Hoverboard Controversy Sweeps Across the Globe
>Hoverboard related falls spike for the holidays
December 28, 2015, cnn.net
The popular gift already had a dangerous reputation following reports of hoverboards suddenly catching fire. But on Christmas, sudden fires weren’t the most dangerous part of the product. Gravity was, and the CPSC has been urging consumers experiencing incidents to report them in order to gather data on source of injuries.
>New York rethinks hoverboard ban
December 30, 2015, Fortune
A state senator and assemblyman are moving to let cities decide for themselves whether to allow hoverboards and what protective gear to require. State and local officials are challenging the classification of the scooters as motor vehicles, claiming they are essentially fast skateboards. A patent is held by its inventor describing a “two-wheeled self-balancing personal vehicle.”
>Trade, health caution against buying hoverboards
December 30, 2015, thestandard.com
The hoverboard has attracted growing global attention, including actions taken in the U.S. where CPSC has an ongoing investigation, the UK which impounded 17,000 units ready for release and distribution at country ports, and Australia, which has announced a recall. Warnings to consumers in the Philippines urge consumer caution in buying the two-wheeled scooters.
Chemical safety overhaul passes Senate, earns industry praise
December 21, 2015, Environmental Leader
The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the U.S.’ primary chemical regulation, moved closer to getting a long sought overhaul as the U.S. Senate approved the chemical safety bill, titled Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. It now goes to a conference committee to be reconciled with the U.S. House of Representatives’ version passed in June.
CPSC: Report on “Refinement of temperature-limiting control systems for preventing oil ignition in gas and electric cooktops
November, 2015, cpsc.gov
A research report by a government contractor has addressed a CPSC aim to identify and mitigate the risks of unattended fires, and will assist the agency staff as they continue to work with standard developers, the Association for Home Appliance Manufacturers, and other interested parties in the future development of requirements. The report concludes that there is additional data to support the implementation of pan temperature limiting technology into electric coil, gas and electric glass ceramic cooktops.
California lists an Aloe Vera extract and Goldenseal Root Powder under Prop 65
December 30, 2015, National Law Review
The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added the 2 substances “known to the State to cause cancer under Proposition 65,” effective December 5, 2015. The basis for the listing is their classification in Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer.
CarMax, consumer groups spar over recall repair responsibility
December 15, 2015, Automotive News
Consumer groups say CarMax, the nation’s largest used-vehicle retailer, should be responsible for correcting unfixed safety recall issues before a sale is completed. CarMax says it discloses the pending recall work, but the burden is on the consumer after the sale.
U.S. Official: America’s new food safety law ‘flexible’ for EU imports
December 15, 2015, EurActive.com
FDA Deputy Commissioner Michael R. Taylor says that the Food Safety Modernization Act signed into law in 2011 is a very major overhaul of the U.S. food safety system. He notes that “it’s really a mandate to build in to our oversight system, preventative measures in a comprehensive way beginning on farm where fresh products is grown, and food manufacturing facilities, and the transport of food, and very importantly, apply the same standards to imports as we apply to our domestically-produced food to be able to verify that the imported food is meeting our standards.” The U.S. approach will include “flexibility and a built-in harmonization…with European partners.”
CFDA announces draft regulation to implement China’s new food safety law
December 21, 2015, National Law Review
The government released a draft Regulation on the Implementation of the Food Safety Law, detailing issues that surround enforcement that entered into force in October, 2015. The regulation will likely have a major impact on foods imported into China that have been under a high level of scrutiny, such as health food and infant formula.
What’s next for the supply chain in 2016
December 29, 2015, ebnonline
An industry observer looks at top trends and topics for the electronics industry. His assessment: the industry will be dealing with issues surrounding refurbishment of parts and products, repair avoidance and advanced processes for testing and diagnostics, and an influx of new products in the fast growing wearable technology industry.
