In the News: July 11, 2022

Vornado To Pay $7.5 Million Penalty After Hundreds Of Complaints And A Death
July 7, 2022, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that Vornado Air LLC, of Andover, Kansas, has agreed to pay a $7.5 million civil penalty. The settlement resolves CPSC’s charges that Vornado failed to immediately report to CPSC, as required by law. Additionally, the settlement resolves a charge that its VH101 Personal Vortex electric space heater contained a defect or created an unreasonable risk of serious injury. CPSC charged that Vornado had information that the heater could overheat and catch fire, posing a risk of burn injury or death.

Recall Readiness: A Primer For Manufacturers Before An Event
July 6, 2022, National Law Review
Manufacturers of products strive to produce safe and effective products for many reasons. These include public responsibility and safety, customer expectations, contractual specifications, brand protection, liability avoidance and profit and compliance with government regulations. However, as diligent and well-intended manufacturers typically may be, there is always the possibility of a product defect or danger arising that can threaten those important goals.

Why You Need To Stop Micromanaging Your Team And Learn To Let Go
July 4, 2022, Entrepreneur
The business atmosphere is ever-changing with its constant upgrades, further development of leadership styles and new work approaches. In such a dynamic work environment, it’s only natural for the employees to show tendencies of being more adaptive to change and proactivity.

Canada Moves To Ban Single-Use Plastics
July 4, 2022, Plastics Technology
The Canadian government has published final regulations to prohibit single-use plastics. These regulation cover checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware made from certain plastics products, ring carriers, stir sticks, and straws (with some exceptions). The ban on the manufacture and import of these single-use plastics, barring a few targeted exceptions will kick in December 2022.

Inside The War On Fake Consumer Reviews
July 6, 2022, Time Magazine
As the pandemic continues to supercharge global e-commerce, this kind of fraud has emerged as one of the most significant factors contributing to an erosion of consumer confidence in the online marketplace. Fake reviews influenced around $152 billion in global spending on lackluster products and services last year, according to a report from the World Economic Forum.

Toxic Chemicals Lurk At Playgrounds
July 7, 2022, E & E News Greenwire
The chemicals can include neurotoxins like lead and other heavy metals, as well as carcinogenic chemicals like polyaromatic hydrocarbons. They can also include endocrine-disrupting chemicals like phthalates, and chemicals linked to other organ damage like volatile organic compounds and PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

With Public Trust Plummeting, Big Business Needs To Do Better
July 4, 2022, Smart Company
The latest Edelman Trust Barometer (over 36,000 respondents in 28 countries) found that trust in business runs at only 61% (58% in Australia), although that’s ahead of NGOs, government and media.

Glues, Inks, Pens… Beware Of Certain Substances Present In School Supplies
July 7, 2022, California18
“Pens, glue, pencils, correctors, notebooks…” ANSES (the national food safety agency) points the finger, in a notice recently published, the presence of hazardous chemicals in some school supplies. This finding comes after several studies conducted in recent years by various organizations, such as the magazine 60 Million Consumers or the UFC-Que Choisir association.

Voluntary Safety Recall Notice: Scholastic Recalls Shake Look Touch Book With Pom Poms
July 7, 2022, 8 News Now
Scholastic is recalling the Shake Look Touch book because of a choking hazard. The book has pom poms on it that can detach and are a hazard to younger children. The pom poms are green and pink, according to a release.

West Fargo Fire Corner: Recalls, Dehumidifiers And Safety
July 6, 2022, Inforum
With the warmer weather bringing rain and humidity, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is urging consumers to check their make and model against several announced recalls for dehumidifiers made by Gree Electric Appliances, GD Midea Air Conditioning Equipment Ltd. and LG Electronics Tianjin Appliance Co.

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

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