Samsung Settles Class-Action Lawsuit Over ‘Exploding’ Washing Machines
February 8, 2019, Consumer Reports
Samsung recalled about 2.8 million top-loading washers in late 2016, and now the manufacturer and three major retailers that sold these washers have agreed to a preliminary settlement of a class-action lawsuit. The recall involved high-efficiency top-loaders made between March 2011 and October 2016 and sold in the U.S. A full list of models is available on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s November 2016 recall notice. According to the CPSC, the top of the washer can detach from the body of the machine while in use, posing a risk of injury; nine related injuries were reported.
State legislatures take on PFAS as Trump EPA lags
February 8, 2019, Safer Chemicals
In an effort to fill regulatory gaps left by the federal government, states are stepping up to protect public health from harmful chemicals, according to an analysis by Safer States. The analysis found that at least 28 states will consider more than 100 policies to require companies to disclose what is in their products as well as limit exposures to toxic chemicals, including bans on PFAS in food packaging and firefighting foam as well as bans on toxic flame retardants.
Commentary: NY lawmakers must protect consumers from unsafe toys
February 7, 2019, Albany Times Union
Routinely, the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission issues child safety warnings about certain toys to consumers. While these warnings offer important guidance for shoppers, there is no substitute for the regulatory enforcement that has been lacking under the current administration, particularly when the government shutdown was in effect. In the absence of federal oversight, it’s clear that we need New York state lawmakers to step up and protect consumers.
California Legislature Cuts Consumer Product Companies Some Slack with New Packaging Law
February 7, 2019, JDSupra (Morrison & Foerster)
On January 1 of this year, California’s food and consumer product companies got some welcome relief from the onerous provisions of California’s ‘slack-fill’ law, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 12606. This law, which has been the basis of an increasing number of consumer class action and civil enforcement actions, has posed numerous compliance challenges for companies striving to understand exactly how “full” their packages need to be to avoid litigation. By expanding the state’s ‘slack-fill’” exemptions, these changes resolve some of that uncertainty and create new ways for companies to ensure compliance.
Scooter madness in Austin puts safety concerns in high gear
February 6, 2019, News Medical Life Sciences
And Austin’s first scooter-related death occurred over the weekend. Police identified the scooter rider as Mark Sands, a 21-year-old UT student from Ireland, who died Saturday, just one day after suffering critical injuries when the electric scooter he was riding collided with a car. As many as 14,000 dockless electric scooters are on the streets of Austin, whose 326 square miles are home to almost 1 million people.
Report finds toxic levels of lead in spices that can be dangerous to kids
February 6, 2019, WINK News
They discovered the lead was likely coming from the batteries in the flashlights Damian liked to play with. He would put the flashlight in his mouth, and the lead would get in his bloodstream, leading his parents to get rid of the toys. Now, his parents said they are glad Damian was tested for lead. But their pediatrician, Dr. Annette St. Pierre-Mackoul, said that is not the only way children are being exposed to lead. “Hidden sources of lead is a big concern for a lot of children,” Pierre-Mackoul said.
Brexit: New UK product safety mark or CE mark, or both?
February 6, 2019, Womble Bond Dickinson
The UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking is the new UK product marking that, subject to parliamentary approval, will be used for certain categories of products being placed on the UK in the event of a no deal. As part of accelerated planning for a no-deal Brexit, on the 2 February 2019, the government published guidance on using the UKCA marking post 29 March 2018. The guidance does not cover construction products, medical devices or rail interoperability which have been dealt with separately.
Product Liability Safety Post-Brexit: Draft Legislation Published
February 6, 2019, Baker McKenzie
The UK Government has over 10,000 civil servants currently preparing for Brexit. Whilst the terms of Brexit remain uncertain, the Government is nevertheless pushing forward with proposals to make necessary legal changes. Below is a summary of the changes to the UK’s product liability and safety laws that will potentially be implemented on the day of Brexit. A draft statutory instrument amending UK product liability and safety laws has been put before Parliament for approval. The ‘Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019’ (the “SI“), once approved, is due to come into force on the day of Brexit. A copy is available here.
Managing Product Complexity, Regulations and Requirements
February 6, 2019, Engineering.com
The days of designing simple products are long gone, as most products today include electrical, mechanical and software components, with new materials, smaller package sizes and tighter tolerances. Many of these increasingly complex products would not be possible without the advent of product requirements management. So, what is requirements management and why is it essential for complex product design?
Upcycling Your Way To Sustainability
February 8, 2019, Forbes
As sustainability continues as a top trend in the retail industry, retailers and brands are adapting to stay relevant and offer sustainable solutions to their consumers. Customers are taking note: 93% of global consumers expect more of the brands they use to support local social and environmental issues, according to a report by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA).
