CPSC Recalls Millions Of Furniture Tip-Over Kits Made In Vietnam
January 11, 2024, USA Today
Millions of kits designed to prevent furniture from tipping over were recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission over potential child safety risks. Tthe plastic zip tie in the kits, made by New Age Industries of Vietnam, “can become brittle or weak.” The furniture that they’re supposed to anchor to the wall can detach, posing a potentially fatal fall risk to children, according to the commission. There have been no reported injuries since the recall notice was issued, only reports of the product breaking, the commission said. New Age furniture tip kits have been sold in furniture stores nationwide and online since at least November 2019. The kits include a plastic zip-tie, two brackets and two screws. They were sold with dressers and other similar furniture pieces manufactured in Vietnam, the commission reported. 

Requirements For Consumer Products Containing Coin And Button Cells Expected To Phase In Soon
January 11, 2024, JD Supra
Deadlines for compliance with central elements of Reese’s Law are fast approaching. Many consumer products that use coin or button cell batteries will have to comply with the UL 4200A-2023 standard (and be tested to confirm compliance) by March 19, 2024. In August 2022, Congress overwhelmingly passed and President Biden signed, Reese’s Law. The law is intended to prevent accidental ingestions of coin and button cell batteries by children. Now codified at 15 U.S.C. § 2056e, the law requires changes to coin and button cell battery packaging and has resulted in a new mandatory standard for consumer products containing coin and button cells.

What Is Active Listening?
January 2, 2024, Harvard Business Review
Active listening requires mastering many skills. This includes reading body language and tone of voice, maintaining your attention and being aware of and controlling your emotional response. In this article, the author explains what active listening is and how to improve this essential communication skill.

Opinion: Rethinking Firearms Regulation
January 11, 2024, The Regulatory Review
What if the United States regulated real firearms as stringently as they regulated toy guns for children? In this article, Benjamin Cavataro, a professor at the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, proposes that Congress empower the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to regulate guns in the same way that it regulates other consumer products, such as toys. Cavataro argues that empowering the CPSC to regulate guns would increase their safety without encroaching on politically charged issues such as gun access and prevalence.

Beyond The Imitation Game: The World Begins Construction On A Global Legal Framework For AI
January 5, 2024, Reuters
Nearly a decade after cracking Nazi Germany’s Enigma code and hastening the end of World War II, British computer scientist Alan Turing posed a question. This was long before we relied on computers to answer much of anything: “Can machines think?” The significance of his question, “Can machines think?” was brought to life by Benedict Cumberbatch in the 2014 film “The Imitation Game.” The movie presaged a time when artificial intelligence would become a ubiquitous and integral part of our daily lives, far surpassing its initial spectacle.

2023 Was A Year Of Reform In Europe – What’s Next In 2024?
January 10, 2024, Cooley Productwise
2023 was a year of reform – a most active year of regulatory change in the products law space, with impacts that will be felt by product stakeholders for years to come. New requirements will need to be understood, and any required changes to products and processes will need to be planned and implemented. Here is a roundup of some of the highlights.

CPSC Business Education Webinar/ Infant Sleep Products, Inclined Sleepers And Crib Bumpers
January 9, 2024, YouTube

Study Finds Scooter-Related Injuries And Surgeries Drastically Increased Over 4 Years
January 9, 2024, Forbes
Scooter-related hospitalizations outnumbered bike-related hospitalizations in 2020, and over 50% resulted in surgery, a new study found. Hospitalizations for scooter-related injuries increased nearly threefold between 2016 and 2020, and over half of the patients hospitalized underwent some form of surgery, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Patients hospitalized with scooter-related injuries were more likely to be under the age of 18 compared to those with bicycle injuries (26.7% compared to 16.4%), and more likely to undergo surgery (55.8% vs. 48.1%). The study grouped electric scooter (or e-scooter) and regular scooter injuries together.

J&J To Pay $700 Million To Settle States’ Talc-Marketing Probe
January 8, 2024, Reuters
Johnson & Johnson has come to a tentative agreement to pay about $700 million for settling claims by over 40 U.S. states that it wrongfully marketed its talc-based baby powder, Bloomberg News reported. The settlement would avert potential lawsuits alleging J&J hid any links between the talc in its powder and various cancers, the report said citing people familiar with the deal. J&J and representatives for state attorneys general are still working out the specific terms of the deal but have agreed on the total amount, Bloomberg News reported.

EU Prepares To Push Back On Private Sector Carve-Out From International AI Treaty
January 10, 2024, Euractiv
The European Commission is preparing to push back on a US-led attempt to exempt the private sector from the world’s first international treaty on Artificial Intelligence while pushing for as much alignment as possible with the EU’s AI Act. The Council of Europe, an international human rights body with 46 member countries, set up the Committee on Artificial Intelligence at the beginning of 2022 to develop the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. The binding international treaty, the first of its kind on AI, is facing crunch time: the current plan is to finalize it by March, with the view of adopting it at the ministerial level in May. Thus, many open questions must be solved at a plenary meeting on 23-26 January.

CPSC Proposes Significant Changes To Rule Governing Certificates Of Compliance
January 4, 2024, National Law Review
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently published a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPR) to revise the existing rule on Certificates of Compliance (CoC). The last time CPSC proposed changes to Rule 1110 was in 2013. A decade later, the CPSC is reviving the CoC rulemaking process. This SNPR proposes a number of significant changes to Rule 1110. Changes include the addition of an electronic filing (eFiling) requirement for all imported CPSC-regulated products or substances, an expanded definition of “importer” and new CoC content and recordkeeping requirements.

This Commissioner’s New Year Goal: Regulate Water Beads
January 3, 2024, CNN Business
They’re colorful, small and fun to squish. But water beads pose major health risks to children, safety experts say. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has made it a priority in the new year to fully regulate water bead marketing toward young consumers. In a stinging letter on January 2, CPSC Commissioner Rich Trumka Jr.called out two retailers, Hobby Lobby and online retailer Wish, for alack of response in committing to discontinuing the toys. “They have failed to keep up with their competitors, as they have not made similar commitments to safety. Corporate greed can be deadly,” Trumka wrote. Trumka sent the letter to Hobby Lobby on December 20 and asked for a response by December 29.

Want To Be A Better Leader? Stop Thinking About Work After Hours
January 3, 2024, Harvard Business Review 
It’s not uncommon for managers to continue thinking about their job after the official workday is over. This may involve ruminating about an issue with an employee, trying to think of a solution to a client problem or creating a mental to-do list for the next day. But new research shows that this tendency may not be beneficial, particularly for new leaders. In fact, constant rumination leads managers to be more depleted and less able to show up as leaders — something even their employees can pick up on.

States Looking To 2024 To Pass Revised Kids’ Online Safety Bills
January 2, 2024, The Washington Post
A group of state legislators and children’s safety advocates are planning a renewed campaign to import British digital safeguards for kids into the United States as they look to ward off legal challenges from the tech industry. After California passed a landmark online safety law in 2021 — styled after child protection rules in the United Kingdom — lawmakers in several other states, including Maryland and Minnesota, introduced their own versions. The law requires digital services to “prioritize” the well-being of children when developing products and vet those tools for potential risks before rolling them out. 

How Playing With Toys Can Expose Children To Harmful Chemicals
January 4, 2024, Impackter
Like many consumer products, toys are composed of a range of materials, such as plastics, textiles and metals. Chemicals of concern (CoC), provide toys with certain functions such as fragrance, color and plasticity. Such exposure can result in long-term health effects for children such as interfering with the hormone system or cognitive development. When it comes to exposure to chemicals of concern children are one of the most vulnerable populations due to their rapid metabolic rate, high surface-area-to-body-weight ratio and rapid growth of organs and tissues.

Leading The Way: Ethics And Compliance As Leadership Responsibilities
January 3, 2024, JD Supra
To thrive in a world of constant change and challenge, firms must continuously innovate by pivoting business models, creating disruptive products and implementing new technologies. Keeping innovative, aligned and on course in these circumstances is no small feat. It requires a clear North Star in purpose and ethics as well as active, visible leadership to demonstrate what really matters and what is expected of everyone in the organization. To successfully elevate ethics to be a strategic advantage, it must begin at the top.

This Commissioner’s New Year Goal: Regulate Water Beads
January 3, 2024, CNN Business
They’re colorful, small and fun to squish. But water beads pose major health risks to children, safety experts say. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has made it a priority in the new year to fully regulate water bead marketing toward young consumers. In a stinging letter on January 2, CPSC Commissioner Rich Trumka Jr.called out two retailers, Hobby Lobby and online retailer Wish, for alack of response in committing to discontinuing the toys. “They have failed to keep up with their competitors, as they have not made similar commitments to safety. Corporate greed can be deadly,” Trumka wrote. Trumka sent the letter to Hobby Lobby on December 20 and asked for a response by December 29.

Researchers Surprised By The Level Of Toxicity They Found In Rubber Gloves
January 2, 2024, Science Norway
The plastic with which we surround ourselves contains a range of chemical additives that can leach out into water systems in the natural environment. Even if it takes a long time for products to break down into microplastic particles, the chemicals start to leach from the plastic as soon as it enters the water. Researchers have been trying to find out more about whether this phenomenon is harmful to animals and perhaps also to humans. They have examined how toxic 50 common plastic products, such as plastic bags and children’s toys, can be for small animals in the ocean.

Forever Chemicals’ Contaminate America’s Freshwater Fish
January 4, 2024, Kaiser Health News
Gone fishing? Depending on the lake, your catch may not be safe to eat. A group of chemicals collectively known as PFAS are found in hundreds of consumer goods, including dental floss, rain jackets and nonstick cookware. Over decades, these chemicals have spewed from manufacturing plants and landfills into local ecosystems, polluting surface water and groundwater, as well as the wildlife living there. PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down quickly in the environment, instead accumulating in soil, water, fish and our bodies. Hundreds of military bases have been pinpointed as sources of PFAS leaching into nearby communities’ groundwater.

The Top 5 Leadership Trends That Will Drive Success In 2024
January 4, 2024, Forbes
In 2024, the leadership landscape continues to evolve in response to dynamic global, technological, and societal shifts. Leaders are facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities, prompting the emergence of key trends that are reshaping leadership methodologies and practices. In this context, leaders must stay ahead of the curve, adapting their approaches to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. Here are our top five leadership trends for 2024, exploring how these trends influence the way leaders navigate complexity, inspire teams, and drive organizational success.

Consumer Product Safety Commission Says Don’t Buy These Replacement Batteries For Dyson Vacuums
January 4, 2024, PennLive.com
A federal safety agency has issued a warning about replacement batteries for Dyson cordless vacuums sold on Amazon. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said the lithium-ion replacement batteries not only are not authorized by Dyson but also are not safe. The battery packs in question are sold by Zautnkn.inc on Amazon, the commission said, and “are manufactured in China by Ganzhoushimeizishengwukejiyouxiangongsi. ” The commission said the manufacturer “has not agreed to a recall” or “to offer a remedy to consumers.”

India: Government To Come Up With 65 Quality Control Orders To Stop Imports Of Sub-Standard Goods
January 4, 2024, The Economic Times
The Government will soon issue 65 quality control orders (QCOs) which will cover over 500 products to contain imports of sub-standard goods and boost domestic manufacturing. Under these orders, items cannot be produced, sold, traded, imported and stocked unless they bear the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark. Violation of the law can attract a penalty of up to two years of imprisonment or a fine of at least Rs 2 lakh for the first offence, which increases to Rs 5 lakh minimum for the second and subsequent offences.

Sen. Manchin Leads Bipartisan Effort To Protect Off-Highway Vehicles Against Regulatory Overreach
December 6, 2023, Senator joe Manchin
U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Deb Fischer (R-NE), John Barrasso (R-WY), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Ted Budd (R-NC) and James Risch (R-ID) sent a letter to Consumer Product Safety Commission Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric to express their concerns over the Commission’s proposed rule on debris penetration in off-highway vehicles. CPSC issued this proposed rule without sufficient evidence of risk to consumers and without regard to its negative economic consequences, particularly on the powersports industry in rural states. “As you know, off-highway vehicles are a staple of American life. They are used for recreation, agriculture, law enforcement, emergency services, and more. They are also an important economic driver, especially in rural America.” the Senators said in part. “We have serious concerns regarding the rulemaking process and the substance of the proposed debris penetration rule. Moreover, we are concerned about the effect the rule would have on the availability of off-highway vehicles and on the economic footprint of the powersports industry.”

Recall, Warnings Issued Over Toy Magnetic Balls After 7 Deaths Reported
December 8, 2023, Live Now Fox
The Consumer Product Safety Commission shared several warnings over small yet high-powered magnetic balls in toy sets after seven deaths and thousands of hospital visits were reported. The CPSC estimated that 2,400 magnet ingestions were treated in hospital emergency departments between 2017 and 2021, and said it was aware of seven deaths – including two outside the United States. The CPSC said testing determined that the magnetic ball sets are stronger than permitted and are small enough to fit within the CPSC’s small parts test cylinder. A recall was issued for one of the products, XpressGoods’ “Colorful Metal Neodymium Magic Magnetic Balls – 8 color, 5mm”. But multiple other warnings were posted by the CPSC about similar magnetic ball products of concern, including at least four sold exclusively on Temu.com. They include Magic QQ’s 216-Piece Mixed Color Magnetic Ball Sets; Allvre’s 216-Piece 5mm Magnetic Ball Sets; Sunny House’s 125-Piece 5mm Mixed Color Magnetic Ball Sets; and Ming Tai Trade’s 216-Piece 5mm Magnetic Ball Sets – all of which originated from China. The CPSC said it issued a “Notice of Violation” to the sellers, but most of the companies did not agree to recall their magnetic ball sets or offer a remedy to consumers.

Overcoming Your Need For Constant Validation At Work
December 8, 2023, Harvard Business Review
Letting go of the need for constant approval at work doesn’t mean you have to stop caring. In fact, the most effective leaders are those who balance empathy and decisiveness, conviction and compassion and warmth and strength. In this article, the author offers strategies for how to mitigate an excessive need for approval at work: 1) Do a gut check; 2) Formulate your own opinions first; 3) Try the “so what?” test; 4) Wait 24 hours before responding to contentious or charged issues; and 5) Keep promises you make to yourself.

Anchor It! A Mother Turns A Tragedy Into Advocacy
December 27, 2023, Seattle’s Child
June 11, 2014, changed Crystal Ellis’s and her family’s lives forever. What happened that June, and the grief of their loss, will stay with her family forever. Since her child’s death, Ellis has worked hard to warn other parents about the risk of tip-over accidents — a leading cause of child injury and death in the United States. She became a founding member of the national advocacy group Parents Against Tip-overs (PAT) and continues to push her family’s story out through the organization. Consumer Product and Safety Commission data shows 199 tip-over-related child fatalities between January 2000 and April 2022. As the holidays draw near and many families consider furniture and large electronics purchases, PAT is working with the CPSC to push out the message “Anchor It! Even when you’re watching!” to raise awareness about tip-overs and urge families to secure all furniture safely.

Border Patrol And Homeland Security: Avoid Holiday Counterfeit And Dubiouis Goods That Pose Security Risks
December 7, 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations officials gathered at Laredo’s World Trade Bridge for an illustrative event to advise the public through local media this holiday season to avoid buying goods that may be counterfeit or of dubious origin. They warned about goods that may pose consumer safety risks or undercut legitimate trademark holders. “As gift buying starts to ramp up this holiday season, we would like to advise the public to avoid buying counterfeit goods or goods of unknown or dubious origin either online, from brick-and-mortar stores, flea markets or elsewhere,” said Port Director Albert Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. 

CPSC Warns Consumers To Stop Using Karriw Crib Bumpers Due Violation Of The Federal Ban On Crib Bumpers; No Recall Or Remedy Offered
December 7, 2023, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to stop using Karriw crib bumpers, sold exclusively on Amazon by Lucky_00, because they pose a suffocation hazard to infants. Crib bumpers are banned by the federal Safe Sleep for Babies Act. CPSC issued a Notice of Violation to the seller, Lucky_00, of China, but the firm has not agreed to recall these crib bumpers or offer a remedy to consumers.

CPSC Commissioner Peter A. Feldman On The Proposed Table Saw Rule Comment Extension Request
December 6, 2023. cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has approved a 30-day extension for public comments on the proposed safety standard addressing blade-contact injuries on table saws.  While I voted to support this 30-day extension, I also would have supported the 60-day extension requested by the Power Tool Institute (PTI).  PTI’s request for additional time is reasonable given the complexity of the underlying issues.

Report Highlights: Dangers Associated With Recalled And Counterfeit Toys
December 6, 2023, WECT News Wilmington
An estimated 209,500 toy-related injuries and 11 deaths were reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2022, underscoring the need for consumers to be vigilant about protecting children from unsafe products. Teresa Murray, co-authored U.S. Public Interest Research Group’s ‘Trouble in Toyland 2023,’ an annual report aimed at parents and other gift givers to help them make informed and safe purchases for children. This year’s report focused on recalled and counterfeit toys, showcasing how easy it is for consumers to unknowingly buy them, even though it is illegal to sell them. Recalled toys are not Murray’s only concern. Counterfeit products, many of which come in from overseas, continue to infiltrate retailers’ shelves and online platforms. Murray said the best way to protect against these products is for consumers to inspect, investigate, and research their purchases ahead of time, especially if they are looking for a sold-out or difficult to find item.

CR’s Guide To Better, Safer Drinking Water
December 7, 2023, Consumer Reports
Many Americans still drink water with unhealthy levels of toxic chemicals, heavy metals, bacteria, and other contaminants. While the nation’s water is in many ways safer than ever, it remains vulnerable to threats old and new, says Ronnie Levin, an instructor in environmental health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston and the lead author of a September 2023 review of U.S. water quality in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology. Compared with half a century ago, she says, “a lot of things are better, but a lot of things, surprisingly, are not.”

Sandwell Council Warns Households Not To Bin Batteries
December 6, 2023, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Sandwell Council, partner Serco and West Midlands Fire Service, are warning residents of the dangers batteries and electrical items going into bins pose and advising them of how to dispose of them. The move follows a spate of fires in the back of refuse and recycling vehicles, and at waste facilities across the country due to batteries being disposed in household bins

International Product Recall – The Basics You Need To Know
October 26, 2023, Cooley
Increasing globalization of product markets brings tremendous opportunities for product manufacturers. New technologies enable companies to reach consumers in markets all around the world, and rapid geographical expansion is increasingly the order of the day. These opportunities also bring risks that must be managed. For any consumer product manufacturer, there is an ever-present risk – despite the best planning and investment – that something could go wrong in the design, production or distribution phases that creates an unexpected safety risk to consumers. 

Court Rules California Can’t Require Glyphosate Cancer Warning Labels
November 29, 2023, MedTruth
A U.S. appeals court recently ruled that California lacks the authority to enforce a regulation mandating cancer warnings on glyphosate, the main active compound in Monsanto’s widely used herbicide Roundup. Monsanto was acquired by Bayer in 2018. The Ninth Circuit ruled that the most recent warning issued by the state of California perpetuates the assertion that the chemical is hazardous, a claim deemed “at best disputed.” 

What Self-Awareness Really Is (And How To Cultivate It)
January 4, 2018, Harvard Business Review
Although most people believe that they are self-aware, true self-awareness is a rare quality. In this piece, the author describes a recent large-scale investigation that shed light on some of the biggest roadblocks, myths and truths about what self-awareness really is — and what it takes to cultivate it. The study found that there are actually two distinct types of self-awareness, that experience and power can hinder self-awareness, and that introspection doesn’t always make you more self-aware.

New Graduating Class Of Certified Product Safety Professionals™ Announced
December 2, 2023, Virginia Newswire
Eight product safety professionals have earned the designation Certified Product Safety Professionals™, it was announced by the Society of Product Safety Professionals (SPSP) and Virginia Tech. These industry professionals were required to have 10 years of experience in a product safety role or 7 years of experience and a 4-year college degree in a related field. To earn certification, all candidates are required to complete a product safety education program at Virginia Tech’s Research Center in Arlington, VA. Candidates are required to demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of consumer product safety. They do this by: 1) passing a multiple-choice examination, 2) submission of a personal essay, 3) submission of a written case study on a product safety problem, and 4) an oral presentation of their case study to a panel of product safety professionals and an academic member.

Report Finds China Accounts For Most Section 321 Shipments To U.S.
November 29, 2023, STR Trade
An effort in Congress to lower the de minimis value for duty-free imports could get a boost from a recent International Trade Commission report finding that most de minimis shipments into the U.S. come from China. Section 321 of the Tariff Act of 1930 allows for the informal entry of articles that have a retail value of $800 or less and are imported by one person in one day. These articles are free of duty and taxes and are subject to expedited clearance processing. The U.S. de minimis level was increased from $200 to $800 in 2016 and is one of the highest in the world; others of note include $6.50 in China, $111 in Canada, $50 in Mexico, $162 in the European Union, and $168 in the United Kingdom.

British Columbia: Detailed Safety Study Coming For Electric Kick Scooters
December 1, 2023, B C Govt News
The benefits and effects of people using e-scooters will be studied in detail to help more local governments across B.C. evaluate how this clean and popular mode of personal transportation can be safely integrated into local transportation networks. “E-scooters are part of an ongoing shift toward electric personal mobility that’s reducing emissions by giving people new clean and affordable options to get around,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure for the British Columbia government. “We’re making it easier for local governments to test e-scooters on their own roads, so we can ensure future regulations represent the needs of people across the province.” The safety review will start on April 5, 2024 and run for four years.

‘Non-Toxic’ Labels On Water Beads Are Meaningless
December 1, 2023, Consumer Reports
New government research and CR’s tests show dangerous chemicals in the popular children’s toys. When the Consumer Product Safety Commission warned parents and caregivers about water beads this fall, it cited a panoply of potential risks to children. But there is another potential harm to consider, aside from what the beads’ growth inside the body can do. The beads themselves may be toxic.

Consumer Groups Support Disclosure Of Financial Interests In CPSC Proceedings And Urge CPSC To Ensure Ease For Consumers
November 30, 2023, Consumer Federation of America
Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and other consumer organizations submitted joint comments to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regarding the proposed rule to require the disclosure of certain financial interests in CPSC proceedings.  The consumer organizations support the changes that would promote transparency and fairness in the CPSC’s important work. However, as the agency works to finalize the rule, the groups urged the CPSC to take every step to ensure that the participation of consumers and affected families is not limited in any way. 

EPA Seeks To Increase Protections For Two Toxic Chemicals
November 29, 2023, Safety + Health Magazine
The Environmental Protection Agency wants to strengthen restrictions on two persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals already regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. On Nov. 24, EPA published a proposed rule that would enhance worker protections from decabromodiphenyl ether  – a flame retardant used in textiles, plastics and polyurethane foam – as well as phenol, isopropylated, phosphate (3:1). PIP 3:1 can be a plasticizer, flame retardant, anti-wear additive or an anti-compressibility additive. Its uses include hydraulic fluid, lubricants and greases, and industrial coatings. It’s also used in consumer and commercial goods – such as cellphones, laptop computers, and other electronic and electrical devices – as well as industrial and commercial equipment.

Study Finds PFAS Still Abundant In Apparel
December 1, 2023, Sourcing Journal
Despite calls for bans and commitments from brands, outerwear products around the world are still laden with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), new research shows. Jackets and other apparel purchased in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America were found to contain the “forever chemicals,” which have been linked to severe health conditions, according to a study from the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) and 13 IPEN members including international public interest NGOs. The groups tested items from 13 countries, finding that many were marketed to children and came into direct contact with the skin.

Is It Safe To Leave Outdoor Christmas Lights On Overnight?
November 29, 2023, Romper
In short: no, you should not leave outdoor Christmas lights and decorations on overnight. It’s indisputably safer to turn your exterior lights off when you hit the hay, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Their holiday safety guide clearly states that you should “turn off all lights on trees and other decorations when you go to bed or leave the house. Lights could short and start a fire.” If you’re worried you’ll forget or don’t want to fuss with turning your light display on and off every day, just invest in an outdoor light timer.

Two Southern California Executives Convicted In Dehumidifiers Scheme Case
November 16, 2023, MSN
Two Southern California executives were found guilty for their roles in a scheme involving sales of defective and fire-prone Chinese-made dehumidifiers. Both were convicted of conspiracy and failure to furnish information to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The jury found that as early as September 2012, Simon Chu and Charley Loh received multiple reports that their dehumidifiers were defective, dangerous and could catch fire. The executives also knew that they were required to immediately report the product safety information to the CPSC, according to the DOJ.

U.S. Product Recalls Fall During Q3 Even As Regulatory Scrutiny Increases
November 16, 2023, Sedgwick
U.S. product recall activity recorded it largest quarterly decline in over three years, as events fell by more than ten percent between Q2 and Q3 2023.  According to Sedgwick brand protection’s latest U.S. Recall Index report, there were 740 product recalls in Q3 2023, which is 13.6% fewer than the 856 recorded in Q2 2023. Despite this third quarter decline, 2023 still remains on track to hit a five year high for total recall events. The number of defective units recalled in Q3 2023 also fell significantly, decreasing 61.9% from Q2 2023.

10 Ways To Prove You’re A Strategic Thinker
October 31, 2023, Harvard Business Review
To get ahead in the business world, it’s not enough to think strategically. You also have to effectively communicate those ideas. There are several ways to do this. These include: 1) Elevating the conversation to focus on the big picture and broader context; 2) Being forward-looking in your comments; 3) Anticipating the effects of potential decisions; 4) Connecting disparate concepts, simplifying complex issues; 5) Using metaphors and analogies, stimulating dialogue with question; 6) Showing you are informed; 7) Actively listening; and 8) Seeking feedback.

Campaign Launched To Combat Rising Fires From Lithium-Ion Batteries
November 15, 2023, Fire Safety Research Institute
Fires from lithium-ion battery-powered devices are increasing at an alarming rate. UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute launched the Take C.H.A.R.G.E. of Battery Safety campaign with a new PSA and tips to educate people about safer use of lithium-ion battery powered devices. The campaign is being launched in collaboration with The Fire Department of the City of New York, U.S. Fire Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and with the support of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

PFAS In Consumer Products: State-By-State Regulations – November 2023
November 14, 2023, JD Supra
Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of consumer products across a broad spectrum of industries are being impacted by laws regulating the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) in their products. This area is rapidly developing as states create new laws, and the penalties and litigation risks for non-compliance can be significant.

EU Report Says Harmful Compounds Lurk In Childcare Products
November 16, 2023, C&EN
Harmful compounds are present in products that kids are exposed to often, including car seats, bibs, and changing pads, according to a report from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The substances, which include flame retardants, metals, and phthalates, are known to cause cancer, genetic mutations, or reproductive harm. ECHA scientists collected over 1,500 measurements of childcare products to test for 182 compounds known as CMRs because they are carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction. They found multiple potentially harmful compounds in concentrations above the European Union’s limits. These include vinyl chloride, lead, cobalt, diisobutyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, and the flame retardants tetrabromobisphenol A and tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate.

Irish Research: Flame Retardant Chemicals Can Cause Serious Health Risks – And They Only Slow Fire By A Few Seconds
November 15, 2023, The Conversation
Like for other chemicals such as pesticides and asbestos, research caught up with the most widely used FRs in the early 2000s and found that the benefits of these chemicals may be outweighed by the dangers. Simply using these items is enough to make FRs leach into indoor air and dust where we can inhale or ingest them, or even absorb them through our skin.

New Report Outlines Risks Of AI-Enabled Smart Toys On Your Child’s Wish List
November 17, 2023, USA Today
Toys that spy on children are a growing threat, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group which published a report covering the dangers of certain products as well as purchases of recalled toys. “Smart toys” specifically, are causing concern and the industry isn’t slowing down. The global market for smart toys grew to $16.7 million this year, from $14.1 million in 2022, according to a large market research firm, and is expected to at least double by 2027. Before purchasing that “must have” smart toy on your child’s Christmas wish list, here’s what to know about the risks.

How To Stay Safe While Cooking And Decorating This Holiday Season
November 15, 2023, CBS 11 News
The Consumer Product Safety Commission used dramatic demonstrations to warn of the pitfalls that can ruin a happy holiday and the stunning statistics behind injuries related to holiday decorating, cooking and toys. “The unthinkable can happen in an instant and fires involving Christmas trees and candles are far too frequent in this holiday season,” said Alexander Hoehn-Saric, CPSC Chairman. The CPSC says an average of 1,600 cooking fires take place on Thanksgiving Day, more than three times the daily average. The CPSC says to stay close while food is on the stove or in the oven. If you are frying a turkey, place the fryer far from the house and never on the porch or in the garage.

Third Time’s A Charm: California Re-Introduces Proposed Changes To Proposition 65’s Warnings And Safe Harbor Requirements
November 16, 2023, JD Supra
The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), the lead agency that implements Proposition 65, introduced its third attempt to amend the “short form” warning provisions of this widely enforced consumer protection statute. If implemented, the proposal would require the Proposition 65 short form warning to identify at least one Proposition 65-listed chemical present in the product. The agency stated the proposal intends to make the short form warning more informative to consumers. In reality, the proposal shifts costs to businesses.

UK Ofcom Provides Detail On Online Safety Act ‘Illegal Harms’ Regime
November 16, 2023, Pinsent Masons
Online content platforms operating in the UK should study recent publications issued by Ofcom to get a better handle on how the Online Safety Act will apply to them, and what they can do to meet the new legal requirements around addressing illegal content. The draft codes of practice and guidance published by Ofcom on 9 November supplement the wording in the Online Safety Act, which became UK law late last month. This means that, for many service providers, compliance with the codes and associated guidance Ofcom issues will be the easiest way to meet their duties under the Act.

Indian Centre Sets Up Committee To Draft Safety Pledge For E-Commerce Platforms
November 17, 2023, KNN India
With the aim to prevent the sale of unsafe goods to consumers through online marketplaces, the government has constituted a committee to draft the safety pledge for e-commerce platforms. The panel, which includes members from major e-commerce platforms, voluntary consumer associations, industry bodies and National Law Universities, will submit its report in two weeks. The Department of Consumer Affairs held a stakeholder consultation on preparation for a ‘Safety Pledge’ for e-commerce platforms. The exercise is aimed at ensuring the sale of goods which are safe for use by consumers and requires platforms to take appropriate measures to prevent the sale of unsafe goods, an official statement said.

CPSC Commissioner Feldman Statement: Record Recall Numbers Reflect ROI For Consumers; “These Strong Numbers Are No Accident”
November 1, 2023, cpsc.gov
Commissioner Feldman notes the importance of recall results. “The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced more than 300 recalls in fiscal year 2023, a 20% increase over the previous year. Of particular note, defect and regulatory recalls are up, with the latter at an all-time high. These strong numbers are no accident. They reflect a multi-year push to re-prioritize the agency’s core mission of enforcement and compliance. I have supported efforts to increase funding, add additional staff and provide new case management tools for CPSC’s Office of Compliance and Field Operations (EXC). This approach is paying dividends for American consumers.”

Subcommittee Markup Recap: E&C Advances Bills To Enhance Product Safety, Transparency, Supply Chains And American Tech Leadership
November 2, 2023, Energy & Commerce Committee
The House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee advanced proposals to secure American technological leadership and improve people’s lives. In a subcommittee markup, the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee voted in favor of several pieces of legislation that enhance product safety, improve the resiliency of America’s supply chains and bring much needed price transparency to the ticketing and lodging industries.

Project Managers Should Think Like Startup Founders
November 2, 2023, Harvard Business Review 
Most project managers focus on planning and execution. But large projects rarely go in a straight line and the execution may go far in the wrong direction before the need for changes are recognized. The author, a strategic advisor to large firms, suggests that project leaders should think like startup founders instead, using tools that have become common in that sector: A project canvas, customer development and so forth. In doing so, project leaders can uncover and solve some of the project’s biggest questions and risks first, before scaling to full execution.

CBP Seizes Flammable Children’s Sleepwear
November 1, 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Champlain Port of Entry seized a commercial shipment of children’s sleepwear that failed flammability requirement standards. In August, CBP officers examined a shipment of children’s sleepwear that were manufactured in China. Working in collaboration with the Consumer Product Safety Commission a sample was provided for further testing. CPSC determined the products failed the flammability requirements under the Flammable Fabrics Act and recommended seizure. 

The U.S. Commerce Department Is Creating An AI Safety Agency
November 2, 2023, Husch Blackwell
The Biden Administration is creating a new Federal agency focused on the safety and security of Artificial Intelligence systems. President Biden directed the Department of Commerce to establish the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (USAISI), which will lead the government’s efforts on AI safety and trust. USAISI will facilitate the development of safety, security and testing standards for AI models, and the development of standards for authenticating AI-generated content.

CPSC: Stop Using Mollys Products’ Sodium Hydroxide. No Consumer Remedy Offered
November 2, 2023, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to immediately stop using Mollys Products’ sodium hydroxide products because they do not comply with the child resistant packaging requirements under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act.  product violates the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. The seller Burgess Jackson, Inc. of Philadelphia, has not agreed to recall the Mollys Products’ sodium hydroxide or offer a remedy to consumers.

The Forever Frontier: PFAS Trends Can Create New Areas Of Focus For Companies
November 3, 2023, Reuters
In recent years, mass tort litigation has shown increased focus on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), and perhaps more importantly, on new products, industries, and users of these substances that previously avoided such attention. As is often the case with mass and toxic tort litigation, the filer appetite for larger and more diverse groups of defendants has caused focus to shift to second, third, and fourth “tiers” of defendants. This happens as primary defendants become insolvent and seek bankruptcy protections.

What The Consumer Protection Act Says About Liability For Damage
November 4, 2023, The Citizen
It is important for consumers to know what the Consumer Protection Act says about liability for damages because it gives them a way to get recourse. Section 61 of the Act deals with the liability of the producer, importer, distributor or retailer of hazardous, unsafe or defective goods that caused the death, injury or illness of any person or loss of or physical damage to any moveable or immovable property. These parties can also be held responsible for damage or harm caused by not giving consumers adequate instructions or warnings regarding the use of the goods. While consumers do not have to prove that the producer, importer, distributor or retailer was at fault, they can only claim for loss which results from the types of harm mentioned above.

More Than 40% Of Consumers Use Their Social Media Feeds To Find Products
November 1, 2023, PYMNTS
In today’s digital age, social media has become a powerful tool for consumers to discover and purchase products. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have transformed the way people shop. Findings captured in a joint PYMNTS-AWS study show that 43% of consumers browse social media to find goods and services. Notably, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok have the highest conversion rates, with users frequently purchasing products they discover on these platforms.

Toy Safety Awareness Month Kicks Off
November 1, 2023, The Toy Association
November is Toy Safety Awareness Month. It’s goal is to help parents, grandparents, and other caregivers keep little ones safe this holiday season. From the importance of avoiding recalled and counterfeit products, to advice for keeping kids safe when playing with Internet-connected toys, families are being advised of some simple steps they can take to ensure children’s safety. Toy Safety Awareness Month is sponsored by PlaySafe.org, The Toy Association’s trusted safety resource for parents.

CPSC Chair Hoehn-Saric Focuses On Online Marketplaces At ICPHSO International Conference
October 27, 2023, Retail & Consumer Product Law Observer
CPSC Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric gave a keynote address to the International Symposium of the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO) in Almhult, Sweden. Hoehn-Saric focused his remarks on his stated goal for the third year of his term as chairman of the agency—addressing recalled or otherwise violative products sold on or through online marketplaces. In Hoehn-Saric’s view, consumers expect to purchase safe products on online marketplaces. He believes they should not need to know or discern whether a product is purchased directly from an online retailer or from an entity that has been provided access to consumers through the online platform. He complemented collaborative improvements by Amazon, eBay and Target but issued a call to action including adoption of “safety by design “and legislative and regulatory protections.

Sen. Ossoff Demands Answers About Baby Bib And Blanket Safety Following Recalls
October 24, 2023, Sen. Jon Ossoff
Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) is demanding answers about the safety of baby bibs and blankets following a recent recall. Little Sleepies recalled their “Sleepyhead Loveys” and “Bandana Bibs” due to potential choking hazards. Sen. Ossoff launched an inquiry with Little Sleepies CEO, Maradith Frenkel, demanding answers in three areas: 1) About the safety of their products, 2) What they are doing to insure the safety of other products being sold, and 3) What will be done to prevent dangerous oversights like this happening again. 

Building Consensus Around Difficult Strategic Decisions
October 27, 2023, Harvard Business Review
Making future-focused decisions in an uncertain world presents fundamental challenges for leaders. So how can leaders get clarity on the best path forward? The authors of this article have developed a tool that they call “strategic sparring sessions.” These are immersive, interactive discussions specifically designed to help groups see through the fog that accompanies today’s predictable unpredictability. These sessions help teams align on key assumptions, build conviction on a path forward, and activate individual and collective change.

ICPHSO Conference Highlights Need For Understanding The Basics Of Product Recall
October 26, 2023, Cooley
Increasing globalization of product markets brings tremendous opportunities for product manufacturers. New technologies enable companies to reach consumers in markets all around the world, and rapid geographical expansion is increasingly the order of the day. These opportunities also bring risks that must be managed. For any consumer product manufacturer, there is an ever-present risk – despite the best planning and investment – that something could go wrong in the design, production or distribution phases that creates an unexpected safety risk to consumers. When that happens, the manufacturer may need to consider implementing an international product recall or some other form of safety action. Sometimes, that action may be required as a mandatory step by government regulators.

Apple Lines Up To Support Nationwide Right-To-Repair Legislation
October 24, 2023, CNBC
Apple said that it supports nationwide right-to-repair regulation that would make iPhone parts and tools available to customers, the latest sign of the company’s shift toward supporting independent repair. Apple is an important symbol for the right-to-repair movement. Its products are widely used, and many users have encountered a cracked iPhone screen or used-up battery that required a trip to a repair or Apple store. Apple said it sees “real value” in a national law at a recent White House event.

Best Buy Recalls Almost 1 Million Pressure Cookers After Spewed Contents Burn 17 People
October 26, 2023, CBS News
Best Buy is recalling 930,000 pressure cookers due to a defect that can cause hot food and liquid to spew from the devices, potentially burning those nearby, the retailer said in a notice posted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The retailer said it has received 31 reports of the cooker’s contents being expelled under pressure. Some 17 people suffered burn injuries, some second-degree and severe. The Insignia electric pressure cookers have incorrect volume markings on their inner pots, which can cause overfilled contents to eject when pressurized, according to the Richfield, Minnesota-based company.

New Study: Dangerous ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Your Everyday Items Are Causing Cancer
October 24, 2023, Newsweek
Several “forever chemicals” found nearly everywhere in our day-to-day lives have been linked to thyroid cancer, new research has found. Certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals” due to their resistance to breaking down in the environment, have been associated with a 56 percent increased risk of thyroid cancer diagnosis. This is according to new research published in the journal eBioMedicine.

Clothing Textile Flammability Standard Revised
October 26, 2023, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a final rule that, effective approximately April 22, 2024, will amend the standard for the flammability of clothing textiles to clarify existing provisions. The Flammable Fabrics Act prohibits the importation, manufacture for sale, or sale in commerce of any fabric or article of wearing apparel that is so highly flammable as to be dangerous when worn by individuals. The CPSC uses a test first codified as a standard in 1975 (in 16 CFR Part 1610) and since amended several times to determine if fabric meets this criterion. This standard includes test equipment, materials and procedures for testing the flammability of clothing textiles and applies to all items of clothing and fabrics intended to be used for clothing (with certain exclusions).

Editorial: Social Media Can Harm Kids. Lawsuits Could Force Meta, Others To Make Platforms Safer
October 26, 2023, Los Angeles Times
It’s a rare issue that can bring 41 states together for a bipartisan fight. This week, state attorneys general across the political spectrum joined forces in suing Facebook parent company Meta for allegedly using features on Instagram and other platforms that hook young users, while denying or downplaying the risks to their mental health. This comes two years after states began investigating Meta following revelations that the company’s internal research found Instagram was having a negative effect on some teen users’ mental health.

Woman Who Burned Herself On Dunkin’ Coffee Settles For $3 Million
October 25, 2023, CNN 
A Dunkin’ franchisee is paying a woman $3 million to settle a lawsuit involving hot coffee falling on her lap that she alleges caused severe burns and life-altering injuries, according to her lawyers. According to the woman’s attorney, the lid came off the cup after she was given the drink and the hot coffee spilled on her lap causing second- and third-degree burns to her thighs, groin and abdomen. She also required “extensive” skin grafts, a statement said. The injury resulted in her spending weeks at a burn unit in a Georgia hospital, costing her $200,000 in medical bills.