Advocates urge furniture companies to prioritize new federal safety standards
August 7, 2023, KIRO 7 News
Furniture manufacturers have less than a month to comply with new federal safety guidelines to try to prevent tip-over injuries and deaths. Starting September 1, 2023, all manufacturers must provide kits to anchor furniture to the wall and build dressers that meet higher stability standards. These new changes are part of the bipartisan STURDY Act. That’s why several parent and consumer advocacy groups sent an open letter to retailers urging them to prioritize these changes as soon as possible.
Family shares warning after 22-month-old dies
in furniture tip-over incident
UK Government To Recognize The EU’s Product Safety Symbol Indefinitely
August 3, 2023, Business Matters
The UK government has decided to recognize the EU’s product safety symbol indefinitely, in a post-Brexit climbdown. From the end of next year, goods such as light bulbs and toys were meant to carry a new UK-only mark to be sold in Great Britain. However, the UK business department has now confirmed the EU symbol will continue to be accepted on most goods.
Managers Are Burned Out. Here’s How To Help Them Recharge
August 2, 2023, Harvard Business Review
As a leader of leaders, you “create the weather” for your team. It’s your job to not only support your burned-out leaders, but also to keep burnout at bay going forward. In this article, the author offers six strategies to help recharge the burned-out managers on your team, including recognizing and acknowledging their burnout.
Industry Makes Its Point, But Can The CPSC Regulate Lithium-Ion Batteries?
August 3, 2023, Bicycle Retailer
Mike Fritz left last week’s Consumer Product Safety Commission public hearing on lithium-ion battery safety confident he and other industry representatives convinced the agency mandatory regulations are needed. “Whether they have the resources to take effective action in the short term remains to be seen,” said Fritz, who was present at the CPSC public hearing. He has worked with the National Bicycle Dealers Association to educate retailers about safe storage and handling of batteries.
Washington State Proposes Sweeping Changes To Key Greenhouse Gas Regulation
August 1, 2023, National Law Review
On July 13, 2023, the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) published proposed amendments to Chapter 173-443 WAC, Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The law directs Ecology to adopt rules to establish a refrigerant management program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large stationary refrigeration and commercial air conditioning systems operating in Washington. The law also calls for adoption of a maximum global warming potential (GWP) threshold for the refrigerants used in new refrigeration equipment in ice rinks.
CPSC: What Regulations Apply To My Product?
July 2023, cpsc.gov
The type of third-party testing that may apply to an individual product may vary based on a variety of factors related to production choices. Companies should pay close attention to these mandatory testing requirements and maintain good records to document their compliance.
The Legal Perils Of Customer Service
August 1, 2023, Incompliance Magazine
A manufacturer’s duties are very broad and encompass many different layers of the chain of production. In addition, some of these duties extend to those in the chain of distribution, namely, distributors, dealers, retailers, and service personnel. Here are some of the types of customer service advice that can create the most significant risks.
Canada: Battery Safety Button Batteries
August 2, 2023, Government of Canada
Button batteries are shiny, small enough to swallow and can be found in many household items that children can access. If you suspect your child has swallowed a button battery, seek immediate emergency medical attention. Do not wait for symptoms to develop. A swallowed button battery can result in significant injury and death. It’s important to act quickly if your child has swallowed a button battery.
Litigation Minute: What Types Of PFAS Claims Are Being Filed?
August 1, 2023, National Law Review
Here are the key points manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of consumer products need to know about recent lawsuits related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) targeting their peers. While environmental, commercial product liability, and personal injury lawsuits related to PFAS are still filling dockets, suits have expanded into the realm of consumer protection-based class actions.
How Consumer Reports Tests Treadmills For Safety
August 1, 2023, Consumer Reports
The machines cause a significant number of injuries each year. Here’s how our testers evaluate them for user safety. n 2019 there were an estimated 22,500 treadmill injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. About 2,000 of those involved children under 8 years of age. Consumer Reports has long tested treadmills for safety, which is one of the key measures we use to rate them, along with ergonomics, construction, ease of use, and exercise range. Here’s more about CR’s user safety testing on treadmills and what we’re doing to consider these new potential risks.
