Amazon, Walmart And Target Stop Selling Water Beads Marketed Toward Children
December 12, 2023, CNN
Amazon, Target and Walmart have voluntarily stopped selling water beads marketed for children after government officials, lawmakers and public health professionals called for a ban on the toys. Water beads are tiny balls made out of extremely absorbent polymer material. When exposed to liquid, they can expand to 100 times their initial size and weight, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Because they can grow inside the body once ingested, these toys pose health risks to young children, say experts. Last month, US Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. of New Jersey introduced legislation aimed at instating a national ban on beads marketed to kids.
House Committee’s Report Calls For Import Threshold Reduction
December 12, 2023, Bicycle Retailer
A House committee looking at economic and security issues with China released a bipartisan report detailing 150 policy recommendations, including reducing the de minimis threshold for imports from foreign adversaries and strengthening Customs and Border Protection. De minimis, also known as the $800 import threshold, has been blamed by many in the industry for allowing low-quality e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries to flood the market. The deadly fire epidemic in New York City led to the passing of a law requiring third-party certification of micromobility devices and batteries. The high threshold allows direct-to-consumer retailers, particularly from China, to sell e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries without certificates of conformity and bypass Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations. The high threshold also is cited for allowing counterfeit products into the U.S. market.
How To Create Your Own “Year In Review”
December 14, 2023, Harvard Business Review
While the reality of work can feel especially overwhelming at the end of the year, reflection is the key to doing things differently in the year to come. Taking the time to pause and review your year can increase your self-awareness and provide insights to improve. The authors present three steps to conduct your own learning “year in review.”
Washington State Drafts Determinations On PFAS-Containing Products
December 12, 2023, National Law Review
The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) published its Draft Regulatory Determinations Report on certain products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These regulatory determinations, set to be finalized in June 2024, would guide Ecology’s future rulemaking on placing restrictions or reporting requirements on certain PFAS-containing products. Stakeholders should note which products might have reporting requirements or restrictions and provide comments to Ecology during the comment period, which expires on January 12, 2024.
Vornado Expands Recall To Include Additional 1.75 Million Steamfast Travel Steam Irons
December 14, 2023, cpsc.gov
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the power cord can become damaged near the cord bushing, which can lead to overheating of the cord, posing fire and burn hazards. In addition, cord damage near the bushing can result in exposed copper wires, posing a shock hazard. Vornado has received a total of 74 reports of incidents, including 18 additional reports of the iron’s power cord smoking, sparking, catching fire, or overheating at the power cord, or of the power cord becoming damaged. Vornado has received two reports of minor shocks. The CPSC announcement says consumers should immediately stop using the recalled irons and visit the Steamfast or Vornado website to register for the recall and receive a refund or a free replacement iron.
CPSC Extends Comment Periods For Proposed Safety Standards On Gas Furnaces And Table Saws
December 12, 2023, SBA Office of Advocacy
On December 11, 2023, the Consumer Product Safety Commission published comment period extensions for two proposed safety standards. Written comments on the notice of proposed rulemaking which establishes a safety standard for residential gas furnaces and boilers are now due by January 25, 2024. In addition, written comments on the supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking which establishes a safety standard addressing blade-contact injuries on table saws are now due by February 1, 2024.
Lying Is More Expensive Than Telling The Truth: First Criminal Jury Trial Of Executives Who Knowingly And Willfully Violated The Consumer Product Safety Act
December 13, 2023, The National Law Review
On November 16, 2023, a federal jury in Los Angeles returned guilty verdicts against two corporate executives of a consumer product distributor for conspiracy to defraud the United States by obstructing the lawful functions of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The two executives from the distributor were found guilty of a substantive count of violation of the Consumer Product Safety Act for knowingly and intentionally failing to timely report to the CPSC the discovery of defective residential dehumidifiers linked to multiple fires. The Department of Justice indicated this was the first prosecution of individuals for violations of the CPSA. This case underscores that companies confronted with consumer product safety risks.
A Conversation About Furniture Safety: AHFA Announces First Furniture Safety Week
December 13, 2023, Furniture Today
The American Home Furnishings Alliance announced that it will sponsor an annual Furniture Safety Week beginning October 2024. The initiative is designed to engage all segments of the home furnishings industry in public conversation about furniture and home safety. Furniture Safety Week will have three key objectives, according to AHFA CEO Andy Counts. “First, the effort will improve consumer awareness of home safety issues that involve our industry’s products, including furniture tip-over hazards, recliner safety and bunk bed risks,” he said.
Amazon Removes Dangerous Play Yard Mattresses From Sale
December 14, 2023, KID
Amazon has removed over 150 illegal sellers of play yard mattresses, including over 1,000 unsafe play yard mattresses, from sale on its website. The mattresses were nearly three to four inches in thickness, which is unlawful. In 2022, the Consumer Product Safety Commission approved a new safety standard for crib mattresses, as well as after-market mattresses used in play yards and cribs. The CPSC is aware of at least 494 incidents between 2010 and 2021 related to crib mattresses, including 139 deaths and 355 nonfatal incidents related to crib mattresses. The new safety requirements address hazards including excessively soft mattresses and lacerations from coil springs. The standard also requires that any mattress sold for use in a play yard meet the same requirements as the original mattress.
Make Safety A Family Holiday Tradition To Follow
December 12, 2023, AVPress
This is a special time of the year. Preparations, decorations, gift shopping and party planning can be super hectic that our mind is preoccupied with everything else but safety precautions. Keep your holidays happy and bright by making safety a family holidays tradition as well. The Los Angeles Police Department Crime Prevention Section and the Consumer Product Safety Commission remind us to be safe during the holidays season with these shopping tips.
