CPSC Extends Comment Period For Bassinets And Cradles Standards: Identifies 5 Hazard Patterns
June 21, 2024, SBA Office of Advocacy
On June 18, 2024, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) extended the public comment period for a proposed rule that amends safety standards for bassinets and cradles. The proposed rule removes the compact bassinet category and addresses five identified hazard patterns associated with young infants placed in or on. The proposed rule also requires warnings on all bassinets within the scope of the rule.

China Eyes Trade War Targets Across Europe For Counterstrikes
June 20, 2024, The Japan Times
As in past disputes, China looks to be readying a series of actions to punish the European Union for its proposed tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars. Things were different in the big trade war with the United States, which featured sweeping penalties on both sides. This time, Beijing’s targeted playbook looks more like the one it deployed against Australia a few years ago — with the government and state media already publicly identifying specific products that could get taxed. Here are some of the likely targets and the parts of Europe where the blow will land hardest.

Corporate Advocacy In A Time Of Social Outrage
Feb. 6, 2024, Harvard Business Review
Today’s employees, particularly young ones, expect their employers to speak out about the social, political and environmental issues they care about. Many organizations have complied, only to find themselves locked into a cycle of perpetual statement-making that is often tangential to their organizational priorities or runs against their political spending. Companies would be wise to reconsider how they determine what to prioritize and discuss internally and externally — and perhaps most important, how to involve employees early in the process.

Vitamix Expands Recall Of Blender Containers And Blade Bases To More Than 500,000, Citing Laceration Risk
June 21, 2024, Consumer Reports
Vitamix has expanded a recall of containers and blade bases from its Ascent and Adventurist series blenders that have been linked to 27 injuries. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the injuries occurred when the containers separated from the base, exposing users’ hands to the blades. Eleven of those injuries were reported prior to a 2018 recall of 105,000 of the same 8-ounce and 20-ounce blending containers and blade bases. The most recent action raises the number of recalled containers and bases to 569,000. An additional 121,950 recalled components were sold in Canada.

CPSC Social Media Guide For Recalling Companies
June 20, 2024, cpsc.gov
Companies are expected to use any and all social media and mobile platforms on which the company maintains a presence including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram, to notify consumers of the recall.  Companies are encouraged to use paid advertising on social media. A Guide to Best Practices for Communicating Recalls on Social Media can also be found in Appendix D of The Recall Handbook. 

More Than 70 Groups Urge NHTSA To Update Vehicle, Child Car Seat Fire Safety Standard
June 19, 2024, repairerdrivennews.com
Consumer Reports, the Green Science Policy Institute and the International Association of Fire Fighters delivered a letter and a petition with more than 32,000 signatures to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calling on the agency to update its flammability standard for car interiors and child car seats. The groups claim the standard, FMVSS 302 is outdated and causes manufacturers to add harmful flame-retardant chemicals to seat foam and other materials. Those include chemicals known or suspected to cause cancer and are linked to reproductive and neurological harm. A May 2024 peer-reviewed study by Duke University, Green Science Policy Institute and University of Toronto researchers found that the air inside all 101 personal vehicles tested was polluted with harmful flame retardants.

Hundreds Of Maine Households Are Stranded In PFAS Limbo
June 16, 2024, centralmaine.com
About 500 Maine households rely on well water that is considered too contaminated to drink under new federal limits on forever chemicals – but not contaminated enough to qualify for state money to install the expensive filtration system needed to make it potable. And those are only the private wells that have been tested by the state. No one knows how many others there are that fall into the gray area between state and federal safety standards and have yet to be tested or aren’t located near a farm that used tainted sludge to fertilize its fields. They exist in a forever chemical limbo, created by conflicting regulatory standards and anxiety over the rising costs of taming Maine’s forever chemical problem. Maine didn’t make the toxic chemicals, but its environmental leaders concede that its now-defunct sludge recycling program made the problem worse.

Officials: Leave Fireworks To The Professionals
June 19, 2024, Jerseyshoreline.com
More than 2,000 children nationwide are injured each year by fireworks, with a large percentage of injuries taking place around the Fourth of July weekend. Store-bought legal fireworks and illegal explosive devices are the cause. Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Barbara Jo Crea said, “many of our communities have exciting fireworks displays planned for the July Fourth holiday. I encourage our families and visitors alike to enjoy one or more of these professionally arranged spectacular shows.” The Consumer Product Safety Commission also has safety advice for the handling of common fireworks.

CPSC: Stop Using Xastro Fuel Bottles Due To Poisoning, Burn And Flash Fire Hazards; No Recall Or Remedy Offered
June 20, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to immediately stop using Xastro fuel bottles, sold by Zhengzhou Weipai Jiajuyou Xian Gongsi, because they pose a risk of poisoning and burns to children due to lack of a child resistant closure, which violates the Children’s Gasoline Burn Prevention Act. Furthermore, the fuel bottles pose a flash fire hazard to all users because they lack a flame mitigation device. Under the Portable Fuel Container Safety Act, portable fuel containers manufactured after July 12, 2023, must have flame mitigation devices that impede the propagation of a flame into the container. 

Amazon Ditches Plastic Air Pillow Packaging In North America
June 20, 2024, Supply Chain Brain
Amazon says it has stopped using plastic air pillows in the vast majority of its packaging for deliveries in North America. As of June 20, the company has replaced 95% of its plastic pillows with recyclable paper fillers at its North America fulfillment centers, aiming to fully phase out the pillows by the end of 2024. Amazon estimates that this will eliminate roughly 15 billion plastic air pillows per year.

ACCC: Novelty Toy Supplier And The Operator Of Timezone, Kingpin And Zone Bowling Pay Penalties For Alleged Button Battery Testing Non-Compliance
June 19, 2024, accc.gov.au
Novelty toy supplier MDI International Pty Ltd (MDI) and the owner and operator of Timezone, Kingpin and Zone Bowling, TEEG Australia Pty Ltd (TEEG), have each paid $49,500 in penalties. This after the ACCC issued them with infringement notices for alleged breaches of the Australian Consumer Law, by failing to comply with the testing requirements of the button battery safety standard. The ACCC issued three infringement notices to each company in relation to the supply of three types of novelty toy products containing button batteries: the World’s Smallest Alarm Clock, the Pocket Fart Gun and the Sonic Spinner.

Safety concerns emerge over weighted baby sleeping products following commission warning
June 14, 2024, YouTube
Exhausted new parents are opting for weighted sleep sacks and blankets to improve the sleep of their infants. However, serious safety warnings have been issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. CBS News’ senior consumer investigative correspondent Anna Werner has more.

Tariff exemptions to end as supply chain challenges rear, levy increases loom
June 5, 2024, Print & Promo Marketing|
With supply chain costs soaring, importers in the promotional products industry and beyond have another potential sourcing cost escalator to deal with: the imminent expiration of exclusions from trade tariffs on hundreds of China-made products. The United States Trade Representative announced that it’s going to allow more than 230 product-specific exclusions from the so-called Section 301 tariffs on items imported from China to expire by June 14. The increased duties will apply to steel and aluminum, electric vehicles, battery components, natural graphite, permanent magnets, solar cells and legacy semiconductors.

3 signs to quickly spot someone with exceptional leadership skills
June 10, 2024, INC.com
What is your single biggest leadership challenge right now? This isn’t a difficult exercise, but it does require accountability and self-reflection. Your challenge should be apparent–it might be the one issue that has troubled you most of the year. Is it a communication problem? A hiring issue? A team not meeting expectations? This article identifies key cornerstones in leadership styles and hopefully will fill some gaps and move the needle on your leadership performance.

State law requiring PFAS disclosure leads to class action lawsuit
June 10, 2024, JD Supra
A Maine law that required (at least until recently amended) consumer products companies to disclose the presence of “intentionally added” per- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in products sold within the state has led to the filing of a consumer class action lawsuit against the disclosing company. This lawsuit may be a harbinger of future litigation aimed at companies who must make similar disclosures in order to comply with a growing number of state PFAS disclosure mandates, such as in New York, Washington, Vermont, Connecticut, Colorado, California, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Rhode Island and Hawaii. 

Law expert: E-scooters are robbing Australian Seniors of safe spaces
June 14, 2024, Australian Seniors News.com.au
An Australian university law and technology expert has warned the advent of e-scooters is robbing Australian seniors of what were traditionally safe spaces. Charles Darwin University’s Dr Mark Brady says government policy around e-scooter use needs to consider the impact on the community, not just the environmental benefits. “Whole of life cycle needs to be an essential consideration when drafting policy around sustainability. Policymakers need to take into consideration distributive justice up and down the chain and consider the impacts both vertically and horizontally.”

ACCC: Blinds, curtains and window fittings
June 2024, CAAA.com
This mandatory standard applies to internal blinds, curtains and some window fittings (corded internal window coverings) supplied after 30 December 2010.

Rare recall: Smoke/carbon monoxide detectors sold on Amazon recalled, but manufacturer reneges on refunds
May 31, 2024, PIRG
 In a rare occurrence, a hazardous product has been recalled through the Consumer Product Safety Commission without the manufacturer cooperating with the agreed-upon remedy. About 6,800 Chzhvan brand combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were recalled this month because they can fail to activate, which means they could fail to warn people about a fire. The company initially consented to a recall and planned to issue refunds, then pulled back. “The firm has been uncooperative in the implementation of the recall. Consumers are urged to dispose of the product,” the CPSC said on May 20. There is no refund or recourse available to consumers.

EPA takes sweeping actions to regulate PFAS, California makes targeted moves
June 12, 2024, National Law Review
PFAS have unique physical and chemical properties and are colloquially termed “forever chemicals” for their ability to persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in humans and animals. In response to research indicating that PFAS can cause adverse human health and environmental effects, the Environmental Protection Agency has undertaken a “whole-of-agency” approach to addressing PFAS contamination, which is focused on restricting dispersion, remediating contamination, and investing in research on PFAS risks and removal technologies. At the state level, California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) adopted public health goals for PFAS and the state has enacted legislation concerning PFAS in food packaging, cookware, textiles, and cosmetics. 

QIMA May 2024 Regulatory Update
June 24, 2024, QIMA

Rare Recall: Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors Recalled Without Manufacturer Consent
May 31, 2024, cpsc.gov
In a rare occurrence, a hazardous product has been recalled through the Consumer Product Safety Commission without cooperation from the manufacturer. About 6,800 Chzhvan brand combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were recalled this month because they can fail to activate, which means they could fail to warn people about a fire. At least five complaints were filed about the smoke detectors not detecting the presence of smoke. No injuries were reported in connection with the malfunctioning smoke detectors. The products were imported by Haikouhuidishangmaoyouxiangongsi of China. “The firm has been uncooperative in the implementation of the recall. Consumers are urged to dispose of the product,” the CPSC said. There apparently is no refund or recourse available to consumers.

CPSC Reports Off-Highway Vehicle Deaths Soar 33%
May 30, 2024, cpsc.gov
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and with it an increase in off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has released its annual report on deaths and injuries from off-highway vehicles which showed a staggering 33% increase in OHV-related deaths in 2020 compared to 2019, the most recent years for which data are available. Overturning and collisions with other vehicles or stationary objects, like a tree, were the leading causes of death. OHV occupants were frequently ejected in these types of incidents. CPSC is urgently warning all riders to prioritize safety and take necessary precautions to avoid tragedy. Read the Report

Read Commissioner Trumka’s Statement

6 Common Leadership Styles — And How To Decide Which To Use When
April 9, 2024, Harvard Business Review
Research suggests that the most effective leaders adapt their style to different circumstances. But what if you feel like you’re not equipped to take on a new and different leadership style? In this article, the author outlines the six leadership styles Daniel Goleman first introduced in his 2000 HBR article, “Leadership That Gets Results,” and explains when to use each one. The good news is that personality is not destiny. Even if you’re naturally introverted or you tend to be driven by data and analysis rather than emotion, you can still learn how to adapt different leadership styles to organize, motivate and direct your team.

Deadly Lithium Battery Fires Spur House To Pass Safety Rules
May 30, 2024, In Compliance Magazine
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation that would strengthen safety standards applicable to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. CBS News reports that the legislation passed by the House in mid-May, titled “Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act,” will require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a safety standard applicable to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The legislation was originally introduced in 2023 and passed with an overwhelming bi-partisan vote of 378-34.

Commissioner Trumka: “New CPSC Tool Provides Clarity For Business And Consumers”
May 30, 2024, cpsc.gov
Recently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission created a resource for businesses to identify the hazardous substances they needs to warn consumers about on product labels. This tool provides more clarity for businesses and will help consumers identify toxic products that pose a hazard. The tool helps businesses comply with the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (“FHSA”) by providing a list of hazardous substances that have been identified by other public health agencies. CPSC’s resource also gives consumers insight into what qualifies as a hazardous substance. “Hazardous substances” is an expansive term that includes many categories of hazards 

Consumer Product Safety Commission Semiannual OIG Report To Congress
May 30, 2024, Oversight.gov
The Semiannual Report to Congress for the Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Inspector General (OIG). This report details the work of the OIG in the oversight of the CPSC for the first half of Fiscal Year 2024, October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024. Read the Report

Medline Industries Recalls 1.5 Million Adult Portable Bed Rails Due To Serious Entrapment And Asphyxia Hazards; Two Deaths Reported
May 30, 2024, cpsc.gov
Northfield, Illinois, are announcing the recall of two models of Bed Assist Bar adult portable bed rails. The recalled bed rails pose a risk of entrapment and asphyxia because users can become entrapped within the rail, or between the rail and mattress.

What Apparel Companies Need To Know About The CPSC
May 29, 2024, National Law Review
The Consumer Product Safety Commission regulates consumer products, including a variety of products made and sold by the Apparel industry. The agency provides education, regulations via the Code of Federal Regulations (“CFR”), and enforcement. Clothing being imported through ports of entry get tested by CPSC’s Office of Import Surveillance that works closely with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) at the ports. Questions around whether the product is hazardous will trigger the importer being asked to provide test records within 24 hours. If a CPSC violation is found, whether through testing or untimely test record responses, the shipment product(s) in question will be detained or conditionally released with samples taken for further testing.

New York Lawmakers Send Lithium-Ion Safety Package To Governor Hochul
May 29, 2024, Bicycle Retailer
The New York State Senate passed a legislative package aimed at strengthening lithium-ion battery safety standards, including one that will recognize the European testing standard EN 15194 along with UL 2849. The legislative package, which was passed by the New York State Assembly early this month, now will be sent to Gov. Kathy Hochul for approval. If Hochul signs off on the legislation, it will become law 90 days after signing. Manufactured and Sale Standards of Lithium-Ion Batteries (Bill S154F) would allow manufacturers to use ISO 17025, ISO 17065, or an OSHA-approved nationally recognized testing lab.

Build-A- Bear: Our Product Safety Standards
May 2024, buildabear.com
All of our products are produced from high-quality materials. Our stuffing is made from a high-grade polyester fiber. Each of our products is tested through an independent, third-party testing lab for compliance with toy safety standards specific to the countries where we have stores, including ASTM/CPSC (US), CPSA (Canada), AS/NZS (Australia), EN71 (Europe), NOM (Mexico) and GB6675/GB5296.5 (China). Before they are shipped from our suppliers, all Build-A-Bear products must have a passing test report on record. Most of our products — including our furry friends, clothing and many accessories — are produced in Asia, similar to the entire toy industry. Our suppliers are compliant with the International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI), CARE (Caring, Awareness, Responsible, Ethical) certification, or comparable designation. These programs promote ethical manufacturing, from fair labor treatment to employee health and safety, in the toy industry worldwide.

Bipartisan Bill Aims To Ban Potentially Hazardous Water Beads Sold As Children’s Toys
May 9, 2024, NBC News
A bipartisan bill, named “Esther’s Law”, was introduced in the U.S. Senate. It proposes a ban on the sale of water beads designed or marketed as children’s toys, sensory tools or educational or art materials. The bill is sponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) Bob Casey (D-PA) and Susan Collins (R-ME). “Parents buy toys and educational materials for their kids with the understanding those products are safe for their children. Sadly, with water beads that is just not the case,” Baldwin said in a statement. The bill instructs the CPSC to establish the ban, since the agency has the authority to outlaw hazardous products to protect the public.

New UL Report: How E-Bike Awareness Gaps And Behavior Increase Battery Fire Risks
May 7, 2024, KTLA News 5
UL Standards & Engagement released a report that reveals e-bike and e-scooter owners’ alarming misunderstanding of the lithium-ion batteries that power their devices and the fire threat that they pose. Further, the report identified a series of dangerous practices, from unsafe charging habits to blocking exit paths in the event of a fire. “The massive growth of the e-bike and e-scooter market has not been matched by consumer safety education on these devices,” said Sayon Deb, director of primary insights at UL Standards & Engagement. This report comes on the heels of UL Standards & Engagement’s April 19 update of UL 2272, the Standard for Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices. Read the Report

How To Present To An Audience That Knows More Than You
May 8, 2024, Harvard Business Review
What happens when you have to give a presentation to an audience that might have some professionals who have more expertise on the topic than you do? While it can be intimidating, it can also be an opportunity to leverage their deep and diverse expertise in service of the group’s learning. This article offers several tips for how you might approach a roomful of experts, including how to invite them into the discussion without allowing them to completely take over. It also advises how to pivot on the proposed topic when necessary.

State Level PFAS Regulations Are Coming: Are You Ready?
May 9, 2024, JD Supra
As the Environmental Protection Agency expands its regulation of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a number of states have also taken steps to regulate the use, production, and sale of products containing PFAS. It is critical to understanding how a state defines PFAS and whether (and how) any of the requirements apply to your product. It’s complicated. Some states are legislating PFAS as a class using a very broad definition, while others are targeting specific PFAS chemicals. Commercial and industrial producers should be aware of any new obligations that may affect their business practices.

No, The Biden Administration Is Not Banning Portable Gas Generators
May 9, 2024, NBC News 12
Is the Biden administration banning portable gas-powered generators? In response to numerous carbon monoxide poisoning deaths and injuries caused by portable gas-powered generators, the Consumer Product Safety Commission proposed a rule in March 2023 that would regulate the carbon monoxide emissions and auto-shutoff sensitivity of new portable gas-powered generators. This regulation would not ban portable gas-powered generators, but would instead require manufacturers to meet new standards when manufacturing portable generators. The rule combines two preexisting industry standards that portable generator manufacturers can currently voluntarily follow.

Breaking Down Virginia Tech’s Helmet Ratings
May 7, 2024, SLOWTWITCH.com
By law, all bicycle helmets sold in the US must be certified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission If you look inside your helmet, you will find a sticker that attests to this certification. The CPSC testing is pass/fail and involves four tests, one of which is a drop test. The pass/fail threshold for the drop test is the point of skull fracture. As helmet consumers, all we know from the CPSC certification is that our helmet passed the minimum standard to be sold to us in the US and will hopefully prevent a skull fracture. However, we don’t know from the CPSC certification the extent to which any particular helmet reduces concussion risk. That’s where the Virginia Tech Lab comes in with much more involved and rigorous helmet testing.

$3.0m Available In Pool Safely Grants To Help Prevent Drownings And Drain Entrapment
May 10, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission urges state, local, and tribal governments to apply for up to $3.0 million in grant funding for the Pool Safely Grant Program (PSGP or grant program). The two-year grants are to be used to reduce deaths and injuries from drowning and drain entrapment incidents in pools and spas. The PSGP is an essential part of CPSC’s national campaign to prevent drowning and drain entrapment. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death among young children. The grant awards will range from $50,000 to $400,000 each and is authorized through the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB Act).

How Resale Marketplaces Safety-Check Hard Goods Like Car Seats & Strollers
May 8, 2024, Modern Retail
Resale marketplaces like The RealReal and StockX must verify and authenticate shoes, apparel and other soft goods on a daily basis. But for platforms that sell open-box or secondhand hard goods — many of which have safety risks or expiration dates — vetting products becomes a more high-stakes game. Selling hard goods, however, can be challenging. Compared to soft goods, hard goods may require more frequent manual vetting. Here’s how three resale platforms approach vetting their products to ensure they’re safe to use.

Mega-Tac Adhesive Recalled; Failure To Meet Poison Prevention Packaging Act; No Recall Or Remedy Offered
May 9, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to stop using Mega-Tac Permanent Adhesive, Silicon Liquid Glue. The glue bottles do not comply with the child-resistant packaging requirements under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), posing a poisoning hazard to young children if ingested. CPSC issued a Notice of Violation to the importer Genesis Inc., of Puerto Rico, but the firm has not agreed to recall this product or offer a remedy to consumers. 

Commentary: Buying Fakes Hurts Americans, Helps Criminals
May 8, 2024, MyJournalCourier
Employees who make high-quality U.S. goods have to compete with reality TV, which is celebrating the counterfeit market that’s costing these workers jobs. Whether it’s name-brand jeans, designer handbags or a must-have child’s toy, there is a black market of counterfeits that pretend to be American-made products but are lower-quality knock-offs. For some shoppers, buying these fakes is a thrill. That’s the sentiment behind the ABC News Impact production picked up by Hulu: “Super Fakes: The Shadow World of Counterfeit Purses.” But whether it’s knockoff handbags or counterfeit car parts, the effects are the same: American workers lose market share, and American consumers wind up with potentially unsafe products.

First Sturdy Act Recall: Dressers Recalled For Violating Tipover Standard
May 2, 2024, Woodworking Network
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled the Mill Valley Junior, a six-drawer dresser that was sold exclusively at Rooms to Go. The recall was for violating a year-old, federally mandated tip-over standard. This is the first action CPSC has taken due to a violation under the STURDY (Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth) standard since it went into effect last year. According to the CPSC notice, the recalled dressers, which were imported by LFN Limited and manufactured in Vietnam, are unstable if they are not properly anchored to the wall, posing serious tip-over and entrapment hazards.

CPSC: Stop Using Floatstep Dock Ladders Due To Risk Of Fingertip Amputation And Crushing Injuries; No Acceptable Recall Offered
May 2, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is urgingconsumers not to purchase or sell Floatstep Dock Ladders and to stop using and dispose of the dock ladders immediately. The dock ladders have pinch points which can cause fingertip crushes and amputations. Two people have suffered fingertip amputations while using the ladders in incidents in Kentucky in 2022 and Florida in 2018. The manufacturer, Atlantic Aluminum and Marine Products Inc., of Lantana, Florida, has not agreed to an acceptable recall of the dock ladders at this time.

Four Reasons Why Managers Fail
April 11, 2024, Harvard Business Review
Gartner research has found that managers today are accountable for 51% more responsibilities than they can effectively manage — and they’re starting to buckle under the pressure. According to data from a 2018 study, 54% are suffering from work-induced stress and fatigue and 44% are struggling to provide personalized support to their direct reports. Ultimately, one in five managers said they would prefer not being people managers given a choice. Further analysis found that 48% of managers are at risk of failure. This article offers four predictors of manager failure and offers suggestions for organizations on how to address them.

Gov. Polis signs bill strengthening Colorado’s ‘forever chemical’ product bans
May 2, 2024, The Hill
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed into law a bill that will result in sweeping bans of “forever chemicals” across a wide range of consumer products. The law expands upon existing state legislation that prohibited the sale or distribution of certain products containing PFAS compounds, while laying out a specific timeline for the implementation of each ban. The compounds, of which there are thousands, are staple ingredients in industrial discharge, certain types of firefighting foam and many household items. 

 Bausch + Lomb recalls Project Watson dog eye wipes due to risk of bacteria, fungus exposure
May 2, 2024, KSBY 6 News
A recall was issued for Bausch + Lomb’s Project Watson dog eyelid wipes because of the risk that fungi and bacteria can begin to grow in the containers, posing a risk of infection for pets, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said. The company believes that when the package is opened, organisms can flourish in the container and can pose a risk not only to pets but to their human guardians as well, the consumer safety agency said. This risk is increased in those with weakened immune systems.

Bike Helmets Recalled: 140,000 And Counting Don’t Meet Safety Standards; 13 Separate Recalls
May 1, 2024, U.S. PIRG
Since Jan. 1, 2023, more than 140,000 bicycle helmets sold in the United States have been recalled because they didn’t meet federal safety standards. So far this year, from Jan. 1 through April 30, five brands of helmets have been recalled. During 2023, there were an additional eight, for a total of 13. During 2023 and 2024, eight were for children or youth. The total, so far, is 142,958 products recalled. All but one of the helmets were manufactured in China. All but one were modestly priced at $50 or less. Two of them were sold exclusively on Temu.com.

CPSC: Stop Using Floatwheel Self- Balancing Electric Skateboards; Fall And Crash Hazards; Chinese Maker Refuses CPSC Request For Recall And Product Information
May 2, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers about the risk of death and serious injuries with Floatwheel’s self-balancing electric skateboards. Floatwheel, of China, has refused to agree to CPSC’s request for a recall and has refused to supply information to CPSC about the products. CPSC also advises that imports of the Floatwheel skateboards may be subject to enforcement action at U.S. ports to prevent their importation. The Floatwheel skateboards are currently sold on a Russian website for between $1,600 and $1,800.

Editorial: Indiana AG Rokita Right To Target Forever Chemicals
May 2, 2024, The Republic (Indiana)
Most everyone can appreciate the convenience of waterproof and nonstick products. But at what cost to public health and the environment? Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has filed a lawsuit against 22 companies in the state that, allegedly, have tried to conceal their longtime use of “forever chemicals” and the potential cost to human health. Defendants in the lawsuit include heavy hitters such as 3M Company, DuPont, Corteva, United Technologies and Carrier Global. Rokita is doing the right thing by holding almost two dozen companies operating in Indiana accountable for hiding those costs, allegedly, in order to sell their products.

The United Kingdom Intends To Recognize CE-Marked Weighing And Measuring Instruments Indefinitely
May 2, 2024, NIST
Before Brexit, products placed on the UK market had to comply with the EU directives and bear a CE mark (when applicable) to show compliance with these directives. After Brexit, the UK has implemented new UK regulations as a replacement for the EU directives. The UKCA mark was introduced as the new compliance mark for the UK market. The UK implemented a transition period ending on December 31, 2024, giving manufacturers and importers time to implement the new UK regulations into their business operations. However, on January 24, the UK government announced that it intends to legislate to continue recognition of EU requirements, including the CE marking, indefinitely for a range of product regulations this spring.

Connecticut Senate Targets More Products That Contain Pfas ‘Forever Chemicals’
May 2, 2024, CT News Junkie
The Connecticut Senate passed a bill that could ban the sale of many products that typically contain long-lasting, harmful chemicals that fall under a group called “PFAS.” The bill would ban the use of 14 products that contain the so-called “forever chemicals” – such as cleaning products, fabric treatments, and menstruation products. The ban on the sale of those products will be enacted on Jan. 1, 2028, with manufacturers being required to submit reports to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection that include a description of a product and the amount of PFAS chemicals is in it. That requirement will go into effect on Jan 1, 2026.

Commissioner Trumka: “CPSC Revamps Chronic Hazards Guidelines, Making It Easier To Protect You From Toxic Chemicals In Your Home”
April 15, 2024, cpsc.gov
Commissioner Trumka: “The Commission unanimously approved new chronic hazard guidelines that improve the agency’s ability to protect you from toxic chemicals. After today, we can apply the latest methods in toxicology and use current scientific insight, including research and findings from other federal agencies, universities, and professional toxicologists. That is a major leap forward.

Joint Statement Of Commissioners Feldman And Dziak On CPSC Chronic Hazard Guidelines
April 15, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission approved updates to its guidelines for assessing chronic hazards under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. Under the guidelines, when industry and the Commission conduct such assessments, they should proceed according to sound science, accurate data, and best practices in the field.

China: New Products Under CCC Obligation Beginning May 2025/ July 2025
April 18, 2024, china-certification.com
On April 10, 2024, China’s Certification and Accreditation Administration published several major changes regarding the China Compulsory Certification (CCC) area in its announcement No. 09/2024. Among other things, the list of products subject to CCC will be expanded to include several new product categories that were previously not part of the scope. The CCC certification is a mandatory certification in China that ensures that certain categories of products meet national safety and quality standards before they can be sold or imported in China. Product tests in China and annual factory audits are part of the CCC certification. Here is a list of the products that are now subject to the CCC certification requirement, including deadlines to be observed.

Should You Quit Your “Meh” Job? Or Is It Salvageable?
April 19, 2024, Harvard Business Review 
Bad days at work are inevitable. In this article, the author shares advice from two experts on what to do if you’re stuck in the gray area of deciding whether your job is merely mediocre or downright soul-crushing. Among the questions to ask yourself the authors include these: 1) Is the workplace toxic? 2) Do you feel depleted? 3) Are you miserable or are you bored? 4) Is there anything about the job you enjoy?

California Legislature Aims Two More Nails At The PFAS Coffin
April 17, 2024, National Law Review
Two bills, quite different in scope but both aiming to further restrict the use or presence of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in various products, are currently wending their way through the California legislature. One bill could affect all types of products on the market, while the other is narrowly focused on a single product category. Both bills, Senate Bill 903 and Assembly Bill 2525, have now been read twice and amended at least twice.

‘It Feels Like A Gamble’ – Bike Shop Sees Shimano Cranks Fail 5 Months After Passing Inspection
April 17, 2024, Cycling Weekly
The crank, one of around 2.8 million affected, failed without the rider knowing and was previously inspected by a mechanic at Surrey Hills Cycle Works. Business Owner Dave Farmer believes the only way to guarantee the safety of the affected Hollowtech II cranks sold between 2012 and 2019 is “constant inspection.” The European ‘free inspection program’ – vs a recall of affected cranks in the US – did not require all affected products to be replaced, something which Farmer considers a “gamble” on Shimano’s part. The approach was deemed a “very unusual approach to corrective action”, by a legal expert, in an interview with Cycling Weekly. 

Staying Safe Around Beach Umbrellas Just Became An Official Standard
April 19, 2024, EINPresswires
ASTM International’s Consumer Products Committee has developed a standard specification for Beach Umbrellas and Anchor Devices. Each year, approximately 3,000 individuals in the United States end up in emergency rooms due to accidents involving beach umbrellas. These injuries prompted a concerted effort by officials to make beach umbrellas safer. Beginning its work in November 2021, the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM), with the help from engineers from the Consumer product Safety Commission have jointly announced the passage of ASTM F3681-24 safety standard aimed at safeguarding beachgoers from potential hazards posed by unstable umbrellas.

CPSC: Stop Using Chibebe Snuggle Pods Due To Suffocation Hazard; No Recall Or Remedy
April 18, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to immediately stop using the Chibebe Snuggle Pods because they pose a suffocation hazard to infants. The snuggle pods violate the infant pillow ban because of their flexible fabric covering, loose filling, and ability to easily flatten and conform to an infant’s body or face. CPSC issued a Notice of Violation to the manufacturer, Millisage LLC, d/b/a Chibebe, of Sheridan, Wyoming, but the firm has not agreed to recall these infant pillows or offer a remedy to consumers. 

Analysis: Will The EU AI Act Work? Lessons Learned From Past Legislative Initiatives, Future Challenges
April 17, 2024, International Association of Privacy Professionals
The EU Artificial Intelligence Act is not yet published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Yet its unquestionably disruptive value as the world’s first legislative effort to regulate AI is sparking a lot of debate. When creating the legislative framework, without a precedent to refer to, the European Commission chose the product safety framework, making it part of the so-called harmonization legislation regulating products circulating in the single market. The chosen structure for regulating AI in Europe not only has its own merits but also constitutes, in its final form, a novel approach at the intersection between technical product safety legislation and legislation intended to protect fundamental rights.

Federal Trade Commission Update: March 18 – 29, 2024
April 19, 2021, Retail Consumer Products Law

Consistency In Australian Helmet Laws Needed After Introduction Of New Safety Standards
April 18, 2024, AUSCYSLING
While a wider range of cycling helmets may soon be available in Australia, cyclists should think twice before rushing out to buy a new model. A potential increase in the range of helmets comes after the federal government recently adopted a recommendation of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to recognize some international helmet standards. The decision will allow suppliers to import and sell helmets that comply with the latest voluntary Australian standard or comparable international standards, potentially expanding the range of helmets available to Australian riders. However, state and territory governments are yet to recognize the change.