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.

In the News: December 19, 2022

Consumer Safety Board (CPSC) To Weigh Regulations On Gas Stoves
December 14, 2022, The Hill
The U.S. agency in charge of making sure the country’s consumer products are safe will weigh regulations on new gas stoves, one of the board’s commissioners said recently. Richard Trumka Jr., a commissioner on the Consumer Product Safety Commission said during a virtual webinar that the commission will put out a formal request by March for information on hazards associated with gas stoves and possible solutions. 

Analysis: New Furniture Tip-Over Guidelines Are Causing Industry Chaos. Here’s What To Know
December 14, 2022, Business of Home
In October 2022, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued new mandatory federal safety standards for the furniture category and gave manufacturers until May 24, 2023—exactly 180 days after the original ruling—to put the new measures in place. The CPSC’s new guidelines replace the current voluntary standards, which were set forth by ASTM International (the American Society for Testing and Materials), a third-party organization that has given manufacturers an optional way to self-police their products.

When Leaders Struggle With Collaboration
December 2, 2022, Harvard Business Review  
It’s not uncommon for talented leaders to find collaboration unnatural. After all, rugged individualism set them apart and propelled their careers. And for many, that same focus on distinguishing themselves later becomes their demise. If you’re a leader who struggles to collaborate with your peers, you first need to understand why that is, then work to develop that skill.

New Zealand: Charges Filed Over ‘Unsafe’ Magnetic Puzzle Toys
December 15, 2022, 1News
Kiwis are being reminded by the Commerce Commission to be vigilant about toy safety this Christmas, after two companies were charged with supplying non-compliant toys. The commission alleges the companies supplied the magnetic toys despite being subject to an unsafe goods notice which prohibited the sale of small high-powered magnets sold in sets of two or more due to the safety risk they pose.

Opinion: Bosch Urges US To Adopt Stricter E-Bike Regulations That Helped It Dominate European Market
December 14, 2022, Electrek
Compared to Europe’s strictly regulated electric bicycle market, the US has fewer restrictions on e-bikes. Bosch, one of the leading electric bicycle drive system manufacturers in Europe, hopes to see that change through the implementation of tighter safety regulations. Bosch would like to see CPSC also cover e-bike safety standards in a more effective way, similar to the manner they have approached other products like hoverboards.

Alliance At Work In D.C. Area To Offer 2023 Certification Education Program For Industry Product Safety Professionals
December 16, 2022, EINnews
Product safety professionals and academic leaders join forces in an educational program that enables industry professionals to earn the designation Certified Product Safety Professional™. The program begins with an opening workshop held on March 22 & 23, 2023 at the Virginia Tech Research Center in Arlington, Virginia. The 12-week program is a hybrid of on-campus opening followed by a webinar section featuring weekly topics in the risk management and regulatory compliance areas. The program’s instructors include industry, academic, regulatory, and consulting experts.

I-TEAM: How Toys From 3rd-Party Sites Could Hurt Your Child
December 13, 2022, WRDW
This holiday shopping season might be a challenge for parents. From game consoles to dolls, some toys are hard to find due to shipping delays and fewer imports coming into the U.S. Shoppers are turning to third-party sellers to find those hard-to-get items. But as the I-TEAM warns, buying toys from third-party websites could endanger your child. Emergency rooms across the U.S. reported more than 200,000 toy-related injuries in 2021. The U.S. government recalls toys that are unsafe for children. Even though it’s illegal to sell recalled toys, we found dangerous toys easily available to buy.

Wisconsin Regulators Move Ahead With Groundwater PFAS Rules
December 14, 2022, Winchester Start
Wisconsin’s natural resources board voted unanimously to proceed with regulating so-called forever chemicals in the state’s groundwater, 10 months after a plan was scrapped under pressure from the state’s powerful business industry. The vote to move ahead with developing limits on four types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS chemicals, came after the board in February adopted standards for surface and drinking water.

UK: B&M Recalls Toy For Babies Amid Choking Hazard Fears
December 12, 2022, Chronicle Live.co.uk
 A toy for babies has been recalled by retail giant B&M after officials found the product could cause children to choke. The Office for Product Safety and Standards said: “The product presents a risk of choking as the tags on the ball detached causing damage to the seams, giving access to the inside of the toy. Inside the toy there is a small ball shaped rattle which fits within the truncated cylinder. A young infant may put the small part into their mouth and choke.

CPSC Report Finds More Than 150k ER Visits Last Year Were Linked To Holiday Toys
December 15, 2022, Aboutlawsuits.com
The Consumer Product Safety Commission published the results of its annual Toy-Related Deaths and Injuries Report on November 21, detailing hundreds of thousands of accidents and injuries experienced last year due to holiday mishaps. More than 152,000 children were treated in emergency rooms in the U.S. in 2021 for toy-related injuries, most occurring to children younger than 15 years old. According to the report, most incidents are linked to unsafe toys, with scooters being linked to the most injuries for children in that age group.

Large NYC Co-Op Considers Ban On E-Bikes In Response To Battery Fire Fears
December 15, 2022, The City
One of the biggest co-ops in the city, with 700 units and a dominating presence in West Chelsea, is also in the middle of a new and growing debate about banning e-bikes from residential properties due to fear about them sparking fires. The number of fires started by the lithium-ion batteries that power these now ubiquitous vehicles has spiked to nearly 200 so far this year, way up from 44 just two years ago, according to the FDNY.

In the News: December 12, 2022

America Home Furnishings Alliance Files Petition For Judicial Review Of CPSC Safety Standard For Clothing Storage Units
December 6, 2022, Home Furnishing Business
The AHFA has filed a petition for judicial review of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Safety Standard for Clothing Storage Units, seeking to have the rule vacated. The petition was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. AHFA supports a mandatory furniture stability rule. However, the industry group maintains that the complexity of the performance testing requirements in the CPSC rule will make it unenforceable.

‘Fire! Fire! Fire!’ The Perplexing, Deadly Electric Bike Problem
December 8, 2022, Consumer Reports 
Malfunctioning lithium-ion batteries in the increasingly popular form of transportation have been linked to numerous explosions, blazes, and deaths. Little is being done to reduce the danger.  According to Consumer Reports, large agencies like those that govern workplace safety or highway safety generally don’t handle them. This leaves oversight to the CPSC, an underfunded consumer-protection agency that has limited control over companies. 

New York Expands Space Heater Safety Standards Nearly One Year After Deadly Bronx Fire
December 8, 2022, The Hill
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) recently signed a bill into law expanding safety standards for electric space heaters almost a year after one of the machines sparked a deadly fire in the Bronx. Under the law, electric space heaters sold in New York state are required to be equipped with thermostats and automatic shutoffs. The machines must also be certified by a testing and certification body recognized and approved by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.  

Are You Too Emotionally Invested In Your Job?
December 8, 2022, Harvard Business Review
Being emotionally invested in your work is like a double-edged sword. Your drive and passion propel you to perform. But being too emotionally tied to your work can become a huge drain and weight to carry. So how can you tell if you’re too emotionally invested in your work? The author outlines four signs to watch out for and offers strategies to regain your confidence and perspective. 

Target Pulls Water Bead Toy From The Shelves After Baby Suffers Severe Injury
December 7, 2022, Care.com
A popular water beads set is being yanked from the shelves at Target, and it might have some parents and caregivers reevaluating their latest toy purchases. Last week, the retailer announced they are temporarily halting sales of a sensory kit that contains water beads after a mom on TikTok says her 10-month-old accidentally swallowed one of the beads and nearly died.

Virginia Tech Expands Helmet Safety Ratings To Equestrians
December 7, 2022, ENventing Nation
Virginia Tech has long been at the forefront of helmet safety tech, with its state-of-the-art Helmet Lab putting equipment through rigorous tests with the aim of preventing injury during sports. Now, they’ve made their first steps into the equestrian industry, revealing their picks of the safest helmets in the bunch across forty different riding hat models.

Cheap Knockoffs Target Online Deal Hunters Looking To Escape Inflation
December 9, 2022, Washington Times
If you’re price-shopping online for deals on name-brand Christmas gifts, your odds of getting “Dove lotion” full of harsh chemicals or a “Romex” instead of a Rolex just went up.Third-party sellers are flooding digital marketplaces with a rising tide of knockoffs from countries like China as more Americans seek discounts to cope with high inflation this season, officials warn. “If a product’s price seems too good to be true, it may be counterfeit,” Nikki Fleming, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, said, “Don’t buy it.”

Los Angeles Health Department Warns Of Lead Poisoning Hazards In Recalled Children’s Products
December 5, 2022, LA County Department of Public Health
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health warned parents and caregivers about the potential health risks associated with several recalled children’s toys, clothes, and other products. The recalled items contain lead levels that exceed federal safety standards, putting children at risk for lead poisoning. Parents and caregivers of young children are urged to stop using these products and consider testing children for lead exposure. 

Indian Government To Invest Rs 3,500 Cr In Country’s Toy Industry To Cut Down Import Of Unsafe Toys From China
December 6, 2022, Indiatimes.com
With an aim to make domestic manufacturing of toys globally competitive and cut down the import of unsafe toys from China, the Indian government is working to extend Rs 3,500 crore worth of production-linked incentive benefits to the toy industry. The toys would be compliant with the norms of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). 

CPSC To Shoppers: Anchoring New TVs And Furniture Can Save A Life
December 6, 2022, Family Safety & Health
As holiday shopping shifts into high gear, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is renewing its call to anyone buying TVs and large furniture: Secure the items to a wall to prevent tip-over injuries and deaths. A CPSC report released in January 2021 shows that between 2000 and 2020, an estimated 472 children were killed in TV and furniture tip-over incidents. From 2018 through 2020, an annual estimate average of nearly 10,000 children were treated in hospital ERs for injuries related to tip-overs.

Litigation Over ‘Forever Chemicals’ Is Growing: Is Your Company The Next Defendant?
December 7, 2022, Reuters
Litigation surrounding the production and use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is ticking upward in state and federal courts in the United States. In this recent uptick of PFAS-related litigation, the breadth of plaintiffs at issue has grown, moving from owners of places where PFAS are manufactured, to owners of places that merely use PFAS-containing materials.

EU Member States Mostly Fail To Improve Consumer Protection Against Risks Of Harmful AI
December 8, 2022, EUBusiness
National governments have left too many important issues unaddressed, such as facial recognition by private companies in publicly accessible places. They have watered down important provisions regarding which systems would classify as high risk. Consumers are at risk of not having enough of the rights they need when they are subject to automated decisions or when they interact with AI although, among the improvements, member states have at least proposed to ban social scoring by private entities.

In the News: December 5, 2022

Association Files Suit Challenging New CPSC Rule On Custom Window Coverings
December 1, 2022, Home Textiles Today
How long is too long? That’s the issue in dispute in the lawsuit filed last week by the Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) against the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The CPSC’s new rule for operating cords on custom window coverings, which was published Nov. 28, 2022, determined that cords longer than 8 inches pose an unreasonable risk of strangulation to children 8 years old and younger. The CPCS now requires that such products meet the same requirements as operating cords on stock window coverings. The effective date of the rule is May 30, 2023. The rule will apply to all custom window coverings manufactured after that date.

Urgent Safety Alert Issued For Baby Self-Feeding Pillows – Risk Of Death
November 30, 2022, West Bridgford Wire
The UK’s Office for Product Safety and Standards has issued an Urgent Safety Alert for baby self-feeding pillows and is urging the public to stop using them immediately and dispose of them safely. The agency says self-feeding pillows/prop feeders present a risk of serious harm or death from choking or aspiration pneumonia. Baby self-feeding pillow products are designed to be attached to a bottle so that the baby may be positioned on its back to self-feed without the assistance of a caregiver holding the bottle and controlling the feed.

How To Communicate Your Company’s Strategy Effectively
November 29, 2022, Harvard Business Review
For too long, communicating strategy has been an afterthought. Executives have shared long, bombastic documents or withheld critical information and expected people to just “get it.” And it hasn’t worked. Here are five actions that will improve the clarity and quality of communication, enabling stakeholders to make a more substantive and meaningful contribution to the strategy.

Q3 Product Recalls Tip U.S. Further Into Record-Breaking Year
December 1, 2022, Sedgwick
Third-quarter U.S. recall data show that the number of products recalled this year has officially reached a 20-year high. According to the U.S. product recall index released by Sedgwick’s brand protection division, 1.22 billion units have been involved in recalls across the five industries tracked in the index, breaking the previous record of 1.20 billion set in 2018.

Mary T. Boyle: A Profile Of The Newest CPSC Commissioner
December 1, 2022, JD Supra
The President swore in a new CPSC Commissioner on June 30, 2022. Mary T. Boyle, however, is not an entirely new face at the agency. She has served in various positions within the CPSC for more than a decade. Her background includes her services as the CPSC’s Executive Director since 2018. She has also served as CPSC’s Senior Counselor for Policy and Planning, General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel.

Parents Told To Cut Recalled Children’s Toy In Half, Throw It Away
December 1, 2022, CBS4Indy
Parents who bought an activity toy for their children are being told to cut it in half and throw it away following a report of a potentially faulty seam. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said HABA is recalling its Discovery Cubes Animal Hide and Seek activity toys because the seam on the activity toy’s house can open. This would allow a young child access to the toy’s filling, posing choking and ingestion hazards if placed in the mouth.

PFAS Legal Liability Exposures: What Thousands Of Manufacturers Need To Know
November 28, 2022, Risk and Insurance
Though we’re still awaiting an official EPA standard for PFAS contamination, lawsuits concerning the presence of these toxic chemicals in waterways have taken off in recent years. Since 2005, there have been 6,400 PFAS-related lawsuits, Bloomberg reported. The chemicals — which have been linked to health conditions ranging from cancer to infertility to asthma — are used in everything from nonstick cookware to water-resistant clothing and firefighting foams. “PFAS are used in almost every consumer good that we have in some way,” said Jamie Langes, vice president of environmental underwriting for Philadelphia Insurance Companies. “Everyone, therefore, is likewise going to have to pay in some respect for PFAS. Just, to what extent?”

Report Urges: Expand Unfair Import Law To Better Target China
December 1, 2022, STRTrade.com
A new report urges Congress to expand Section 337 of the 1930 Tariff Act to better address the unfair trade practices China uses to capture market share in advanced industries. The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation argues that “the new Washington consensus is that China is a threat, Chinese government trade policy actions are mostly unfair and predatory, and [China] is moving away, rather than toward, its WTO obligations.” 

Opinion: It’s Time To Ban The Electric Centaurs From Our Cities
November 30, 2022, Fast Company
E-scooters invaded our cities and now they’re taking over public transit, ruining the lives of commuters. Take their safety record, for example. According to a report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, between 2017 and 2021 there were 117,600 people injured in electric scooter incidents, including 68 dead. 

Over 8 million Laundry And Cleaning Products Recalled Due To Possible Bacterial Contamination
December 1, 2022, Good Morning America
The Laundress first issued a safety notice on Nov. 17, urging customers to stop using its products completely. “We have identified the potential presence of elevated levels of bacteria in some of our products that present a safety concern,” the company wrote in part, before adding that it would provide an update at a later date. Last week, the company expanded the safety notice into a recall.

Why Product Safety Is Crucial To The Manufacturing Industry
December 1, 2022, Manufacturer
Manufacturing has come a long way from the simple assembly lines of the past. Its current implementation of digital technology has made it safer, faster, and more cost-effective. But amid all of this, one thing remains important: the satisfaction and safety of consumers. This is why product safety is such a key aspect of manufacturing. 

In the News; November 28, 2022

CPSC To Industry: Get Ready For More-More Penalties, More Litigation, More Regulation
November 21, 2022, Morgan Lewis
The CPSC will levy swift and strong civil penalties for product safety infractions, but, under this plan, it will also evaluate 100% of those cases for potential referral to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for criminal prosecution of corporate offenders. This is designed to deter future misconduct. The CPSC will publicize import seizures to flex its power at the ports, and (funds permitting) increase staffing in the agency’s Offices of Compliance and Enforcement and the General Counsel.

Health Canada Recalls Thousands Of Bassinets And Change Tables Over Suffocation Concerns
November 18, 2022, Toronto Star
Thousands of playards for babies and small children are being voluntarily recalled in Canada due to potential suffocation and entrapment hazards. Health Canada says the recall involves approximately 84,000 bassinets with or without change tables for a number of Harmony Play & Go Playards. The agency says playards sold without these accessories are not included in this recall.

The Myth Of The Brilliant, Charismatic Leader
November 23, 2022, Harvard Business Review
There’s a view, call it the “superhero” theory of leadership, in which vision, charisma and brilliance of a CEO makes or breaks a company. That view is dangerous, not so much because CEOs don’t matter or that smarts and vision don’t help. It’s dangerous because of what it leaves out.

Hospitalisations In Australia Involving E-Scooter Riders Up 234% In A Year
November 27, 2022, WAToday
Injuries to people riding electric scooters in Victoria have increased by 234 per cent in the past year, leading to at least 427 hospital admissions, mainly due to broken bones. Data from Monash University’s Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit shows a steep rise in hospitalisations due to injuries among e-scooter riders, jumping from 28 in 2019-20 to 128 in 2020-21, and 427 in the past year.

Greenpeace Study: Dangerous Chemicals In Shein Clothing Violate EU Regulations
November 28, 2022, Fashion United
Greenpeace Germany tested some Shein clothing and found that there are often dangerous chemicals in the clothes sold by Shein. To prove this, Greenpeace Germany bought 47 garments from the Shein platform, which were examined in an independent laboratory for pollutant analysis. It found phthalate levels of over 100,000 milligrams per kilogram in five boots and shoes respectively; the European Chemicals Regulation (REACH) limit is 1,000 milligrams per kilogram. 

High-End Cleaning Company The Laundress Tells Consumers To Stop Using Its Products
November 18, 2022, Consumer Reports
Luxury laundry and home cleaning company the Laundress has advised consumers to stop using all Laundress products. This includes its laundry detergents for delicates and for baby clothes and its surface cleaner, because of “the potential presence of elevated levels of bacteria.” The Laundress says it is working with government regulators but has not yet issued a recall.

CPSC Is Working To Keep Families Safe This Holiday Season
November 21, 2022, cpsc.gov
With the holidays right around the corner, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reminds consumers to keep safety at the top of your mind this holiday season. Many injuries and deaths associated with celebrating the holidays can be prevented, so consumers are urged to put safety in practice while purchasing toys for children, cooking that holiday feast or decorating your home.

Joint Industry Letter – Finalising The EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)
November 22, 2022, Computer and Communications Industry Association
“We are writing on behalf of a broad coalition that represents technology and e-commerce companies of all different sizes from across the EU. This coalition believes it is crucial to create a General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) that both protects the safety of European consumers and provides an adequate framework for all the businesses that have to implement it.”

Health Canada Recalls Thousands Of Toys For Toddlers For High Lead Content
November 26, 2022, City News Everywhere
A toy targeted at children six months and older is being recalled due to lead content “above the regulatory limits,” according to an advisory released by Health Canada. The toy in question is the My First Words cube by Québec-based Placote manufactured by Les Éditions Passe-Temps Inc. in Canada. The company reported that approximately 4,000 units of the affected product were sold in Canada from March 2022 to September 2022.

Parents Beware: These Recalled Toys Are Still Being Sold
November 19, 2022, WKRC/CNN
As holiday shopping intensifies, a consumer advocacy group is warning parents of dangerous, recalled toys that are still being sold online. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group released its 37th annual “Trouble in Toyland” safety report recently. The report states PIRG was able to buy over 30 toys that have been recalled from several U.S.-based online retailers.