In the News: February 24, 2014

Posted on by adk

Supply Chain Predictions for 2014
February 12, The Manufacturer
Integrated and flexible supply chains can reduce your costs, increase operational efficiency and mitigate risk. Read some predictions for supply chain management in 2014…

Three Things to Watch for in Chinese Food Safety Regulation in 2014
February 5, Forbes Asia
China has stepped up food inspections in the Country.  Read about what is behind the inspections and what to expect from Chinese food safety regulations in 2014…

Improving Nano safety through Research
February 14, Phys.org
Nano technology has the potential to improve products from fabrics to food. However there are risks involved that need to be considered.  Read about nano safety and how it could impact your products…

Only 10% of Recalled Kids Products Fixed or Returned
February 20, USA Today
Recalls are issued when there is concern by the manufacturer or federal regulators about the safety of a product.  Read about recall effectiveness in children’s products…

Blog: 4 Top Sustainability Reporting Trends for 2014
February 20, Greenbiz
2013 sustainability reports are being compiled by major companies.  Read about some sustainability trends, tips and tools you can use for 2014…

Scientists Raise Concerns over Chemicals Leaching into Food from Packaging
February 19, Globe and Mail
Food safety is an issue of rising concern.  Read about the impact that packaging can have on food and some concerns voiced about chemicals from the packaging leaching into food…

 

Posted in Chemical Hazards, Children's Products, Food Safety, Global Developments, Innovation, Supply Chain, Sustainability

In the News: February 17, 2013

Posted on by adk

New York City Will Focus its Spotlights on Toys and Games This Week at the 2014 American International Toy Fair
February 13, Reuters
The annual Toy Industry Association Toy Fair opens in New York this month.  Read about the event, and what manufacturers, importers and distributors hope to gain by attending the annual event…

EPA Targets Flame Retardants DecaBDE and BPA
February 13, Chemical Processing
In January, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released assessment reports on flame retardant chemicals and BPA.  Read about the assessments and why product manufacturers should be aware of them…

US Food Safety Advances For 2014 – Reform, Chicken And GMOs
February 5, International Business Times
A former high ranking food official describes what 2014 to is likely to mean for food regulation.  Read some of the major initiatives and what impact they will have on food distribution and consumption…

OIA Opposes Proposed Changes to Voluntary Recall Notices
February 5, SGB Update
The Outdoor Industry Association vocalized its opposition to the CPSC’s proposed changes to voluntary recall notices.  Read what the Association sent to the CPSC and the concerns they have over the proposed changes…

Finding Supply Chain Talent: Addressing the Perpetual Challenge
February 12, Supply Chain Brain
A 2013 report outlined problems in the supply chain field finding talent to fill open positions.  Read about the problems and look at some resources available for your supply chain career…

Blog: How to Comply with California’s New Safer Product Regulations
February 13, Green Biz
There is a trend of moving away from toxic chemicals in products.  Read about chemical alternatives assessments and how they are being used in California to follow the trend of eliminating toxic chemicals…

 

Posted in Chemical Hazards, Children's Products, Food Safety, Innovation, Product Safety Rules, Risk Assessment, Supply Chain, Sustainability

In the News: February 10, 2014

Posted on by adk

Consumer Safety Panel Winning Little Praise
January 31, Japan Times
In Japan, the Consumer Safety Investigation Commission released its first report last week investigating a water heater incident.  Read some of the concerns voiced by consumers…

Nearly Three-Quarters of Americans Looking to Government for More Food Safety Oversight
February 5, Market Watch
Food Recalls have been news headlines over the last several years. Read a new poll that examines concerns among Americans with food recalls and what they would like to see done about them…

Recalling Consumer Products May Invite Additional Compliance Oversight
January 22, Lexology
Product recalls have traditionally been voluntary, but there are some regulations being contemplated that could change some components of the voluntary recall.  Read about the proposal and the impact it could have on voluntary recalls…

Gummy Material Addresses Safety Concerns of Lithium Ion Batteries
February 4, Phys.org
Lithium ion batteries are widely used in products from computers to airplanes, but the safety of the battery is controversial.  Read about an effort to make them safer, and the invention that may do that…

Why Smart Governance is the Secret to Sustainability Success
February 5, Greenbiz.com
Corporate sustainability programs can sometimes be disconnected from the core mission of a company.  Read about sustainability programs and what is necessary to integrate them into your organization…

Cleaning Product Ingredient Safety Data Now Available on ACI Inventory Website
January 30, Infection Control Today
A new database that inventories the ingredients of over 900 consumer cleaning products is now available through the America Cleaning Institute.  Read about the database and how it will track hazardous chemicals…

 

Posted in Chemical Hazards, Food Safety, Global Developments, Product Liability, Product Safety Rules, Supply Chain, Sustainability

In the News: February 3, 2014

Posted on by adk

Australia, Singapore, Japan Lead Corporate Sustainability in Asia Pacific
January 23, Eco Business.com
Corporate Knights recently handed out their sustainability awards which include elements such as environmental, human rights, and product responsibility.  Read about the awards and what companies are leaders in sustainability…

T-ChIP Offers Chemical Hazard & Risk Assessment Solution
January 27, Fibre 2 Fashion
T-Chip is a new chemical assessment program to help textile manufacturers assess the risk in the products they produce.  Read about T-Chip and how it could help limit your risk…

Supply Chain & Risk Management Go Together Like Peas & Carrots
January 27, EBN On-line
How a company manages its supply chain can impact their brand and how it is perceived.  Read about risk management in the supply chain and how focusing on it can help your company…

PCPC Responds to California Database and Reiterates Safety of Industry
January 27, Cosmetics Design.com
At the beginning of the year, California launched a database which indicates which products may contain chemicals the state deems harmful.  Read about the database and the industry response…

Food Producers ask FDA to Limit Foreign Supplier Verification Requirements
January 28, Materials Handling & Logistics
One of the proposed regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act focuses on the import of foods and verifying where those products have come from.  Read about the proposed rule and the way food producers want to see the regulation approached…

Blog: Talent is the Future of Supply Chain Management
January 23, Modern Materials Handling
If you were to assess what concerns supply chain managers and challenges them to execute efficiently, the answer might surprise you.  Read what one author sees as the most important aspect of supply chain management in the future…

 

Posted in Chemical Hazards, Food Safety, Global Developments, Innovation, Product Safety Rules, Product Standards, Risk Assessment, Supply Chain, Sustainability

In the News: January 27, 2014

Posted on by adk

Schumer Calls on Drug Makers to Add Safety Devices to Children’s Medicines Within a Year
January 20, Pro Publica
Threatening legislation, a United States Senator called on the pharmaceutical industry to add flow restrictors to children’s liquid medication.  Read about the restrictors and why the Senator wants to see them become standard packaging on medication…

EU Expert Group Highlights Global Best Practices for Product Traceability
January 17, 4-Traders
The European Union is about to see the introduction of new consumer safety regulations aimed at consumer products which will include traceability requirements.  Read background and best practices in product traceability…

Chemtura Files Lawsuit Today Seeking to Overturn Regulation Modifying California’s Landmark Fire Safety Standard
January 16, Reuters
California’s recently changed fire safety standard has been a topic of debate.  Read about a law suit aimed at overturning the new standard and why Chemtura is concerned the new standard could increase household fires…

One Million And Counting! Toys”R”Us® Announces Milestone Achievement For ‘Great Trade-In’ Event In Removing Used And Potentially Unsafe Products From The Marketplace
January 22, National Journal
Toys R Us has announced the return of their event that they say has pulled 1 million outdated or recalled products from the market.  Read about the event and how it contributes to product safety…

Health Agency to Trim Excess Food Standards
January 17, China Daily
China is examining more than 4900 food standards.  Read about the process and what standard could be cut or combined with others…

California’s OEHHA adds new chemical to Proposition 65 list, setting up product manufacturers/distributors as targets to eager plaintiffs’ bar
January 14, Lexology
Effective December 20, 2013 California added diisononyl phthalate (DINP) to the list of chemicals requiring a warning under Proposition 65.  Read about the chemical often found in soft plastics and vinyl and the implications of adding the chemical to list…

Posted in Chemical Hazards, Children's Products, Food Safety, Global Developments, Product Liability, Product Safety Rules, Product Standards, Supply Chain

In the News: January 20, 2014

Posted on by adk

Changes To California Regulation Could Impact Fire Safety
January 15, Sentinel Source
California recently made changes to Technical Bulletin 117, removing a test that measures the flammability of furniture when exposed to open flame sources, such as lighters, candles and matches.  Read what the implications could be for future flammability regulations…

Opinion: White House goes Nuts with Safety Hashtags, Apps and other Online Tools
January 14, Network World
The White House recently held the second annual Safety Datapalooza, which showed off a plethora of new online ways to alert, educate and disseminate all manner of safety information to the public. Read about the products out there and the impact on product safety…

Product Safety On-Demand Is Powerful, Affordable Research Service
January 13, Reuters
Product Safety rules and regulations can be complex and time consuming to weed through.  Read about a new service offered by one of the oldest publications in the field…

Consumer Safety Tops PACP Agenda
January 17, Oman Daily Observer
In Oman, consumer safety is one of the main concerns of the Public Authority for Consumer Protection. Read some of the Authority’s priorities and the warnings being issued to consumers…

Opinion: Flaws in Chemical Laws in the Context of the West Virginia Spill
January 14, New York Times
The recent chemical spill in West Virginia has raised concern among some about the use of chemicals and the regulations surrounding them.  Read the impact that the spill could have on chemical regulations in the United States…

Legal Trends ’14: a Forecast of the Year Ahead – Retail and Consumer Products
January 14, Lexology
The number of retailers and new brands making their way to Canada is expected to rise in 2014.  Read some of the things your company should be aware of as you expand to Canada…

 

Posted in Chemical Hazards, Global Developments, Innovation, Product Safety Rules, Product Standards, Sustainability

In the News: January 13, 2014

Posted on by adk

Product Recalls – It Can Happen to You
January 6, Retail Merchandiser
Product recalls can occur to any company.  Read about recall planning, and how product recall insurance can help your company be prepared for a recall event…

Federal Regulators suing Buckyballs Founder in Rare Product-Recall Case
January 5, Washington Post
High powered magnets have received much greater scrutiny over the last several years.  Read about the status and implications of the unique law suit between the CPSC and the founder of Buckyballs…

China’s Revised Consumer Rights Protection Law “Raises the Bar” for both “Bricks and Mortar” Retailers and Online Retailers
December 27, Lexology
China has recently approved revisions to a consumer protection law that will go into effect in March 2014.  Read about the revisions and the impact it will have to retailers doing business in China…

Canada’s Consumer Product Safety Act: An Update
January 9, National Law Review
The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act went into effect in 2011.  Read the impact the law has had on such product safety issues as mandatory reporting, recalls and fines…

Li & Fung Eyes Safety
January 7, The Standard
In 2013, there were several incidents in Bangladesh surrounding factories and worker safety.  Read what one company is doing to ensure that their U.S. based clients are using factories that comply with safety standards…

Is Raw Milk Increasing Risk in Our Food Supply?
January 7, Food Safety Magazine
There is a trend of increasing the use of raw milk in food products.  Read one author’s concern about raw milk, and how it may be impacting the overall food supply…

 

Posted in Food Safety, Global Developments, Innovation, Product Liability, Product Safety Rules, Supply Chain

In the News: January 6, 2014

Posted on by adk

A Year in Review: Steps Taken to Protect the Health and Safety of Canadians
December 23, Reuters
The Canadian Health Minister recently outlined health and safety accomplishments in 2013.  Read about 2013 developments in product and food safety in Canada here…

Portable Bed Rails Can Pose Safety Hazard, FDA Says
December 27, Drugs.com
Portable bed rail safety has been under examination at the Consumer Product Safety Commission for some time.  Read about the concerns, and how the Food and Drug Administration is getting involved…

Top 10 Risk Management Lessons for Middle-Market Companies
December 29, Business Insurance
Risk management is important for any organization.  Read some lessons learned about managing risk in a mid-market company…

Staples Takes Top Prize with Move to Smart Packaging
January 2, Supply Chain Brain
When ordering products on-line, customers have cited a major complaint with the products they receive.  Read about their complaint, and what one company has done to solve the problem…

Calif. Law Change Sparks Debate over use of Flame Retardants in Furniture
January 1, PBS
Flame retardants were added to upholstered furniture and other household products starting in the mid-1970s to prevent house fires.  Learn about the controversy surrounding flame retardant chemicals and what California is doing…

China Welcomes AfDB’ Leadership in Ensuring the Sustainability of Projects in Africa
December 31, All Africa
China has become one of Africa’s largest economic partners with a trade volume of over $200 billion.  Read about sustainability initiatives between China and Africa and the impact those initiatives will have on business…

 

Posted in Chemical Hazards, Global Developments, Innovation, Organizational Development, Product Safety Rules, Risk Assessment, Supply Chain, Sustainability

In the News: December 23, 2013

Posted on by adk

New Zealand Commerce Commission: Consumer Law Modernised and Extended
December 18, 4-Traders
New Zealand recently enacted the Fair Trading Amendment Act of 2013.  Read about the new law and the implications for businesses with an interest in product safety…

EU Updates Toy Safety Standards
December 20, Gifts and Decorative Accessories
The European Commission has updated two toy safety standards that will impact anyone selling toys in Europe.  Read about the new standards and the impact they will have on U.S. manufacturers…

FDA Challenges Safety, Effectiveness of Antibacterial Soaps
December 16, CIDRAP
The Food and Drug Administration has proposed a rule that will require companies that sell antibacterial soaps to prove that they are safe and more effective than non-antibacterial soap.  Read about the proposed rule and industry’s response…

Food Safety: Lightning Rod for Consumer Outrage
December 17, Food Safety News
What causes consumer outrage in a recall situation?  Read about the elements that can spark outrage among consumers which were present in a recent recall of baby food…

Blog:  The Evolving Supply Chain Conscience
December 19, EBN
Corporate social responsibility is impacting supply chains at levels not seen before.  Read about what your company can do to ensure supply chain management is in line with corporate responsibility…

Chemical Irritant in Cosmetics Banned in Europe
December 18, Medical Daily
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT/MI), a chemical used in many cosmetics and household products has been banned in Europe.  Read about the reasons for the ban and what companies are saying…

Posted in Chemical Hazards, Children's Products, Food Safety, Global Developments, Product Safety Rules, Supply Chain, Sustainability

In the News: December 16, 2013

Posted on by adk

These Companies Want More Government Regulation
December 11, Huffington Post
A group of companies has joined together for an unlikely purpose-to lobby for more government regulation.  Read about the industries and the law they want changed…

Component Manufacturer Addresses Safety and Sustainability Issues
December 10, Process and Control Today
Within particular industries in Europe, some testing and certification programs are considered red tape.  Read about the programs and what one company is trying to do to change industry perception…

3-D printing Creates Product Liability Issues, Scholar says
December 13, Pys.org
3-D printing is the process of creating elaborate objects from images on a computer screen.  With the new technology come questions about product liability.  Read about technology and some of the issues it raises…

Senator Calls On Fed to Ban Phthalates in All Children’s Products
December 12, Vending Times
CPSIA addressed Phthalates in children’s products, but one Senator says it doesn’t go far enough.  Read about a new bill that would ban Phthalates in children’s products…

Blog: Survey Reveals a Surge in Corporate Sustainability Reporting
December 11, Greenbiz.com
For 20 years, KPMG has been tracking corporate sustainability reports.  Today, 93% of the largest 25o companies in the world release these reports.  Read about what companies are releasing and the trends in sustainability…

Supply Chain Management: The ‘Blind Faith’ of Global Buyers
December 2, The Manufacturer
The supply chain operates on a global scale presenting challenges to buyers and sourcing agents.  Read what those challenges are and how to mitigate your risk…

 

Posted in Chemical Hazards, Children's Products, Global Developments, Innovation, Product Liability, Product Safety Rules, Supply Chain, Sustainability