DOT, Automakers agree on proactive safety principles
January 15, 2016, Transportation.gov
In an “historic agreement” the Department of Transportation secretary praises a response to the record number of vehicles recall and record civil penalties issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The government and 18 automakers announce a new collaborative approach to safety that is aimed at improving data quality that automakers and NHTSA analyze and identify defects “before they explode into massive recalls.”
Dodgy safety certificates behind Aussie ‘hoverboard’ recall
January 14, 2016, Yahoo News
An attorney-conducted audit of the fire-prone products from a New South Wales company found the faulty component in the hoverboard to be the battery charger. The attorney noticed that the accompanying safety certificate were either incorrect or non-existent. In some cases a certificate would be present, however the product numbers on the document would not match the numbers of the items being sent into the country by some Chinese suppliers for the controversial product.
How the hoverboard industry could have dodged a product safety crisis
January 11, 2016, Compliance Today
There are now 28 fire investigations underway in 19 states, according to the CPSC. Like laptops, tablets, or phones, hoverboards use lithium ion batteries as their power source. Because hoverboards were rapidly engineered due to their sudden popularity, and because that are a new product, there is no safety standard designed to apply.
Is there a danger from scented candles?
January 14, 2016, bbc.com
The levels of perfume chemicals are regulated inside products; but what happens to air quality is worth analyzing. While house plants may not have a significant effect on a candle’s limonene level, formaldehyde levels came down. Plants that are the best absorbers include English ivy, geraniums, and many ferns.
CPSC Launches new portal to guide companies through regulatory maze
January 7, 2016, The National Law Review
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has rolled out a new self-help compliance tool, the Regulatory Robot. The compliance tool is intended to help guide industry, particularly new product makers and small businesses, through the maze of CPSC regulations and guidance. After inputting product information into the tool through a series of automated questions, the user will receive customized product safety regulatory guidance related specifically to that product.
The House passed a bill to reform asbestos lawsuits
January 8, 2016, The Hill
The House approved legislation to set new limits on class action lawsuits and new requirements for asbestos victims. Seeking compensation through the court system. Proponents say the Republican-backed bill will protect finite trusts from paying out money for fraudulent or inflated claims, while advocates for asbestos victims argue the legislation would allow scam artists and identity thieves to prey on victims of asbestos exposure who have filed claims with trusts.
Can Russia and the EU restore their friendship?
January 15, 2016, rbth.com
Despite strong trade dependencies on the part of the two, they criticized the policies of their respective capitals at a recent forum in Moscow. Both sides accused each other of being unreceptive to the interests of their counterpart and acrimony prevailed. Among the few bright spots of cooperation that was elusive around broader geo-political developments: education and product safety.
Lingering food safety regulatory issues for China in 2016
January 10, 2016, Forbes
As China continues implementing its revised food safety law, two features of the regulation and their development are striking. First, while recently emphasizing its desire to eliminate unnecessary licensure requirements, the new food law is holding steady if not increasing in some causes. The second striking feature is the ever changing body of national food safety standards, because they dictate what ingredients to use and how to use them.
Stanford scientists develop safer battery material
January 13, 2016, Information Week
The university’s researchers have developed a polymer that can prevent lithium ion batteries from overheating without permanently disabling them. Lithium ion batteries have extremely high energy density, which has made them prone to combustion under adverse conditions or manufacturing defects.
Key risk management issues for 2016
January 14, 2016, Continuity Central
A number of operational and external risks will require close watching and management this year. Some key strategic risk areas that bear attention include technology, third party risk management, fraud and misconduct, crisis management and data security.
