Pfizer Working To Develop New Packaging For Migraine Drug Over Child Safety, Poisoning Concerns
March 17, 2023, Reuters
Pfizer Inc said it was working on a new child-proof packaging for its migraine drug, Nurtec ODT, after safety concerns led to a recall alert from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Consumers should immediately secure the recalled product out of the sight and reach of children and contact Pfizer for a free child-resistant pouch to store it, the CPSC said. The CPSC defines recalls as any repair, replacement, refund or warning.

Children’s Product Recalls Reach Highest Level In Nearly A Decade
March 16, 2023, KRTV Great Falls
The number of children’s items recalled in 2022 in the U.S. topped 100 for the first time since 2013, according to Kids in Danger (KID).  The organization found that 34% of all Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notices involved items used by children. Of those, 19 included lead content. Also, the number of clothing recalls doubled in 2022, from 16 in 2021 to 32. The organization noted that many recall notices are not posted on the CPSC’s social media pages and that parents rarely learn about them.

Expecting A Bad Performance Review? Here’s How To Prepare
July 7, 2022, Harvard Business Review
By preemptively taking action if you expect to receive a bad performance review, you may be able to steer a different course for yourself and avoid a foregone conclusion — or at least feel better about the outcome. The author offers six steps to take before and after your review if you know your performance has been subpar. If you still receive a negative review despite your best efforts to be proactive, it may help you realize that your skills, strengths, and interests don’t align with the needs of your current role.

Children’s Slime Toys Under Scrutiny Over Toxic Chemical
March 17, 2023, Sixth Tone
Popular slime toys for children in China were found to contain excessive amounts of a toxic chemical, drawing renewed public attention to the safety of children’s products in the country. Only 10 out of 30 crystal mud slime bestsellers sold on major Chinese e-commerce platforms met the European Union’s standards for borax contained in toys, according to a new report. The level of borax, a crystalline substance commonly used in detergents, cosmetics, and ceramic products, was seven times higher than EU standards. The report was released by Toxics-Free Corps, a Shenzhen-based nonprofit that focuses on chemical safety and public health issues.

Join CPSC’s Pool Safely Grants Webinar On Wednesday, March 22
March 13, 2023, EIN PressWire
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced a 90-day solicitation for grant applications for its Pool Safely Grant Program for state, local and tribal governments. CPSC expects to award $3.5 million in 2-year grants in Fiscal Year 2023 to reduce deaths and injuries from drowning and drain entrapments in pools and spas. To assist applicants, CPSC is hosting an informational webinar [password: Guest (48378 from phones)] on March 22, 2023, at 2PM ET. During the webinar CPSC staff will provide an overview of the grant program and address eligibility and components of the application.

Planning For Extreme Stress: How Will Your Team Respond During A Crisis?
March 17, 2023, Forbes
In crisis strategy, planning for the event isn’t enough. You should also plan to address the wave of emotion that will sweep your organization when stress hits. To be blunt, you’ll see sides of yourself and your team you didn’t know existed—and much of it will be negative. Stress management is complicated, since people are not only triggered by different stressors but also display different signs of stress. You might miss cues that your colleague is under extreme stress because their outward indicators differ from yours.

New Product Liability Laws Coming To EU – Update For Life Sciences Companies
March 15, 2023, JD Supra
The EU is currently overhauling its product liability laws. Prompted by the perceived risks of new technologies and a desire to make it easier for claimants to bring claims, the changes represent a major shift in the litigation landscape in the EU. As a result, businesses need to prepare for an increase in the already growing trend of EU consumer claims against life sciences manufacturers and suppliers.

CPSC Warns: Stop Using GLBSUNION And CUZMAK Digital Display Carbon Monoxide Detectors Due To Failure To Alert To Carbon Monoxide; Sold On Amazon.Com
March 16, 2023, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers about the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning associated with the use of GLBSUNION and CUZMAK digital display carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Carbon monoxide sensitivity tests performed by CPSC found that they failed to alert when exposed to pre-determined concentrations of carbon monoxide (400 ppm), in violation of UL 2034, a voluntary safety standard.  

Shop Recalls Children’s Toy Sold To 30,000 Irish Parents Due To Risk Presented By Chemical
March 15, 2023, Kildare Live
Almost thirty thousand parents in Ireland are being asked to return a popular children’s toy due to a safety concern. According to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), Flying Tiger Copenhagen is recalling all batches of their Skumvoks light clay mix due to a risk presented by a chemical in the product. The clays contain increased levels of boron and exposure may result in skin irritation, diarrhea or vomiting. There can also be long-term impacts on children’s health. 

The Five Pillars Of New Product Development: How To Avoid Common Pitfalls
March 2017, Global Finance
To stay relevant in the competitive financial services industry, organizations need to continually innovate, or they risk dropping out of favor in the marketplace. Thanks to the continuously increasing flow of data, teams are able to focus new product development (NPD) around the personalized desires of the consumer at entirely new levels. In today’s era of digital transformation, successful NPD requires attention to five pillars. They include strategy, product, engineering, experience, and data. While slight variations are permissible and necessary across different branches of fintech, leaders can use these pillars to operate efficiently and rapidly bring products to market on schedule and on budget.

New ASTM Standard Created To Improve Protective Clothing For Healthcare Professionals
March 15, 2023, Safety & Health Practitioner
ASTM International’s personal protective clothing and equipment committee recently approved a new standard. It aims to improve the safety of protective clothing for those who come into contact with liquid drugs through new design, increased performance, improved documentation and labeling requirements. It also provides test methods for protective clothing used in preventing exposure to liquid chemotherapy and other liquid hazardous drugs.

You Can Soon Tell The Government What You Think About Gas Stoves As It Weighs Whether To Regulate Them
March 1, 2023, Fortune
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has voted to seek public input on gas stoves, a potential first step in regulating the appliances. The agency voted 3—1 to approve a request for information on the health hazards of gas stove emissions and the potential solutions to those hazards, spokeswoman Meghan Sebold said. While the call for comments doesn’t necessarily trigger a regulation, it could form the basis for future rules regulating the household appliances.

 CPSC Statement on Request for Information (RFI) on Gas Stoves

CPSC Says The Industry’s 3-Class E-Bike Framework Is Not Part Of Our Statutes
March 1, 2023, Bicycle Retailer
Consumer Product Safety Commission Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric told Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (BRAIN) that the agency doesn’t recognize the industry’s three e-bike classes but instead treats the regulation of e-bikes on a case-by-case basis. When asked about regulating Class 3 e-bikes and e-MTBs, and “out-of-category” e-bikes, Hoehn-Saric said, “I know there have been questions and confusion around jurisdiction of these products, so I want to take this opportunity to provide some clarity about where CPSC stands.

CPSC Releases Artwork For Clothing Storage Unit Labels Required By New Safety Standard
March 2, 2023, Furniture World
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has released the artwork necessary for product labeling required under the new Safety Standard for Clothing Storage Units, which goes into effect May 25, 2023. All units meeting the functional definition of a clothing storage unit under the new rule and having a manufacture date of May 25, 2023, or later must carry a new tip-over warning label item must also have a hang tag that displays the unit’s “stability rating” as calculated by the rule’s performance testing.

How To Become More Adaptable In Challenging Situations
March 3, 2023, Harvard Business Review
In unfamiliar, high-stakes situations, we’re hard-wired to default to the mechanisms that we’ve relied on the past. However, new situations often can’t be met with old solutions. When we most need to learn, change, and adapt, we are most likely to react with old approaches that aren’t suited to our new situation, leading to poorer decisions and ineffective solutions. To better overcome the obstacles posed by our old habits, the authors propose the strategy of Deliberate Calm to help leaders take stock of their situation and encourage them to discover new solutions with intention, creativity, and objectivity.

Army Reg Says Helmets Must Be Worn When Riding Bikes On Installations
March 1, 2023, U.S. Army
Army Regulation 385-10, 11-11, states bicycle helmets approved by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) will be worn by all personnel, including family members riding bicycles on Army installations. In fact, they must be worn when riding bicycles, skateboards, scooters, hover boards, segways, and roller or in-line skates. When purchasing a new helmet, riders should look for headgear that meets or exceeds CPSC standards.

New European Report Sets Out Safety Recommendations For E-Scooters
February 28, 2023, TTI
A new report, published by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) and the UK Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), has set out recommended safer technical standards for e-scooters and their usage in Europe. The recommendations include a 20 km/h factory-set speed limit, larger wheels, a ban on passengers and pavement riding, among others. The report is in response to the rapid growth of e-scooter usage over the last five years, and an associated increase in deaths and serious injuries. 

New Report: 2022 Was Record-Breaking Year For U.S. Product Recalls
March 2, 2023, Benzinga 
For the second consecutive year, more than 1 billion units of food, drugs, medical devices, automobiles, and consumer products were recalled in the U.S. According to Sedgwick’s latest state of the nation recall index report, 2022 was a record-breaking year for the number of units recalled, reaching nearly 1.5 billion. With regulatory scrutiny continuing to increase, 2023 may shape up to be another 1-billion-unit year, requiring businesses across industries to remain vigilant on matters of product safety and recall preparedness.

Consumer Reports: How To Prevent An Electric-Bike Fire
February 27, 2023, NewsChannel5Nashville
If you’ve got an e-bike, which actually runs on batteries, you should know that there have been a growing number of fires — some of them fatal — caused by these batteries. “When the lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes are poorly made, overused, overcharged or used with the wrong charger, they can cause fires — and those fires can be very violent and difficult to put out,” said Ben Preston with Consumer Reports. “Thanks to a trade law unofficially known as the ‘Amazon loophole,’ which allows items under $800 to sort of dodge taxes and regulations that other products might have to go through,” says Preston.

Trying To Replace China’s Supply Chains? Don’t Bother
March 1, 2023, The Washington Post
The reality is industrial companies will manage to source the parts and components they need — some from China, others from Japan and Southeast Asia, and yet more from Mexico. Commercial ties will prevail and labor problems will abound as skilled manufacturing workers run short. Businesses will be forced to selectively decouple and certain sectors will struggle more than others. The higher the economic value of technology, the harder it’ll be to rely on others for it. There won’t be one new factory floor of the world to replace China. Just a new model of globalization to get used to.

A New Era Of Consumer Product Safety Regulation In Europe
March 1, 2023, Law360/Cooley
The final text of the new European General Product Safety Regulation is now available. This is the text of the provisional agreement reached between the European Commission, Parliament and European Council during the last round of trialogue discussions. While there are still a few hurdles to clear before this becomes law, and it is possible there could still be some changes to the text, this is largely expected to represent what the final legislation should look like.

In the News: February 20, 2023

United In Resistance: Furniture Industry Execs React To CPSC Tip-Over Rule
February 14, 2023, Furniture Today
Last October, the Consumer Product Safety Commission voted to approve a new furniture stability standard that has since created a firestorm in the furniture industry. The majority of the industry is united in its resistance to the CPSC rule, which most see as confusing, unenforceable and likely to create more problems than it solves. Furniture manufacturers are concerned that as much as 100 pounds will have to be added dressers and other units, considerably ramping up prices and creating safety concerns for employees and delivery teams. Further, they say, the testing method described by the CPSC is ambiguous and may end up producing varying results.

$3.5 Million Available In Pool Safely Grants To Help State, Local And Tribal Governments Prevent Drownings And Drain Entrapments
February 16, 2023, Yahoo
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is seeking applications for its Pool Safely Grant Program (PSGP or grant program) to assist state and local governments in reducing deaths and injuries from drowning and drain entrapment incidents in pools and spas. CPSC will award up to a total of $3.5 million in two-year grants to qualifying jurisdictions. The PSGP is an essential part of CPSC’s national campaign to prevent drowning and drain entrapment. Drowning is one of the leading cause of deaths among young children.

The Hidden Toll Of Microstress
February 7, 2023, Harvard Business Review
Microstresses are small moments of stress that seem manageable on their own — think a vague, worrying text from your teen flashing on your phone while you’re in a meeting, the appearance of a colleague who always wants to vent to you or having to tell your team that the project you’ve all been grinding out extra hours on is no longer a priority. Microstresses aren’t as harmless as they seem. Once you understand the science behind microstress and where it comes from, you can fight back. Fresh research will teach you how to recognize and manage microstress’s most common forms.

CPSC Commissioner Mary T. Boyle To Address Consumer Product Safety Group At Virginia Tech
February 15, 2023, APNews.com
Mary T. Boyle, a Commissioner of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), will open the 6th annual Consumer Product Safety Professional Certification program which will take place at the Virginia Tech Research Center in Arlington, VA. Commissioner Boyle explains her interest in sharing information with the participants in the 2023 safety laws. “As a CPSC Commissioner with more than a decade of experience at the agency, I am committed to robust enforcement of consumer product safety laws. Industry stakeholders should see safe products as good business. I look forward to sharing important information firms need to meet their safety obligations.”

Gas Stove Battles Heat Up With New Laws Across The Country
February 9, 2023, Yahoo News
While chefs and politicians are taking sides on gas stoves, there is no data yet to suggest any shift in consumer choices. Yahoo News called several Home Depots in Chicago — Illinois has one of the highest shares of gas stoves in the country — and the employees who responded said they had seen no recent change in the split of stove sales between electric and gas.

New York Department Calls For Crackdown On Lithium Batteries In E-Bikes, Ban For Universal Batteries
February 14, 2023, News 12 Bronx
The FDNY is asking the Consumer Product Safety Commission to crack down on e-bikes that use lithium batteries in New York City. FDNY Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said in a letter that there have been 22 lithium battery-related fires in 2023. The letter calls to punish manufacturers who do not warn consumers of the hazards. It also calls for a ban on universal batteries, which are used to be interchangeable batteries for different products and e-bikes. The FDNY says universal batteries need to be made for specific products so that they cannot be remade or refurbished by illegal sellers.

E-Bike Safety Drives New Push For De Minimis Reform
February 15, 2023, Bicycle Retailer
Lithium-ion battery fires and e-bike standards generated plenty of debate within the industry in 2022, but little argument exists within the industry over how some unregulated packs and bikes enter the U.S. and become potentially hazardous products. Manufacturers are supposed to provide a certificate of conformity, as outlined by the CPSC. Many in the U.S. industry said the off-shore direct-to-consumer brands offered on sites like Amazon and eBay perform minimal testing to standards such as the UL 2849 for e-bikes. The high $800 threshold also has led to counterfeit products making their way to the U.S.

Analysis: CPSC Initiates Proposed Rulemaking On Information Disclosure Procedures
February 15, 2023, National Law Review
On February 8, 2023, a majority of commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission voted to issue a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPR) on the CPSC’s procedures for disclosing information to the public under Section 6(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA). The notice follows the publication of a briefing package on January 11, 2023, that indicated the Commission was preparing to vote on a proposed rulemaking in regard to Section 6(b). This is the second time the Commission has sought to revise 16 CFR § 1110, the rule interpreting Section 6(b) (6(b) Rule), since the rule’s promulgation in 1983. 

UK Charity Warns Online Sellers Exploiting Energy Crisis With Dangerous Heaters
February 14, 2023, Yahoo Finance UK
Online sellers are exploiting the cost-of-living crisis to push dangerous heaters to UK consumers, a safety charity has warned. Electrical Safety First found all three heaters it bought via online ads – branded Keilini, HeatPal and InstaHeat – posed a serious risk of electric shock, with main plugs not meeting UK safety standards. The charity tested the heaters after seeing ads which claimed they would help households save on their energy bills. Two of the heaters had such poorly-made plugs there was a risk of the pins breaking off when plugged into a socket, putting the user at risk of an electric shock.

How Companies Can Interpret Consumer Behavior In The Aftermath Of A Crisis
February 15, 2023, Forbes
When a global crisis unfolds, the key question on executives’ minds is, “What does this mean for our business, and how do we respond?” For a B2C business, the ideal place to start answering that question is with the impact of the crisis on consumers’ needs and how they will respond to it. This drives a company’s own response across all functions, including marketing, distribution, manufacturing, product development, etc. For example, when consumers were forced to stay home during the beginning of the pandemic, shopping online was an obvious consumer response. I observed many companies, in turn, responded by creating their own online stores, listing their products on e-commerce platforms and/or going omnichannel.

Why Are Our Cleaning Products Failing Us? Experts Explain The Recent Recalls.
February 15, 2023, Yahoo Life
It’s a fair assumption that cleaning products you use will help protect you against bacteria and viruses that can make you sick. But a recent series of recalls around cleaning agents has made plenty of people question that basic concept. It seems strange that pseudomonas can thrive in products designed to kill bacteria and viruses, but it’s not shocking to experts. “These bacteria grow in the soil, so they are pretty good at living in some strange conditions,” Jamie Alan, associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, tells Yahoo Life.

High-Profile Chemical Spills On Rails, Roads Prompt Transport Concerns
February 15, 2023, The Washington Post
Transportation officials and experts say the recent incidents are a reminder of the risks, but they point to regulations and technological improvements that have enhanced safety — particularly on the nation’s rails. Those enhancements include the use of devices on tracks that identify derailment risks and upgraded rail cars that can better withstand crashes.

In the News: February 13, 2023

CPSC Says Baby Killed, Another Injured In Strollers Sold By Major Retailers
February 9, 2023, CNBC
A baby was killed and another was injured after they became entrapped in a popular Baby Trend stroller that’s sold at retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Buybuy Baby, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced. The safety agency and the company issued a warning saying children could be at risk of head or neck entrapment in Baby Trend’s Sit N’ Stand Double and Ultra Strollers if they aren’t properly strapped in or, a child climbs on the exterior of the stroller.  A 14-month-old child who wasn’t sitting in the stroller was fatally asphyxiated after its neck became entrapped in the space between the front of the canopy tube and armrest of a Baby Trend Sit N’ Stand double stroller, the CPSC said. 

ASTM Releases Revised Testing Standard To Combat Furniture Tip-Overs
February 10, 2023, Furniture Today
Continuing the steps toward an agreed-upon stability standard, ASTM International, has published an update of F2057, the voluntary stability standard for clothing storage furniture. As required by the STURDY Act, the revised ASTM voluntary standard has been published within 60 days of STURDY’s enactment. A joint letter from Parents Against Tip-overs and American Home Furnishings Alliance to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric reminds the commission that the new F2057-23 — along with the amended STURDY Act that endorses it — is the result of parents, industry, consumer advocates and child safety experts all united in the goal to advance child safety.

When You’re Stuck In A Job You Can’t Quit
January 31, 2023, Harvard Business Review
What should you do when you’re stuck in the wrong job but can’t quit? Even if you can’t immediately escape your situation, there are simple ways to improve it. Here are four ways — through both thought and action — that you can alter how you feel about your job and make an imperfect situation work: Reframe, Reexamine, Redesign and Retrain.

Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings For Cyclists: Everything You Need To Know
February 8, 2023, Gear Junkie
There are regulatory bodies around the world that have developed standards by which helmet manufacturers must abide in order to include a stamp of approval that lets buyers know they are up to snuff. The Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings system adds to the standards with a broad regimen of sport-specific impact testing. This better informs people of how their helmet will fair in a fall, crash, or impact they could expect to experience in their sport even if it doesn’t reach the “catastrophic” threshold of most certifications.

Product Safety In Review 2022: Australian Competition & Consumer Commission
February 9, 2023, Maddocks
In 2022, the ACCC continued to focus on several key areas, including button battery safety, quad bikes, toppling furniture and product safety for babies and young children. In particular, the ACCC was heavily focused on issues concerning young children – naming button battery safety as a key enforcement priority throughout 2022 and 2023. In keeping with this statement, mid-last year, the ACCC introduced a world-first mandatory safety and information standards for button and coin batteries.

Potential buyers warned about risk of e-scooter and e-bike fires
February 9, 2023, Move Electric
Consumers and businesses have been warned about the fire risks posed by electric bikes and scooters that do not meet safety standards. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has issued the warning due to the “alarming” number of fires caused by faulty lithium-ion batteries in non-complaint machines. The CTSI says that the number of such fires has risen by 150 per cent over the last year.  It has urged businesses that import and sell e-scooters, e-bikes and conversion kits to ensure that any product complies with product safety laws and says that customers should only purchase machines that display a valid UKCA or CE mark from reputable retailers.

Consumer Product Recalls On The Rise: Important Compliance Reminders For Consumer Products Manufacturers And Sellers
January 9, 2023, JD Supra
There is an uptick in product recalls announced by the CPSC. Some of these recalls are mandatorily enforced by the CPSC, and some are initiated with the cooperation of product manufacturers and sellers. Manufacturers and sellers of consumer products in the U.S. need to be diligent in their analysis of whether any of their products on the market may pose an unreasonable risk of harm to consumers. If they have reason to believe that any of their products fails to comply with an applicable consumer product safety rule or standard; contains a defect which could create a substantial product hazard; or creates and unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, then they should report the issue to the CPSC under Section 15 of the CPSA.

Legislative Update: China, Nearshoring, CBP. Supply Chain, Labeling, Imports And Exports
February 7, 2023, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg

Parents Urged To Cut Toy Due To Choking Hazard
February 9, 2023, Fox 59
Parents are being urged to cut off part of a toy to protect their children from choking on it. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said the recall involves the raindrops of the cloud toy sold with the Skip Hop Silver Lining Cloud Activity Gym. The recall was announced because the raindrops on the cloud toy included with the activity gym can detach from the ribbon, posing a choking hazard if a child places it in their mouth. So far, Skip Hop received 12 reports of children putting raindrops in their mouths. So far, no injuries have been reported.

Consumer Reports: How To Safely Use E-Bike Batteries
February 10, 2023, WSLS-Consumer Reports
 Electric bikes have grown in popularity, and with it, growing numbers of battery fires – some of them fatal. Here’s a look at the very real dangers of e-bikes and how you can prevent a fire if you own one.

In the News: February 6, 2023

Heating Up: Bipartisan Duo Manchin And Cruz Pitch Bill To Defend Gas Stoves
January 2, 2023, NBC News
A new bipartisan duo is diving in to defend gas stoves. Senate Energy Committee Chairman Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, the new ranking member of the Commerce Committee, are teaming up on legislation that would bar the Consumer Product Safety Commission from using federal funding to ban new or existing gas stoves. Specifically, the two-page Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act would prevent the commission from using federal funds to regulate an existing gas stove as a “banned hazardous product” or to impose or enforce any consumer product safety standard or rule that would result in prohibiting the use or sale of gas stoves or hiking their average price in the U.S.

Gas Stoves Back Under Scrutiny With New US Limits Proposed
February 2, 2023, Bloomberg Law News
Gas stoves are coming under fresh scrutiny as a second federal agency has now stepped into the political firestorm with a proposal for new regulations for the appliances. The Energy Department proposal sets first-of-their-kind limits on energy consumption for the stoves, drawing fear from the industry that the regulation could effectively end the use of some products from the market. The proposal also sets energy usage standards for electric cook tops and new standards for both gas and electric ovens. The move comes just weeks after an official with the Consumer Product Safety Commission floated the idea of a ban, igniting criticism from the gas industry and from lawmakers.

When You’re Doubting Your Leadership — And Others Are, Too
February 2, 2023, Harvard Business Review
When you believe you aren’t doing well as a leader and others are sharing feedback in line with this view, it can be overwhelming. In this piece, the author offers practical steps you can take if you’re in need of a comeback. By focusing on self-reflection, enlisting support, and thoughtfully examining your role within the company, you’ll be able to determine your next steps and how you need to grow as a leader.

CPSC Urges Vigilance During Winter Storms
February 1, 2023, Yahoo
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers in the path of severe winter storms to take steps to protect themselves from carbon monoxide poisoning and fires. The storms are bringing below-freezing temperatures, dangerous wind chills, snow and ice that could lead to power outages and use of portable generators. Portable generators create a risk of CO poisoning that can kill in minutes. An average of 85 consumers die in the U.S. each year from CO poisoning from portable generators.

Cooley Partner Recognized For Leadership In Consumer Product Health And Safety
February 1, 2023, Cooley.com
The International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO) has recognized Cooley partner Rod Freeman as its 2023 Ross Koeser Achievement Award recipient. As a London-based ICPHSO volunteer and board member, Freeman has provided the organization with opportunities to move beyond North America and into other global locations. Freeman is the first Ross Koeser Achievement Award recipient outside North America.

EU: Product Piracy Threatening Small, Medium Sized Companies
January 31, 2023, Real News Magazine
Trade in counterfeit goods and pirated copies is increasingly causing problems for small and medium-sized businesses, with some unable to survive, according to a European Union watchdog. Intellectual property rights violations reduce the survival chances of smaller and mid-sized businesses by 34 per cent. This is according to a study published by the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

These Everyday Items Endanger The Environment. Here’s How To Handle Them.
January 31, 2023, Washington Post
They light our rooms, color our walls, clean our surfaces and power our electronics. Products that can be potentially hazardous to humans and animals are lurking in basements, stored under sinks and cloistered in closets — often because people simply don’t know how to get rid of them. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it’s imperative to keep products that contain harmful chemicals or unsafe metals out of the municipal waste stream where they can be a danger to the community and the environment. 

Dozens Of Types Of Mugs, Houseware Items Listed In Health Canada Recall
February 1, 2023, CTV
Health Canada is encouraging Canadians to check their cupboards and kitchen tables as the agency has recalled more than 30 types of Indigo-branded items including ceramic mugs, mug ornaments and houseware products due to potential mold contamination. In a recall alert posted to its website Tuesday, the agency states that the selected Indigo products may have been subject to “humid conditions” that could have caused mold to be present under the glazed surfaces of the products.

New York Lawmakers Consider Infant Product Safety Bans
February 3, 2023, Spectrum 1
New York lawmakers are weighing a state ban on the sale of several infant products, pointing to studies that have linked them to serious injuries and deaths. Lawmakers on the Assembly Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee announced a legislative package that includes a ban on the sale of infant walkers in the state. A similar measure would ban the sale of infant loungers in New York. Lawmakers cited a study by the American Council of Pediatrics that found a risk of serious injury or death from the use of infant walkers. A Consumer Product Safety Commission report found at least eight deaths that have been linked to the use of infant loungers. 

Minnesota House Panel Considers 3 Bills That Would Strictly Regulate ‘Forever Chemicals
January 31, 2023, Minnesota Reformer
A Minnesota House panel took up three bills that would more strictly regulate a group of chemicals that have been made by Maplewood-based 3M since the 1950s. In late December, 3M announced plans to stop making per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and stop using the chemicals in its products by the end of 2025. Other companies still make the chemicals. One bill would ban the chemicals in firefighting foam. Another would require manufacturers that sell products with PFAS in Minnesota to disclose that to the state. A third would ban the chemicals in children’s products. 

In the News; January 30, 2023

Meet The Man Who Unwittingly Triggered The War Over Gas Stoves
January 26, 2023, The Washington Post
Until he became an unwitting flash point in the nation’s culture wars, Richard Trumka Jr. was little known to most Americans, despite being the son of a famous labor leader. But less than three weeks ago, this member of the Consumer Product Safety Commission was thrust into the public limelight. In an interview with Bloomberg News, Trumka said his commission was considering regulations – or even a ban – on new gas stoves because of concerns about their harmful indoor air pollution.

PFAS In Consumer Products: Developing A Proactive And Strategic Game Plan
January 25, 2023, JD Supra
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products continue to be in the regulatory and litigation spotlight in 2023. Manufacturers and downstream businesses should be actively preparing to comply with the continually evolving patchwork of federal and state PFAS laws. This, as well as taking steps to minimize litigation risks. Here is strategic advice for manufacturers and downstream businesses on how regulatory and litigation PFAS developments may apply to them and best practices for minimizing regulatory and litigation risk.

Expecting A Bad Performance Review?  Here’s How To Prepare
July 7, 2022, Harvard Business Review
By preemptively taking action if you expect to receive a bad performance review, you may be able to steer a different course for yourself and avoid a foregone conclusion — or at least feel better about the outcome. The author offers six steps to take before and after your review if you know your performance has been subpar. If you still receive a negative review despite your best efforts to be proactive, it may help you realize that your skills, strengths, and interests don’t align with the needs of your current role.

ZLINE Expands Recall Of Gas Ranges
January 27, 2023, RTT News
Reno, Nevada-based ZLINE Kitchen and Bath has expanded its recall of gas ranges citing serious risk of injury or death from carbon monoxide poisoning, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced. The recall now includes about 30,000 units of ZLINE gas ranges, including about 28,000 units of ZLINE gas ranges, which the company called back in late December for the same concerns.

New Law: EU Product Sales May Be Subject To Upcoming Product Safety Laws
February 2023, ICAEW
UK manufacturers whose products are sold in the European Union will welcome publication of a first draft of the proposed new European General Product Safety Regulation. The regulation will enable them to start to plan for potential new legal obligations on sales of their products in the EU.

U. S. Making Another Change In Gas Can Requirements
January 24, 2023, Magnolia State Live
Thanks to a Congressional mandate from 2020, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is making gas cans and other fuel containers safer by requiring flame mitigation devices. The new mandatory safety standard will go into effect in July 2023.  Flame mitigation devices, such as flame arrestors, protect against flame jetting and container rupturing.

Statement Of Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric On Approval Of A Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking Implementing Reese’s Law
January 26, 2023, cpsc.gov

Study: Most US Children Using Potentially Toxic Makeup, Face Paints
January 25, 2023, yourerie.com
Most U.S. children are using cosmetics and body care products that could contain carcinogens and other toxic chemicals, a new study has found. About 70 percent of parents surveyed said that their children use items such as glitter, face paint, nail polish, lip gloss and perfumes that are marketed for kids, according to the research, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Such products often feature bright colors, animals and cartoon characters that serve “to attract the attention of children,” the authors noted.

The Importance Of Wearing A Bicycle Helmet
January 24, 2024, Cleveland Clinic
Bicycle helmets save lives and prevent injuries. Using the safety gear is considered the single most effective way to prevent head and brain injuries if you should somehow tumble off your two-wheeler. More than 130,000 bicycle riders are injured every year in the United States following crashes, reports the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even more alarming? Nearly 1,000 cyclists die annually. But don’t think these injuries come only from high-speed collisions. Just falling off of a bike on a slow ride — such as circling a cul-de-sac — can leave you pretty banged up.

The Pros And Cons Of Induction Cooktops, According To Consumer Reports
January 23, 2023, Fox9
For consumers looking for a health alternative to gas, an induction cooktop may be a viable option for you.  Roughly 35% of homes in the U.S. have gas stoves that, according to reports, release carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and other matter that the World Health Organization and EPA deemed unsafe because they can potentially cause cardiovascular problems, cancer and other health conditions. Some experts say induction cooktops and rangers are safer and more energy-efficient, according to Consumer Reports. Despite numerous studies pointing to induction cooking being safer and healthier than gas, the tech doesn’t come without its limitations or concerns. Here’s everything you need to know about induction cooktops to help inform you on your next purchase. 

Media Claim: Defective – Federal Database Of Consumer Product Complaints Leaves Out Deaths, Injuries The Government And Manufacturers Know About
January 23, 2023, NBC Investigate TV
No one can say how many lives Danny Keysar has saved. His death in 1998 fundamentally changed operations at the Consumer Product Safety Commission, or the CPSC, and the way baby products are made. When the CPSC launched the website SaferProducts.gov because of Danny’s Law, it was a giant step towards sunshine. For the first time, consumers could search on their own for recalls and dangerous products. hey also could report their own experiences with a potential defect. But the website only offers a glimpse of the true dangers, because it doesn’t include any reports made only to the manufacturers.

In the News; January 23, 2023

The Battle Continues: CPSC And Furniture Industry At Odds Over Stability Standard
January 19, 2023, Furniture Today
In a filing Jan. 17 with the U.S. Court of Appeals 5th the CPSC responded to petitioners who have voiced concern over the current stability standard. “The Commission is evaluating the additional rulemaking steps required by STURDY,” wrote the CPSC. “Because that legislation was passed only weeks ago, it is currently unclear to what extent the Commission’s current standard might need to be changed in light of STURDY’s requirements. The Commission intends to perform the rulemaking steps required by Congress within the time limits specified and, as the Commission undertakes that process, will determine what steps are appropriate with respect to its current rule.”

Analysis: Two Shocking Studies That Likely Sparked A Gas Stove Ban Debate
January 15, 2023, CNET
While it’s unclear exactly what prompted a high-ranking member of Consumer Product Safety Commission to suggest natural gas stoves may be regulated, or even banned, two worrying studies on the common kitchen fuel may be at the root of it all. A Harvard study from 2022 found natural gas to be more toxic than previously thought and also a propensity for stoves to leak harmful pollutants. Another scientific work published just this January linked natural gas stove use to childhood asthma at an alarming rate.

Research: The Unintended Consequences Of Right-To-Repair Laws
January 19, 2023, Harvard Business Review
Right-to-repair legislation is designed to break manufacturers’ monopoly on the repair market, thereby allowing consumers to hold on to their old products longer. New research, forthcoming in the journal Management Science, challenges this conventional wisdom. The research says that right-to-repair legislation may in some instances lead manufacturers to flood the market with cheap goods or dramatically raise the price of goods, thereby hurting consumers.

Many Career Paths Lead To The Product Safety Profession
January 16, 2023, Education News Today
Product safety professionals work in a wide range of careers and professions. Just some of these are consumer product manufacturers, retailers, sellers, importers, supply chain companies test lab technical professionals and specialists, engineers with a product safety focus, attorneys practicing product liability or regulatory law, professional association executives and members of Non-Governmental Organizations, including educators. For all of these professions, the Consumer Product Safety Professional Certification Program offers another rung of the ladder of product safety career success and growth.

Apple’s Reliance On China Poses A Problem For The Company
January 19, 2023, Forbes
By far the biggest impediment to smooth running supply chains is how difficult it will be for many companies to disengage their supply chains from China. Apple provides a prime example.

Brexit: Clash Looms Over Plan To Scrap EU-Derived Laws
January 18, 2023, BBC News
Under government proposals, thousands of laws are due to expire automatically after December unless specifically kept or replaced. It has prompted concerns that important legislation could lapse by accident. So far, the government has identified more than 2,400 EU laws that were copied over to UK law to minimize disruption to businesses when the UK officially left the EU in 2020.

China Tariffs Trade Enforcement Could See Congressional Scrutiny
January 18, 2023, ST&R
Existing Section 301 tariffs and potential other trade enforcement actions could be among the U.S.-China trade policy issues considered by Congress this year. Lawmakers are expected to intensify their scrutiny of both China’s actions and the Biden administration’s responses with Republicans now in control of the House of Representatives and a known China hawk (Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo.) taking the reins of the chamber’s Ways and Means Committee.

Scientists Propose A Major Shift In Chemicals Management In The US And Canada
January 19, 2023, Phys.org
A new approach can help governments and businesses eliminate harmful chemicals from daily use and exposure, according to a paper published in Environmental Science & Technology. It’s a simple concept, but a drastic departure from the status quo of chemicals management in the U.S. and Canada. The authors lay out recommendations for implementing this approach to benefit public health, the environment, and the economy. They advocate for using an “essential use approach” to speed up and more efficiently take harmful chemicals out of the marketplace.

Risk Factors And Injury Patterns Of E-Scooter Associated Injuries In Germany
January 13, 2023, Scientific Reports
Since the introduction of widely available e-scooter rentals in Hamburg, Germany in June of 2019, our emergency department has seen a sharp increase in the amount of e-scooter related injuries. This study examines the various aspects of e-scooter associated injuries with one of the largest cohorts to date. Electronic patient records of emergency department admissions were screened for e-scooter associated injuries between June 2019 and December 2021. Patient demographic data, mechanism of injury, alcohol consumption, helmet usage, sustained injuries and utilized medical resources were recorded. Overall, 268 patients (57% male) with a median age of 30.3 years (IQR 23.3; 40.0) were included.

Tech Executives Could Be Jailed For Deliberately Failing To Protect Kids Under UK Proposal
January 17, 2023, CNBC
Tech executives could face the possibility of jail time for breaching online safety standards under a proposal in the U.K. after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government reached an agreement with Conservative lawmakers who sought to amend the Online Safety Bill. The legislation is a highly anticipated bill that aims to make the internet safer for kids by enforcing age verification requirements and putting more responsibility on tech platforms to shield minors from harmful content.

Vermont Lawmakers Seek Ban On Compostable Products With PFAS
January 17, 2023, WCAX 3
A bill introduced at the Vermont Statehouse seeks to ban the sale and distribution of compostable products that contain PFAS, the forever chemicals that are ubiquitous in many household consumer products. Karl Hammer with Vermont Compost in Montpelier says they aspire to a zero tolerance for contaminants because they sell to many organic-certified farms.

Paris To Decide Whether To Ban E-Scooters With Referendum
January 18, 2023, themayor.eu
Could this be the first major city to turn its back on the soft mobility option that has taken the urban landscapes by storm? More than four years after first introducing them, Paris might have had enough of scooter-sharing services and the resultant issues that come in their wake. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced that she will let citizens decide on whether to continue having the two-wheelers on the city’s streets or whether to ban them through a special voting session to be held on April 2.

In the News: January 16, 2023

There’s A Secret Pollution Source In 40 Million Homes. The U.S. May Try To Ban It.
January 10, 2023, Washington Post
For years, scientists and health advocates have tried to bring attention to a secret source of air pollution sitting in 40 million homes around the United States. They say it jump-starts childhood asthma, increases the risk of respiratory problems, and emits planet-warming gasses. It’s the gas stove. And now, those efforts seem to be gaining traction. Recently, Richard Trumka Jr., one of the four commissioners of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, said in an interview that the agency was considering a ban on gas stoves — or, at least, standards around the amount of toxic fumes such stoves can spew into Americans’ kitchens.

We’re Not Taking Away Your Gas Stove, Regulator Tells CNN
January 12, 2022, CNN
The federal government isn’t going to take away your gas stove, a top consumer regulator told CNN. Richard Trumka Jr, a Consumer Product Safety commissioner, set off a firestorm this week by suggesting the agency could ban gas stoves because they have been linked to childhood asthma. Trumka confirmed to CNN that “everything’s on the table” when it comes to gas stoves but stressed that any ban would apply only to new gas stoves, not existing ones. “We are not looking to go into anyone’s homes and take away items that are already there. We don’t do that,” Trumka said. “If and when we get to regulation on the topic, it’s always forward looking.”

Statement of Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric regarding gas stoves

Managers, Stop Distracting Your Employees
January 13, 2023, Harvard Business Review
The rise of remote work has made corporate leaders paranoid, thinking they must monitor their employees’ every digital move to maintain productivity. The author offers four strategies to help managers get to the root causes of what’s distracting their employees: 1) Open a dialogue about distractions; 2) Schedule-sync with your employees; 3) Don’t hold meetings without an agenda; and 4) Set an example.

Appeals Court Grants Window Association Motion To Stay CPSC Rule On Custom Window Coverings
January 11, 2023, Business Wire
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit granted a motion by the Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) to stay the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s rule, A Safety Standard for Operating Cords on Custom Windows, pending judicial review. The CPSC’s rule therefore will not take effect while the case is pending in the D.C. Circuit. The Court’s order stated that WCMA “satisfied the stringent requirements for a stay pending court review.” One of those requirements is that WCMA demonstrated that it is likely to ultimately succeed in the case.

New York Prohibits PFAS In Apparel
January 10, 2023, JD Supra
New York governor Kathy Hochul recently signed a bill which prohibits the sale of apparel that contains “intentionally added” perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (“PFAS”) starting on December 31, 2023.  New York joins California in banning the sale of apparel containing intentionally added PFAS substances. There has been an ongoing debate about the potential need for certain industries to reformulate to remove PFAS from their products and manufacturing process.  For distributors of apparel in the New York market, this bill resolves that debate and mandates reformulation.

Analysis: Micromobility Alliance’s Incident Data Shows Improving E-Scooter Safety
January 11, 2023, TTI
Micro-Mobility for Europe (MMfE), the EU association of shared micro-mobility providers, has published a first-of-its-kind factsheet on incident data involving shared e-scooters in Europe. Based on over 240 million shared e-scooter trips, accounting for over 461 million kilometers travelled, the collected incident data demonstrate that the overall risk of incidents requiring medical treatment is 60% lower than comparable data from 2019. In 2021, 5.1 injuries requiring medical treatment with shared e-scooters per million km were registered.

Opinion: Former CPSC Chair Says Guns Are Consumer Products. They Should Be Regulated As Such.
January 12, 2023, Washington Post
By Ann Brown. As former chair of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, I had seen children killpeople every year using their parents’ guns. And though I was charged with keeping products safe, I was powerless to act. I hope Congress passes meaningful gun laws this session, including finally empowering the CPSC to treat firearms like any other consumer product. I hope the Senate steps up and approves them. I hope President Biden signs them.

Michigan Legislators Pass Act To Protect Firefighters From Chemicals
January 11, 2023, C&G Newspapers
Firefighters are weighing in on new legislation led by two Michigan lawmakers, Sen. Gary Peters and Rep. Debbie Dingell, to help protect fire departments from perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, otherwise known as PFAS or forever chemicals. “The Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances Act” will direct federal agencies to develop best practices, training and educational programs to reduce, limit and prevent exposure to PFAS chemicals. “Forever chemicals are an urgent public health threat, especially to our firefighters who are frequently exposed to harmful PFAS in firefighting foams and personal protective equipment as they work to keep us safe,” Rep. Dingell said.

Washington State Department Of Ecology Issues Draft Guidance On PFAS Contamination
January 11, 2023, JD Supra
The Guidance states its purpose is to provide direction for investigating and cleaning up Per- and polyfluoroalkyl (“PFAS”) contamination in Washington State. This is intended to include people remediating contaminated property such as property owners, potentially liable partners and cleanup professionals.

After 200+ Incidents, E-Scooter And Micromobility Manufacturers Called Out To Comply With Safety Standards
January 10, 2023, Islander News
Of the many trends washing over Key Biscayne, electric transportation products are likely the most noticeable, with the administration considering a ban on e-bikes and other micromobility devices. While the focus is on riders’ safety, there is another risk associated with this mode of transportation; fires with 39 states reporting injuries and even people being killed by the devices. To combat this dangerous trend, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has imposed stricter safety standards on the manufacturers of these products.

Consumer Product Safety Commission Penalizes Peloton For Reporting And Safety Failure
January 11, 2023, JD Supra
This settlement reemphasizes the importance of creating and enforcing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the CPSA requirements, particularly those related to consumer complaints and reports. Any company that creates, markets, manufactures, sells, or is materially involved with consumer products would be well advised to craft and enforce robust product safety, customer complaint, and safety reporting protocol. Of course, all consumer product companies should stay up to date on CPSC reporting requirements and work with the CPSC to make sure their products follow safety requirements.

Government Must Extend 2023 Deadline For EU Law Repeal To Avoid Life-Saving Laws Falling Over A Cliff Edge
January 12, 2023, Essex UK
A growing list of organizations, politicians and peers have expressed concern over rushing through the Bill, saying there is not enough time to thoroughly assess, adapt or improve each law, and if essential laws are repealed on mass this year, without proper review and consultation, many lives will be lost as a result. Errol Taylor, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), says that if managed correctly, this Bill could offer an opportunity to arrive at a successful destination, but that cannot happen if the Government sticks by its current 2023 deadline, which represents a cliff edge over which will fall essential life-saving legislation.

In the News: January 9, 2023

Peloton Fined $19 Million For Dangerous Product Safety Violations Involving Tread+ Treadmills
January 5, 2023, Consumer Reports
Peloton Interactive has agreed to pay $19,065,000 to settle charges that the company failed to report to the Consumer Product Safety Commission that its Peloton Tread+ treadmill was defective and posed an unreasonable risk of serious injury, the CPSC announced. The agreement also settles charges that the company knowingly distributed recalled treadmills, in violation of the Consumer Product Safety Act. The fine is one of the highest the agency has imposed in recent years. It is actually higher than the current maximum amount permitted for a series of related violations ($17.15 million) because it includes a further penalty for the company’s conduct after the Tread+ recall. 

Commission Statements on the Peloton Settlement
Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric Statement
Commissioner Peter Feldman Statement
Commissioner Richard Trumka Statement
Commissioner Mary Boyle Statement

PFAS Bans, Restrictions Go Into Effect In States In 2023
January 5, 2023, Bloomberg News
Laws and regulations restricting “forever chemicals” in more than a half dozen states are entering effect in 2023. These include the start of a timeline for a first-in-the-nation ban on PFAS in all products in Maine. The newly effective measures range from labeling requirements to bans of the substance in products including food packaging, firefighting foam, and personal care products.

Don’t Underestimate Your Influence At Work
January 6, 2023, Harvard Business Review
The tendency towards underconfidence can also lead us to needlessly (and endlessly) search for ways to gain influence. What we really need is to get better at recognizing the influence we already have but may not be wielding effectively. In this piece, the author offers three suggestions, not for gaining influence, but for becoming more mindful of the influence you have already but don’t always see.

Study Finds Gas Stove Pollution Causes 12.7% Of Childhood Asthma
January 6, 2023, Washington Post
Gas-burning stoves in kitchens across America are responsible for roughly 12.7 % of childhood asthma cases nationwide — on par with the childhood asthma risks associated with exposure to secondhand smoke. This, according to a study, adds fuel to a burgeoning debate over the potential threats that gas stoves pose to the planet and public health. The peer-reviewed study was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. It comes as scientists and activists cheer the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recent decision to weigh new regulations on indoor air pollution from gas stoves.

Analysis: Samsung’s Defective Product
December 16, 2022, Wall Street.com
The Samsung issue, which can be fixed via a software download, shows how a relatively few defective product reports can undermine a company’s brand value. The CNN story about the machines carried the headline, “Samsung recalls more than 660,000 washing machines after fire hazard reports.” Similar headlines ran at CBS and ABC, most of their local TV states, and were posted on Twitter. Certainly, tens of thousands of people saw these.

CPSC Warns Consumers To Be Cautious When Using Space Heaters, Furnaces And Fireplaces This Winter
January 5, 2023, cpsc.gov
As winter weather grips much of the country, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers about deadly hazards from home heating equipment including space heaters, furnaces, and fireplaces. Two hazards of special concern are fires and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning Although these deadly hazards impact all populations, they disproportionally affect certain communities. According to CPSC’s 2017 to 2019 Residential Fire Loss Estimates report, African Americans have the highest rate of fire deaths, nearly twice the overall rate across the population. In addition, African Americans represent 23% or 186 indvidual deaths from 2011-2021 due to portable generator related CO deaths.

More Toys Recalled In 2022 Than Previous 4 Years Combined
January 4, 2023, Washington Times
The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued 30 toy recalls in 2022 — up from nine in 2021, two in 2020, three in 2019 and six in 2018. The commission also worked with border agents to seize millions of illegal imported toys.

Inflatable Paddle Boards Sold At Costco Recalled Due To Drowning Hazard
January 3, 2023, KRON44
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall notice for inflatable paddle boards sold at Costco that could pose a drowning hazard. According to the recall issued on Dec. 29, “the glue on the inflatable paddle boards can separate at the seams and the paddle boards can deflate unexpectedly, posing a drowning hazard.”

Leadership Still Skeptical About Remote Work? 15 Ways To Close The ‘Understanding’ Gap
January 5, 2023, Forbes
The rise of remote work has led to changes across all industries, as companies transition their in-office operations to be handled remotely. Navigating this transition hasn’t been easy for some companies. Here are 15 Forbes Business Council members share some effective ways to help leaders work through their skepticism and close the gap in understanding.

E-Bike, Scooter Fires In Ottawa Prompt Warnings About Safety
January 5, 2023, CBC.ca
 An e-scooter fire in Ottawa has officials urging people to ensure any products with lithium-ion batteries meet Canadian electrical standards and are properly maintained. Gerry Gill, division chief of safety for Ottawa Fire Services said, as e-scooters grow in popularity, it’s likely that guidelines and bylaws will soon come into force designed to prevent fires.

Death Of 2 Kids Is Reason For Latest Recalls In Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, And Wisconsin
January 5, 2023, KROC Radio News
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission website, Target Corporation, has recalled over 200,000 Pillowfort Weighted Blankets. Unfortunately, a 4-year-old girl and a 6-year-old girl became entrapped in the blanket and died.  Two other reports of kids being trapped were also reported.

In the News: January 2, 2023

The STURDY Act Signed Into Law; Will Supersede CPSC Rule
December 27, 2022, Furniture Today
The Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth Act – known as STURDY – was passed by Congress Dec. 23 as part of the $1.7 trillion fiscal 2023 omnibus spending bill. The bill was signed into law by President Biden. The SURDY Act requires the CPSC to adopt an updated version of the ASTM International F2057 voluntary standard as a new mandatory safety rule, if it is found to meet all performance requirements outlined in the Act.

Makers Of Electric Bikes Warned They Must Comply With Rigorous Safety Standards
December 20, 2022, Consumer Reports
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning companies that make electric bikes and scooters that they need to comply with strict safety standards—and threatening penalties if they do not. “I urge you to review your product line immediately and ensure that all micromobility devices that you manufacture, import, distribute or sell in the United States comply with the relevant [safety] standards,” wrote Robert S. Kaye, director of the CPSC’s Office of Compliance and Field Operations. In a related a statement CPSC Commissioner Richard Trumka indicated the Agency will ” clamp down on e-bike lithium-ion batteries fires with the same playbook successfully used to combat hoverboard fires.”

Sen. Booker, Rep. Beyer Lead Colleagues In Urging CPSC To Address Dangerous Indoor Air Pollutions Emitted By Gas Stoves
December 22, 2022, Senator Cory Booker
Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) urged Alexander Hoehn-Saric, Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, to address the high level of dangerous indoor air pollutants emitted by gas stoves. “In addition to the climate impacts, these emissions represent real health risks to millions of Americans,” wrote members of both the House and Senate to Hoehn-Saric. “These emissions can create a cumulative burden to households that are already more likely to face both indoor and outdoor air pollution.” The legislators also propose that the CPSC launch a public education campaign on the health risks of cooking with a gas stove and steps that consumers can take to minimize their risks.

When A Tough Question Puts You On The Spot
December 19, 2022, Harvard Business Review
Amidst the economic and global uncertainty that surrounds us, handling tough questions is an ongoing part of a leader’s job. In this piece, the author outlines strategies to answer difficult questions so that you can maintain the trust of your clients and colleagues, keep your relationships intact and weather any storm.

3M Will Stop Making Dangerous ‘Forever Chemicals’
December 20,2022, Washington Post
Consumer products giant 3M announced that it will stop making and using a ubiquitous class of long-lasting, hazardous chemicals that can pose health risks to millions of Americans. The company, which makes widely used products including sticky notes, adhesive tape and safety masks, pledged to “exit all manufacturing” and “work to discontinue the use” of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, across its products by the end of 2025. 

Japan To Introduce Mandatory Helmet Law For People On Bicycles
December 21, 2022, Forbes
Beginning April 2023, Japan will become one of the few countries in the world to mandate the use of helmets when bicycling. The Japanese Cabinet approved a government ordinance that will introduce the helmet stipulation into Japan’s Road Traffic Act. Argentina, Cyprus, Australia and New Zealand are the only other countries to have cycle helmet compulsion, often enforced with punitive fines.

NTSB Study: At Least 119 E-Bike, E-Scooter Deaths From 2017-2021
December 22, 2022, Bicycle Retailer
A National Transportation Safety Board study found at least 119 e-bike and e-scooter fatalities occurred between 2017 and 2021. The study also notes “inadequate data collection from authorities makes identifying accidents involving micromobility devices difficult.” The NTSB recommends that the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which regulates Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, include “an explicit product code for electric bicycles in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System,” which is used to monitor consumer product related injuries.

Opportunities And Blind Spots In The White House’s Blueprint For An AI Bill Of Rights
December 19, 2022, Brookings Institution
The comprehensive document identified five core principles to guide and govern the effective development and implementation of AI systems with particular attention to the unintended consequences of civil and human rights abuses. While the identification and mitigation of the intended and unintended consequential risks of AI have been widely known for quite some time, how the Blueprint will facilitate the reprimand of such grievances is still undetermined. Further, questions remain on whether the nonbinding document will prompt necessary congressional action to govern this unregulated space.

Safe Sleep For Babies: What You Need To Know If You Offer Infant Sleep Products
December 19, 2022, Morgan Lewis
The Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021, which went into effect on November 12, 2022, makes it is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, manufacture for sale, distribute in commerce, or import into the United States padded crib bumpers and inclined infant sleep products with an incline of 10 degrees or more. However, companies should note that oversight of infant sleep products extends beyond the new regulation.

After A Major Recall, Large Questions Loom For The Laundress
December 19, 2022, Modern Retail
Experts say The Laundress is likely doing what it can to ensure the issue doesn’t happen again, but the brand has yet to identify exactly how and where what led to such a wide-scale recall. Meanwhile customers continue to hammer the company for information on its social media accounts.

Target Recalls 200K Weighted Blankets After 2 Young Girls Suffocate
December 23, 2022, Yahoo
Target is recalling about 204,000 weighted blankets sold nationwide after the suffocation deaths of two girls in April, the retailer and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced. Target has received four reports of children getting trapped after unzipping and entering the blanket, including the two fatalities. Made in China, the blankets were sold exclusively at Target stores and online from December 2018 through September 2022 for $40.

Consumer Product Safety Reforms One Step Closer In Europe
December 23, 2022, Productwise – Cooley LLP
The ‘final’ text of the new European General Product Safety Regulation is now available. This is the text of the provisional agreement reached between the European Commission, Parliament and Council during the last round of trilogue discussions. Whilst there are still a few hurdles to clear before this becomes law, and it’s possible there could still be some changes to the text, this is largely expected to represent what the final legislation should look like.