U.S. Sues Black & Decker Coffee Pot Maker for Failure to Report Safety Hazard
June 19, 2015, Reuters
Suit in Wisconsin Federal Court alleges that Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc failed to timely report that the plastic handles on carafes of its Black & Decker SpaceMaker coffee pots could detach suddenly, posing burn and laceration hazards to consumers. The Department of Justice claims the company waited until April 2012 to tell the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission about the problem, despite having received hundreds of consumer complaints since early 2009.
Local Regulation of Consumer Products
June 18, 2015, Buffalo Law Journal
In New York and across the country the issue of restricting toxic chemicals in toys and children’s products is being discussed in towns and counties. The legal and regulatory implications are far reaching.
Bipartisan Bill Aims to Consider Consequences of Regulations
June 20, 2015, Science2.0
Because of their historical designation some “independent” agencies have been exempt from requirements to analyze their impacts before issuing new requirements. Under a new proposal, independent regulatory agencies, including the CPSC, would follow the same principles as other agencies have long followed.
Facing Consumer Pressure, Companies Start to Seek Safe Alternatives to BPA
June 15, 2015, The New York Times
Figuring out which canned foods and plastics contain the controversial chemical known as BPA can be nearly impossible. But determining whether newer alternatives are any safer may be even more difficult.
CPSC Approves New Safety Rule for Seasonal and Decorative Lights
June 15, 2015, CPSC News Release
The new rule, which CPSC to remove hazardous products from the market more effectively, but does not require manufacturers to do additional testing or paperwork, was unanimously approved (5-0) by the Commission and published May 4, 2015.
Spin Master Ordered to Pay $435K in First Trial Over Toy Bead Drug Poisoning
June 19, 2015 Claims Journal
First verdict over recalled Aqua Dots game awarded to family of child who swallowed beads in 2007. Chinese company blamed by defendants for secretly spraying chemical that metabolizes into GHB.
Air Bag Recall VINs Now Online in Searchable Database
June 17, 2015, UPI
The vehicle identification numbers for all of the estimated 34 million vehicles recalled for defective air bags manufactured by Takata have been added to a searchable database on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s website. Up until now it hasn’t been clear exactly which vehicles in the unprecedented recall needed to have parts in the air bag mechanism replaced.
New ASTM Standard Addresses Increased Use of Infant Inclined Sleep Products
May 26, 2015, ASTM News Release
The standard will establish safety performance requirements, test methods and labeling requirements to minimize potential hazards to infants in inclined sleep products.
Study Finds a way to Prevent Fires in Next-Generation Lithium Batteries
June 17, 2015, EurekAlert Science News
Researchers discovered that adding two chemicals to the electrolyte of a lithium metal battery prevents the formation of dendrites – “fingers” of lithium that pierce the barrier between the battery’s halves, causing it to short out, overheat and sometimes burst into flame.
Damaging Trans Fat to be Banished From U.S. Diet
June 17, 2015 SFGate
The agency officially declared trans fat unsafe for human consumption, even in small amounts. The decision came two years after the FDA first proposed removing trans fat from the list of foods considered safe.
