Senators Proposing Soap Poisoning Safety Legislation
February 13, 2015, MyFoxOrlando
Nearly 12,000 calls to poison control centers in 2014 for children age 5 and under ties to detergent packet incidents. Senators Nelson (D-FL) and Durbin (D-IL) file bill to authorize CPSC to create better packaging safety standards.

Manufacturers Fail to Use Social Media for Recall Safety, Report Says
February 10, 2015, ABC Television
Consumer Group report says less than 25% of companies use Facebook accounts to inform followers of product recalls. Illinois AG says “absolutely critical” for parents to be educated about recalls.

Suppliers Should Position Themselves to Mitigate Recall and Warranty Claims in 2015 and Beyond
February 5, 2015, Lexology
Companies can mitigate risks by revisiting warranty provisions and setting up product safety programs. Audits can serve to identify potential defects before products reach consumers.

Phthalates are Everywhere, and the Health Risks are Worrying. How Bad are They Really?
February 10, 2015, The Guardian
Chap report is “first regulatory document in federal government that is highlighting the extent of the new science on the risks of phthalates” according to one advocate. Wider framework of regulations is needed, while several retailers take the lead in launching intiatives to reduce or eliminate chemicals from their shelves.

The FTC’s report on Internet of Things Urges Companies to Adopt Best Practices to Address Consumer Privacy
February 3, 2015, Lexology
FTC report cites risk of undermining consumer confidence tied to misuse of personal information and weak protection. Focus on security to systems and connected products at outset can help reduce risks that could threaten company.

Opinion: Why Child Safety Ad Made Sense
February 8, 2015, CNN
In controversial Nationwide Super Bowl commercial a little boy details activities he won’t be able to experience. Backlash ensues, while defender calls it “Important. Informative. Misunderstood.”

Program Gives Free Cribs to Parents in 4 Counties
February 11, 2015. Radio Iowa
Compliant cribs handed out in pilot public-private partnership that seeks to reduce crib and sleep related incidents. Safe environment involves education as some incidents are away from normal sleep space “often not a crib.”

FSIS Would Have Mandatory Recall Authority Under Proposed Bill
February 6, Food Safety News
Bill introduced by Sen. Gillibrand (D-NY) provides for legislation to allow USDA authority to issue a mandatory recall by Secretary even when harmful pathogen is not declared an adulterant.

Opinion: ‘Free trade’ isn’t what Trans-Pacific Partnership would deliver
February 7, 2015, GMT Los Angeles Times
Columnist says TPP agreement has angered both conservatives and liberals and has “become a symbol of everything that’s wrong with free trade agreements today.” Leading liberal economist says pact’s provisions “have nothing to do with trade or jobs.”

Creating a Supply Chain in the New Age of Commerce
February 12, 2015, ebnonline
Dynamics of global commerce require evolution of how companies analyze diverse factors and new business drivers in the information age. How to approach “building the connected enterprise.”

Ryobi Lawn Mower Lawsuit Results in $2.5M Verdict Over Explosion, Burn Injury
January 26, 2015, AboutLawsuits.com
Federal jury finds company was negligent by “failing to properly handle information” that would have informed consumer of “unreasonable risk of injury.”  Claim against retailer Home Depot denied.

China Regulator Blasts Alibaba for Illegal Business on its Websites
January 28, 2015, Reuters
State Administration for Industry and Commerce charges that many products sold on their websites “infringed upon trademarks, were substandard or fake, were banned or endangered public security.”

Alibaba Breaks with Custom to Berate Chinese Authorities over Highly Critical Report
January 28, 2015, The Guardian
In unusual public display for Chinese industry conduct, company fires back and accuses regulator of “misconduct.”

U.S. and Canada Explore Unified Toy Regulations
January 24, 2015, Toys & Games
Talks begun in Ottawa to explore “possibility” of unifying toy standards and regulations. Government and industry leaders’ agenda includes appointment of steering committee.

Washington State Lawmakers Look at Banning Hazardous, yet Popular Microbeads
January 30, 2015, The Spokesman Review
Under proposal, sales and purchase of products containing the product would cease starting in 2020. Manufacturers would stop use of product by 2018.

Summary Report of European Commission’s mHealth Consultation Published
January 27, 2015, The National Law Review
Focus on regulatory review includes liability and product safety issues. Other areas of attention include privacy and data protection, patient safety, equal access, interoperability,  research and innovation, and international cooperation.

Apple To Allow Chinese Government Product Security Inspections, But What Does It Mean?
January 23, 2015, Digital Times
Agreement at December meeting to subject Chinese Apple products to “security inspections” by government. Heightened speculation on what the word “cooperate” means.

Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Create Single Food Safety Agency
January, 2015, Food Safety News
Now split among 15 different agencies with the federal government, food safety would be consolidated under the bills into a Food Safety Administration, independent of any federal department.

Blog: Chemical Safety Board Seeks Better Process Safety Management
January 27, 2015, Environmental Leader
Board has been set up by Congress to promote clearer regulatory requirements that facility operators enhance their hazard evaluation and management efforts. Author claims neither OSHA nor EPA have adopted many of these recommendations.

Today’s Supply Chain: Complexities & Challenges
January 23, 2015, Lexicology
International trade environment challenges companies to gain complete control over the supply chain, but it’s not easy or simple to do according to observer.

Proposed Rule: Prohibition of Children’s Toys and Child Care Articles Containing Specified Phthalates
January, 2015, cpsc.gov
This discussion paper by the CPSC explains the framework for rulemaking to expand the list of permanently banned phthalates for children toys and child care articles with a link to the briefing package.

Pesticides industry leader in EU: Commission “Too Slow” on Endocrine Disruptors
January 16, 2015, EurActiv.com
Jean-Charles Bocquet: “We are in an uncertain situation…the sooner the criteria is established and validated, the better it will be.”  Calls for risk assessment that includes both hazard and exposure.

Blog: Manufacturers Applaud House Passage of Comprehensive Regulatory Reform Measure
January 14, 2015, Shopfloor.org
NAM position: “Manufacturers are faced with the challenges of complying with inefficient and complex regulations that place unnecessary costs on the public. The House’s legislation will require “agencies to employ sound rulemaking processes” to make “better regulatory decisions.”

With Recalls in the Spotlight, Chinese Giant to Work With US on Safety
January 14, 2015, ABC News
A “first-of-its-kind  agreement” finds a huge China-based company, Alibaba, working with the CPSC to help stem the flood of illegal and recalled product being sold on-line. The agency will provide the company with data on unsafe products.

European Parliament Votes in Favor of GMO Proposals
January 13, 2015 Irish Farmer’s Journal
The European body gives member states greater freedom over whether they grow GMO crops in their country. The measure allows countries to ban a BMO even if it has been approved by the EU.

Key Elements of a Top Notch Compliance Program
January, 2015, Association of Corporate Counsel
Companies must be proactive to ensure regulatory compliance and protect their brand. This paper discusses how to build a compliance program designed to establish, monitor, and maintain protocols to minimize the risk of adverse regulatory action.

Fire Service Asks Public to Register Appliances for a Safer Home
January 16, 2015, Herald Express
The U.K. is the site of an unusual campaign designed to demonstrate public agency support of a manufacturers association efforts to reach the two thirds of the country’s appliance owners who have not yet registered their products.

NHTSA’s Rosekind: Expect more not fewer recalls
January 12, 2015, Detroit Free Press
The new chief of NHTSA, Mark Rosekind, predicts  “we could actually see an increase in the number of recalls” in the automobile industry. He was confirmed in December with a mandate by the Senate for a more assertive agency despite its lack of resources compared to those of industry.

Understanding Toxicity of Products – Part 2
January 14, 2015, Sourceable
In this 2^nd of a 3-part series, David Baggs explains the technicalities of product toxicity labeling and how to interpret product Safety Data Sheets and product warning labels.

Supply Chain Metrics that Matter
December, 2014, Wiley
This new book by author Lora Cecere charts how an effective supply chain can make a difference in a company’s competitive positionat a time of global volatility.

Folding Bench’s Deadly Fall in New Milford Puts School Districts on Alert
January 8, 2015, NorthJersey.com
In-wall units tied to fatal accident for 7 year-old.  Dislodged bench had struck youth; district meets with manufacturer for safety discussions.

Honda Fined Record $70 million for Failure to Report Deaths
January 9, 2015, The Irish Times
Carmaker submits to stricter oversight for failure to report over 1,700 injuries and deaths tied to supplier airbag defects.

CPSC Proposes Additional Phthalate Restrictions
January 5, 2015, Lexicology
Proposal implements nearly all of CHAD recommendations. Rule would be one of first federal actions regulating use of a chemical based on cumulative risk.

Regulations to Watch in 2015
January 2, 2015, The Hill
CPSC and other agencies prepare for a “burst of rulemaking in Obama’s final two years in office. New ATV standards expected next year.

Mitigating Consumer Fraud Class Action Litigation Risk: Top Ten Methods for 2015
January 5, 2015, Lexicology
Targeted industries include cosmetics, electronics, and personal care products, with focus on performance claims, and ingredient or content labeling. Check list can provide a framework for addressing company preparedness.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Adopts New Standards for Strict Liability Claims
January 5, 2015, Lexicology
Recent decision addresses proper state standard for strict liability claims relating to allegedly defective products. Overruled prior holding that “created roadblocks to the introduction by defendants of the reasonableness of their actions in designing products.”

Research and Markets: Global Food Safety Equipment and Devices Market Analysis and Forecast 2013-2019: Food Type, Contaminants & Technology
January 6, 2015, Reuters
Stricter standards has resulted in the market for food safety equipment and devices assuming “prime importance.”  GMO testing seen to have “maximum potential.”

UL Offers Consumers a One-stop for Safety Issues, Recalls
January 8, 2015, Daily Herald
New website warehouses information on product recalls, alerts, and reports on various topics. Company partnered with Mother Nature Network in launch of site in December.

Blog: 5 Steps To Creating A Culture Of Product Safety
January 5, 2015, Manufacturing.net
Managing data, the supply chain, and internal compliance programs are among the keys to helping avoid the need for a recall. “Bullet proof” reporting can complete a strong program of internal controls.

Soaring Numbers of Safety Incidents and Costly Worker Claims in Public Schools
December 30, 2014, News.com.au
4,000 safety incidents in 4 months hit Australia public schools; claims jump 18% to $29.5 million in same period.

Fiskars Agrees to Pay $2.6 million to Settle Allegations it Delayed Reporting Gerber Ax Safety Issues
December 31, 2014, Oregonlive.com
Feds claim company received multiple complaints of injuries from 2005-2010. Company agrees to set up product safety system as part of settlement.

Auto Industry Galvanized After Record Recall Year
December 30, 2014, The New York Times
With over 60 million vehicles involved in 700 recalls, industry is cleaning up “lapses” that cover a wide range of parts used in multiple models.

How Major Bottling Brands are Ensuring Safety International Standards
December 29, 2014, The National Mirror
Barrage of consumer complaints on foreign bodies in bottled drinks has Nigerian bottlers focused on due care.

Top 10 Civil Justice Stories of 2014
December 31, 2014, The Legal Examiner
Personal injury attorneys post their “top 10” stories of 2014, including punitive damage caps, forced arbitration of service members, Takata airbag defects, and GM ignition defect compensation program.

Congress Finally Enacts Chemical Facility Security Legislation
December 23, 2014, Lexicology
Bipartisan measure signed by President extends Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards program.  New act does not require existing covered chemical facilities to adopt inherently safer technology.

China, U.S. Look at Assessing Food Quality
January 1, 2015, China Economic Net
China adopts U.S. risk assessment tools to implement food quality standards and mitigate food fraud. Ministry expresses “strong interest” in working with U.S. convention to apply to ag products.

Packaging and Its Partners
December 23, 2014, Health Care Packaging
Packaging serves as product “labeling” structure. Both “industry and regulators use labeling statements frequently as tools to contribute to product safety.”

Data No. 1 Commodity in Supply Chain Putting Companies at Risk for Cyberattacks
December 30, 2014, Supply Chain Brain
Understanding how “technology that enables more rapid and productive dissemination of critical information” also becomes a “burgeoning access terminal for cybercriminals.”

FDA Will Not Penalize for Non-compliance of Tracing Policy
December 29, 2014, HealthcarePackaging.com
Move made in effort to “minimize possible disruptions in the distribution of prescription drugs in the U.S.” New requirements take effect in 2015 for manufacturers, wholesale distributors, and repackagers.

CA Court Decision Will Place BPA Back on Harmful Chemicals List
December 24, 2014, Food Safety News
CA court rules that State “did not abuse its discretion” in the decision to add BPA under Prop 65 list harmful chemicals that require warnings. Denies request by American Chemistry Council.