phil&teds USA agrees to pay $3.5 million civil penalty and implement internal compliance program for failure to report defective clip-on high chairs
September 10, 2015, CPSC Newsroom
Company settles charges that it knowingly failed to report to CPSC a defect and an unreasonable risk of serious injury concerning its high chairs, including several finger amputations. Penalty settles claim that the company knowingly made material misrepresentations to agency staff during a 2011 investigation. CPSC suspends all but $200,000 of penalty based on phil&teds USA’s “sworn representations that the company cannot pay more than that amount without ceasing business operations.”
One by one, states are giving consumers the right to know about chemicals in products
September 10, 2015, truth out
Writer traces the increase of consumer awareness of harmful effects of some chemicals in products, driving companies concerned about their reputation to reformulate products and focus on supply chain compliance. Legislation in Washington State, California, Maine, Oregon, Vermont, and EU are cited as examples of growing trend. Major retailers and manufacturers are urging suppliers to reduce or limit chemicals of “potential concerns to human health and the environment.”
N.J. District shuts down playgrounds over safety issues
September 8, 2015, nj.com
Elementary school officials close playgrounds over concerns after inspection revealed conditions at one of the district’s schools were found to be unsafe. Report calls attention to inadequate protective surfaces, lack of wheelchair access, and unsafe wear and tear.
ICPHSO international conference set for Billund, Denark
Under theme of “Building toward greater alignment in product safety,” the Oct. 20-21 meeting of the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization will include a focus on product safety in the digital economy, and technical innovation. Registration now open.
FDA Finalizes FSMA preventative controls rules for human, animal foods
September 10, 2015, Food Safety News
Final rules were submitted to the Federal Register 4 ½ years after the Food Safety Modernization Act was signed into law. Rule requires food facilities to maintain a food safety plan, perform a hazard analysis and institute preventative controls for dealing with those hazards. Facilities have to verify and document that their controls are working.
APICS SCC Study defines people and partner impact on supply chain complexity
September 1, 2015, accounting.smartpros
Latest industry report sheds insight on the intersection of supply chain and complexity theories. Effective supply chain professionals watch for potential causes of changing relationships. Capturing supply chain sentiment on a regular basis can offer early warnings of the potential and allow for communications with partners, and analysis of potential impact to supply chain performance.
Supply chain outlook summit: Re-shoring and the supply chain evolution
September 7, 2015, Modern Materials Handling
A recent Boston Consulting study shows that 54% of U.S. manufacturers with over $1 billion in revenue are considering re-shoring all or some of their manufacturing processes back on shore, with a significant effect on global procurement, logistics, trade, and manufacturing strategies. A leading authority on re-shoring discusses what this can mean to companies wanting to undertake or understand what this movement is all about.
CWDF, JD.com team up to champion child safety
September 7, 2015, Women of China
One of China’s largest online shopping malls, JD.com, has tamed up with a maternal-infant care organization to promote safety for children. The Jingdong Maternal-Infant Care Foundation will use the proceeds of a 1 million yuan gift (US $157,000) from the retailer to undertake a public education campaign promoting seat belt and child safety practices.
EU Food recalls stable in Q2 – Stericycle
September 8, 2015, Food Quality News
European food recalls and notifications increased slightly in the second quarter of 2015, according to a survey by Stericycle ExpertSOLUTIONS. A study showed that 773 food recalls and notifications during the quarter involved food, feed, and food contact material.
Intellectual Property in China’s food & beverage industry
September 9, 2015, China Briefing
In the growing China food and beverage industry, demands for imported products has continued to rise due to such incidents as the “tainted milk scandal.” This also makes it important that importers and producers protect their brands through various legal rights before they inter the market. The country’s quality regulatory agency will set up monitoring points in some communities to boost quality supervision and consumer awareness.
