In the News: December 19, 2022

Consumer Safety Board (CPSC) To Weigh Regulations On Gas Stoves
December 14, 2022, The Hill
The U.S. agency in charge of making sure the country’s consumer products are safe will weigh regulations on new gas stoves, one of the board’s commissioners said recently. Richard Trumka Jr., a commissioner on the Consumer Product Safety Commission said during a virtual webinar that the commission will put out a formal request by March for information on hazards associated with gas stoves and possible solutions. 

Analysis: New Furniture Tip-Over Guidelines Are Causing Industry Chaos. Here’s What To Know
December 14, 2022, Business of Home
In October 2022, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued new mandatory federal safety standards for the furniture category and gave manufacturers until May 24, 2023—exactly 180 days after the original ruling—to put the new measures in place. The CPSC’s new guidelines replace the current voluntary standards, which were set forth by ASTM International (the American Society for Testing and Materials), a third-party organization that has given manufacturers an optional way to self-police their products.

When Leaders Struggle With Collaboration
December 2, 2022, Harvard Business Review  
It’s not uncommon for talented leaders to find collaboration unnatural. After all, rugged individualism set them apart and propelled their careers. And for many, that same focus on distinguishing themselves later becomes their demise. If you’re a leader who struggles to collaborate with your peers, you first need to understand why that is, then work to develop that skill.

New Zealand: Charges Filed Over ‘Unsafe’ Magnetic Puzzle Toys
December 15, 2022, 1News
Kiwis are being reminded by the Commerce Commission to be vigilant about toy safety this Christmas, after two companies were charged with supplying non-compliant toys. The commission alleges the companies supplied the magnetic toys despite being subject to an unsafe goods notice which prohibited the sale of small high-powered magnets sold in sets of two or more due to the safety risk they pose.

Opinion: Bosch Urges US To Adopt Stricter E-Bike Regulations That Helped It Dominate European Market
December 14, 2022, Electrek
Compared to Europe’s strictly regulated electric bicycle market, the US has fewer restrictions on e-bikes. Bosch, one of the leading electric bicycle drive system manufacturers in Europe, hopes to see that change through the implementation of tighter safety regulations. Bosch would like to see CPSC also cover e-bike safety standards in a more effective way, similar to the manner they have approached other products like hoverboards.

Alliance At Work In D.C. Area To Offer 2023 Certification Education Program For Industry Product Safety Professionals
December 16, 2022, EINnews
Product safety professionals and academic leaders join forces in an educational program that enables industry professionals to earn the designation Certified Product Safety Professional™. The program begins with an opening workshop held on March 22 & 23, 2023 at the Virginia Tech Research Center in Arlington, Virginia. The 12-week program is a hybrid of on-campus opening followed by a webinar section featuring weekly topics in the risk management and regulatory compliance areas. The program’s instructors include industry, academic, regulatory, and consulting experts.

I-TEAM: How Toys From 3rd-Party Sites Could Hurt Your Child
December 13, 2022, WRDW
This holiday shopping season might be a challenge for parents. From game consoles to dolls, some toys are hard to find due to shipping delays and fewer imports coming into the U.S. Shoppers are turning to third-party sellers to find those hard-to-get items. But as the I-TEAM warns, buying toys from third-party websites could endanger your child. Emergency rooms across the U.S. reported more than 200,000 toy-related injuries in 2021. The U.S. government recalls toys that are unsafe for children. Even though it’s illegal to sell recalled toys, we found dangerous toys easily available to buy.

Wisconsin Regulators Move Ahead With Groundwater PFAS Rules
December 14, 2022, Winchester Start
Wisconsin’s natural resources board voted unanimously to proceed with regulating so-called forever chemicals in the state’s groundwater, 10 months after a plan was scrapped under pressure from the state’s powerful business industry. The vote to move ahead with developing limits on four types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS chemicals, came after the board in February adopted standards for surface and drinking water.

UK: B&M Recalls Toy For Babies Amid Choking Hazard Fears
December 12, 2022, Chronicle Live.co.uk
 A toy for babies has been recalled by retail giant B&M after officials found the product could cause children to choke. The Office for Product Safety and Standards said: “The product presents a risk of choking as the tags on the ball detached causing damage to the seams, giving access to the inside of the toy. Inside the toy there is a small ball shaped rattle which fits within the truncated cylinder. A young infant may put the small part into their mouth and choke.

CPSC Report Finds More Than 150k ER Visits Last Year Were Linked To Holiday Toys
December 15, 2022, Aboutlawsuits.com
The Consumer Product Safety Commission published the results of its annual Toy-Related Deaths and Injuries Report on November 21, detailing hundreds of thousands of accidents and injuries experienced last year due to holiday mishaps. More than 152,000 children were treated in emergency rooms in the U.S. in 2021 for toy-related injuries, most occurring to children younger than 15 years old. According to the report, most incidents are linked to unsafe toys, with scooters being linked to the most injuries for children in that age group.

Large NYC Co-Op Considers Ban On E-Bikes In Response To Battery Fire Fears
December 15, 2022, The City
One of the biggest co-ops in the city, with 700 units and a dominating presence in West Chelsea, is also in the middle of a new and growing debate about banning e-bikes from residential properties due to fear about them sparking fires. The number of fires started by the lithium-ion batteries that power these now ubiquitous vehicles has spiked to nearly 200 so far this year, way up from 44 just two years ago, according to the FDNY.

In the News: December 12, 2022

America Home Furnishings Alliance Files Petition For Judicial Review Of CPSC Safety Standard For Clothing Storage Units
December 6, 2022, Home Furnishing Business
The AHFA has filed a petition for judicial review of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Safety Standard for Clothing Storage Units, seeking to have the rule vacated. The petition was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. AHFA supports a mandatory furniture stability rule. However, the industry group maintains that the complexity of the performance testing requirements in the CPSC rule will make it unenforceable.

‘Fire! Fire! Fire!’ The Perplexing, Deadly Electric Bike Problem
December 8, 2022, Consumer Reports 
Malfunctioning lithium-ion batteries in the increasingly popular form of transportation have been linked to numerous explosions, blazes, and deaths. Little is being done to reduce the danger.  According to Consumer Reports, large agencies like those that govern workplace safety or highway safety generally don’t handle them. This leaves oversight to the CPSC, an underfunded consumer-protection agency that has limited control over companies. 

New York Expands Space Heater Safety Standards Nearly One Year After Deadly Bronx Fire
December 8, 2022, The Hill
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) recently signed a bill into law expanding safety standards for electric space heaters almost a year after one of the machines sparked a deadly fire in the Bronx. Under the law, electric space heaters sold in New York state are required to be equipped with thermostats and automatic shutoffs. The machines must also be certified by a testing and certification body recognized and approved by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.  

Are You Too Emotionally Invested In Your Job?
December 8, 2022, Harvard Business Review
Being emotionally invested in your work is like a double-edged sword. Your drive and passion propel you to perform. But being too emotionally tied to your work can become a huge drain and weight to carry. So how can you tell if you’re too emotionally invested in your work? The author outlines four signs to watch out for and offers strategies to regain your confidence and perspective. 

Target Pulls Water Bead Toy From The Shelves After Baby Suffers Severe Injury
December 7, 2022, Care.com
A popular water beads set is being yanked from the shelves at Target, and it might have some parents and caregivers reevaluating their latest toy purchases. Last week, the retailer announced they are temporarily halting sales of a sensory kit that contains water beads after a mom on TikTok says her 10-month-old accidentally swallowed one of the beads and nearly died.

Virginia Tech Expands Helmet Safety Ratings To Equestrians
December 7, 2022, ENventing Nation
Virginia Tech has long been at the forefront of helmet safety tech, with its state-of-the-art Helmet Lab putting equipment through rigorous tests with the aim of preventing injury during sports. Now, they’ve made their first steps into the equestrian industry, revealing their picks of the safest helmets in the bunch across forty different riding hat models.

Cheap Knockoffs Target Online Deal Hunters Looking To Escape Inflation
December 9, 2022, Washington Times
If you’re price-shopping online for deals on name-brand Christmas gifts, your odds of getting “Dove lotion” full of harsh chemicals or a “Romex” instead of a Rolex just went up.Third-party sellers are flooding digital marketplaces with a rising tide of knockoffs from countries like China as more Americans seek discounts to cope with high inflation this season, officials warn. “If a product’s price seems too good to be true, it may be counterfeit,” Nikki Fleming, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, said, “Don’t buy it.”

Los Angeles Health Department Warns Of Lead Poisoning Hazards In Recalled Children’s Products
December 5, 2022, LA County Department of Public Health
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health warned parents and caregivers about the potential health risks associated with several recalled children’s toys, clothes, and other products. The recalled items contain lead levels that exceed federal safety standards, putting children at risk for lead poisoning. Parents and caregivers of young children are urged to stop using these products and consider testing children for lead exposure. 

Indian Government To Invest Rs 3,500 Cr In Country’s Toy Industry To Cut Down Import Of Unsafe Toys From China
December 6, 2022, Indiatimes.com
With an aim to make domestic manufacturing of toys globally competitive and cut down the import of unsafe toys from China, the Indian government is working to extend Rs 3,500 crore worth of production-linked incentive benefits to the toy industry. The toys would be compliant with the norms of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). 

CPSC To Shoppers: Anchoring New TVs And Furniture Can Save A Life
December 6, 2022, Family Safety & Health
As holiday shopping shifts into high gear, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is renewing its call to anyone buying TVs and large furniture: Secure the items to a wall to prevent tip-over injuries and deaths. A CPSC report released in January 2021 shows that between 2000 and 2020, an estimated 472 children were killed in TV and furniture tip-over incidents. From 2018 through 2020, an annual estimate average of nearly 10,000 children were treated in hospital ERs for injuries related to tip-overs.

Litigation Over ‘Forever Chemicals’ Is Growing: Is Your Company The Next Defendant?
December 7, 2022, Reuters
Litigation surrounding the production and use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is ticking upward in state and federal courts in the United States. In this recent uptick of PFAS-related litigation, the breadth of plaintiffs at issue has grown, moving from owners of places where PFAS are manufactured, to owners of places that merely use PFAS-containing materials.

EU Member States Mostly Fail To Improve Consumer Protection Against Risks Of Harmful AI
December 8, 2022, EUBusiness
National governments have left too many important issues unaddressed, such as facial recognition by private companies in publicly accessible places. They have watered down important provisions regarding which systems would classify as high risk. Consumers are at risk of not having enough of the rights they need when they are subject to automated decisions or when they interact with AI although, among the improvements, member states have at least proposed to ban social scoring by private entities.

In the News: December 5, 2022

Association Files Suit Challenging New CPSC Rule On Custom Window Coverings
December 1, 2022, Home Textiles Today
How long is too long? That’s the issue in dispute in the lawsuit filed last week by the Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) against the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The CPSC’s new rule for operating cords on custom window coverings, which was published Nov. 28, 2022, determined that cords longer than 8 inches pose an unreasonable risk of strangulation to children 8 years old and younger. The CPCS now requires that such products meet the same requirements as operating cords on stock window coverings. The effective date of the rule is May 30, 2023. The rule will apply to all custom window coverings manufactured after that date.

Urgent Safety Alert Issued For Baby Self-Feeding Pillows – Risk Of Death
November 30, 2022, West Bridgford Wire
The UK’s Office for Product Safety and Standards has issued an Urgent Safety Alert for baby self-feeding pillows and is urging the public to stop using them immediately and dispose of them safely. The agency says self-feeding pillows/prop feeders present a risk of serious harm or death from choking or aspiration pneumonia. Baby self-feeding pillow products are designed to be attached to a bottle so that the baby may be positioned on its back to self-feed without the assistance of a caregiver holding the bottle and controlling the feed.

How To Communicate Your Company’s Strategy Effectively
November 29, 2022, Harvard Business Review
For too long, communicating strategy has been an afterthought. Executives have shared long, bombastic documents or withheld critical information and expected people to just “get it.” And it hasn’t worked. Here are five actions that will improve the clarity and quality of communication, enabling stakeholders to make a more substantive and meaningful contribution to the strategy.

Q3 Product Recalls Tip U.S. Further Into Record-Breaking Year
December 1, 2022, Sedgwick
Third-quarter U.S. recall data show that the number of products recalled this year has officially reached a 20-year high. According to the U.S. product recall index released by Sedgwick’s brand protection division, 1.22 billion units have been involved in recalls across the five industries tracked in the index, breaking the previous record of 1.20 billion set in 2018.

Mary T. Boyle: A Profile Of The Newest CPSC Commissioner
December 1, 2022, JD Supra
The President swore in a new CPSC Commissioner on June 30, 2022. Mary T. Boyle, however, is not an entirely new face at the agency. She has served in various positions within the CPSC for more than a decade. Her background includes her services as the CPSC’s Executive Director since 2018. She has also served as CPSC’s Senior Counselor for Policy and Planning, General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel.

Parents Told To Cut Recalled Children’s Toy In Half, Throw It Away
December 1, 2022, CBS4Indy
Parents who bought an activity toy for their children are being told to cut it in half and throw it away following a report of a potentially faulty seam. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said HABA is recalling its Discovery Cubes Animal Hide and Seek activity toys because the seam on the activity toy’s house can open. This would allow a young child access to the toy’s filling, posing choking and ingestion hazards if placed in the mouth.

PFAS Legal Liability Exposures: What Thousands Of Manufacturers Need To Know
November 28, 2022, Risk and Insurance
Though we’re still awaiting an official EPA standard for PFAS contamination, lawsuits concerning the presence of these toxic chemicals in waterways have taken off in recent years. Since 2005, there have been 6,400 PFAS-related lawsuits, Bloomberg reported. The chemicals — which have been linked to health conditions ranging from cancer to infertility to asthma — are used in everything from nonstick cookware to water-resistant clothing and firefighting foams. “PFAS are used in almost every consumer good that we have in some way,” said Jamie Langes, vice president of environmental underwriting for Philadelphia Insurance Companies. “Everyone, therefore, is likewise going to have to pay in some respect for PFAS. Just, to what extent?”

Report Urges: Expand Unfair Import Law To Better Target China
December 1, 2022, STRTrade.com
A new report urges Congress to expand Section 337 of the 1930 Tariff Act to better address the unfair trade practices China uses to capture market share in advanced industries. The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation argues that “the new Washington consensus is that China is a threat, Chinese government trade policy actions are mostly unfair and predatory, and [China] is moving away, rather than toward, its WTO obligations.” 

Opinion: It’s Time To Ban The Electric Centaurs From Our Cities
November 30, 2022, Fast Company
E-scooters invaded our cities and now they’re taking over public transit, ruining the lives of commuters. Take their safety record, for example. According to a report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, between 2017 and 2021 there were 117,600 people injured in electric scooter incidents, including 68 dead. 

Over 8 million Laundry And Cleaning Products Recalled Due To Possible Bacterial Contamination
December 1, 2022, Good Morning America
The Laundress first issued a safety notice on Nov. 17, urging customers to stop using its products completely. “We have identified the potential presence of elevated levels of bacteria in some of our products that present a safety concern,” the company wrote in part, before adding that it would provide an update at a later date. Last week, the company expanded the safety notice into a recall.

Why Product Safety Is Crucial To The Manufacturing Industry
December 1, 2022, Manufacturer
Manufacturing has come a long way from the simple assembly lines of the past. Its current implementation of digital technology has made it safer, faster, and more cost-effective. But amid all of this, one thing remains important: the satisfaction and safety of consumers. This is why product safety is such a key aspect of manufacturing. 

In the News; November 28, 2022

CPSC To Industry: Get Ready For More-More Penalties, More Litigation, More Regulation
November 21, 2022, Morgan Lewis
The CPSC will levy swift and strong civil penalties for product safety infractions, but, under this plan, it will also evaluate 100% of those cases for potential referral to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for criminal prosecution of corporate offenders. This is designed to deter future misconduct. The CPSC will publicize import seizures to flex its power at the ports, and (funds permitting) increase staffing in the agency’s Offices of Compliance and Enforcement and the General Counsel.

Health Canada Recalls Thousands Of Bassinets And Change Tables Over Suffocation Concerns
November 18, 2022, Toronto Star
Thousands of playards for babies and small children are being voluntarily recalled in Canada due to potential suffocation and entrapment hazards. Health Canada says the recall involves approximately 84,000 bassinets with or without change tables for a number of Harmony Play & Go Playards. The agency says playards sold without these accessories are not included in this recall.

The Myth Of The Brilliant, Charismatic Leader
November 23, 2022, Harvard Business Review
There’s a view, call it the “superhero” theory of leadership, in which vision, charisma and brilliance of a CEO makes or breaks a company. That view is dangerous, not so much because CEOs don’t matter or that smarts and vision don’t help. It’s dangerous because of what it leaves out.

Hospitalisations In Australia Involving E-Scooter Riders Up 234% In A Year
November 27, 2022, WAToday
Injuries to people riding electric scooters in Victoria have increased by 234 per cent in the past year, leading to at least 427 hospital admissions, mainly due to broken bones. Data from Monash University’s Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit shows a steep rise in hospitalisations due to injuries among e-scooter riders, jumping from 28 in 2019-20 to 128 in 2020-21, and 427 in the past year.

Greenpeace Study: Dangerous Chemicals In Shein Clothing Violate EU Regulations
November 28, 2022, Fashion United
Greenpeace Germany tested some Shein clothing and found that there are often dangerous chemicals in the clothes sold by Shein. To prove this, Greenpeace Germany bought 47 garments from the Shein platform, which were examined in an independent laboratory for pollutant analysis. It found phthalate levels of over 100,000 milligrams per kilogram in five boots and shoes respectively; the European Chemicals Regulation (REACH) limit is 1,000 milligrams per kilogram. 

High-End Cleaning Company The Laundress Tells Consumers To Stop Using Its Products
November 18, 2022, Consumer Reports
Luxury laundry and home cleaning company the Laundress has advised consumers to stop using all Laundress products. This includes its laundry detergents for delicates and for baby clothes and its surface cleaner, because of “the potential presence of elevated levels of bacteria.” The Laundress says it is working with government regulators but has not yet issued a recall.

CPSC Is Working To Keep Families Safe This Holiday Season
November 21, 2022, cpsc.gov
With the holidays right around the corner, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reminds consumers to keep safety at the top of your mind this holiday season. Many injuries and deaths associated with celebrating the holidays can be prevented, so consumers are urged to put safety in practice while purchasing toys for children, cooking that holiday feast or decorating your home.

Joint Industry Letter – Finalising The EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)
November 22, 2022, Computer and Communications Industry Association
“We are writing on behalf of a broad coalition that represents technology and e-commerce companies of all different sizes from across the EU. This coalition believes it is crucial to create a General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) that both protects the safety of European consumers and provides an adequate framework for all the businesses that have to implement it.”

Health Canada Recalls Thousands Of Toys For Toddlers For High Lead Content
November 26, 2022, City News Everywhere
A toy targeted at children six months and older is being recalled due to lead content “above the regulatory limits,” according to an advisory released by Health Canada. The toy in question is the My First Words cube by Québec-based Placote manufactured by Les Éditions Passe-Temps Inc. in Canada. The company reported that approximately 4,000 units of the affected product were sold in Canada from March 2022 to September 2022.

Parents Beware: These Recalled Toys Are Still Being Sold
November 19, 2022, WKRC/CNN
As holiday shopping intensifies, a consumer advocacy group is warning parents of dangerous, recalled toys that are still being sold online. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group released its 37th annual “Trouble in Toyland” safety report recently. The report states PIRG was able to buy over 30 toys that have been recalled from several U.S.-based online retailers.

In the News: November 21, 2022

Onewheel Skateboards Linked To 4 Deaths, CPSC Says
November 16, 2022, CBS News
Commuters and thrill-seekers should stay off Onewheel electric skateboards because the products can eject riders, causing serious injury and death, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. At least four people have died from traumatic head injuries after falling from the self-balancing boards made by Santa Cruz, California-based Future Motion, the agency stated.

CPSC Awards More Than $1.1m In Safely Grants Combat Pool And Spa Drownings
November 15, 2022, The Winchester Star
Consumer Product Safety Commission Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) announced three awardees of a grant program aimed at preventing pool and spa drownings, as well as drain entrapments. The state and local governments were selected by CPSC to receive more than $1.1 million in Pool Safely Grant Program (PSGP) grant funds. This funding will provide state and local governments with assistance for education, training, and enforcement of pool safety requirements that are intended to save lives and prevent serious injuries.

Make The Most Of Your One-On-One Meetings
Nov-Dec 2022, Harvard Business Review  
Few organizations provide strong guidance or training for managers on meeting individually with their employees, but the author’s research shows that managers who don’t hold these meetings frequently enough or who manage them poorly risk leaving their team members disconnected, both functionally and emotionally. When the meetings are done well, they can make a team’s day-to-day activities more efficient and better, build trust and improve employees’ experience, motivation, and engagement at work. 

4-Year-Old’s Death Prompts CPSC Warning About “My Bouncer Little Castle” Due To Strangulation Risk
November 16, 2022, Yahoo Finance
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers not to use an inflatable bounce house because it could pose a risk of strangulation. The product is sold online under the name “My Bouncer Little Castle.” According to the CPSC, a 4-year-old boy died after a hoop inside the castle became entangled around his neck.

NYC Council Looks To Take Action On E-Bike Batteries After Deadly Fires
November 14, 2022, ABC News 7
The New York City Council is looking to take action on the batteries used by electric bikes and scooters after hundreds of destructive and deadly fires. The committee discussed various proposals. One of the proposals would require public education campaigns or safety reports. Another would prohibit the sale of some secondhand lithium-ion batteries, or e-bike or scooter batteries without certain seals of approval.

REI PFAS Consumer Fraud Lawsuit Continues Trend Of Similar Lawsuits
November 16, 2022, National Law Review
The first wave of PFAS lawsuits takes direct aim at the consumer products industry. Because of this it is essential that businesses along the supply chain evaluate their PFAS risk. Public health and environmental groups urge legislators to regulate PFAS at an ever-increasing pace. Similarly, state level EPA enforcement action is increasing at a several-fold rate every year.

What Is Reese’s Law? Landmark Legislation To Protect Kids From Battery Ingestion
November 16, 2022, Fatherly
What are button batteries? Parents might not know that button-cell batteries — typically used to power watches, keyless car entry remotes, and other products that require a slim, compact power source — have been one of the more under-the-radar household health hazards for years, potentially leading to major injury or death in kids. But thanks to a law signed by President Biden and passed by both houses of Congress last fall, they should soon become much more difficult for kids to get their hands on accidentally.

Feds Restore Washington State Water Quality Standards For Chemical Discharges
November 16, 2022, Chronline.com
In a reversal of Trump administration policies, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week reinstated federal water quality standards for chemicals discharged into Washington state waterways. The final rule signed recently would ensure polluters stay within federally established levels of chemicals or conditions in a body of water that are not expected to cause adverse health effects.

Common Type Of Clothing Could Be Exposing Millions Of Children To Harmful Chemicals
November 14, 2022, SciTechDaily.com
According to a recent study conducted by scientists at the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University and associates from the University of Toronto, the University of Notre Dame, and the Green Science Policy Institute, children who wear stain-resistant school uniforms may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of chemicals.

CPSC Says Parents Should Stop Using ‘Unsafe’ Dockatot Deluxe+
November 14, 2022, The Bump
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is cracking down on the sale of unsafe sleep products under its new Infant Sleep Products Rule, which went into effect in June making it unlawful to sell infant sleep products that don’t meet federal safety standards. The latest product in violation? The DockATot Deluxe+ Dock. The product was determined to be unsafe for infant sleep because it is a flat product that doesn’t have a stand, doesn’t meet certain stability requirements and doesn’t have a side height of at least 7.5 inches, according to the CPSC.

CPSC Chairman: Why The Agency Rejected An ASTM Revised Voluntary Standard For Children’s Folding Chairs And Stools
November 8, 2022, cpsc.gov
“The Commission voted unanimously to reject an update to the voluntary safety standard for Children’s Folding Chairs and Folding Stools. Under section 104 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, once the Commission has adopted a voluntary standard for durable infant or toddler products as a mandatory standard, we review each update to the voluntary standard that the voluntary standards organization submits to the Commission.  If that update does not improve safety, the Commission can reject it and leave the mandatory standard as it is.” 

CPSC Tells Manufacturers, Importers, Distributors And Retailers They Must Protect Infants By Complying With Infant Sleep Product Rule
November 9, 2022, cpsc.gov
A news release explains the CPSC’s position on the Infant Sleep Rule: “On June 23, 2022, the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Infant Sleep Product Rule went into effect, making it unlawful to sell non-compliant infant sleep products manufactured on or after that date. This landmark rule removes products hazardous to infants from the marketplace as part of CPSC’s longstanding commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of the public. The regulation applies to infant sleep products marketed or intended to provide a sleeping accommodation for an infant up to 5 months of age, which are not subject to another mandatory standard for infant sleep.” 

Commissioner Richard Trumka Statement

3 Steps To Prepare Your Supply Chain For The Next Crisis
November 9, 2022, Harvard Business Review
Most risks to supply chains are predictable. That means that companies can and should be prepared to handle them. It entails taking three steps. They are creating a world-class sensing and risk-monitoring operation; simplifying your product portfolio; and de-risking your supply chain in terms of sourcingraw materials and components.

EXPLAINER: Bikes, Batteries And Blazes Spark Concern In NYC
November 7, 2022, Federal News Network
A fire that injured over three dozen people — and forced firefighters to use ropes to pluck people from a 20th-story window — is drawing attention to a rising concern in New York City. That is battery fires that can arise in the electric bikes and scooters that have proliferated here. City officials are considering new laws after the fire department counted nearly 200 blazes and six fire deaths this year tied to problems with lithium-ion batteries in such “micromobility” devices.

Textile Trade Group To Again Seek Textile Standard Testing Exemption For Spandex
November 9,2022, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
The American Apparel and Footwear Association is again launching an effort to add spandex to the list of fabrics exempt from testing under the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s standard for the flammability of clothing textiles. This flammability standard (which applies to clothing and textiles intended to be used for clothing) provides testing requirements, establishes three classes of flammability, sets out the criteria for classifying textiles, and prohibits the use of textiles that exhibit rapid and intense burning.

Australia: Kids’ Product Recalls Continue As Shopping Season Approaches
November 10, 2022, Choice
A steady stream of recalls of products for babies and kids is cause for concern. According to the consumer advocacy group, Choice, the root cause remains the lack of a general safety provision in Australia, a regulatory regime that would require a product to be proven safe before it can be sold in this country.

Canada Publishes Notice Of Intent On The Labeling Of Toxic Substances In Products, Including Toxic Flame Retardants
November 8, 2022, JD Supra
On October 29, 2022, Canada published in the Canada Gazette a notice of intent (NOI) announcing that it intends to propose actions under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). The NOI would require the labeling of certain substances that are listed on the CEPA Schedule 1 List of Toxic Substances in certain products, such as cosmetics, cleaning products, and flame retardants in upholstered furniture. 

CPSC: Guidance On The Application Of Human Factors To Consumer Products
February 2020, cpsc.gov 
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff and Health Canada’s Consumer and Hazardous Products Safety Directorate (“Health Canada”) have developed this guidance document to help consumer product manufacturers integrate human factors principles into their product development process.

3 Toy Safety Tips To Keep In Mind During Toy Safety Awareness Month
November 9, 2022, Gifts & Decorative Accessories Newsletter
Toys and youth entertainment trade association The Toy Association has kicked off its second annual Toy Safety Awareness Month, bringing gift-givers like parents and grandparents important safety information for the holiday season. “Our members work year-round to design, produce, and deliver products that comply with more than 100 strict federal safety standards and tests to safeguard children at play,” said Joan Lawrence, The Toy Association’s senior vice president of standards and regulatory affairs and “toy safety mom.” “However, safety is a partnership shared by industry and consumers, and Toy Safety Awareness Month aims to equip families with the resources they need to ensure every play date is both fun and safe.”

Whether At Home Or Traveling For The Holidays CPSC Reminds Parents To Keep Babies’ Sleep Space Safe
November 10, 2022, cpsc.gov
With the holiday season fast approaching and families preparing to gather, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is teaming up with members of Congress and safety advocates to remind adults to keep the little ones safe by always creating a safe sleep space. Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric recently joined pediatric experts, child safety advocates and Members of Congress to raise awareness of the best safe sleep practices for babies and highlight new laws and regulations aimed at creating a safer marketplace to keep all babies safe. 

Action Needed To Improve CPSC Preparedness For Product Examination Disruptions”
October 27, 2022, Government Accountability Office
According to the GAO report: “From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic through August 2020, the Consumer Product Safety Commission conducted significantly fewer examinations of imported products. Working remotely, CPSC investigators conducted 850 examinations compared to 4,537 during the same period in 2019. CPSC wasn’t well prepared entering the pandemic, when port staff stopped conducting onsite examinations. The agency made decisions about its operations and remote procedures as conditions evolved because it didn’t have a fully developed continuity plan.”

On CPSC 50th Anniversary, Sen. Cantwell Highlights Action To Protect Children From Residential Elevator Hazards
October 27, 2022, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, recognized the 50^th anniversary of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Sen. Cantwell acknowledged CPSC’s decades of work to protect American consumers from dangerous and deadly products, including this year’s long overdue actions to protect children from hazardous residential elevators.

Product Safety Group Opens Registration for 2023 Certification Program in Washington, D.C. area
October 30, 2020, EIN News
Registration is now open for the 2023 Consumer Product Safety Professional Certification Program taking place on the campus of the Virginia Tech (VT) Research Center in Arlington, Va. This program is being offered by the alliance of Virginia Tech Continuing and Professional Education, the Society of Product Safety Professionals (SPSP) and its education partner ADK Information Services. Those who successfully complete this training course earn the designation Certified Product Safety Professional™ awarded by SPSP. The annual program was first offered in 2019.

Monitoring Individual Employees Isn’t The Way To Boost Productivity
October 27, 2022, Harvard Business Review 
Ever since workers moved from offices to work-from-home setups, companies have worried about how they’re spending their time. Many have bought invasive “productivity monitoring” software to keep tabs on people. There is, however, a better and more empathic way to use data to improve productivity. Among other things, protect employee anonymity and collect data at the team level.

Prop 65 PFAS Notices Increasing In Number
October 26, 2022, National Law Review
 Significant actions by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) lists six types of PFAS as chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm – PFOA, PFOS, PFDA, PFHxS, PFNA, and PFUnDA. Companies with current or legacy uses of certain PFAS must be cognizant of the strict Prop 65 requirements in order to avoid significant penalties and must take a close look at chemical composition of their product lines to avoid expensive enforcement action defense.

Consumer Reports: You Can’t Always Trust Claims On ‘Non-Toxic’ Cookware
October 26, 2022, Consumer Reports
If you’ve shopped for nonstick cookware recently, you may have noticed labels meant to indicate that your new frying pan is free of certain hazardous chemicals. To see if nonstick pans that are claimed to be PFOA-free really are, and if consumers can rely on other PFAS-related claims, Consumer Reports recently tested three recommended nonstick frying pans in our ratings at different price points.

Tesla Cyberquad For Kids By Radio Flyer Recalled Because It Doesn’t Meet Federal Safety Standards
October 27, 2022, Penn Live.com
Radio Flyer has recalled the Cyberquad for Kids that was sold exclusively through Tesla. “The Cyberquad fails to comply with the federal mandatory safety standard requirements for youth ATVs, including mechanical suspension and maximum tire pressure,” according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Commission also said, “Additionally, the Cyberquad lacks a CPSC-approved ATV action plan, which is required to manufacture, import, sell, or distribute ATVs.”

National Fire Protection Association Provides Tips On E-Bike, E-Scooter Safety And Micromobility Device Fires
October 25, 2022, Fire Engineering
The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) has created a new micromobility device safety webpage (https://www.nfpa.org/ebikes) in response to the concerns fire officials have about the growing number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries that power electric bikes and electric scooters as their popularity increases. The webpage features information about why e-bikes and e-scooters catch fire, what some jurisdictions are doing to better regulate that risk and what tips people can follow to stay safe if they use, store, or charge e-bikes or e-scooters.

FTC Proposes New Efficiency And Repair Instruction Requirements
October 27, 2022, JD Supra
Manufacturers may soon have to include energy efficiency labeling and appliance repair instructions for a broad range of new consumer appliances. Specifically, the FTC is exploring amending its Energy Labeling Rule to require EnergyGuide labels on some new consumer products and additional categories of lamps, as well as instructions for how consumers could repair broken products. The FTC’s advance notice of proposed rulemaking has not yet been published in the Federal Register; public comment on the Commission’s proposals will be due 60 days following such publication.

Children Very Vulnerable To Severe Injury From Quad Bike Use
October 27, 2022, Medical X Press
Children are very vulnerable to severe injury from the use of quad bikes, also known as ATVs, finds research published in the open access journal BMJ Open. Public education campaigns on the potential dangers associated with their use are urgently needed, say the researchers. the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that close to 100,000 injuries associated with ATV use were treated in US emergency departments in 2013.

Internet Safety Will Change The Web For Adults, Too
October 26, 2022, Stanford University Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence
In September, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act into law. The bill, designed to protect minors on the internet, goes beyond today’s simple parental controls. While directed toward children’s safety and well-being, the impact of the law could be much broader, says Stanford HAI Privacy and Data Policy Fellow Jennifer King. 

CPSC Finds Micromobility Injuries Rose 127% Since 2017
October 11, 2022, Bicycle Retailer
Injuries involving micromobility devices including e-scooters, hoverboards and e-bikes were up 127% between 2017 and 2021 according to a new report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The CPSC report also counted 48 deaths involving the products last year, including 23 deaths involving e-bikes. The total number of micromobility device fatalities was up from just five in 2017. The report found that Black consumers sustained injuries at a higher rate than other groups.

CPSC Enforcement Trend: Unilateral Press Releases
October 13, 2022, Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
Companies take note: over the past month or so, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued four unilateral press releases instructing consumers to stop using a product. Since May of this year, that number rises to seven. If that number does not seem high, consider this: between 2011 and 2019—a nine-year period—the agency issued two. So, what exactly is a “unilateral press release” and what does the agency’s issuance of four over recent weeks mean for you?

Is Agenda Theater Ruining Your Meetings?
October 14, 2022, Harvard Business Review 
Like triaging our inboxes, clearing our messages or managing our to-do lists, preparing an agenda can make us feel like we’ve accomplished something. But research shows that these feelings may in fact be leading us into the trap of agenda theater: We sink time and effort into agendas that create the appearance of effective meetings, without actually improving how meetings are run.

The Dangers Of Using Your Gas Range Or Oven For Heat
October 13, 2022, Consumer Reports
More than one in five Americans with income under $30,000 who have a gas range say they used that appliance to heat their home during the past year, according to a Consumer Reports survey. And new CR research shows that cooking with a gas range can expose people to potentially dangerous nitrogen oxide gases (NOx) at levels twice as high as the limit set by the EPA for outdoor air. 

Poll: Most U.S. Voters Want Products Free Of Harmful Chemicals
October 11, 2022, Fox 41
A new survey shows and they are even willing to pay more to get that assurance of safety. This according to Lake Research Partners, which conducted the poll. The Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment (PRHE) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), commissioned the survey. More than 90% of those polled wanted the U.S. government to require products to be screened for harmful chemicals and proven safe before market approval.

Etsy Provides Resources To Seller On Creating Safer Children’s Products
October 10, 2022, Ecommercebytes
Etsy has partnered with a nonprofit organization focused on the safety of children’s products to help inform sellers on the topic. Etsy will make Kids in Danger (KID)’s video course available to sellers, which is designed specifically for small business owners. The course offers lessons that go in-depth on designing and creating products for children.

Halloween Face Paint Can Be Toxic To Kids
October 12, 2022, Consumer Reports
Around Halloween time many parents worry about trick-or-treating safety and curfews, sugar crashes, and ruined bedtimes. But here’s something you might not be thinking about but should be: toxic ingredients in your kids’ face paints and powders. Studies in recent years have found Halloween face paints that contain heavy metals like lead and cadmium, and powdered makeup marketed to kids that are contaminated with asbestos. 

Kidde Launches ‘Cause For Alarm™’ Campaign, Sounding The Alarm On Fire Safety Inequity
October 12, 2022, EIN PressWire
Kidde, a leading manufacturer of residential smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and safety accessories, created Cause For Alarm in response to the statistics that fatal residential fires disproportionately affect some communities more than others. The Consumer Product Safety Research found African Americans face nearly two times the risk of house fire deaths.        

New York Lawmaker Wants Internet Privacy Protections For Kids
October 12, 2022, Spectrum Local New
Digital advertising aimed at kids as well as the data collection of younger users would be banned under legislation proposed this week by state Sen. Andrew Gounardes. The measure is meant to provide stronger protections for kids online and give parents more control over their children’s digital lives. The bill is being proposed after years of studies finding social media exposure can be harmful to children and teenagers, leading to mental health problems like depression. 

Study Finds 3 Out Of 4 Stock Photos Of Sleeping Babies Show ‘Unsafe’ Spaces
October 13, 2022, PetaPixel
The BabyCenter analyzed 500 photos and 77 percent of them were found to be in a position that puts them at risk for sudden unexpected infant death (SUID). The study found that the most common safety issue was a baby sleeping with something in their crib, such as a blanket (35%), a pillow (18%) or soft toys (16%). Babies are also frequently shown sleeping outside of a crib or bassinet, such as on a soft surface (16%) or an adult bed (12%). In 12% of photos, a baby is shown sleeping on their stomach or side.

Canada Prioritizes Methylene Chloride For Further Risk Assessment
October 13, 2022, Chemical Watch
The Canadian government has determined it must further assess methylene chloride to better understand the risk it poses to workers and consumers, and to decide whether it requires additional regulations. Prioritizing the widely used solvent for further review could put Canada on track to follow the US in identifying risks from its current applications and imposing new restrictions.

27 Children, 5 Adults Hospitalized After Carbon Monoxide Leak At Daycare Center
October 11, 2022, Morning Call
The first sign anything was amiss at Happy Smiles Learning Center in Allentown came when a boy got up from his seat in what’s known as the “cozy area” and collapsed mid-stride as he ran across the room. Employees of the day care tried to revive him as they called 911 for help. When emergency medical technicians arrived, monitors connected to their medical bags sounded, alerting them to the presence of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless and potentially deadly gas. Further testing with a carbon monoxide gas meter showed it was present in a concentration of 700 parts per million, more than three times the threshold that can cause death.