Prop 65 Bounty Hunters Barred From Filing Acrylamide Lawsuits; Potential Implications For Other Chemicals
March 31, 2021, Arnold & Porter
In a landmark ruling with implications for the future of Proposition 65 enforcement, the US District Court for the Eastern District of California has preliminarily enjoined any person from filing or prosecuting lawsuits seeking cancer warnings for acrylamide on food and beverage products sold in California. The ruling stops hundreds of enforcement actions in their tracks, bodes well for the ultimate end of Proposition 65 acrylamide lawsuits and has implications for other listed chemicals.
Recalls In Review: Exercise Equipment
March 30, 2021, Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
Demand for exercise equipment soared last year. As more people buy equipment, we will likely see an increase in injuries associated with such products. The CPSC estimates about 22,500 treadmill-related injuries were treated at U.S. ERs in 2019.
Be More Realistic About The Time You Have
March 23, 2021, Harvard Business Review
It’s no surprise that many of us overload our workday. And, at the end of the day, we’re stunned to find that work remains unfinished. We’re convinced we’ll be able to achieve the extraordinary in an ordinary day. This is called “magical thinking,” and it can cause you to disappoint others, miss deadlines, feel depleted and lose your inspiration.
The CPSC Digs In On Artificial Intelligence
March 31, 2021, JDSupra
American households are increasingly connected internally through the use of artificially intelligent appliances. But who regulates the safety of those dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators and vacuums powered by artificial intelligence? At a virtual forum attended by stakeholders across the entire industry, the CPSC reminded us all that it has the last say on regulating AI and machine learning in consumer product safety.
Toy Group Applauds INFORM Legislation To Protect Consumers
May 23, 2021, The Toy Association
The Toy Association praised introduction of the bipartisan INFORM Consumers Act. The Act would modernize consumer protection laws and require online marketplaces to collect and verify sellers’ basic business information.
Taiwan Foundation Urges Safety Regs For Toys For Pets
March 31, 2021, Taipei Timers’
More than half of 26 randomly selected pets’ toys sold in Taipei and New Taipei City were not properly labeled, while seven presented a choking hazard, according to the Consumers’ Foundation. It is urging the government to set standards for pet toys.
Mexico Creates A Code of Ethics For E-Commerce Suppliers And A Digital Trust Seal
March 29, 2021, National Law Review
The Federal Bureau for Consumers’ Protection (PROFECO) issued an official communication announcing the creation of a Code of Ethics for E-Commerce, in order to standardize transactions carried out through electronic means in Mexico. The purpose of this Code is to establish parameters and guidelines for suppliers who offer, distribute, sell, lease or grant the use of goods and services through digital means, thus seeking to protect consumer rights, promote a culture of responsible consumption, self-regulation and ethical and responsible digital advertising.
Kids’ Advocates Say Mandated Furniture Standards Needed
March 31, 2021, CBS News
Last year saw an increase in recalls of unstable dressers and other furniture that posed a deadly risk to children, according to new findings that advocates say bolster the case for proposed legislation that would mandate standards, currently voluntary, to prevent tip-overs. Of 63 children’s products recalled in 2020, 11 involved furniture at risk of tipping over, according to an annual analysis of children’s products recalled by the CPSC.
New Consumer Survey of Nearly 8,000 Grocery Shoppers Reveals Ecommerce Shift In The Post-Pandemic Retail Era
March 31, 2021, GlobalNewswire
US grocery consumers have flocked online at a rate never seen previously due to the Covid pandemic — with time savings being the primary motivating factor rather than Covid-related safety concerns. However, the store is far from dead. Consumers are increasingly favoring a blended store-online grocery shopping approach. These are just a few of the key insights from a new consumer survey from PowerReviews, a leading provider of ratings and reviews and User-Generated Content solutions.
Safe Kids Worldwide And Amazon Announce New Partnership To Help Keep Kids Safe From Preventable Injuries
March 31, 2021, Business Wire
Safe Kids Worldwide and Amazon announced today a new partnership dedicated to educating consumers and protecting kids from preventable injuries such as traffic injuries, falls and burns. Over the coming year, Safe Kids and Amazon will host a series of events across the country for new parents to learn about infant and child safety topics, including helmet and bicycle safety, car seat safety and safe sleep practices.
Smart Toys: Your Child’s Best Friend Or A Creepy Surveillance Tool?
March 31, 2021, World Economic Forum
Smart toys use AI to learn about the child user and personalize the play or learning experience for them. They can learn a child’s favorite color, song, and learn to recognize that child and other familiar people in that child’s life. While this may sound futuristic, there are many smart toys that already provide these capabilities. The market for these toys is rapidly expanding and will grow to $18 billion by 2023.
Honoring Our Heroes
SPSP Website
SPSP makes a permanent home for the salute poster at its website.
