EPA changes course to regulate a deadly paint stripper
May 14, 2018, Huffington Post
In a surprise reversal, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday it would enact a rule targeting a widely available type of paint remover that has killed people for decades — including at least four since last year. It’s unclear whether the regulation would ban retail sales of these products, as the EPA proposed in the final days of the Obama administration. The agency would not clarify when asked.
California Takes Three New Steps Under Its Green Chemistry Initiative
May 18, 2018, Morrison & Foerster
California has taken three more important steps to implement its Green Chemistry Initiative. Also known as the Safer Consumer Products (SCP) Program, the state seeks to supplement federal regulations to regulate and encourage replacement of toxic chemicals in consumer products. The steps include establishing a new priority product for regulation, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) Systems, selecting a draft product to consider for regulation, Chemical Profile on Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs) in Laundry Detergents. The third new step is establishing a Three-Year Priority Product Work Plan (2018-2020)
Favorable verdict in products liability case
May 18, 2018, Mondaq (Lewis Brisbois)
Despite the existence – and admission into evidence – of the client product manufacturer’s self-critical analysis report, including acknowledgment of a design defect of the product at issue, Newark Managing Partner Colin P. Hackett obtained a verdict less than 15% of Plaintiffs’ settlement demand prior to trial. The defense did make an in limine motion seeking to bar reference to the client product manufacturer’s report as a “subsequent remedial measure”, however, the trial court ruled the report, including acknowledgment of a design defect of the product at issue was admissible.
New product safety requirements and recall procedures adopted by Mexico
May 16, 2018, National Law Review (Foley and Lardner LLP)
The commercial and legal environment on product safety in vehicles, auto parts, and other products has substantially changed in Mexico in 2018. Manufacturers carrying out business activities in Mexico should now be implementing increased efforts to comply with and properly react to new legislation, policies, recall procedures and safety standards that are now applicable in Mexico.
Saint Louis University: Individual Certification Course Details Announced
May, 2018, Society of Product Safety Professionals
The Product Safety Professional Certification Program at the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business focuses on the theoretical as well as applied product safety management knowledge and skills essential in today’s global system of product safety requirements. Successful completion of the program requires completion of 53 hours of instruction from the several designated knowledge areas. The program focuses on designing and managing a broad product safety culture, mission, and program in a small, medium, or large company setting.
Toxic chemicals found in Canadian baby products, study finds
May 15, 2018, Toronto Star
Dozens of Canadian-made or imported products, including baby bibs, mats and blankets, contain chemicals with known links to cancer and hormone-related illnesses, according to a study by the NAFTA environmental protection agency. Two-thirds of 137 items tested contained perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), both banned in Canada and internationally.
ATV Attribute Modification Study: Results of Baseline and Modified Vehicle Testing
May 15, 2018, cpsc.gov
The report titled, “ATV Attribute Modification Study: Results of Baseline and Modified Vehicle Testing,” presents the results of static and dynamic vehicle testing conducted by SEA, Ltd. (SEA) on three model year 2014-2015 adult single-rider all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). SEA conducted baseline testing of the three vehicles in their as-received condition, then made modifications to the vehicles (under direction from CPSC staff) to improve their lateral stability and/or handling characteristics, and conducted tests on the modified vehicles to study the effects on performance as compared to the vehicles in their baseline conditions
Does it make economic sense to deliver consumer goods by drone?
May 18, 2018, San Diego Union Tribune
The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced San Diego would participate in its drone integration program, which may include things such as food delivery. Will it be economically feasible to deliver things by drones? There are still significant technical and regulatory obstacles to overcome before drone deliveries to retail customers become commonplace. However, companies like Amazon and UPS are working to develop the needed technology and infrastructure.
People are using this smart doorbell to spy on each other
May 18, 2018, Market Watch
Ring, a smart doorbell maker still hasn’t fixed a security flaw that allows users to stay logged into the app — even after passwords are changed. Ring disclosed the flaw but hadn’t yet corrected the bug. The vulnerability lets people who previously had access to a Ring door camera still use it, even after the password has changed. The issue came to light when one customer discovered his ex-boyfriend was using the Ring app to spy on him after he changed the password twice, according to the report.
What Chinese Consumers Want From Western Retailers (Hint: It’s Not Just Fashion And Technology)
May 18, 2018, Forbes
Chinese shoppers continue to flock to Western brands—but they are not just seeking out aspirational names in fashion and technology. Millions of China’s shoppers are also looking to buy everyday items such as food and personal care products from international brands—and they are turning to online marketplaces to buy these categories directly from overseas brands and retailers.
NGO: School supplies with high lead content still being sold
May 19, 2018, Inquirer.net
With only a few weeks remaining before classes begin, an environmental non-government organization urged the Philippine government to intensify the product safety monitoring of school supplies. EcoWaste Coalition found out that some of the school bags they purchased from four different stores in Caloocan City had lead content higher than the allowed levels.
