Commissioners Feldman And Dziak: We Oppose The New “Value Of Statistical Life” Methodology
April 3, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has adopted a new cost-benefit methodology that needlessly places future Commission rulemakings in jeopardy. CPSC will now calculate regulatory benefits using a “value of statistical life” (VSL) that counts the lives of people under 18 years old as being worth double those of anyone 18 or older. This unprecedented policy rejects how every other federal agency conducts such analyses. It is economically questionable and legally risky. Rules that are struck down in court offer zero consumer protection. Therefore, we oppose this change.
Commissioner Trumka: “Today’s Action Will Not Just Improve CPSC Rules – It Is A Model For All Government Agencies To Adopt”
April 3, 2024, cpsc.gov
Americans see great value in prioritizing children’s lives. We do more, and spend more, to protect kids than we do to protect ourselves. Today, CPSC incorporates that reality into our decision-making in a way that will make it easier for us to pass rules to protect kids. CPSC now says we will value saving a child’s life twice as much as before. And today’s action will not just improve CPSC’s rules—it is a model that every government agency can adopt and should.
Defective Laundry Detergent Packages Recalled Nationwide Due To Serious Injury Risk
April 5, 2024, KSNT.com
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says 8.2 million laundry detergent packages are being recalled as they pose serious health risks to children. These include Tide Pods, Gain Flings, Ace Pods and Ariel Pods laundry detergent packets. They were sold through major retailers like Walmart, Family Dollar, Big Lots, CVS, Home Depot, Sam’s Club and Target along with Amazon.com. The danger with the recalled products lies with the outer packaging on the pods. This can split open near the zipper track, posing a hazard for children who might ingest the laundry detergent or expose it to their skin and/or eyes.
3 Career-Building Strategies For An Increasingly Complex World Of Work
April 5, 2024, Harvard Business Review
Most workers used to have fixed roles within a hierarchical organization, but today the nature of work is becoming fluid and dynamic. Project-based work and freelancing are increasingly common, and many roles are now defined by outcomes rather than hours spent at a desk. Success in this new work environment requires not only recognizing that this shift has taken place but also actively strategizing to leverage it to your advantage. It’s crucial, the authors argue, to adopt three key strategies: Leveraging digital platforms and networks; Utilizing open talent and freelancers as a secret weapon and; Harnessing the power of AI to augment your capabilities.
Analysis: The EU’s New Product Liability Directive
April 4, 2024, Clyde & Co.
The Product Liability Directive increases the liability of economic operators and explicitly includes AI systems. Companies that were not previously potential defendants will now be liable. The EU class action and other future EU directives are expected to further increase the liability risk for companies. The new presumption rules on product defects and causality, combined with the (far-reaching) disclosure obligations of defendants, make the defense of defendants even more difficult.
CPSC Hearing On 2025 And 2026 Agenda And Priorities
April 3, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has scheduled a public hearing on May 8, 2024, to hear stakeholders’ views on the Commission’s priorities for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. Held annually, this hearing allows the Commission to learn from industry members, experts, and consumer advocates while it starts to develop priorities and goals for the next two years. The hearing also gives industry members early insights into what products may be subject to new or updated safety standards in the near future.
2 Million Clothing Steamers Recalled After Dozens Of Burn Injuries
April 4, 2024, Pittsburgh Post Gazette
About 2 million Black & Decker-branded clothing steamers are now under recall after dozens of reports of burn injuries from hot water spewing out of the devices. Empower Brands is significantly expanding a previously announced recall of Black & Decker Model HGS011 Easy Garment Steamers. Nearly 520,000 of these steamers were recalled in November 2022. At the time, a repair remedy was offered — but there have been continued reports of burn injuries involving the repaired units since, the CPSC said. Empower Brands is now recalling another 1.6 million steamers to cover all units of the model, including those that were previously repaired, and offering full refunds instead.
USAID Partners With Standards Organization Of Nigeria To Reduce Lead Poisoning And Protect Nigerian Children
April 2, 2024, U.S. Embassy.gov
The U.S. Government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Nigeria, through the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), have agreed to collaborate on mitigating lead poisoning in Nigeria. They plan to enhance surveillance, regulation, and enforcement of standards related to consumer goods and paints in Nigeria. “USAID is committed to leading the Government of Nigeria’s mitigation efforts to save Nigerian children from further risk of lead exposure,” said USAID/Nigeria Mission Director, Melissa A. Jones in a meeting with SON Director General Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke.
CPSC: Stop Using OmvedTherapies Baby Pillows Due To Suffocation Hazard; No Recall Or Remedy Offered
April 4, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to stop using the OmvedTherapies infant pillows because they pose a suffocation hazard to infants. The pillows violate the infant pillow ban because of their flexible fabric covering, loose filling and ability to easily flatten and conform to an infant’s body or face. CPSC issued a Notice of Violation to the manufacturer, Omved Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd., of India, but the firm has refused to recall these infant pillows or offer a remedy to consumers.
CPSC: Stop Using True Brothers Fuel Bottles Due To Risk Of Poisoning, Burn, And Flash Fire Hazards; No Recall Or Remedy Offered
April 4, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to immediately stop using True Brothers refillable fuel bottles sold by Shenzhen Yinglong Industrial because they pose a risk of poisoning and burns to children due to lack of a child resistant closure, which violates the Children’s Gasoline Burn Prevention Act. CPSC issued a Notice of Violation to the seller Shenzhen Yinglong Industrial Co., Ltd. of China, doing business as LetSports, but the firm has not agreed to recall these fuel bottles or offer a remedy to consumers.
France Votes To Ban ‘Forever Chemicals,’ Exempting Frying Pans
April 4, 2024, POLITICO
The French National Assembly unanimously adopted a bill aimed at restricting the manufacture and sale of products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — also known as PFAS or “forever chemicals.” The MPs, backed by the government, voted to exclude kitchen utensils from the scope of the text. Manufacturers of frying pans and saucepans — including the SEB group, which owns Tefal — are exempt from this ban.
Prop 65: Manufacturer Faces Lawsuit Over Allegedly Deceptive Marketing Of Children’s Products
April 2, 2024, yahoo.com
A lawsuit in California alleges that popular baby and toddler bibs are exposing kids to dangerous PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), while falsely labeling the product. The company labels claim that the product is “safety tested to meet or exceed all regulations.” The suit alleges that Bumkins Marvel and DC comic-themed bibs violate California’s Proposition 65, which requires companies to provide warnings about “significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.”
