More consumers are facing head injuries due to motorized scooters
June 12, 2019, Consumer Affairs
With more consumers finding themselves utilizing electric scooters, experts are noting a strong increase in head injuries. According to a recent study conducted by researchers from Rutgers University, lax regulations regarding adults wearing helmets while on board an electric scooter have led to a dramatic increase in head and face injuries over the last 10 years.
UK: Whirlpool told to recall 500,000 tumble dryers over potential fire risk
June 12, 2019, Manchester Evening News
Owners of Whirlpool tumble dryers are urged to unplug them immediately amid mounting health and safety concerns. The government’s safety standards watchdog is set to order an “unprecedented” recall of Whirlpool’s products after receiving pressure from consumer group, Which? Millions of machines under its Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Swan and Proline brands have the fault that can cause them to set on fire, which has been blamed for around 750 fires over an 11-year period.Whirlpool has fixed the majority of machines, but 500,000 are said to still be at risk.
Panel: Internal networking helps create a culture of compliance
June 12, 2019, The Legal Intelligencer
Networking within a business and setting a tone from the top down is an efficient way to make sure there is a culture of compliance, a panel of in-house compliance officers said Wednesday at the Women Leaders in Compliance and Ethics event at The Union League of Philadelphia.
Fight against flame retardants moves to Washington
June 6, 2019, WCCO CBS Minnesota
A fight waged in Minnesota to better protect firefighters from dangerous chemicals moves to Washington this week.Gov. Tim Walz has signed into law a bill banning some flame-retardant chemicals common in household products. WCCO looked into what the changes here could mean for the next generation of firefighters across the country. Flame retardants in everything from carpet to furniture were once billed as a way to slow the spread of a fire. Further studies have shown they release toxins with alarming consequences.
For State officials, there’s nothing funny about deadly threat of toy guns
June 10, 2019, NJ Spotlight
East Orange officials, the Essex County sheriff, and U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez delivered a simple message about the realistic appearance of fake guns. “According to The Washington Post’s Police Shooting Database, 153 people have died at the hands of police while holding air, BB, and other imitation and toy guns since 2015,” Menendez said. Among them was Trenton resident Jason Williams in a fatal police-involved shooting when he threatened suicide with a real looking BB gun.Years ago, the Consumer Product Safety Commission called on the industry to only make fakes that look like fakes, distinguishable by bright colors or an orange tip — a tip that gets removed or painted over.
Why don’t recalls happen faster?
June 11, 2019, Consumer Reports
If deaths are linked to a potentially hazardous product and the government knows about it, you’d think that information would always be made public. And you’d be wrong. Consumer Reports reveals surprising restrictions in the very law governing the agency that is supposed to protect us from dangerous products.
Key New York bills reduce toxic chemicals
June 12, 2019, NRDC
The New York legislature has passed a key bill concerning toxic chemicals in children’s products that is now before the Governor. The Legislature also passed a bill phasing out the use of the brain-harming pesticide chlorpyrifos. That too is before the Governor.The Legislature is further considering two bills that could help protect New Yorkers from toxic and forever “Teflon” chemicals (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS) in firefighting foam and food packaging. A bill to require disclosure of ingredients in personal care products is also before the Legislature. Finally, a bill to ban the unnecessary use of toxic flame retardant chemicals in various household products has been introduced.
Plastics Recyclers Europe releases guidance on quality sorting of plastic packaging
June 12, 2019, Materials Handling World
Plastic packaging represents the biggest share of the European plastic demand,[1] and consequently, of the waste that is generated and collected for recycling in Europe. However, today only 42%[2] of plastic packaging waste is recycled in Europe, highlighting the need for more sustainable and effective waste management practices.
Washington State introduces comprehensive toxic substances and pollution law
June 10, 2019, Virtual Strategy
The US State of Washington has signed into law a comprehensive toxic substances and pollution control law that will identify, restrict and ban certain hazardous substances from being used in consumer products and packaging. Once enacted, it will be one of the most restrictive hazardous substances laws in the US.
