Consumer Reports criticizes Samsung’s Galaxy Note recall
September 4, 2016, The Next Web
Consumer Reports is challenging Samsung’s recall of Galaxy Note 7 after it started straight-up exploding, claiming it was not good enough. The recall is being handled directly by the company on a voluntary basis. The consumer group says Samsung should have worked with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in the U.S. as the potential issues involved come under the regulatory responsibility of the Consumer Product Safety Act. These provisions would have made it illegal to sell the phone. The phone is still for sale at some retailers, according to Consumer Reports.
Death on Verruckt sparks national debate about regulations at amusement parks
August 30, 2016, kcur.org
The death this summer of a 10 year-old boy in a waterslide thrill ride in Kansas City led Massachusetts’ Senator Ed Markey to observe that “a baby stroller is subject to tougher federal regulation than a rollercoaster carrying a child in excess of 100 miles per hour.” The federal government regulates traveling carnival rides, but not fixed-site amusement parks. Despite the existence of voluntary standards, there is no active federal oversight and a patchwork of state regulations. Markey and safety advocates hope to see the CPSC regulate amusement park rides that would produce more reliable accident statistics not currently available.
Ikea balks at releasing records tied to deadly dresser recall
September 1, 2016, Philadelphia Inquirer
While safety advocates charged Ikea for what they called a lack of transparency in turning over certain documents relating to information it provided during negotiations for a recall with regulators, a company attorney argued that if companies knew documents from such negotiations would be handed over in civil litigation, it could “have a chilling effect” on their willingness to be open. The documents in question include results of internal dresser tests, and scores of emails and letters among the parties’ attorneys. The company attorneys have contended in court filings that the documents are protected because they were provided in a voluntary negotiation with regulators.
California to consider listing vinyl acetate as a carcinogen under Proposition 65
September 3, 2016, The National Law Reviews (Keller and Heckman)
Vinyl acetate, a monomer that may be used in various plastic good-contact materials, as well as in formulated coatings for food packaging, is one of 5 substances being considered for listing as a carcinogen under California Proposition 65. Also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, Proposition 65 prohibits knowingly exposing any individual to a listed chemical without first providing a “clear and reasonable warning” to such individual. If the state pursues the consideration of vinyl acetate, the listing decision would be unlikely to occur for at least another year, with compliance not taking effect until one year after the listing takes effect.
Massachusetts Attorney General takes aim at Glock, Remington gun manufacturers in safety probe
September 1, 2016, New York Daily News
The Massachusetts Attorney General is investigating whether Glock guns are “prone to accidental discharge” and if the company knew about the problems and failed to act. A spokeswoman for the AG said she’d asked gun manufacturers to turn over customer safety complaints because firearms are one of the only products not regulated by the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission. The gun makers are seeking to squash the AG’s subpoenas. Remington’s court filings call her request “unreasonable and excessively burdensome.”
Product safety primer for promotional product pros
Wednesday, August 31, 2016, Advantages
Suppliers aren’t the only ones responsible for the safety of your company’s products.
“People used to say product safety was just for the big guys – this is no longer the case. Compliance is the price of entry into market,” according to Denise Fenton, a compliance professional of an independent accreditation organization. Companies can address knowledge gaps, by doing some basic research. There is learning from product safety webinars, useful information at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission web site, as well as an annual educational symposium put on by the international Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO). In addition, there is a product safety education course at Saint Louis University’s Center for Supply Chain Management Studies that a growing number of industry professionals are attending, according to Larry Whitney, director of global compliance at Polyconcept.
Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) market worth 113.24 billion USD by 2022
September 1, 2016, kten.com
A new research report covers testing, inspection, and certification markets by type (testing, inspection, and certification), sourcing activity (in-house and outsourced), end-user industry (environment, consumer goods, manufacturing) and geography – Global forecast to 2022 published by MarketsandMarkets. The report estimates the TIC market will reach USD 113.24 billion, growing a a compound annual growth rate of 5.15% between 2016 and 2022. Major companies involved in the development of the TIC market, according to the report, include: SGS Group (Switzerland), Bureau Veritas (France), Intertek Group (U.K.), TUV-SUD Group (Germany), ASTM International (U.S.) and UL LLC (U.S.).
India: Changes proposed in Consumer Protection Act to hold celebrities liable for brand endorsements
September 4, 2016, The Economic Times
There has been a furor in the public domain over some of the changes proposed to the Consumer Protection Act, namely whether to hold celebrities liable for misleading advertisements. Significantly, under a proposed bill consumer courts would be empowered to declare certain terms of contract as null and void on the grounds of being unfair, including such terms as whether a contract puts consumers at a disadvantage.
What does Pokemon Go mean for the supply chain of the future?
August 30, 2016, The Age
Pokemon Go is really the start of the augmented reality trend, which is set to shake up every industry and has particular application for distribution and supply chains. Augmented reality is one of the most important emerging technology trends. It involves overlaying a computer-generated image on a view of the real world. In a distribution context, it will allow a more accurate picture of the supply chain and its components.
Government produces app for information on product recalls
September 1, 2016, KBS Radio
The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards and the Korea Products Safety Association have launched a mobile phone application that allows consumers to check information on recalled products and report illegal or defective goods. The app provides information on product safety and can be downloaded free of charge from Google Play or Apple’s app store.
