In the News: August 24, 2020

Retailers Launch Coalition To Protect Consumers Online
August 14, 2020, RILA
RILA launches the Buy Safe America Coalition, a diverse group of associations who support efforts at all levels of government to combat organized retail crime (ORC) and protect consumers and communities from the sale of counterfeit and stolen goods.
Seattle Releases Electric Scooter Regulations Amid Questions
August 20, 2020, Government Technology
Electric scooters could finally hit Seattle streets, more than a year after Mayor Jenny Durkan said she was open to allowing the devices that have become commonplace. Under an SDOT plan companies could offer scooters as soon as September.
ACC Petitions California Supreme Court To Remove Plasticizer From Prop 65 List
August 18, 2020, Plastics Today
The plasticizer diisononyl phthalate (DINP) was added to California’s Proposition 65 list of substances that may cause an increased risk of cancer in 2013. The American Chemistry Council (ACC) has filed a petition with the California Supreme Court seeking a review of its challenge to the listing of DINP.
Florida Family Wakes In The Night To Glass Table Shattering On Its Own
August 20, 2020, WTSP
A Florida family says they woke up in the middle of the night to what they thought was an explosion. What they found was their dining room table shattered into thousands of pieces.
Administration Bars FDA From Regulating Some Laboratory Tests, Including Coronavirus
August 20, 2020, Washington Post
The Trump administration this week blocked the Food and Drug Administration from regulating a broad swath of laboratory tests, including for the coronavirus, in a move strongly opposed by the agency.
Research: How One Bad Employee Can Corrupt A Whole Team
March 5, 2018, Harvard Business Review
Even honest employees are more likely to commit misconduct if they work alongside a dishonest individual. While it would be nice to think that the honest employees would prompt the dishonest employees to better choices, that’s not always the case.
August 2020 Wrap-Up of Federal And State Chemical Regulatory Developments
August 18, 2020, JDSupra
On June 30, 2020, the Trump Administration released the Spring 2020 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions for EPA. According to the Unified Agenda, the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) is working on several rulemakings under TSCA. Rulemakings at the proposed stage are summarized in our memorandum.
Why Social Responsibility Produces More Resilient Organizations
August 20, 2020, MIT Sloan Management Review
In moments of crisis, companies quickly shift their attention to survival. The COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. Under these circumstances, businesses are scrambling to cope with employee safety and enforced shutdowns, among many other challenges. So it may seem misguided to focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR) now. But, in fact, there might be no better time.
California Court Rules Amazon Does Have Liability For A Defective Product
August 16, 2020, Bicycle Retailer
An appeals court in California ruled Thursday that Amazon is not shielded from liability for defective products sold by third-party sellers through its online marketplace. Nationally this California Appellate case is one of the first decided against Amazon holding them directly liable for a defective product sold on its marketplace.
New York Lawmakers Want Safety Standards For Reopening Businesses
August 20, 2020, Spectrum Local News
State lawmakers on Wednesday unveield legislation aimed at affording broad safety and worker protection rules in New York during the COVID-19 pandemic. Known as the NY HERO Act, the proposal would require the state Department of Labor and the Department of Health to set in place minimum standards for safety, which would have fines attached for failure to comply.
American Cleaning Institute Partners With NIH’s National Eye Institute on Ocular Safety
August 20, 2020, Newswise
The American Cleaning Institute launched a partnership with the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Eye Institute (NEI) as part of the Packets Up! campaign to help educate families on the simple steps to prevent accidental eye exposures among children in the laundry room.

Posted in Chemical Hazards, Children's Products, Global Developments, Innovation, Organizational Development, Product Liability, Product Safety Rules, Product Standards, Risk Assessment, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Uncategorized