In the News: March 28, 2022

New Bipartisan Senate Bill Bans Crib Bumpers
March 23, 2022, WebMD
The bipartisan bill will direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ban the manufacturing and/or importation of crib bumpers. CPSC data shows that bumpers have been linked to 107 infant deaths and 282 serious injuries between 1990 and 2016.

Europol Seizes 5 Million Unsafe Fake Toys
March 25, 2022, The Business Times
The European Police Agency seized more than 5 million potentially hazardous counterfeit toys worth more than 18 million euros ($27 million) from October 2021 – January 2022. The haul included “counterfeit and illegal puzzle games, videogames and related characters, board and card games, dolls and puppets from famous TV series, bricks for children and clothing and accessories from famous brands,” Europol said. “The majority of fake toys were imported from East Asia to the EU, UK and the US,” it said.

What To Do If Your Employees Keep Getting Poached
March 23, 2022, Harvard Business Review
In a hot job market, where jobs exceed the number of skilled workers, there’s a high probability that other organizations are trying to poach your employees. . Here, the author offers four ways to be proactive in working to keep your best employees.

Child Poisoning Deaths Spiked In Pandemic From Narcotics, Bleach And Batteries
March 23, 2022, CBS News
The pandemic saw a spike in young children accidentally poisoned by products found at home, says a Consumer Product Safety Commission report. On average, 31 kids under f 5 die of poisoning each year, a figure that has fallen 80% from 1972, when 216 children died. But, after decades of falling fatality rates, the past several years have seen a reversal.

Several Over-The-Counter Drugs Recalled Over Non-Childproof Packaging
March 23, 2022, New York Post
Some 165,000 units of Aspirin, Extra Strength Non Aspirin, Extra Strength Pain Reliever, Ibuprofen, Medication Station and Multi-Pack have been recalled because the packaging is not child resistant, says the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Study Finds Children’s Exposure To Phthalates May Increase Risk Of Cancer
March 23, 2022, Consumer Affairs
The University of Vermont study showed that exposure to phthalates during childhood was linked with a 20% higher risk of cancer. The risk of lymphoma was twice as high for those exposed to higher levels of phthalates and the risk of osteosarcoma was three times as high for those with the highest phthalate exposure.

OECD/EUIPO Report: China And Hong Kong Account For 75% Of Dangerous Counterfeits
March 21, 2022, IP Watchdog
A new study on counterfeit goods that pose health, safety and environmental threats has found that China and Hong Kong account for three-quarters of exports of dangerous counterfeits. The study, conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) found that online sales represent 60% of seizures of dangerous products destined for the EU.

EU Court Dismisses Challenge To Ban On TVs With Halogenated Flame Retardants
March 23, 2022, Chemical and Engineering News
The International Bromine Council (BSEF) sued over what it claims are technical flaws in the EU’s ban on sales of televisions, computer monitors, and other electronic devices encased in plastic that contains halogenated flame retardants. The prohibition took effect in 2021.

‘Right To Repair’ Bill Aims To Give Consumers Product Fix Choices
March 23, 2022, NBC Washington
Federal lawmakers introduced Right to Repair legislation last month. it would ensure that independent repair shops have equal access to manufacturers’ maintenance tools. Several manufacturers have argued that their policies are in place for safety reasons, saying staff at their own facilities and authorized repair shops undergo specialized training and are accountable to the manufacturer if they do shoddy repairs.

PFAS Update: Current State-By-State Consumer Products Regulations/March 2022
March 23, 2022, JD Supra
Consumer products across a broad spectrum of industries are being impacted by per- and polyfluoroalkyl regulations. Here is an overview of enacted and proposed state laws and regulations to assist in investigating if products may be impacted.

Honoring Our Heroes
SPSP Website
SPSP makes a permanent home for the salute poster at its website.

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