U.S. Product Recalls Surge 11% In 2023 To Hit Seven-Year High
February 15, 2024, Sedgwick
U.S. product recalls reached a seven-year high in 2023, increasing 11% from 2022 to 2023. According to Sedgwick brand protection’s 2024 State of the Nation Recall Index report, there were 3,301 recall events in 2023 across the five industries tracked by Sedgwick. While the number of defective units recalled in 2023 did not surpass one billion, as seen in the previous two years, there were still 759 million units recalled. Although the number of defective units decreased nearly 50% from 2022, the number of recall events has now increased for two consecutive years.
Common Lithium-Ion Batteries Cause Devastating Fires, Congressional Committee Witnesses Warn
February 15, WRBL
The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology held a hearing on the fire threats posed by lithium-ion batteries. Three main focal points that lawmakers stressed were black markets, resources for first responders and poor regulation. “Federal, state, and local governments must take measures to prevent unsafe manufacturers from endangering the public with cheap lithium-ion batteries,” Chairman of the subcommittee Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.) said.
7 Strategies To Get Your Employees On Board With GenAI
February 15, 2024, Harvard Business Review
The effective deployment of generative AI will depend less on technological capability than on human adaptability. Indeed, the human factor — people and culture — will drive the adoption of AI, or lack thereof. Looking at scientific research and real-world case studies, here are seven generalizable lessons for improving your ability to adopt GenAI, and any novel technology, at an organizational level.
California Lawmakers Want To Ban Kids From Riding E-Bikes
February 14, 2024, San Francisco Standard
Two California lawmakers want to crack down on kids riding electric bicycles, citing safety concerns in the wake of a series of high-profile crashes. One bill introduced last week would bar anyone under 12 years old from riding an e-bike. It would also require e-bike riders without a driver’s license to take an online safety course, pass a written test and carry a state-issued ID while riding. A second bill would set an age threshold of 16 years old for riding a Class 2 e-bike—which uses a throttle to propel the bike up to 20 mph.
Stanley Tumbler Maker Sued Again Over Alleged Lead, Advertising
February 15, 2024, Bloomberg Law
Pacific Market International LLC, the parent company behind the viral Stanley tumbler, was hit with another proposed class action alleging it negligently failed to disclose the presence of lead in its viral Adventure Quencher tumblers. PMI promoted the cups as safe to use during strenuous outdoor activities while concealing the risk of lead exposure if the cups are dropped or damaged, the complaint filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington alleges.
EU’s New Rules To Protect Children From Harmful Chemicals In Toys
February 13, 2024, Euractiv
The European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee adopted new rules to ensure safety and protect children from harmful chemicals present in toys. The decision at the committee level in Parliament follows the European Commission’s proposal, which aimed to reduce the number of unsafe toys sold in the EU. The proposal placed special emphasis on the online market by ensuring a level playing field between toys manufactured in the EU and imported ones.
U.S. And EU Sign Joint Cybersafe Products Action Plan
February 15, 2024, In Compliance
The U.S. and the European Union (EU) have signed an agreement to work collaboratively to strengthen the cybersecurity of Internet-of-things (IoT)-capable hardware and software products used by consumers. According to the European Commission and the White House National Security Council, the Joint Cybersafe Products Action Plan is intended to foster technical cooperation between the U.S. and the EU, in an effort to align their respective cybersecurity requirements. The ultimate goal of the Joint Action Plan is for the signatories to achieve mutual recognition of cybersecurity labeling programs and regulations for IoT devices.
Kent County: Fewer Infants Are Dying Due To Unsafe Sleep
February 15, 2024, Yahoo News
Infant deaths related to unsafe sleep practices in Kent County are down, the health department says, crediting its work to offer more information and resources to families. “It’s a countywide effort, for sure,” Renee Dunwell, the co-coordinator of the county’s Safe Sleep Program and a public health program supervisor, told News 8. “We have lots of agencies that are out there doing the messaging, that are providing parents with the information about what safe sleep is, and then also working with families to get resources in their hands if they need assistance with safe sleep furniture or other things for their babies.”
Updated Kids Online Safety Act Has Support From 62 Senators
February 15, 2024, Spectrum 1 News
Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., unveiled a revised version of their bill aimed at protecting children on social media. They announced it has an additional 15 co-sponsors, bringing the number to a filibuster-proof 62. Blackburn and Blumenthal first introduced the Kids Online Safety Act, or KOSA, two years ago. The bipartisan bill would require social media platforms to provide minors with settings to protect their personal information, disable addictive product features and opt out of algorithmic recommendations. The apps also would be required to default to their most restrictive settings.
Bills To Increase Regulation Of Forever Chemicals Advance In General Assembly
February 13, 2024, Roanoke Times
Bills that would tighten state regulations on so-called forever chemicals passed the Virginia House and Senate in time for proposed legislation to cross over to the other chamber for consideration. House Bill 1085 that underwent revisions before it was passed unanimously by the House. A companion measure, Senate Bill 243, also faced no opposition. Although the bills do not require public drinking water systems to test for forever chemicals — also known as PFAS for per and polyfluoroalkyl substances — they establish a process to be followed by the state Department of Environmental Quality when concentrations exceed a maximum contaminant level.
Frigidaire Recalls 380,000 Side-By-Side Refrigerators: The Power Of Consumer Participation In Product Safety
February 12, 2024, BNN Breaking
A jarring reminder of the importance of product safety has come to light as the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of over 380,000 Frigidaire side-by-side refrigerators. The recall is due to potential choking or laceration hazards from broken ice bucket assembly components. With at least 343 reported incidents, Electrolux, the parent company of Frigidaire, is urging consumers to take action. As a consumer, understanding the significance of recalls and participating in the process of safety standards development is essential, according to Don Mays, founder of Product Safety Insights LLC and chair of ASTM International’s consumer products committee. Mays emphasizes that consumer voices are invaluable in ensuring product safety. Their unique perspectives help shape future standards and contribute to the development of safer products. Some ASTM standards, such as those for strollers and highchairs, have even been incorporated into federal laws.
