Feds to investigate safety of crumb rubber turf fields
February 16, 2016, boston.cbslocal.com
Three federal agencies will investigate the safety of crumb rubber turf used in playgrounds and playing fields all over the country. The Environmental Protection Agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Center for Disease Control made a joint announcement on their intention to determine if there are possible health risks to young athletes. Crumb rubber is recycled tire and a source of concern to health advocates for several years. “Some of the government’s best and brightest scientists” are working to determine if it is harmful, according to CPSC Chairman Elliot Kaye.
Two sides of the crumb rubber controversy:
>Artificial turf safety: Proven with science
A collection of research studies and links to each complete report is provided by FieldTurf, a Tarkett company, producer of synthetic turf. The studies were done by public and private organizations and agencies, each concluding there is no evidence from “available data” that tire derived crumb rubber artificial turf causes cancer.
>Turf Wars: How safe are fields where we play?
An investigative report by ESPN spotlights a list of 200 athletes with cancer, 158 of whom are soccer players and of these 101 who are goal keepers. Data gaps of previous studies in the area of ingestion and absorption are now a focus of attention and research into assessing the risk posed by the synthetic turf.
CPSC Guidance: Companies with non-compliant hoverboards can be required to recall
February 18, 2016, cpsc letter of guidance
The agency has notified manufacturers, importers, and retailers, of self-balancing scooters that it considers such scooters that do not meet voluntary safety standards referenced in their letter of guidance to be defective and an “imminent hazard.” If found at import, the products may be detained or seized, and if found domestically may be subject to recall.
Local bill could mean helmet required for hoverboard use
February 18, 2016, nj.com
A bill that would require hoverboard riders under the age of 12 to don helmets and other protective gear before hitting the streets passed a Philadelphia city council committee. The legislation would amend the city’s traffic code and call for users of any “self propelled mobility device” to wear wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads.
UK Government takes stand on product recalls
February 18, 2016, applianceretailer.com
The UK has asked industry to play a crucial role in the country’s consumer protection efforts. Business Minister Anna Soubry has announced that the government will support the development of a business-led online website that will communicate information to consumers and allow companies to share best practices based on past experience in managing recalls.
Midyear Report: CPSC Voluntary Standards
February 3, 2016, cpsc.gov
Fifteen new, revised, or reaffirmed voluntary safety standards for which the CPSC monitors activity or provides technical support were identified in an FY 2015 midyear report recently released. Overall, 81 different products are identified and tracked in the report, including the objective of the standard under development, the name of the CPSC employee leading such activity, and the status of the standard’s development
Puzzling Prescription: Pharmaceutical industry trends pose new regulatory and recall changes
February 17, 2016, reuters.com
Among the challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry are the explosion of counterfeit drugs, which will likely impact recalls in 2016 and beyond, according the the Q4 j2015 Stericycle Recall Index. Furthermore, there has been an acceleration of new medications approved by the FDA for the U.S. market—45 approvals in 2015, versus half that number 10 years ago.
Mattel resurrects ThingMaker as a 3D printer
February 12, 2016, usatoday.com
The toy maker has revealed the reboot of a product first developed in the 1960s as part of its push into 3D printing. Mattel made the announcement of the $300 device just before the Toy Fair trade show in New York. Products that can be printed on the device include toy fairies, dolls, dinosaurs, robots, skeletons, and jewelry.
UL launches safety and quality services for juvenile products in Asia
February 17, 2016, reuters.com
The Northbrook, Illinois based safety organization says it now has Shanghai and Shenzhen laboratories equipped with new state-of-the-art test equipment. Products serviced by the company will include baby walkers, infant bouncer seats, infant bath seats, carriages and strollers, and high chairs.
Opinion: Supply Chains: danger ahead
February 18, 2016, computerworld.com
Among the many things that can complicate the supply chain for multinationals, legislation and regulations can be the hardest to master. New regulations require new data gathering and reporting, and are further complicated by mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and partnerships. State, national, and international legislation requires understanding on the part of companies if they are to maintain compliance and avoid the disruption and distraction by various authorities.
