 2015, 4-Traders
The move will allow better integration into international trade. The goal is to modernize the national market surveillance infrastructure in Georgia to be in line with the EU model. The program will enable increased quality and safety of products produced in George.
Blog: Faulty export product and recall
October 3, 2015, Graphic Online
This writer discusses the context for some of the most publicized recalls in recent history, including the Chinese powdered milk with melanin scandal, Toyota’s handling of its technology management, GM’s ignition switch scandal, and VW’s software scandal to deceive pollution testing so as to record lower levels of nitrogen oxide. More education and training within the supply chain will help better manage product safety responsibilities, but even more important is better control of safety processes by all company employees, starting with the CEOs.
PPAI Product responsibility summit tackles corporate social responsibility
October 6, 2015, Print & Promo
The promotional products industry places great reliance on its members’ understanding of good safety practices and the regulatory framework around their industry. At this year’s annual summit in Bethesda, MD, attendees heard experts from a variety of disciplines, visited the CPSC test lab, explored the regulations affecting their industry, examined voluntary standards, and examined supply chain best practices.
Auto industry supply chain managers should take hard look at analytics
October 6, 2015, Supply Chain Management Review
Because the stakes are so high in recall management, it now makes even more sense for traditional auto makers and those within their supply chains to consider investing in predictive analytics capabilities that help detect trouble earlier. Nearly 25% of executives surveyed have no operational product safety and recall anticipatory analytic capabilities.
Journey through product safety – A behind the scenes look at clothing and apparel for the holidays
October 5, 2015, 4-Traders
As consumers prepare for annual holiday travel, safety aspects apply every step of the journey. From luggage to travel, from apparel and shoes, to swimming pools and exercise equipment…industry technologists and product safety personnel have invested time and resources to make holiday travel safer.
