AHFA supports House Bill to adopt national flammability rules
November 6, 2017, Home Furnishing Business Now
The American Home Furnishings Alliance has thrown its support behind a bill in the U.S. House that would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to adopt California’s upholstery flammability standard as the federal flammability standard. AHFA officials said the bill, known officially as the Safer Occupancy Furniture Flammability Act, would end a 40-year stalemate at the CPSC, which has demurred on previous attempts to adopt a national flammability standard.
Zen Magnets fights back, seeks injunction against federal safety agency
November 7, 2017, Denver Post
Denver-based Zen Magnets has filed a civil lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Denver against the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in hopes of halting an action that effectively shuts the company down. The lawsuit seeks to stay the federal agency’s final decision ordering Zen Magnets to stop selling sets of small spherical magnets because they are hazardous to children.
New York’s Albany County begins enforcement of toxic free toys act on Nov. 1, 2017
October 10, 2017, Bureau Veritas
The Commissioner of Health has promulgated the “Toxic Free Toys Act”, Local Law no. 1 which regulates certain chemicals in toys and children’s products (including children’s apparel) that are sold in Albany County, New York. The chemical restrictions for products and apparel within the scope of Local Law No. 1 are preempted by federal law, which includes the Consumer Product Safety Act (CSPA) and Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA), or any other applicable federal law/and or policy.
Anchor furniture to stop deaths and injuries
November 10, 2017, Invest in Australia
The ACCC is co-leading an international safety campaign urging parents and care providers to anchor unstable furniture and large TVs to the wall to prevent infant deaths and serious injuries. The consumer watchdog is joining the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and 18 other regulators from around the world in alerting consumers to the dangers of unstable furniture and large TVs.
Target pulls 2 fidget spinners amid lead concerns
November 12, 2017, Fox News
Despite the fact that fidget spinners sold by the retailer were compliant with federal guidelines for the product, Target decided to remove two fidget spinner products from store shelves and on line out of “concern” raised by a public social advocacy group.
Trouble in toy town: Christmas concerns as over a third of recalls are of toys
November 7, 2017, Response Source
Toys accounted for 38% of all consumer product recalls in Europe in the last quarter, according to a report from Stericycle Expert Solutions, a figure which may trouble consumers as the Christmas present buying season gets into full swing. 136 of the 354 consumer product recalls and notifications in Q3 2017 related to toys, which has been the top category every year since 2014, and 91% of these originated in China.
Government of Canada proposes regulatory amendments for magnetic toys
November 3, 2017, Health Canada/News Wire
Health Canada announced today that it will publish proposed amendments in the Canada Gazette, Part I that set out mandatory new requirements and tests for magnetic toys in the Toys Regulations. The amendments will be published for a 75-day consultation period. The proposed regulatory changes, which will align Canada with safety requirements for magnetic toys with those in the U.S. and Europe, include restrictions on both the size and strength of magnetic toy components, as well as specific tests to identify dangerous magnetic parts that may separate from a toy during play.
European Union fails to agree license renewal for controversial glyphosate weed killer
November 9, 2017, France 24
With a deadline just weeks away, the European Union failed to break a hardening stalemate on whether to renew the license for the widely used weed killer glyphosate, which critics fear causes cancer. The European Commission said it fell short of the majority needed to renew the license for five years when it expires December 15, as only half of the 28 member states voted for its proposal.
4 Key considerations when developing future-proof products
November 6, 2017, IoT for all
As technologies continue to evolve and prices continue to fall, high tech and interconnected products are becoming increasingly available to the public.
One expert provides and overview of the four key aspects for manufacturers to consider when future-proofing their technology, including making certain that the change is meaningful.
Home improvement insight: 5 tips to redesign with kids’ safety in mind
October 19, 2017, Citizen Tribune
Smart homeowners take a strategic approach to home improvement projects such as redoing a playroom, living room or bedroom to keep kids’ safety in mind during the redesign process. Five tips on building safety factors into the redesign process include looking for “Best for Kids” labeling on various window covering products and smart home upgrades that include motion activated sensors that can identify the presence of children accessing potential dangerous appliance or storage areas.
