Senate Confirms Mary Boyle As 5th CPSC Commissioner; Agency Now At Full Strength
June 23, 2022, National Law Review
Nearly a year after she was first nominated, Mary Boyle was confirmed Wednesday to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. When she takes office for a term that will run through October 2025, Boyle will bring the Commission to its full five-member strength for the first time since 2019. Boyle has been at CPSC for more than a decade, serving as an attorney in the Office of General Counsel, as General Counsel herself, and currently as the agency’s Executive Director.

Federal Regulators Restrict The Sale Of In-Bed Sleepers And Several Other Infant Sleep Products
June 23, 2022, Consumer Reports
Dangerous infant sleepers and other products that aren’t consistent with expert medical advice will no longer be allowed to be sold or marketed for sleep because of a federal rule taking effect today. And the American Academy of Pediatrics has updated its infant sleep guidelines, urging parents to use only sleep products covered by a federal safety standard and to not share their bed with a sleeping infant.

Supporting Your Team When The News Is Terrible
June 23, 2022, Harvard Business Review
Find a path forward and in the face of devastating news can feel impossible. Chances are that your team is feeling a host of emotions: Anger, despair, helplessness. Here are 5 steps to help you and your team feel better when things seems terrible.

One Charger To Rule Them All! European Commission, Council And Parliament Reach Agreement On Common Charger Proposal
June 20, 2022, Productwise
Two weeks ago, the European Commission, Council and Parliament reached an agreement on the proposal to amend the Radio Equipment Directive (RED). The agreement requires the use of USB-C chargers for many electrical products in the EU. It also introduce new requirements for charging technology.

BIS Issues Performance Standards For EV Batteries Amid Safety ConcernsJune 23, 2022, Business Standards
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has come out with performance standards for electric vehicle batteries to ensure the safety of consumers, according to a senior consumer affairs ministry official. BIS, the national standards-setting body that functions under the consumer affairs ministry of India, has published the official “Performance Standards For Electronic Vehicle Batteries,” the official said.

McDonald’s Argues Consumers Suffered No Injuries In PFAS Class Action, Seeks Dismissal
June 23, 2022, Madison Record
McDonald’s Corporation argues that a “baseless accusation” that its packaging contains toxic chemicals should be dismissed. Their position is based on the assertation that the plaintiffs do not put forward any injuries that justify the suit. McDonald’s claims the “grease-resistance substances” are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

European Union Digital Services Act: How It Will Make The Internet Safer For Children
June 20, 2022, World Economic Forum
The EU has agreed on the Digital Services Act, which aims to set a new rulebook on how Europe regulates the digital landscape. The legislation includes measures to recognize the rights of the child and ban targeted advertising aimed at children.

Consumer Goods CEOs Highlight Five Urgent Actions Needed To Help Reach 2030 SDG Deadline
June 21, 2022, Big News Network
The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) and the EY organization have today published a new report bringing together opinions from 13 consumer industry leaders that outlines the urgent priorities the sector must act upon to help meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 deadline. At the halfway point to the 2030 deadline (from the SDGs being set in 2015), the CEOs are optimistic that faster progress can be achieved through five actions to accelerate impact.

Safety First: EU’s Product Safety Rules Based On Prevention Rather Than Prohibition
June 22, 2022, The journal.ie
While the European Union’s intervention in member states’ industries has added unpopular red tape and bureaucracy in the past, EU-mandated pan-European standardization of product safety standards on the other hand has arguably been a huge success.

Renew Europe Pushes For Future-Proof EU Legislation On Safety Of Products
June 16, 2022, Renew Europe
The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament welcomes today’s adoption by the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection of the report on General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), as an updated, and more effective legislative framework was needed to ensure that all products circulating in the single market are safe.

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CPSC Chair Hoehn-Saric: “Never Use Inclined Products.”
June 14, 2022, CPSC.gov

CPSC Commissioner Trumka: “Only A Firm, Flat Surface Is Safe.”
June 14, 2022, CPSC.gov

Seven Safety Certifications: Why They’re Important
June 14, 2022, MUO
Have you ever looked at the back of a power brick and noticed a slew of markings? They are there to protect you, the community and the environment from all kinds of hazards ranging from electromagnetic incompatibilities to poisonous chemicals.

So Your Boss Refused To Give You A Raise
June 16, 2022, Harvard Business Review
While being rejected for a raise can be a blow to your self-esteem, it’s an opportunity for development and not a step backwards. In this article, the author offers this advice on how to maintain momentum after being denied a raise.

Serious Injuries More Likely For Kids Using Trampoline Centers Than Home Trampolines
June 13, 2022, EuerkaAlert
Children who use trampoline centers are more likely to be injured and need hospital admission than those who use home trampolines, finds a data analysis of available international evidence. The analysis was published in the journal Injury Prevention.

Fireworks Safety: How To Avoid Blowing Off Your Finger
June 10, 2022, Patch
This is the wrong way to light firecrackers, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Agency said 30 percent of 4th of July fireworks-related injuries in 2020 that were treated at U.S. emergency rooms were to fingers and hands.

Australian Regulator Announces Product Safety Priorities
June 16, 2022, The National Tribune
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission this year will focus on product safety issues affecting young children and strategies for reducing fires and injuries from lithium-ion batteries, according to its chair, Gina Cass-Gottlieb. Ms. Cass-Gottlieb shared her vision for consumer protection in Australia and announced the ACCC’s seven product safety priorities.

JPMA Names New Executive Director
June 16, 2022, JPMA News
Lisa Trofe, CAE, formerly Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association managing director, will lead the organization as the industry faces a challenging regulatory environment, industry consolidation and a need for programs to advance baby safety.

NC Elevator Safety Upgrade In Cottage Rentals Advancing
June 15, 2022, US News
All elevators inside vacation cottages or similar short-term rentals in North Carolina would have to include life-saving space guards in legislation advancing in the state Senate. The measure which could be on the senate floor later soon is a response to last summer’s death of a 7-year-old child at a rental home on the northern Outer Banks. The Ohio boy became trapped between the elevator car and elevator shaft, authorities said.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Set To Auction 46,000 Clear Backpacks
June 11, 2022, WCNC
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools is set to auction off all 46,000 clear backpacks it brought this school year in response to a rise in violence. In March, it was confirmed that CMS was “indefinitely” postponing the rollout of clear backpacks at pilot schools due to most backpacks containing a warning tag required by Prop 65 for California residents.

EPA Warns Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ More Dangerous Than Once Thought
June 15, 2022, Washington Post
The Environmental Protection Agency warned recently that a group of human-made chemicals found in the drinking water, cosmetics and food packaging used by millions of Americans pose a greater danger to human health than regulators previously thought. The new health advisories for a ubiquitous class of compounds known as polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, underscore the risk facing dozens of communities across the country. Linked to infertility, thyroid problems and several types of cancer, these “forever chemicals” can persist in the environment for years without breaking down.

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CPSC Report Shows Fatal Child Drownings Remain High; Nonfatal Drowning Injuries Spiked By 17 % In 2021
June 9, 2022, CPSC.gov
The annual drowning and submersion report released recently by the Consumer Product Safety Commission shows fatal child drownings and nonfatal drowning injuries in children under age 15 remain high. Child drownings continue to be the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 1 to 4 years old.

Is An Older Crib Safe For Your Baby?
June 8, 2022, Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials
The answer is NO. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends NOT using hand-me-down cribs more than a decade old or cribs that have been modified. Broken cribs also landed on the do-not-use list, though that kind of goes without saying.

Don’t Confuse Strategy With Lofty Goals
June 8, 2022, Harvard Business Review
Most companies communicate strategy as aspirations and platitudes. But these grand claims offer no guidance to employees on company direction. A recent study shows only 29% of employees know what their companies strategies are.

AI Ethical Decision Making: Is Society Ready?
June 3, 2022, Science Daily
With the accelerating evolution of technology, artificial intelligence plays a growing role in decision-making. Humans are becoming increasingly dependent on algorithms to process information, recommend certain behaviors and even take actions of their behalf. A Hiroshima University research team published findings of how humans react to the introduction of AI in decision making.

California PFAS Laws Take Aim At Consumer Goods
June 7, 2022, National Law Review
The California PFAS laws underscore the importance of companies assessing the impact of continued use of PFAS in consumer products. Of equal importance are corporate practices and decision making regarding continued use of PFAS in consumer products.

UK: Anticipating The Product Liability Wave
June 8, 2022, ICLG.com
“We have got this perfect storm of the sharpening of liability laws: the tightening of the screws around regulation, consumers being told ‘you have got these rights that you should exercise’, and tools being put in place for the consumers to exercise those rights. It is changing everything at the moment,” says Rod Freeman, a partner with Cooley.

Commissioner Feldman Statement On FY 2022 Mid-Year CPSC Spending Plan
June 1, 2022, cpsc.gov
“As the Commission continues its work in fiscal year 2022 and beyond, I hope my colleagues will join me in making accountability and transparency a top priority as we work to protect American consumers.”

Commissioner Trumka: Statement On Bipartisan Support To Mitigate Chronic Hazards And Other Improvements
June 1, 2022, CPSC.Gov
“The Commission Approved A Spending Plan For The Remainder Of Fiscal Year 2022 And Directed The Agency’s Use Of Outstanding American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds. With A Shoestring Budget, We Faced Difficult Decisions On How Best To Prioritize Among Life-Saving Projects. In Each Of Those Decisions We Put Consumers First. I Am Especially Proud That We Secured Bipartisan Support For Three Amendments To The Spending Plan.”

UK Politicians Ride E-Scooters Ahead Of Legislation Change
June 9, 2022, TTI
MPs and peers have been given the chance to ride e-scooters and receive safety training as they consider legislation to make these vehicles fully legal in the UK. The vehicles remain illegal in public areas, unless they are part of a pilot scheme.

The EU AI Act Will Have Global Impact But A Limited Brussels Effect
June 8, 2022, Brookings Institute
The European Union’s (EU) AI Act (AIA) aspires to establish the first comprehensive regulatory scheme for artificial intelligence, but its impact will not stop at the EU’s borders. In fact, some EU policymakers believe it is a critical goal of the AIA to set a worldwide standard, so much so that some refer to a race to regulate AI.

North American Flame Retardant Alliance Comments On Final Regulatory Determinations Report Under Safer Products For Washington State
June 8, 2022, American Chemistry Council
The American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) North American Flame Retardant Alliance (NAFRA) issued the following statement. “NAFRA is deeply disappointed with the Department of Ecology’s alternatives assessment approach and outcome. The Department failed to properly evaluate organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs) and their alternatives in a complete or consistent manner that considered availability, performance, safety and cost for Washington consumers and businesses.

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United States Product Recalls Reach 10-Year High In Q1 2022
June 1, 2022, Insurance Journal
More than 900 million units were recalled during the first quarter in the United States in the automotive, consumer products, food and drink, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries according to Sedgwick’s latest quarterly Recall Index. Not only does this mark the highest number of units recalled in a single quarter in the past 10 years, but it also eclipses average ‘annual’ figures recorded across this timeframe, too.

Which? Safety Tests Uncover Dangerous Baby Carriers And Slings On Amazon, Ebay And Aliexpress
May 30, 2022, Which?
Some 91% of low-cost baby carriers and slings fail basic safety standards, an investigation by consumer group, Which? has found. Ripped seams, slipping straps and suffocation risks were just some of the hazards found in the tests could be potentially lethal if used to carry a real baby.

You Don’t Like Your New Boss. What Should You Do?
June 1, 2022, Harvard Business Review
Starting a new job always comes with unexpected challenges. One that is especially hard to navigate is a strained relationship with your new boss. Here are a few reasons why there might be tension and advice on how to mitigate the relationship.

New York State Agency Gives Safety Tips When Using Gas Or Charcoal Grills
May 27, 2022, Niagara Frontier Publications
Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer for many New Yorkers, and with it, the start of the grilling season. As New Yorkers get ready to fire up their grills this Memorial Day weekend, the New York State Division of Consumer Protection reminds consumers to consider some important safety tips for safe summer barbecues.

E-Scooter Fire Safety Becoming A Growing Concern
May 30, 2022, Cities Today
The benefits of a compact, fast and fully electric mode of transport are clear: Less congestion, pollution and time wasted navigating streets. But as e-scooters proliferate, there are growing calls to address a safety issue that has emerged.

CPSC To Consumers: Stop Using Mobility Transfer Systems Adult Portable Bed Rails Due To Entrapment And Asphyxia Hazard
June 2, 2022, PRNewswire
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to immediately stop using 285,000 Mobility Transfer Systems adult portable bed rails. These products can create an entrapment hazard and pose a risk of serious injury or death to users. CPSC’s warning applies to 10 models of bed rails. The bed rails were manufactured and sold by Mobility Transfer Systems Inc. from 1992 to 2021, and by Metal Tubing USA Inc. in 2021 and 2022. Neither company has agreed to recall the bed rails and to offer a remedy to consumers. CPSC is assessing possible future action in this matter.

UK Publishes Report On The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On Product Safety
May 31, 2022, Global Compliance News
The Office for Product Safety and Standards published a report on May 23, 2022 which considered the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on product safety. This issue is also being considered in a number of other jurisdictions. The report provides a framework for considering the impact of AI consumer products on existing product safety and liability policy.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz Receives Lighthouse Award At The National Water Safety Conference
May 27, 2022, El Paso, Inc.
After record breaking drowning numbers in 2021, aquatics professionals, public health and safety officials, parents and federal representatives came together to share strategic ideas and to rally support for the reauthorization of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. The highlight of the week was a live Q&A session with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Consumer Product Safety Commission Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric.

Crib Bumpers And Inclined Sleepers Still Available For Purchase Despite New Safety Law
June 3, 2022, WMJ4-TV
Retailers and manufacturers are being given six months from the signing of the Safe Sleep For Babies Act to comply. That means you may still find banned item for sale in a store and online, especially second-hand. That’s why child safety advocacy group Kids in Danger is warning parents about the potential dangers, like suffocation risks, of these baby sleep products.

Pressure Growing To Remove PFAS From Fast Food Wrappers
June 1, 2022, Union-Bulletin
Environmental and health groups are pushing dozens of fast-food companies, supermarkets chains and other retail outlets to remove PFAS chemicals from their packaging. These “forever chemicals” have been used for decades to prevent grease, water and other liquids from soaking through wrappers, boxes and bags.

China Sets Out A Regulatory Roadmap To Control New Chemicals
June 1, 2022, JD Supra
On May 24, 2022, China State Council issued an Action Plan on New Pollutants Governance (“Plan”) to set out a regulatory roadmap to control new chemicals and outline an enhanced enforcement framework for compliance. The Plan establishes a framework
for an environmental risk management system for chemicals and integration and expansion of China’s existing regulatory programs on chemicals.

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Massachusetts AG Healey Sues 13 Companies For Manufacturing Toxic Chemicals Found In Drinking Water, Firefighter Foam
May 25, 2022, Fall River Reporter
The suit is against 13 manufacturers of poly- and perfluoroalkyl (PFAS) “forever” chemicals used in firefighting foam. It alleges that the manufacturers caused millions of dollars in damages to communities across Massachusetts by knowingly contaminating drinking water sources, groundwater, and other natural resources with highly toxic PFAS chemicals.

Modifications To Prop 65 Short-Form Warnings On Pause: New Regulatory Proposal To Come
May 20, 2022, National Law Review
On May 20, 2022, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, announced that it was allowing the rulemaking process for proposed modifications to the Prop 65 short-form warnings to lapse. OEHHA has stated that it intends to restart the rulemaking process on the short-form warnings with a new regulatory proposal in the next several weeks. The agency said time restrictions led to the decision.

How To Spot — And Develop — High-Potential Talent
May 26, 2022, Harvard Business Review
Organizations typically use past performance to identify future leaders. But an employee’s track record doesn’t tell who might excel at things they haven’t done before. Here is a model for predicting leadership potential based on three behaviors.

CPSC Chair: With 700 Annual ATV Deaths, “These Vehicles Are Not Toys”
May 25, 2022, CPSC.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reminds consumers that safe riding is essential when enjoying outdoor trail time on their ATVs and other off-highway vehicles this summer. CPSC’s latest data show annual averages of more than 700 deaths and an estimated 100,000 ER-treated injuries involving off-highway vehicles.

“Keeping children safe is especially important. These vehicles are not toys and should be used only as directed,” said CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric. “For their own safety, it is critical that riders younger than 16 drive only age-appropriate youth models, and never adult models. And they all should always drive safely and wear protective equipment.”

UK: Surge In Number Of Pedestrians Injured By E-Scooters
May 25, 2022, Yahoo Sports
The number of pedestrians injured by e-scooters was nearly four times higher in 2021 than the previous year, new figures show. Department for Transport statistics revealed that 223 people travelling on foot were wounded by e-scooters in Britain last year, including 63 who were seriously hurt. That is up from a total of 57 pedestrian casualties in 2020, which included just 13 serious injuries.

What Is Product Lifecycle Management? Organizing The Development Process
May 25. 2022. CIO
Product lifecycle management (PLM) is an enterprise discipline for managing the data and processes involved in the lifecycle of a product. This includes the stages of inception to engineering, design, manufacture, sales and support to disposal and retirement. PLM brings together people, data, processes, and business systems to aid an organization’s ability to develop, market and support its products.

Why You Need Standards: According To The National Institute Of Standards And Technology
May 23, 2022, National Institute of Standards and Technology
Standards that exist in science and technology have a great impact on our lives. Technical standards keep us safe, enable technology to advance and help businesses succeed. They quietly make the modern world tick and prevent technological problems that you might not realize could even happen.

The State Of U.S. State Privacy Laws: A Comparison
May 24, 2022, National Law Review
The chart in this article offers a high-level comparison of key features of the laws in California, Connecticut, Colorado, Utah and Virginia. In addition, businesses are subject to a host of other U.S. federal and state privacy, data security, and data breach notification laws in addition to these new comprehensive laws.

Louisiana House Votes Bill To Penalize Cellphone Use While Driving
May 23, 2022, Associated Press
Driving while using a handheld cellphone could become a traffic violation punishable by a ticket and fine under legislation approved recently by the Louisiana state house. The bill, which now goes to the state senate ensures that a violation will result only in a citation and fines, no arrests.

PFAS Litigation Expands Into “Mislabeling” Class Action Arena
May 25, 2022, JD Supra
An increasing number of class actions are being brought against consumer products companies, alleging false and misleading product labeling based on the presence of PFAS in their products. Companies will need to closely evaluate their label claims and manufacturing practices to mitigate these risks.

New To The Job: A Larger Number Of Inexperienced Workers Can Create Challenges For Safety Pros
May 26, 2022, Safety + Health
In 2020, nonfatal injuries among workers with less than three months on the job increased 8.4%, according to Injury Facts – an online source of preventable death and injury statistics compiled by the National Safety Council. When workers step into a new role, especially in an industry that’s also new to them, safety needs to be introduced immediately via the onboarding process.

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Safety Concerns Prompt Recall Of More Than 90,000 Hoverboards
May 19, 2022, NPR
The maker of the Hover-1 Superfly Hoverboard is urging owners to stop using the 2020 model of the device, saying it can keep moving even when its operator wants the hoverboard to remain still. This according to a Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice.

CPSC Warns Of Fall Risk From BabyRescue Rapid Evacuation Devices
May 20, 2022, CPSC.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers about the dangers associated with BabyRescue Rapid Evacuation Devices. The CPSC urges consumers to immediately dispose of the products, sold by Safety International LLC, due to the risk the product will break during use, creating a serious fall hazard for children. Safety International agreed to a stop sale of these evacuation devices in December 2021, but the firm has not agreed to an acceptable recall.

Stop Rambling In Meetings — And Start Getting Your Message Across
May 20, 2022, Harvard Business Review
It’s important to share your point of view in meetings and it’s critical to know when and how. You don’t want to monopolize the discussion. In this piece, the author offers practical tips for sharing the floor to get your message across effectively.

California Has An Opportunity To Shape How The World Protects Children Online
May 19, 2022, Fortune
A proposed bill for an “Age-Appropriate Design Code” was recently approved by the Privacy Committee of the California Assembly 10-0 with one abstention. It closely tracks the U.K.’s Age-Appropriate Design Code that came into law six months ago. The U.K. Code is a paradigm shift in how we tackle tech’s problem with kids.

ACI To Congress: Ensure EPA Chemical Safety Office Has Necessary Funding
May 17, 2022, American Cleaning Institute
The American Cleaning Institute urged congressional leaders to ensure the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention receives funding to ensure that new and safe cleaning products can reach consumers.

Opinion: Regulating PFAS And Other Chemicals In Packaging
May 19, 2022, PackagingDigest
The topic of chemical regulation in packaging has been on the radar of policymakers for decades. However, there has been a recent surge in awareness and activism on the safety and sustainability of chemicals in packaging and consumer products. A demand for safer alternatives has brought about new bills and laws that the packaging industry must understand.

Statement From President Biden On FTC Vote To Protect Children’s Privacy
May 19, 2022, The White House
In the State of the Union I said that it is time to strengthen privacy protections, ban targeted advertising to children and demand tech companies stop collecting personal data on our children. I want to commend the Federal Trade Commission for unanimously taking a big step in that direction today.

Lawmakers Close In On $25 Million For PFAS Remediation And New Regulations
May 18, 2022, Newsfromthestates.com
Of the nine bills this session that aimed to address PFAS contamination, three are still in play. One would put $25 million into a PFAS remediation fund, while the others would address how the chemicals are regulated in the air and before they enter wastewater treatment facilities.

Samsung Customers File Lawsuit Over Allegedly Faulty Refrigerators
May 18, 2022, CBS News
Electronics giant Samsung is facing a class-action lawsuit from customers who say some of the company’s refrigerators don’t keep their food cold enough. The lawsuit accuses Samsung of unjust enrichment, false advertising and consumer fraud.

NBDA To Host Webinar Series On E-Bike Battery Safety Best Practices
May 18, 2022, Cycling Industry News
The National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) has invited all bike shops to attend a four-part SuperWebinar Special Report Series around e-bikes and retailer best practices on battery storage and safety. The series runs May through July 2022, and those interested can register via the links on the NBDA website. The webinar series is free for all to attend regardless of NBDA Membership.

E-Scooters To Remain In Cincinnati; Companies Given 90 Days To Address Complaints</strong>
May 17, 2022, WCPO 9
The city of Cincinnati is giving Bird and Lime 90 days to address several safety concerns, as it works to negotiate a new contract with both companies. If the companies do not address the issues, the council could vote to ban them from the city.

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Peloton Asks Judge To Toss Investors’ Treadmill Safety Lawsuit
April 27, 2022, Bloomberg Law
Peloton Interactive Inc. investors are attempting to “spin” the company’s transparency about treadmill safety issues into a securities suit, but their claims have “no merit” and should be dismissed, the company told a federal judge in New York.

Landmark Bill Introduced To Protect Firefighters From “Forever Chemicals” Used In Firefighting Foam
April 17, 2022, Toxic-Free Future
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and Rep. Dan Kildee (MI-5) introduced the PFAS Firefighter Protection Act in the House and Senate to ban firefighting foams containing “forever chemicals”— PFAS. The legislation would prohibit the manufacture, import and sale of all firefighting foam that contain PFAS for use in training and firefighting within two years of enactment.

Make Better Decisions By Challenging Your Expectations
April 26, 2022, Harvard Business Review
When we face a difficult decision, we often unconsciously set expectations about both the decision-making process and the outcome. To fight bias, the author has created a framework that asks you to consider your decisions from four vantage points.

Statement by CPSC Chair Hoehn-Saric regarding vote to approve ASTM’s Revised Safety Standard for High Chairs
April 21, 2022, CPSC.gov
“CPSC’s career scientific and engineering experts evaluated the most recent update to the ASTM high chair standard and submitted to the Commission a formal recommendation that the revision increases safety, and contains no elements that reduce safety,” CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric said.

UK’s RoSPA Finds E-Scooters Safer Than Cycling
April 28, 2022, Midlothian Views
A new study into the safety of e-scooters published by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), found that e-scooters are significantly less risky than many other forms of transport on Britain’s roads.

New Report Links PFAS Exposure To Liver Damage
April 27, 2022, Consumer Reports
In the review, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, researchers found that PFAS could be a contributing factor to rising rates of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease PFAS. These chemicals used in nonstick pans, firefighting foam, takeout containers waterproof gear and more.

Traceability Technology Is Crucial For Effective Product Recalls
April 28, 2022, EPS News
Product recalls are an unfortunate but urgent reality. Traceability technology such as the Internet of Things (IoT), telematics, artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing can enable faster, more effective recalls.

PHTA Issues Call For Help On Revision Of Suction Outlet Fitting Assemblies Standard
April 27, 2022, Pool Magazine
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) has issued a call for participation on the PHTA-16 Standard Writing Committee to develop a revision of the ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 2017 American National Standard for Suction Outlet Fitting Assemblies for Use in Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs. That is the Drain Cover Standard referenced in the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.

Warning Issued Over ‘Highly Dangerous’ Energy Saving Device
April 26, 2022, Stroud News & Journal
A device, bought on eBay, that claims to help save money on energy bills is “highly dangerous”, the nonprofit Electrical Safety First has warned. eBay said it took the findings “extremely seriously” and removed the products from sale.

4 Ways To Show Your Leadership Skills In A Job Interview
April 28, 2022, Fast Company
The job interview is an opportunity to impress and heighten the other person’s respect for you. To do that, you need to see yourself as a leader. Here are four ways to shine as a leader during an interview.

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A Sticking Point In The Upcoming China Competition Bill: What To Do About Fake Products
April 22, 2022, Market Watch
The sale of counterfeit goods cost the U.S. economy about $131 billion and more than 325,000 jobs in 2019. On top of that, the sale of fake test kits and PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic has “really put people’s lives at risk,” said the National Association of Manufacturers.

Opinion: What You Don’t Know About Amazon
April 22, 2022, New York Times
A series of product safety cases against Amazon makes clear that its rewiring of retail poses risks. Above all, the cases highlight a gap between how most people understand the world’s largest e-commerce company and what that company actually does.

Leave The Door Open For Employees To Return To Your Organization
April 21, 2022, Harvard Business Review
Leaving a company doesn’t have to be the end of the relationship with an employee. It’s often an evolution of an employee’s career. The author presents several strategies — inspired by companies that have taken steps to welcome employees back.

Analysis: Will Europe’s ‘Gold Standard’ Clean Up Social Media?
April 23, 2022, Washington Post
After more than a year of wrangling, the EU is readying legislation that, according to Facebook whistle-blower Frances Haugen, could represent a “global gold standard” for regulating social media. Previous frustrated efforts to control the world’s technology giants suggest the hardest work is still to come.

772,000 Air Fryers Recalled By Best Buy After Reports That Machines Caught Fire And Melted
April 22, 2022, Today
Best Buy recalled 772,000 air fryers that were made in China. There have been 104 reports that they caught fire, caused burns and melted. They injured 2 people, including a child, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said, and caused property damage.

American Apparel And Footwear Association: Strongly Opposes Proposed Changes To Prop 65 Warning Label
April 22, 2022, AAFA
AAFA submitted comments strongly opposing a second notice proposal to change California Proposition 65 warning labels. The industry seeks further modifications to the Prop 65 short form warning label.

Wave Of Deceptive Marketing PFAS Claims Raises “Personal And Advertising Injury” Coverage Issues
April 20, 2022, JD Supra
Companies in various consumer products industries are increasingly facing claims alleging that they have deceptively marketed their products as safe and sustainable when, in reality, those products allegedly contain unsafe and unsustainable levels of chemicals known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or “PFAS.”

‘Sick To My Stomach’: Orlando Free Fall’s Altered Harnesses Raise Safety Questions, Expert Says
April 21, 2022, Lancaster Farming
Brian Avery, a theme park safety expert with 30 years of experience, has reviewed dozens of accidents and served as an expert witness in court cases nationwide. The death of a 14-year-old boy on the Orlando Free Fall at the ICON Park entertainment complex is “uncharted territory,” he said, because ride operators are accused of tampering with the ride’s safety mechanisms.

PFAS Task Force Recommends Tougher Water Testing, Consumer Product Bans
April 22, 2022, CapeCod.com
The PFAS Interagency Task Force completed its comprehensive report on the environmental impacts, health risks and fiscal costs of PFAS contamination across the commonwealth of Mass. The task force assembled 30 recommendations to help mitigate the spread of the “forever chemical” associated with adverse health effects such as cancer.

EV Battery Explosion: How To Keep Your Electric Vehicle And Batteries Safe
April 21, 2022, Economic Times
There have been five incidents of fire in nearly a month, and in one of them an 80-year-old person lost his life. To avoid such incidents, the Indian government is planning new quality control measures for batteries used in EVs.

Honoring Our Heroes
SPSP Website
SPSP makes a permanent home for the salute poster at its website.