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.

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Furniture Makers, Retailers Speak At CPSC Hearing On Proposed Stability Standard
April 11, 2022, Furniture Today
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently held a public hearing for oral comments on its proposed stability rule for clothing storage furniture. While continuing to support a mandatory standard, American Home Furnishings Alliance raised key concerns with the CPSC’s proposed rule in its oral testimony. The Alliance said the proposed rule was ambiguous, unenforceable and would force entry-level companies out of the market due to costs.

Testing Finds Toxic Chemicals In 50 Of Dollar Store Goods
April 12, 2022, E&E News
The consumer advocacy group, Campaign for Healthier Solutions, purchased 226 products from Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Dollar General, Five Below and 99 Cents Only Stores. They tested 635 product components for toxic metals and chemicals like flame retardants, bisphenol A and its substitutes, phthalates and PFAS. The results showed that half of the items had one or more chemicals of concern.

Commissioner Feldman Explains Opposition To Bestar, Inc, Correction Action Plan
April 7, 2022, cpsa.gov
“Today, the Commission announced a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) with Bestar Inc., which came to the commissioners for approval because of a death after a Bestar wall bed fell on a 79-year-old woman. As the only commissioner to oppose the CAP, I want to explain my vote,” said Commissioner Feldman.

Commissioner Trumka Backs Approval Of Petition Requesting A Ban Or Standard On
Adult Portable Bed Rails
March 15, 2022, cpsc.gov
“Today, the Commission voted to begin rulemaking to address the risk posed by adult portable bedrails, which have trapped and strangled older adults at alarming rates. This was the right decision to protect older Americans.” said Commissioner Trumka.

Persuading Your Team To Embrace Change
April 12, 2022, Harvard Business Review
How do leaders persuade people to do things they would rather not do? The author outlines two very different persuasive techniques based on social science: The “foot-in-the-door” technique and the “door-in-the-face” technique.

PFAS, Microplastics, Baby Food: Emerging Casualty Risks
April 8, 2022, Insurance Journal
There is no longer a need to ponder the “next asbestos” because the current litigation environment and the recent pace of additions to the list of emerging risks and trends in casualty insurance is enough to keep the industry on its toes.

Charlotte Superintendent Confirms Clear Backpacks Are Still Moving Forward
April 7, 2022, WCNC
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools still plans to eventually distribute clear backpacks to high school students. Last week, they stopped due to due to a warning tag issue related to possibly harmful materials. The district spent close to half a million dollars on the backpacks as part of a larger effort to reduce weapons in schools.

Chair Hoehn-Saric And His Staff Will Participate In A Meeting About Liquid Laundry Packets
April 15, 2021, cpsc.gov
Chair Hoehn-Saric and his staff will participate in a Webex meeting to discuss the voluntary ASTM safety standard for liquid laundry packets. The meeting will be held on Friday, April 22, 2022, at 2:00 pm.

Three Signs Your iphone Cable Could KILL You
April 17, 2022, The Sun
A TECH safety guru is urging iPhone users to keep their eyes peeled for dodgy charging cables. He warns that counterfeit chargers pose a risk of fire or serious electric shock.

Companies Selling Products In California Must Justify Environmental Marketing Claims
April 11, 2022, National Law Review
When companies make advertising claims (including websites, social media, print, and product labels) that a product is beneficial to or not harmful to the natural environment, California law requires those companies to maintain written records supporting the validity of the claims. This requirement extends to manufacturers and distributors.

DOJ Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch Released Its First-Ever Annual “Recent Highlights”
April 12, 2022, JD Supra
On April 4, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch released its first-ever annual “recent highlights” report. The report describes the CPB’s accomplishments from October 2020 through December 2021 and gives some insight into the enforcement trends companies can expect in the future as CPB’s enforcement activities continue to ramp up.

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UCLA Study Shows E-Scooter Injury Rate Soaring
April 6, 2022, HealthDay
Riders of e-scooters are more likely to get in an accident and suffer an injury than any other form of personal transport, according to a new study. The work by the University of California Los Angeles estimated that for every million rides made on an e-scooter, about 115 will result in some form of injury. In comparison, motorcyclists face the prospect of an injury 104 times out of a million, and for people on a bicycle it is just 15 injuries per million trips.

Samsung Refrigerators Cited In Hundreds Of Consumer Complaints To Federal Safety Database
April 8, 2022, Consumer Reports
American consumers submitted 613 complaints involving Samsung refrigerators to the Consumer Product Safety Commission from January 2019 through December 2021, according to a study of CPSC complaints conducted by Consumer Reports’ Product Safety team. Samsung is the manufacturer with the highest number of complaints during that time frame, according to CR’s analysis of the records publicly available on the CPSC’s SaferProducts.gov database.

Managers Are Trapped In A Performance-Compassion Dilemma
April 7, 2022, Harvard Business Review
Employees need managers to show compassion. At the same time, executives expect their managers and teams to deliver results. Middle managers often feel the tension most acutely. How can they cope with competing pressures? Focus on 2 sets of actions.

Recall Issued After Woman Killed By Falling Bed
April 7, 2022, Fox 59 Indianapolis
A bed sold online is being recalled after a woman died after it fell on her. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said the recall involves 129,000 Bestar Wall beds that can detach from the wall and fall, posing serious impact and crush hazards.

Viewpoint: Earning Your ‘Certified Product Safety Professional’ Certification. One Person’s Experience.
April 6, 2022, ADK Viewpoints Newsletter
Melissa Cairns, legal specialist at the 3M Company discusses how earning her ‘Certified Product Safety Professional’ certification has helped “to deepen my understanding and learn best practices related to managing a product safety incident from start to finish.”

Committee Publishes Update On Impact Of EU Product Safety Regulations
April 5, 2022, UK Parliament Committees
The European Scrutiny Committee has issued an update to its analysis of the impact of the draft EU General Product Safety Regulation on the UK if implemented. The November report highlighted risks that could affect businesses exporting to the EU.

Australia: 3 Months To Go For Button Battery Safety Standards
April 6, 2022, The National Tribune
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is focusing on businesses that supply button batteries or products that are powered by them. The goal is to ensure they are complying with the new button battery safety standards ahead of the laws becoming mandatory on June 22.

Orlando Freefall Tragedy: Ride Safety Expert Says ‘Something’s Got To Change’ With Amusement Park Oversight
April 4, 2022, Fox News
State-by-state regulations on amusement park rides are ‘hit or miss’ and federal regulations needed, a University of Florida lecturer and ride safety expert says. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., sponsored legislation in 2007 that would have given the Consumer Product Safety Commission federal safety oversight over fixed amusement park rides, but it failed to pass.

E-Scooter, E-Bike Safety, Convenience Tech Revealed
April 6, 2022, Forbes
Electric scooters and e-bikes are rapidly growing in popularity as micromobility wheels of choice. That trend is leading technology companies to address two pressing issues for users—safety and convenience. according to a study released last fall by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission emergency room visits due to e-scooter accidents soared from 7,700 in 2017 to 25,400 in 2020.

Washington PFAS Law Takes Aim At Consumer Goods
April 5, 2022, National Law Review
Last month, Washington’s Governor signed into law a bill that significantly accelerates the state’s initiative to develop regulations for various consumer goods that contain PFAS. With increasing attention being given to PFAS in consumer goods in the media, scientific community, and in state legislatures, the Washington PFAS law takes direct aim at a variety of specific products.

Opinion: New PFAS Scorecard For Popular Apparel Brands
April 6, 2022, NRDC
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.), Fashion FWD and U.S. PIRG Education Fund released a first-of-its kind scorecard ranking PFAS policy commitments from a swath of leading retail and apparel brands.

Canada: Amazon Downsizes Its Environmental Impact
April 4, 2022, National Post
Though they are not entirely boxing up the old way of doing business, the online superstore recently introduced new and improved ways to get goods to Canadian shoppers. A new recyclable paper mailer was developed as a way to be mindful of reducing environmental impact and also as a response to customers who also want to see less packaging waste.

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Spinning To Popping: How Manufacturers Can Address Popular Product Misuse
March 29, 2022, National Law Review
With social media trends going viral almost daily, trends that actually promote product misuse can gain traction and become popular overnight. As product misuse becomes more publicized through social media, where does this leave manufacturers?

Cancer Warning On Label Halts Charlotte Schools’ Rollout Of Clear Backpacks
March 29, 2022, Charlotte Observer
After spending more than $400,000 on the products, Charlotte-Mecklenburg is pausing its plan to distribute clear backpacks to students. The delay was caused when warning labels about cancer-causing chemicals were found on the backpacks. The initiative was launched after 25 incidents of finding firearms on campus.

How To Be A Supportive Manager When Times Are Tough
March 31, 2022, Harvard Business Review
As disturbing world events continue to unfold, it’s understandable that your team’s minds are elsewhere. As a manager, what can you do to support your team right now? The author offers recommendations for how to manage in uncertain times.

“We Don’t Want Tragedies To Occur” – DFPS Shares Baby Sleep Safety
March 30, 2022, Valley Central
The Texas Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) is warning about bed-sharing, also known as co-sleeping. DFPS says there were 165 reported baby deaths last year due to bed-sharing and some parents aren’t aware of the risks of bed-sharing.

How To Have More Successful Conversations
March 26, 2022, Knowledge@Wharton
In this paper, the authors introduce a framework to help people have more successful conversations by understanding the motives of each participant. The model is called the “conversational circumplex,” and it maps conversations along two key axes.

Prop 65 Lawsuit Targets iphone Cases At Nordstrom
March 29, 2022, Legal Newsline
Nordstrom is the defendant in a lawsuit that claims it is selling a product that contains a chemical on the Prop 65 list. The lawsuit in San Francisco says Nordstrom is violating Prop 65, which forbids the sale of products that contain chemicals the state considers carcinogens without a warning label.

EU Act ‘Must Empower Those Affected By AI To Take Action’
March 31, 2022, ComputerWeekly.com
Research organization, the Ada Lovelace Institute, published a series of proposals on how the European Union can amend its forthcoming Artificial Intelligence Act to empower those affected by the technology on both an individual and collective level.

E-Scooters That Stop If You Speed
March 31, 2022, Axios
Don’t speed, swerve or ride illegally on a sidewalk in a scooter that employs “Pedestrian Defense”, a technology that slows you to a stop if you misbehave. “Pedestrian Defense” will be deployed this year in 25 cities in the U.S. and Europe.

Insurers Say Britain Should Strictly Regulate “Fire Risk” E-Scooters
March 30, 2022, Reuters
Britain should put stringent regulations on e-scooters if their legal use is widened beyond current trials given the number of injuries from illegal vehicles and fire risks from the batteries, the International Underwriting Association says.

Indian Government Orders Probe Into Scooter Fire Incidents
March 29, 2022, Business Standard
The Centre for Fire Explosive and Environment Safety, an Indian defense lab, has been asked to investigate the circumstances that led to the incident and also suggest remedial measures, according to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

The ABC Of Responsible Artificial Intelligence
March 29, 2022, University of Oxford
Amazon’s Alexa told a ten-year-old to touch a live plug with a penny, which could lead to severe burns. Fortunately, the girl’s mother intervened. But child had been hurt, who would be responsible: Amazon, the parents or the licensing authorities?

Washington Bill Aimed At Phasing Out PFAS “Forever Chemicals” By 2025
March 31, 2022, Toxic-Free Future
Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill that will tackle PFAS “forever chemicals” in a broad range of products by 2025, the fastest timeline in the nation. Product categories include apparel, cosmetics, and firefighter protective equipment.

5 Surprising Home Hazards — And How To Avoid Them
March 31, 2022, AARP
Home mishaps account for most of an estimated 2.9 million annual injuries sustained by adults 65-plus that are serious enough to require hospital treatment. About 3,800 of them are fatal, according to Consumer Product Safety Commission report.

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New Bipartisan Senate Bill Bans Crib Bumpers
March 23, 2022, WebMD
The bipartisan bill will direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ban the manufacturing and/or importation of crib bumpers. CPSC data shows that bumpers have been linked to 107 infant deaths and 282 serious injuries between 1990 and 2016.

Europol Seizes 5 Million Unsafe Fake Toys
March 25, 2022, The Business Times
The European Police Agency seized more than 5 million potentially hazardous counterfeit toys worth more than 18 million euros ($27 million) from October 2021 – January 2022. The haul included “counterfeit and illegal puzzle games, videogames and related characters, board and card games, dolls and puppets from famous TV series, bricks for children and clothing and accessories from famous brands,” Europol said. “The majority of fake toys were imported from East Asia to the EU, UK and the US,” it said.

What To Do If Your Employees Keep Getting Poached
March 23, 2022, Harvard Business Review
In a hot job market, where jobs exceed the number of skilled workers, there’s a high probability that other organizations are trying to poach your employees. . Here, the author offers four ways to be proactive in working to keep your best employees.

Child Poisoning Deaths Spiked In Pandemic From Narcotics, Bleach And Batteries
March 23, 2022, CBS News
The pandemic saw a spike in young children accidentally poisoned by products found at home, says a Consumer Product Safety Commission report. On average, 31 kids under f 5 die of poisoning each year, a figure that has fallen 80% from 1972, when 216 children died. But, after decades of falling fatality rates, the past several years have seen a reversal.

Several Over-The-Counter Drugs Recalled Over Non-Childproof Packaging
March 23, 2022, New York Post
Some 165,000 units of Aspirin, Extra Strength Non Aspirin, Extra Strength Pain Reliever, Ibuprofen, Medication Station and Multi-Pack have been recalled because the packaging is not child resistant, says the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Study Finds Children’s Exposure To Phthalates May Increase Risk Of Cancer
March 23, 2022, Consumer Affairs
The University of Vermont study showed that exposure to phthalates during childhood was linked with a 20% higher risk of cancer. The risk of lymphoma was twice as high for those exposed to higher levels of phthalates and the risk of osteosarcoma was three times as high for those with the highest phthalate exposure.

OECD/EUIPO Report: China And Hong Kong Account For 75% Of Dangerous Counterfeits
March 21, 2022, IP Watchdog
A new study on counterfeit goods that pose health, safety and environmental threats has found that China and Hong Kong account for three-quarters of exports of dangerous counterfeits. The study, conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) found that online sales represent 60% of seizures of dangerous products destined for the EU.

EU Court Dismisses Challenge To Ban On TVs With Halogenated Flame Retardants
March 23, 2022, Chemical and Engineering News
The International Bromine Council (BSEF) sued over what it claims are technical flaws in the EU’s ban on sales of televisions, computer monitors, and other electronic devices encased in plastic that contains halogenated flame retardants. The prohibition took effect in 2021.

‘Right To Repair’ Bill Aims To Give Consumers Product Fix Choices
March 23, 2022, NBC Washington
Federal lawmakers introduced Right to Repair legislation last month. it would ensure that independent repair shops have equal access to manufacturers’ maintenance tools. Several manufacturers have argued that their policies are in place for safety reasons, saying staff at their own facilities and authorized repair shops undergo specialized training and are accountable to the manufacturer if they do shoddy repairs.

PFAS Update: Current State-By-State Consumer Products Regulations/March 2022
March 23, 2022, JD Supra
Consumer products across a broad spectrum of industries are being impacted by per- and polyfluoroalkyl regulations. Here is an overview of enacted and proposed state laws and regulations to assist in investigating if products may be impacted.

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Report Finds Increase In Child Deaths And Injuries Tied To Recalled Products
March 17, 2022, NBC New 5 Chicago
The year 2021 was a challenging year for child safety. That’s the main takeaway from the Kids in Danger (KID) annual report that tracks children’s product safety recalls and trends. While some of the recalls have been widely reported, others have not. And safety advocates believe it’s information that could mean life or death for parents and caregivers. The report is based on recall data and findings from the Consumer Product and Safety Commission.

CPSC Celebrates 50 Years Of Making Consumer Safety Our Mission
March 16, 2022, CPSC.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is marking its 50th anniversary in 2022. “We believe there is value in recognizing the significant strides for safety CPSC has taken in reducing deaths and injuries from the products in our homes. This history will continue to help guide us on our journey to a world with far fewer preventable deaths and injuries associated with consumer products,” said Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric.

5 Key Trends Leaders Need To Understand To Get Hybrid Right
March 18, 2022, Harvard Business Review
The people now returning to the office are not the same as those who left in March 2020. Adapting to the change in this business environment is no easy feat. The author lays out 5 key trends to help leaders empower teams to thrive in the year ahead.

SPSP Professional Certification Program announces 2022 Instructor panel and scope of program content
March 17, 2022, US Times Gazette
The Society of Product Safety Professionals (SPSP) has announced the instructor panel, comprised of academic and product safety professional leaders, who will lead the Consumer Product Safety Professional Certification program which takes place June 1-August 30, 2022, in a virtual format. Individuals who successfully complete the program criteria earn the designation of “Certified Product Safety Professional,” said SPSP president Shelia Gottschalk.

Counterfeit Goods ‘Increasingly Being Made In The EU’
March 15, 2022, Securing Industry
While most counterfeit goods distributed in the EU are produced outside the bloc, there are signs that production increasingly takes place within EU borders, says a recent Interpol Crime Threat Assessment report.

Crowell-Moring Micromobility White Paper
2020 Crowell-Moring
The Washington, D.C. office of Crowell-Moring developed a white paper that covers the regulatory product safety landscape for bicycles, electric bikes and scooters. The 2020 report includes a review of compliance obligations.

Parents Warned Over Popular Children’s Toy After Girl Hospitalized
March 17, 2022, nzhearld.co.nz
Parents are being warned about magnetic toys after another young girl in Australia was hospitalized. Magnetic balls have been the subject of repeated warnings from product safety watch dogs in Australia and overseas for the past several years.

Hong Kong Consumer Agency Finds That Grill Appliances Have Safety Hazards
March 15, 2022, South China Morning Post
Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog found more than 60% of grill appliances tested for stress presented safety risks, with one having burst into flames. Half of them were also found to pose a risk of excessive temperatures, which could cause scalding.

Toy Doll Recalled Due To ‘Unacceptable Chemical Risk’ After Thousands Sold In Ireland
March 15, 2022, The Irish Mirror
A popular toy doll sold in Ireland is being recalled due to what the Completion and Consumer Protection Commission calls an “unacceptable chemical risk.” The doll was sold in Dealz stores and the ACCC estimates about 18,986 were sold in Ireland.

Reckitt Recalls More Than 3.5 Million Bottles Of Airborne Gummies Due To Injury Hazard
March 16, 2022, Consumer Reports
This recall involves 63 and 75 count bottles of Airborne Gummies. When opened for the first time, pressure build up in the bottle can cause the cap and underlying seal to pop off with force, posing an injury hazard. Reckitt has received 70 reports of the cap or seal popping off the bottles, including 18 reports of minor injuries and one report of an eye injury requiring medical attention.

BBB Unit Recommends Moose Toys Include Disclosures And Adult Supervision
March 16, 2022, BBB National Program
The Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) of BBB National Programs recommended that Moose Toys modify its television and YouTube advertisements promoting the Little Live Pets Gotta Go Turdle and its product packaging. BBB recommends a clear and conspicuous disclosures that children should not eat the purple aqua-sand Turdle food.

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Tip-Over Hazard Prompts Recall Of About 1700 Danby Ranges
March 9, 2022, Consumer Reports
The Danby Company recalled about 1,700 ranges that can tip over if something heavy, such as a pot of food, is placed on an open oven door. The tip-overs can occur if the range’s anti-tip bracket is not secured properly or installed at all.

CPSC: Daylight Saving Time Is More Than Just A Clock Change
March 10, 2022, CPSC.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reminds consumers that safety starts at home by changing the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. CPSC estimated an annual average of 362,000 unintentional residential fires, resulting in about 2,400 deaths, 10,400 injuries and $7 billion in property losses each year from 2016 – 2018 The National Fire Protection Association estimates that 57 percent of deaths occur in homes with no or non-working smoke alarms.

How To Stop Overthinking And Start Trusting Your Gut
March 10, 2022, Harvard Business Review
Intuition is frequently dismissed as mystical or unreliable — but there’s a deep neurological basis for it. The author offers strategies to learn how to leverage your intuition as a helpful decision-making tool in your career.

CPSC Guidance: Third-Party Testing Laboratory Accreditation
CPSC.gov
All manufacturers and importers of children’s products must certify in a Children’s Product Certificate that their children’s products comply with all applicable children’s product safety rules. Third-party testing means testing performed by a third-party accredited laboratory that CPSC has accepted to perform the specific tests for each children’s product safety rule.

UK Office For Product Safety And Standards Publishes Enforcement Data
March 8, 2022, National Law Review
The OPSS has published details of its enforcement actions during April 2021-September 2021. Actions related to product safety included orders for forfeiture and destruction, compliance notices and mandatory withdrawal and recall notices. Relevant businesses included businesses based in Great Britain, but also a significant number of online sellers based in China.

Major E-Scooter Warning After Dramatic House Fire
March 10,2022, OffalyExpress
A Dublin family had a lucky escape when a recently purchased e-scooter caught fire when being charged. It had only been used once and was bought new from China. The fire service has warned that there are some fire risks in charging li-ion batteries.

Vietnam: Proposed Changes Under The Draft Law On Protection Of Consumers’ Rights
March 4, 2022, Global Compliance News
The Ministry of Industry and Trade recently published the draft law on Protection of Consumers’ Rights. The Draft Law includes a number of proposed changes to the existing product liability and consumer protection framework. If adopted, the Draft Law may have major impacts on the business of companies whose products are produced or sold in Vietnam.

New UK Study Highlights Need For E-Scooter Helmet Research
March 9, 2022, What Car?
New research conducted by Imperial College London has highlighted the risks of head injuries from e-scooter falls – and the need for further work to develop safety tests for helmets specifically for e-scooter riders.

Major UK Law Changes To Protect People From Scam Adverts Online
March 8, 2022, GOV.UK
Social media sites and search engines will be forced to stamp out fraudsters and scammers on their platforms as the government strengthens its internet safety laws. The move comes as the government also launches a consultation as part of a wider overhaul of how online advertising is regulated in the UK.

Counterfeit Products Are Everywhere; Here Are Tips To Avoid Buying Any Of Them Online
March 11, 2022, U.S. PIRG
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said that between Oct. 1, 2020, and July 30, 2021, they made 22,849 seizures – spanning a variety of counterfeit products – worth $2.5 billion. While $2.5 billion seems like a large number in seizures, it’s just a drop in the bucket, with counterfeits costing the global economy an estimated $500 billion each year. When analyzing Fiscal Year 2020, CBP listed these products as the top health and safety products seized. When counterfeited, these products could cause serious injury.

ACCC Releases Its 2022-23 Compliance Enforcement Priorities
March 10, 2021, GT Law
On March 3 outgoing Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Mr Rod Sims announced the ACCC’s 2022-23 Compliance and Enforcement Priorities in his annual address to the Committee for Economic Development Australia (CEDA).

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