U.S. Product Recalls Surge 11% In 2023 To Hit Seven-Year High
February 15, 2024, Sedgwick
U.S. product recalls reached a seven-year high in 2023, increasing 11% from 2022 to 2023. According to Sedgwick brand protection’s 2024 State of the Nation Recall Index report, there were 3,301 recall events in 2023 across the five industries tracked by Sedgwick. While the number of defective units recalled in 2023 did not surpass one billion, as seen in the previous two years, there were still 759 million units recalled. Although the number of defective units decreased nearly 50% from 2022, the number of recall events has now increased for two consecutive years.

Common Lithium-Ion Batteries Cause Devastating Fires, Congressional Committee Witnesses Warn
February 15, WRBL
The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology held a hearing on the fire threats posed by lithium-ion batteries. Three main focal points that lawmakers stressed were black markets, resources for first responders and poor regulation. “Federal, state, and local governments must take measures to prevent unsafe manufacturers from endangering the public with cheap lithium-ion batteries,” Chairman of the subcommittee Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.) said.

7 Strategies To Get Your Employees On Board With GenAI
February 15, 2024, Harvard Business Review
The effective deployment of generative AI will depend less on technological capability than on human adaptability. Indeed, the human factor — people and culture — will drive the adoption of AI, or lack thereof. Looking at scientific research and real-world case studies, here are seven generalizable lessons for improving your ability to adopt GenAI, and any novel technology, at an organizational level.

California Lawmakers Want To Ban Kids From Riding E-Bikes
February 14, 2024, San Francisco Standard
Two California lawmakers want to crack down on kids riding electric bicycles, citing safety concerns in the wake of a series of high-profile crashes. One bill introduced last week would bar anyone under 12 years old from riding an e-bike. It would also require e-bike riders without a driver’s license to take an online safety course, pass a written test and carry a state-issued ID while riding. A second bill would set an age threshold of 16 years old for riding a Class 2 e-bike—which uses a throttle to propel the bike up to 20 mph.

Stanley Tumbler Maker Sued Again Over Alleged Lead, Advertising
February 15, 2024, Bloomberg Law
Pacific Market International LLC, the parent company behind the viral Stanley tumbler, was hit with another proposed class action alleging it negligently failed to disclose the presence of lead in its viral Adventure Quencher tumblers. PMI promoted the cups as safe to use during strenuous outdoor activities while concealing the risk of lead exposure if the cups are dropped or damaged, the complaint filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington alleges.

EU’s New Rules To Protect Children From Harmful Chemicals In Toys
February 13, 2024, Euractiv
The European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee adopted new rules to ensure safety and protect children from harmful chemicals present in toys. The decision at the committee level in Parliament follows the European Commission’s proposal, which aimed to reduce the number of unsafe toys sold in the EU. The proposal placed special emphasis on the online market by ensuring a level playing field between toys manufactured in the EU and imported ones. 

U.S. And EU Sign Joint Cybersafe Products Action Plan
February 15, 2024, In Compliance
The U.S. and the European Union (EU) have signed an agreement to work collaboratively to strengthen the cybersecurity of Internet-of-things (IoT)-capable hardware and software products used by consumers. According to the European Commission and the White House National Security Council, the Joint Cybersafe Products Action Plan is intended to foster technical cooperation between the U.S. and the EU, in an effort to align their respective cybersecurity requirements. The ultimate goal of the Joint Action Plan is for the signatories to achieve mutual recognition of cybersecurity labeling programs and regulations for IoT devices.

Kent County: Fewer Infants Are Dying Due To Unsafe Sleep
February 15, 2024, Yahoo News
Infant deaths related to unsafe sleep practices in Kent County are down, the health department says, crediting its work to offer more information and resources to families. “It’s a countywide effort, for sure,” Renee Dunwell, the co-coordinator of the county’s Safe Sleep Program and a public health program supervisor, told News 8. “We have lots of agencies that are out there doing the messaging, that are providing parents with the information about what safe sleep is, and then also working with families to get resources in their hands if they need assistance with safe sleep furniture or other things for their babies.”

Updated Kids Online Safety Act Has Support From 62 Senators
February 15, 2024, Spectrum 1 News
Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., unveiled a revised version of their bill aimed at protecting children on social media. They announced it has an additional 15 co-sponsors, bringing the number to a filibuster-proof 62. Blackburn and Blumenthal first introduced the Kids Online Safety Act, or KOSA, two years ago. The bipartisan bill would require social media platforms to provide minors with settings to protect their personal information, disable addictive product features and opt out of algorithmic recommendations. The apps also would be required to default to their most restrictive settings.

Bills To Increase Regulation Of Forever Chemicals Advance In General Assembly
February 13, 2024, Roanoke Times
Bills that would tighten state regulations on so-called forever chemicals passed the Virginia House and Senate in time for proposed legislation to cross over to the other chamber for consideration. House Bill 1085 that underwent revisions before it was passed unanimously by the House. A companion measure, Senate Bill 243, also faced no opposition. Although the bills do not require public drinking water systems to test for forever chemicals — also known as PFAS for per and polyfluoroalkyl substances — they establish a process to be followed by the state Department of Environmental Quality when concentrations exceed a maximum contaminant level.

Frigidaire Recalls 380,000 Side-By-Side Refrigerators: The Power Of Consumer Participation In Product Safety
February 12, 2024, BNN Breaking
A jarring reminder of the importance of product safety has come to light as the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of over 380,000 Frigidaire side-by-side refrigerators. The recall is due to potential choking or laceration hazards from broken ice bucket assembly components. With at least 343 reported incidents, Electrolux, the parent company of Frigidaire, is urging consumers to take action.  As a consumer, understanding the significance of recalls and participating in the process of safety standards development is essential, according to Don Mays, founder of Product Safety Insights LLC and chair of ASTM International’s consumer products committee. Mays emphasizes that consumer voices are invaluable in ensuring product safety. Their unique perspectives help shape future standards and contribute to the development of safer products. Some ASTM standards, such as those for strollers and highchairs, have even been incorporated into federal laws.

Perspective: Proposed Consumer Advocacy And Protection Act (CAP) Could Remove The Cap On Civil Penalties The CPSC Can Impose
February 6, 2024, National Law Review
On January 25, 2024, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Ranking Member of the House Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee and Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, introduced legislation to bolster the enforcement tools available to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The legislation, if passed, will deter violations of the Consumer Product Safety Act. This bicameral legislation is known as the Consumer Advocacy and Protection (CAP) Act.

EU Product Liability Reforms Represent A Major Shakeup
February 8, 2024, Cooley
The European Union Parliament and Council reached provisional agreement on the text for a new product liability regime in Europe. The provisionally agreed text was published on Jan. 25.
The reforms represent a major shakeup, fully revising the EU’s existing strict liability — no fault — regime under the Product Liability Directive for the first time in nearly 40 years. They will expand the scope of claims that can be brought, the range of damages that can be recovered and make it easier for consumers to prove their claims. The reforms are driven by a concern that the EU’s existing product liability regime was becoming outdated and not fit for purpose in the digital world, including in the context of risks posed by connected products, artificial intelligence, the circular economy and e-commerce.

22 Instructors Announced For 2024 Consumer Product Safety Certification Program
February 11, 2024, einpresswire
A group of 22 respected industry professionals, regulators and academic leaders will be leading the 2024 Consumer Product Safety Professional Certification Program beginning on August 29 and 30 with a two-day on campus workshop held at Virginia Tech’s Research Center in Arlington, VA.

Topics featured in the program include culture and ethics, risk assessment and hazard analysis, regulatory compliance, product investigations, human factors, data management, and product safety recalls.

The program is offered by Virginia Tech and designed and implemented by the Society of Product Safety Professionals in cooperation with ADK Information Services.

Got A Radical Idea At Work?  Find A Partner
February 8, 2024, Harvard Business Review
The story of Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman is the story of the two winners of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries. Their work is the underpinning the mRNA vaccines against Covid-19. This holds lessons for others who are pursuing radical ideas. Drawing on their interviews with Karikó and with Weissman, the authors extrapolate lessons on why pairs can be more effective in pursuing seemingly wild ideas and how to find someone to take the journey with you.

Everywhere Chemicals’ In Plastic Food Containers And More Linked To Preterm Births, Doctors Warn
February 7, 2024, New York Post
A new study backed by the National Institutes of Health has shown that phthalates, found in everyday products from food containers to shampoo, may be behind the rise in preterm births in the US. “Phthalates can also contribute to inflammation that can disrupt the placenta even more and set the steps of preterm labor in motion,” Dr. Leonardo Trasande, director of environmental pediatrics at NYU Langone Health, explained. “In our new study, we found DEHP and three similar chemicals could be responsible for 5% to 10% of all the preterm births in 2018. This could be one of the reasons why preterm births are on the rise” Trasande continued.

San Francisco Leaders Set New Safety Standards For E-Bikes, Scooters
February 6, 2024, San Francisco Examiner
Years in the making, San Francisco is poised to set new safety standards for battery-powered devices like e-bikes and scooters. The Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a bill that establishes new rules for powered mobility devices, including limits on how many can be stored in a single home. The bill also prohibits the use of damaged batteries, which are more likely to cause fires, or the sale of reconditioned batteries.

Top AI Companies Join Government Effort To Set Safety Standards
February 8, 2024, Time
The top U.S. artificial intelligence companies will participate in a government-led effort intended to craft federal standards on the technology to ensure that it’s deployed safely and responsibly, the Commerce Department said. OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft Corp., Meta Platforms Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google are among more than 200 members of a newly established AI Safety Institute Consortium under the department, according to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Also on the list are Apple Inc., Amazon Inc., Hugging Face Inc. and IBM.

What’s Your Water Bottle Made Of? Stanley Tumblers Aren’t The Only Water Bottles Containing Lead
February 6, 2024, Cycling Weekly
The Stanley situation has resulted in athletes questioning what chemicals are hiding in their water bottles, and if there is cause for concern about traces of lead or other dangers in what we drink out of on long rides. We did research on popular water bottle brands frequently found in cyclists’ water bottle cages, so you don’t have to. 

New York Group Releases First Battery Fire Recommendations
February 6, 2024, Power Engineering
 New York’s Inter-Agency Fire Safety Working Group has released its initial recommendations, outlining new safety standards for battery energy storage systems. These include potential updates to the Fire Code of New York State (FCNYS), as well as a list of additional opportunities for defining and implementing best practices. The announcement follows the release of initial data from the group which said it found that there were no reported injuries and no harmful levels of toxins detected following fires at battery energy storage systems in Jefferson, Orange and Suffolk Counties last summer.

New Federal Safety Standards Now In Effect For Child Car Seats
February 2024, YouTube.com
New federal standards for child car seats took effect Monday to address side-impact crash tests, minimum child weight labels, school bus-specific restraint requirements and more.

Report: 2024 Could Be A Big Year For PFAS Bans
February 8, 2024, Environmental Health News
Policymakers in 36 states will consider more than 450 bills that deal with toxic chemicals in 2024, according to a new analysis of anticipated state legislation from Safer States. Safer States is a national alliance of environmental organizations aimed to protect people from harmful chemicals. Most of the anticipated bills in their new report will deal with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, water quality, plastics and cosmetics. The analysis estimates 35 states will introduce policies to ban PFAS chemicals in some of the chemicals’ uses. And the policies will go beyond bans, such as food packaging, the authors write, and will include monitoring and testing of PFAS in water, sewage sludge (which is often spread on farms and can contain the chemicals), and labeling and restrictions in firefighting equipment.

UK Garden Center Fined £18,000 After ‘Very Dangerous’ Cushions Seized
February 7, 2024, Yorkshire Live
Woodthorpe Hall Garden Centers Ltd has been fined £18,000 after “very dangerous” cushions were seized from a garden center in East Yorkshire. The cushions, which lacked fire labels, were on sale at Hornsea Garden Center. The company was fined after admitting to six breaches of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. 

In the News: February 5, 2024

Should Amazon Be Responsible For Everything It Sells And Ships? A U.S. Agency May Soon Decide
February 1, 2024, MSN
Amazon.com is facing a government order that could make it responsible for the safety of goods that it sells for outside vendors on its website and ships for them through its logistics network. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is preparing an order that could classify Amazon’s online retail business as a distributor of goods, according to people familiar with the matter. That designation could give Amazon the same safety responsibilities as traditional retailers and potentially open Amazon up to lawsuits and extensive recalls over items sold through its website.

AAFA Demands Answers From E-Commerce Giants On Counterfeit Goods
February 1, 2024, Just Style
Steve Lamar, president and CEO of the American Apparel and Footwear Association AAFA, has urged US Congress to scrutinize major e-commerce and social media platforms. Lamar accused e-commerce and social media platforms of creating networks of misinformation and consumer deception and demanded these companies explain why they struggle to curb the promotion and sale of counterfeit goods on their sites. Furthermore, Lamar called on Congress to expedite the passage of the “much-needed” Stopping Harmful Offers on Platforms by Screening Against Fakes in E-Commerce (Shop Safe Act), which was reintroduced by US Senators Chris Coons and Thom Tillis in September 2023. AAFA says its members are “deeply concerned” about the range of risk to consumers posed by counterfeit products, including threats to consumer health and safety, as well as financial risks.

Analysis: What The Boeing Debacle Teaches About Company Culture And The Tension Between Safety And Profits
February 1, 2024, MinnPost
Because the design, construction, and maintenance of airplanes affect human lives, industry experts stress the need to prioritize the safety concerns and procedures of engineers over business executives who may want to pursue less costly paths to maximize profits. When a Boeing aircraft door blew out on an Alaska Airlines flight at about 16,000 feet, it was the latest evidence for analyst Ronald Epstein that the airplane manufacturer had elevated growing profits over rigorous safety practices and engineering expertise. Ronald Epstein, veteran research analyst for Bank of America, was unsparing in his criticism of Boeing and its vendor partner, Spirit AeroSystems, following the early January episode that left a hole in the fuselage of the Boeing 737 Max 9. “Culture isn’t found in an employee handbook,” wrote Epstein in a January analyst report. He argued that Boeing needs a “drastic” cultural overhaul. “This cultural change won’t come from FAA mandates, congressional hearings, internal memos, or one-hour all hands meetings,” Epstein wrote.

The New Rules Of Executive Presence
January-February 2024, Harvard Business Review
Over the past decade, the pandemic, political and economic instability has changed the expectations that people have of company leaders. This includes such social movements social movements such as Black Lives Matter and changing workplace technologies. This article offers a playbook for developing six attributes that increasingly factor into executive presence, citing the examples of a dozen leaders who have cracked the code.

Proposition 65: 2023 In Review
January 30, 2024, National Law Review
2023 was a busy year for Prop 65 with the highest number of Notices of Violation since its inception. The California law requires consumers receive warnings regarding the presence of chemicals that cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. Prop 65 applies to an ever-growing list of chemicals and thus impacts a wide variety of businesses in California. In 2023, there were 4,138 notices filed with the California Attorney General’s Office by 67 noticing parties—up from 3,170 notices in 2022, and the highest number filed in any year since Prop 65’s inception.

Maricopa Lawnmower Fire Sparks Federal Safety Probe
January 31, 2024, inMaricopa.com
The federal government is investigating a ride-on lawnmower that went up in flames in Maricopa last year. Maricopa Fire and Medical Department used 300 gallons of water to extinguish the lawnmower fire. The cause of the fire remains unknown. Now, half a year later, the  Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating why the mower combusted and if the model is dangerous. The agency works to protect consumers from unreasonable risk or harm by defective or violative products. CPSC Product Safety Investigator Mary B. Notsch sent a letter to Maricopa Fire and Medical Department dated Jan. 16, asking for photos and an investigation report on the mower fire. 

Denmark Launches Online Protection Against ‘Dangerous British Products’
February 1, 2024, The Local dk
The Danish Safety Technology Authority has announced automated technology to guard against products from UK-based web shops which do not live up to EU safety standards. The authority announced a new project in partnership with e-market, the Danish certification scheme for online stores, which it says will “ensure Danish consumers cannot order dangerous products from British web shops”. “After Brexit there is no guarantee that goods produced in or imported via the United Kingdom live up to the EU’s product safety rules,” the Danish authority said in a press statement. “The rules exist to protect Danish consumers from, for example, electronic products that give a shock or overheat and suddenly catch fire,” the statement continues.

Danger In The Doorway: Automatic Doors Injured Over 1,300 People In 2022
January 31, 2024, KOTA ABC
The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates in 2022, more than 1,300 people nationwide were injured by automatic doors. That is an average of nearly four people per week.There are measures in place to help protect you from faulty doors, but that doesn’t mean problems are fixed right away.

CPSC Warns: Stop Using Magnetic Fidget Balls’ High-Powered Magnetic Ball Sets Due To Ingestion Hazard; No Recall Or Remedy Offered
February 1, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to stop using and dispose of Magnetic Fidget Balls’ Magnetic Ball Sets because the loose, hazardous magnets pose a risk of serious injury or death if ingested by children. CPSC testing determined the magnetic ball sets do not comply with the requirements of the mandatory federal toy regulation because they contain one or more magnets that fit within CPSC’s small parts cylinder and the magnets are stronger than permitted. The firm has not agreed to recall these magnetic ball sets or offer a remedy to consumers. 

Exploring The Rise In Severe Injuries Associated With Electric Scooters
January 31, 2024, Anesthesiology News
Over the last five years or so, there has been an explosion in the use of electric scooters (e-scooters), electric bikes (e-bikes) and hoverboards in cities, towns and college campuses throughout the United States. However, their growth and accessibility has been associated with a sharp uptick in deaths, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), internal organ injuries and extremity fractures. The speed of such devices—while certainly an attractive aspect of commuting—also can be deadly, partly related to danger to pedestrians and a lack of people wearing helmets and padding to protect their bodies. The silent nature of their electric motors also can be a danger to others, as drivers often weave in and out of traffic and sidewalks.

A Spark In Regulation: Lithium-Ion Batteries
January 31, 2024, Foley.com
Lithium-ion (“Li-ion”) batteries are the energy source for many consumer products, including electric bicycles and scooters. While their use has become increasingly popular, Li-ion batteries have also reportedly caused hundreds of fires, severe injuries, and death. These incidents have resulted in regulatory changes in places like New York City, where in 2022 the New York City Fire Department responded to more than 200 e-scooter and e-bike fires, reportedly resulting in six deaths. Li-ion batteries are here to stay because of their energy capacity and performance, but federal, state, and local regulators are paying attention and taking action to keep consumers safe. 

Gas Stoves Are Finally Being Regulated. No, That Doesn’t Mean They’re Banned
February 1, 2024, Fast Company
 When the Department of Energy proposed new rules around efficiency requirements for stoves in 2023, it looked as if it would take aim at gas stoves. The appliances have come under fire in recent years for their harmful health and climate impacts. At that time, the DOE estimated that nearly half of such stoves sold in the U.S. wouldn’t be compliant with the new efficiency rules. But now that the Biden administration has officially released its efficiency standard rules, that’s no longer true: Some 97% of gas stoves on the market already meet the new standards, meaning just 3% need to improve their energy efficiency. The rules also set standards for the efficiency of electric stoves; 77% of models on the market already meet them. Government standards are meant to ensure that products meet a minimum level of energy efficiency, and the new rules mark the first time they’ve ever been set for stoves.

Lawmakers Prioritize Consumer Safety And Introduce CAP Act
January 25, 2024, Kids in Danger
On January 25, Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) introduced the Consumer Advocacy and Protection (CAP) Act. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) uses a variety of tools to protect consumers from unsafe products, including civil penalties for violative companies. Currently, the statutory caps on CPSC civil penalties – $100,000 per violation and $17,500,000 for multiple violations – are too low to reflect the gravity of violations or deter future bad behavior, especially for large corporations.

National Floor Safety Institute Submits Petition To CPSC Mandating Slip Resistance Testing And Labeling Of Products
January 25, 2024, Chronicle-Tribune
The National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) is petitioning the CPSC to initiate rulemaking to mandate testing and labeling regarding the slip resistance of commercial and residential grade floor coverings, floor coatings and treatments, residential and commercial floor cleaning agents, and consumer footwear. Falls are the leading cause of accidental injury and death for our nation’s elderly. Research has revealed that half of all slip and fall injuries are caused by hazardous floors. The NFSI believes that if provided with a label, the consumer will be able to make a more informed choice and reduce the risk of an accidental fall.

 2023 CPSC Annual Report To The President And Congress
January 24, 2024, cpsc.gov
This report is submitted to the President and Congress under section 27(j) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) (15 U.S.C. § 2076(j)), as amended by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). The report describes many of the activities the staff of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) performed to protect the public from hazardous consumer products in fiscal year 2023 (2023).

How To Answer, “What Are Your Strengths And Weaknesses?”
May 3, 2023, Harvard Business Review
Don’t take common interview questions lightly just because they’re predictable. Underpreparing for them can make the difference between moving ahead and moving on. One question that often comes up: What are your strengths and weaknesses? In this article, the author outlines clear steps for how to describe your strengths and weaknesses along with sample language to use as a guide.

Children Still Exposed To Laundry Detergent Pods At High Rate
January 24, 2024, Healio
Calls to poison control centers to report exposures to liquid laundry detergent packets — commonly called pods — remain high in the U.S., although exposures appear to have declined among young children. This according to researchers including Christopher Gaw, MD, an emergency medicine physician at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Researchers told Healio that the study was inspired by an interest in consumer product safety and in preventing child injuries and poisonings. From 2014 to 2022, there were more than 114,000 calls to U.S. poison control centers related to laundry detergent pods.

U.S. And China Should Collaborate On AI Safety, White House Adviser Says
January 25. 2-24, INC
Arati Prabhakar, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, says the two countries should work together on AI development, particularly when it comes to technical and safety standards. Prabhakar was previously the founding CEO of Palo Alto-based tech nonprofit Actuate. “Steps have been taken to engage in that process,” Prabhakar told the Financial Times. “We understand that we’re in a moment where American leadership in the world depends on American leadership in AI.”

Artificial Turf Companies Take Action On Forever Chemicals
January 23, 2024, KRON 4
PFAS have been linked to several health issues. In response to concerns about the use of PFAS in artificial turf, multiple manufacturers and wholesalers have taken voluntary steps to make sure their products are free of PFAS chemicals. PFAS are found in everyday products such as non-stick cookware, clothes, stain-resistant carpets, and food packaging. There is currently no federal regulation or standard for PFAS in the environment.

California: Changes To Prop 65 Warning Requirements On The Horizon 
October 13, 2023, Crowell
OEHHA’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking contains significant amendments to the Prop 65 short-form warnings. These include identification of a listed chemical; modifications to the warning methods for internet and catalog purchases; short-form food exposure warnings; new signal words; and new sections regarding warnings for motor vehicle and marine vessel parts.

2023 Fatality Data: Another Devastating Year For Off-Highway Vehicle Riders And Occupants
January 25, 2024, Consumer Federation of America
As 2023 wraps up, Consumer Federation of America (CFA) has documented 498 off-highway vehicle (OHV) fatalities last year.  Children under the age of 15 years and younger accounted for 19% of all deaths.  Children six years and under continue to make up a sizeable portion of the OHV fatalities, and multiple children as young as three years old were killed last year while riding an OHV. CFA has been working to minimize deaths and injuries from OHVs for decades by petitioning the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ban adult-size ATVs for children, convening a coalition to prevent OHV road access, compiling fatality information in real time with that coalition, and urging the CPSC to collect annual Recreational Off Highway vehicle (ROV) data among other requests to take steps to reduce OHV deaths and injuries.

Exposure To Fireproof Chemicals Found In Everything From Pajamas, Sofas And Electronics May Cause Birth Defects And Pregnancy Problems – And Scientists Say They Are Unavoidable
January 24, 2024, Daily Mail, UK
Fireproof chemicals found in furniture, clothes and many household items may cause obesity in children, scientists have warned. Researchers studied thousands of cases and found a ‘compelling’ link between overweight youngsters and mothers who were exposed to organophosphate esters (OPEs) when they were pregnant. The chemicals, introduced in the mid-2000s to replace toxic alternatives, are used to make textiles, children’s toys, building materials, TVs and household appliances fireproof. Researchers found they can affect thyroid hormone levels and cause inflammation in pregnant women, leading to high birth weight and premature births.

Sen. Duckworth Urges FAA To Deny Boeing’s Petition For Safety Standards Exemption
January 25, 2024, Central Illinois Proud
 U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday in response to Boeing’s petition for an exemption from safety standards. According to Duckworth’s letter to FAA administrator Michael Whitaker, Boeing’s petition would allow the 737 Max 7 to enter commercial service prematurely. In the letter, the Illinois Democrat said the exception involves an anti-ice system that can overheat and cause the engine nacelle to break apart and fall off, which would create debris that could injure passengers.

CPSC Recalls Millions Of Furniture Tip-Over Kits Made In Vietnam
January 11, 2024, USA Today
Millions of kits designed to prevent furniture from tipping over were recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission over potential child safety risks. Tthe plastic zip tie in the kits, made by New Age Industries of Vietnam, “can become brittle or weak.” The furniture that they’re supposed to anchor to the wall can detach, posing a potentially fatal fall risk to children, according to the commission. There have been no reported injuries since the recall notice was issued, only reports of the product breaking, the commission said. New Age furniture tip kits have been sold in furniture stores nationwide and online since at least November 2019. The kits include a plastic zip-tie, two brackets and two screws. They were sold with dressers and other similar furniture pieces manufactured in Vietnam, the commission reported. 

Requirements For Consumer Products Containing Coin And Button Cells Expected To Phase In Soon
January 11, 2024, JD Supra
Deadlines for compliance with central elements of Reese’s Law are fast approaching. Many consumer products that use coin or button cell batteries will have to comply with the UL 4200A-2023 standard (and be tested to confirm compliance) by March 19, 2024. In August 2022, Congress overwhelmingly passed and President Biden signed, Reese’s Law. The law is intended to prevent accidental ingestions of coin and button cell batteries by children. Now codified at 15 U.S.C. § 2056e, the law requires changes to coin and button cell battery packaging and has resulted in a new mandatory standard for consumer products containing coin and button cells.

What Is Active Listening?
January 2, 2024, Harvard Business Review
Active listening requires mastering many skills. This includes reading body language and tone of voice, maintaining your attention and being aware of and controlling your emotional response. In this article, the author explains what active listening is and how to improve this essential communication skill.

Opinion: Rethinking Firearms Regulation
January 11, 2024, The Regulatory Review
What if the United States regulated real firearms as stringently as they regulated toy guns for children? In this article, Benjamin Cavataro, a professor at the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, proposes that Congress empower the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to regulate guns in the same way that it regulates other consumer products, such as toys. Cavataro argues that empowering the CPSC to regulate guns would increase their safety without encroaching on politically charged issues such as gun access and prevalence.

Beyond The Imitation Game: The World Begins Construction On A Global Legal Framework For AI
January 5, 2024, Reuters
Nearly a decade after cracking Nazi Germany’s Enigma code and hastening the end of World War II, British computer scientist Alan Turing posed a question. This was long before we relied on computers to answer much of anything: “Can machines think?” The significance of his question, “Can machines think?” was brought to life by Benedict Cumberbatch in the 2014 film “The Imitation Game.” The movie presaged a time when artificial intelligence would become a ubiquitous and integral part of our daily lives, far surpassing its initial spectacle.

2023 Was A Year Of Reform In Europe – What’s Next In 2024?
January 10, 2024, Cooley Productwise
2023 was a year of reform – a most active year of regulatory change in the products law space, with impacts that will be felt by product stakeholders for years to come. New requirements will need to be understood, and any required changes to products and processes will need to be planned and implemented. Here is a roundup of some of the highlights.

CPSC Business Education Webinar/ Infant Sleep Products, Inclined Sleepers And Crib Bumpers
January 9, 2024, YouTube

Study Finds Scooter-Related Injuries And Surgeries Drastically Increased Over 4 Years
January 9, 2024, Forbes
Scooter-related hospitalizations outnumbered bike-related hospitalizations in 2020, and over 50% resulted in surgery, a new study found. Hospitalizations for scooter-related injuries increased nearly threefold between 2016 and 2020, and over half of the patients hospitalized underwent some form of surgery, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Patients hospitalized with scooter-related injuries were more likely to be under the age of 18 compared to those with bicycle injuries (26.7% compared to 16.4%), and more likely to undergo surgery (55.8% vs. 48.1%). The study grouped electric scooter (or e-scooter) and regular scooter injuries together.

J&J To Pay $700 Million To Settle States’ Talc-Marketing Probe
January 8, 2024, Reuters
Johnson & Johnson has come to a tentative agreement to pay about $700 million for settling claims by over 40 U.S. states that it wrongfully marketed its talc-based baby powder, Bloomberg News reported. The settlement would avert potential lawsuits alleging J&J hid any links between the talc in its powder and various cancers, the report said citing people familiar with the deal. J&J and representatives for state attorneys general are still working out the specific terms of the deal but have agreed on the total amount, Bloomberg News reported.

EU Prepares To Push Back On Private Sector Carve-Out From International AI Treaty
January 10, 2024, Euractiv
The European Commission is preparing to push back on a US-led attempt to exempt the private sector from the world’s first international treaty on Artificial Intelligence while pushing for as much alignment as possible with the EU’s AI Act. The Council of Europe, an international human rights body with 46 member countries, set up the Committee on Artificial Intelligence at the beginning of 2022 to develop the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. The binding international treaty, the first of its kind on AI, is facing crunch time: the current plan is to finalize it by March, with the view of adopting it at the ministerial level in May. Thus, many open questions must be solved at a plenary meeting on 23-26 January.

CPSC Proposes Significant Changes To Rule Governing Certificates Of Compliance
January 4, 2024, National Law Review
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently published a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPR) to revise the existing rule on Certificates of Compliance (CoC). The last time CPSC proposed changes to Rule 1110 was in 2013. A decade later, the CPSC is reviving the CoC rulemaking process. This SNPR proposes a number of significant changes to Rule 1110. Changes include the addition of an electronic filing (eFiling) requirement for all imported CPSC-regulated products or substances, an expanded definition of “importer” and new CoC content and recordkeeping requirements.

This Commissioner’s New Year Goal: Regulate Water Beads
January 3, 2024, CNN Business
They’re colorful, small and fun to squish. But water beads pose major health risks to children, safety experts say. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has made it a priority in the new year to fully regulate water bead marketing toward young consumers. In a stinging letter on January 2, CPSC Commissioner Rich Trumka Jr.called out two retailers, Hobby Lobby and online retailer Wish, for alack of response in committing to discontinuing the toys. “They have failed to keep up with their competitors, as they have not made similar commitments to safety. Corporate greed can be deadly,” Trumka wrote. Trumka sent the letter to Hobby Lobby on December 20 and asked for a response by December 29.

Want To Be A Better Leader? Stop Thinking About Work After Hours
January 3, 2024, Harvard Business Review 
It’s not uncommon for managers to continue thinking about their job after the official workday is over. This may involve ruminating about an issue with an employee, trying to think of a solution to a client problem or creating a mental to-do list for the next day. But new research shows that this tendency may not be beneficial, particularly for new leaders. In fact, constant rumination leads managers to be more depleted and less able to show up as leaders — something even their employees can pick up on.

States Looking To 2024 To Pass Revised Kids’ Online Safety Bills
January 2, 2024, The Washington Post
A group of state legislators and children’s safety advocates are planning a renewed campaign to import British digital safeguards for kids into the United States as they look to ward off legal challenges from the tech industry. After California passed a landmark online safety law in 2021 — styled after child protection rules in the United Kingdom — lawmakers in several other states, including Maryland and Minnesota, introduced their own versions. The law requires digital services to “prioritize” the well-being of children when developing products and vet those tools for potential risks before rolling them out. 

How Playing With Toys Can Expose Children To Harmful Chemicals
January 4, 2024, Impackter
Like many consumer products, toys are composed of a range of materials, such as plastics, textiles and metals. Chemicals of concern (CoC), provide toys with certain functions such as fragrance, color and plasticity. Such exposure can result in long-term health effects for children such as interfering with the hormone system or cognitive development. When it comes to exposure to chemicals of concern children are one of the most vulnerable populations due to their rapid metabolic rate, high surface-area-to-body-weight ratio and rapid growth of organs and tissues.

Leading The Way: Ethics And Compliance As Leadership Responsibilities
January 3, 2024, JD Supra
To thrive in a world of constant change and challenge, firms must continuously innovate by pivoting business models, creating disruptive products and implementing new technologies. Keeping innovative, aligned and on course in these circumstances is no small feat. It requires a clear North Star in purpose and ethics as well as active, visible leadership to demonstrate what really matters and what is expected of everyone in the organization. To successfully elevate ethics to be a strategic advantage, it must begin at the top.

This Commissioner’s New Year Goal: Regulate Water Beads
January 3, 2024, CNN Business
They’re colorful, small and fun to squish. But water beads pose major health risks to children, safety experts say. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has made it a priority in the new year to fully regulate water bead marketing toward young consumers. In a stinging letter on January 2, CPSC Commissioner Rich Trumka Jr.called out two retailers, Hobby Lobby and online retailer Wish, for alack of response in committing to discontinuing the toys. “They have failed to keep up with their competitors, as they have not made similar commitments to safety. Corporate greed can be deadly,” Trumka wrote. Trumka sent the letter to Hobby Lobby on December 20 and asked for a response by December 29.

Researchers Surprised By The Level Of Toxicity They Found In Rubber Gloves
January 2, 2024, Science Norway
The plastic with which we surround ourselves contains a range of chemical additives that can leach out into water systems in the natural environment. Even if it takes a long time for products to break down into microplastic particles, the chemicals start to leach from the plastic as soon as it enters the water. Researchers have been trying to find out more about whether this phenomenon is harmful to animals and perhaps also to humans. They have examined how toxic 50 common plastic products, such as plastic bags and children’s toys, can be for small animals in the ocean.

Forever Chemicals’ Contaminate America’s Freshwater Fish
January 4, 2024, Kaiser Health News
Gone fishing? Depending on the lake, your catch may not be safe to eat. A group of chemicals collectively known as PFAS are found in hundreds of consumer goods, including dental floss, rain jackets and nonstick cookware. Over decades, these chemicals have spewed from manufacturing plants and landfills into local ecosystems, polluting surface water and groundwater, as well as the wildlife living there. PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down quickly in the environment, instead accumulating in soil, water, fish and our bodies. Hundreds of military bases have been pinpointed as sources of PFAS leaching into nearby communities’ groundwater.

The Top 5 Leadership Trends That Will Drive Success In 2024
January 4, 2024, Forbes
In 2024, the leadership landscape continues to evolve in response to dynamic global, technological, and societal shifts. Leaders are facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities, prompting the emergence of key trends that are reshaping leadership methodologies and practices. In this context, leaders must stay ahead of the curve, adapting their approaches to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. Here are our top five leadership trends for 2024, exploring how these trends influence the way leaders navigate complexity, inspire teams, and drive organizational success.

Consumer Product Safety Commission Says Don’t Buy These Replacement Batteries For Dyson Vacuums
January 4, 2024, PennLive.com
A federal safety agency has issued a warning about replacement batteries for Dyson cordless vacuums sold on Amazon. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said the lithium-ion replacement batteries not only are not authorized by Dyson but also are not safe. The battery packs in question are sold by Zautnkn.inc on Amazon, the commission said, and “are manufactured in China by Ganzhoushimeizishengwukejiyouxiangongsi. ” The commission said the manufacturer “has not agreed to a recall” or “to offer a remedy to consumers.”

India: Government To Come Up With 65 Quality Control Orders To Stop Imports Of Sub-Standard Goods
January 4, 2024, The Economic Times
The Government will soon issue 65 quality control orders (QCOs) which will cover over 500 products to contain imports of sub-standard goods and boost domestic manufacturing. Under these orders, items cannot be produced, sold, traded, imported and stocked unless they bear the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark. Violation of the law can attract a penalty of up to two years of imprisonment or a fine of at least Rs 2 lakh for the first offence, which increases to Rs 5 lakh minimum for the second and subsequent offences.

Sen. Manchin Leads Bipartisan Effort To Protect Off-Highway Vehicles Against Regulatory Overreach
December 6, 2023, Senator joe Manchin
U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Deb Fischer (R-NE), John Barrasso (R-WY), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Ted Budd (R-NC) and James Risch (R-ID) sent a letter to Consumer Product Safety Commission Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric to express their concerns over the Commission’s proposed rule on debris penetration in off-highway vehicles. CPSC issued this proposed rule without sufficient evidence of risk to consumers and without regard to its negative economic consequences, particularly on the powersports industry in rural states. “As you know, off-highway vehicles are a staple of American life. They are used for recreation, agriculture, law enforcement, emergency services, and more. They are also an important economic driver, especially in rural America.” the Senators said in part. “We have serious concerns regarding the rulemaking process and the substance of the proposed debris penetration rule. Moreover, we are concerned about the effect the rule would have on the availability of off-highway vehicles and on the economic footprint of the powersports industry.”

Recall, Warnings Issued Over Toy Magnetic Balls After 7 Deaths Reported
December 8, 2023, Live Now Fox
The Consumer Product Safety Commission shared several warnings over small yet high-powered magnetic balls in toy sets after seven deaths and thousands of hospital visits were reported. The CPSC estimated that 2,400 magnet ingestions were treated in hospital emergency departments between 2017 and 2021, and said it was aware of seven deaths – including two outside the United States. The CPSC said testing determined that the magnetic ball sets are stronger than permitted and are small enough to fit within the CPSC’s small parts test cylinder. A recall was issued for one of the products, XpressGoods’ “Colorful Metal Neodymium Magic Magnetic Balls – 8 color, 5mm”. But multiple other warnings were posted by the CPSC about similar magnetic ball products of concern, including at least four sold exclusively on Temu.com. They include Magic QQ’s 216-Piece Mixed Color Magnetic Ball Sets; Allvre’s 216-Piece 5mm Magnetic Ball Sets; Sunny House’s 125-Piece 5mm Mixed Color Magnetic Ball Sets; and Ming Tai Trade’s 216-Piece 5mm Magnetic Ball Sets – all of which originated from China. The CPSC said it issued a “Notice of Violation” to the sellers, but most of the companies did not agree to recall their magnetic ball sets or offer a remedy to consumers.

Overcoming Your Need For Constant Validation At Work
December 8, 2023, Harvard Business Review
Letting go of the need for constant approval at work doesn’t mean you have to stop caring. In fact, the most effective leaders are those who balance empathy and decisiveness, conviction and compassion and warmth and strength. In this article, the author offers strategies for how to mitigate an excessive need for approval at work: 1) Do a gut check; 2) Formulate your own opinions first; 3) Try the “so what?” test; 4) Wait 24 hours before responding to contentious or charged issues; and 5) Keep promises you make to yourself.

Anchor It! A Mother Turns A Tragedy Into Advocacy
December 27, 2023, Seattle’s Child
June 11, 2014, changed Crystal Ellis’s and her family’s lives forever. What happened that June, and the grief of their loss, will stay with her family forever. Since her child’s death, Ellis has worked hard to warn other parents about the risk of tip-over accidents — a leading cause of child injury and death in the United States. She became a founding member of the national advocacy group Parents Against Tip-overs (PAT) and continues to push her family’s story out through the organization. Consumer Product and Safety Commission data shows 199 tip-over-related child fatalities between January 2000 and April 2022. As the holidays draw near and many families consider furniture and large electronics purchases, PAT is working with the CPSC to push out the message “Anchor It! Even when you’re watching!” to raise awareness about tip-overs and urge families to secure all furniture safely.

Border Patrol And Homeland Security: Avoid Holiday Counterfeit And Dubiouis Goods That Pose Security Risks
December 7, 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations officials gathered at Laredo’s World Trade Bridge for an illustrative event to advise the public through local media this holiday season to avoid buying goods that may be counterfeit or of dubious origin. They warned about goods that may pose consumer safety risks or undercut legitimate trademark holders. “As gift buying starts to ramp up this holiday season, we would like to advise the public to avoid buying counterfeit goods or goods of unknown or dubious origin either online, from brick-and-mortar stores, flea markets or elsewhere,” said Port Director Albert Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. 

CPSC Warns Consumers To Stop Using Karriw Crib Bumpers Due Violation Of The Federal Ban On Crib Bumpers; No Recall Or Remedy Offered
December 7, 2023, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to stop using Karriw crib bumpers, sold exclusively on Amazon by Lucky_00, because they pose a suffocation hazard to infants. Crib bumpers are banned by the federal Safe Sleep for Babies Act. CPSC issued a Notice of Violation to the seller, Lucky_00, of China, but the firm has not agreed to recall these crib bumpers or offer a remedy to consumers.

CPSC Commissioner Peter A. Feldman On The Proposed Table Saw Rule Comment Extension Request
December 6, 2023. cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has approved a 30-day extension for public comments on the proposed safety standard addressing blade-contact injuries on table saws.  While I voted to support this 30-day extension, I also would have supported the 60-day extension requested by the Power Tool Institute (PTI).  PTI’s request for additional time is reasonable given the complexity of the underlying issues.

Report Highlights: Dangers Associated With Recalled And Counterfeit Toys
December 6, 2023, WECT News Wilmington
An estimated 209,500 toy-related injuries and 11 deaths were reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2022, underscoring the need for consumers to be vigilant about protecting children from unsafe products. Teresa Murray, co-authored U.S. Public Interest Research Group’s ‘Trouble in Toyland 2023,’ an annual report aimed at parents and other gift givers to help them make informed and safe purchases for children. This year’s report focused on recalled and counterfeit toys, showcasing how easy it is for consumers to unknowingly buy them, even though it is illegal to sell them. Recalled toys are not Murray’s only concern. Counterfeit products, many of which come in from overseas, continue to infiltrate retailers’ shelves and online platforms. Murray said the best way to protect against these products is for consumers to inspect, investigate, and research their purchases ahead of time, especially if they are looking for a sold-out or difficult to find item.

CR’s Guide To Better, Safer Drinking Water
December 7, 2023, Consumer Reports
Many Americans still drink water with unhealthy levels of toxic chemicals, heavy metals, bacteria, and other contaminants. While the nation’s water is in many ways safer than ever, it remains vulnerable to threats old and new, says Ronnie Levin, an instructor in environmental health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston and the lead author of a September 2023 review of U.S. water quality in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology. Compared with half a century ago, she says, “a lot of things are better, but a lot of things, surprisingly, are not.”

Sandwell Council Warns Households Not To Bin Batteries
December 6, 2023, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Sandwell Council, partner Serco and West Midlands Fire Service, are warning residents of the dangers batteries and electrical items going into bins pose and advising them of how to dispose of them. The move follows a spate of fires in the back of refuse and recycling vehicles, and at waste facilities across the country due to batteries being disposed in household bins

International Product Recall – The Basics You Need To Know
October 26, 2023, Cooley
Increasing globalization of product markets brings tremendous opportunities for product manufacturers. New technologies enable companies to reach consumers in markets all around the world, and rapid geographical expansion is increasingly the order of the day. These opportunities also bring risks that must be managed. For any consumer product manufacturer, there is an ever-present risk – despite the best planning and investment – that something could go wrong in the design, production or distribution phases that creates an unexpected safety risk to consumers. 

Court Rules California Can’t Require Glyphosate Cancer Warning Labels
November 29, 2023, MedTruth
A U.S. appeals court recently ruled that California lacks the authority to enforce a regulation mandating cancer warnings on glyphosate, the main active compound in Monsanto’s widely used herbicide Roundup. Monsanto was acquired by Bayer in 2018. The Ninth Circuit ruled that the most recent warning issued by the state of California perpetuates the assertion that the chemical is hazardous, a claim deemed “at best disputed.” 

What Self-Awareness Really Is (And How To Cultivate It)
January 4, 2018, Harvard Business Review
Although most people believe that they are self-aware, true self-awareness is a rare quality. In this piece, the author describes a recent large-scale investigation that shed light on some of the biggest roadblocks, myths and truths about what self-awareness really is — and what it takes to cultivate it. The study found that there are actually two distinct types of self-awareness, that experience and power can hinder self-awareness, and that introspection doesn’t always make you more self-aware.

New Graduating Class Of Certified Product Safety Professionals™ Announced
December 2, 2023, Virginia Newswire
Eight product safety professionals have earned the designation Certified Product Safety Professionals™, it was announced by the Society of Product Safety Professionals (SPSP) and Virginia Tech. These industry professionals were required to have 10 years of experience in a product safety role or 7 years of experience and a 4-year college degree in a related field. To earn certification, all candidates are required to complete a product safety education program at Virginia Tech’s Research Center in Arlington, VA. Candidates are required to demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of consumer product safety. They do this by: 1) passing a multiple-choice examination, 2) submission of a personal essay, 3) submission of a written case study on a product safety problem, and 4) an oral presentation of their case study to a panel of product safety professionals and an academic member.

Report Finds China Accounts For Most Section 321 Shipments To U.S.
November 29, 2023, STR Trade
An effort in Congress to lower the de minimis value for duty-free imports could get a boost from a recent International Trade Commission report finding that most de minimis shipments into the U.S. come from China. Section 321 of the Tariff Act of 1930 allows for the informal entry of articles that have a retail value of $800 or less and are imported by one person in one day. These articles are free of duty and taxes and are subject to expedited clearance processing. The U.S. de minimis level was increased from $200 to $800 in 2016 and is one of the highest in the world; others of note include $6.50 in China, $111 in Canada, $50 in Mexico, $162 in the European Union, and $168 in the United Kingdom.

British Columbia: Detailed Safety Study Coming For Electric Kick Scooters
December 1, 2023, B C Govt News
The benefits and effects of people using e-scooters will be studied in detail to help more local governments across B.C. evaluate how this clean and popular mode of personal transportation can be safely integrated into local transportation networks. “E-scooters are part of an ongoing shift toward electric personal mobility that’s reducing emissions by giving people new clean and affordable options to get around,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure for the British Columbia government. “We’re making it easier for local governments to test e-scooters on their own roads, so we can ensure future regulations represent the needs of people across the province.” The safety review will start on April 5, 2024 and run for four years.

‘Non-Toxic’ Labels On Water Beads Are Meaningless
December 1, 2023, Consumer Reports
New government research and CR’s tests show dangerous chemicals in the popular children’s toys. When the Consumer Product Safety Commission warned parents and caregivers about water beads this fall, it cited a panoply of potential risks to children. But there is another potential harm to consider, aside from what the beads’ growth inside the body can do. The beads themselves may be toxic.

Consumer Groups Support Disclosure Of Financial Interests In CPSC Proceedings And Urge CPSC To Ensure Ease For Consumers
November 30, 2023, Consumer Federation of America
Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and other consumer organizations submitted joint comments to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regarding the proposed rule to require the disclosure of certain financial interests in CPSC proceedings.  The consumer organizations support the changes that would promote transparency and fairness in the CPSC’s important work. However, as the agency works to finalize the rule, the groups urged the CPSC to take every step to ensure that the participation of consumers and affected families is not limited in any way. 

EPA Seeks To Increase Protections For Two Toxic Chemicals
November 29, 2023, Safety + Health Magazine
The Environmental Protection Agency wants to strengthen restrictions on two persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals already regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. On Nov. 24, EPA published a proposed rule that would enhance worker protections from decabromodiphenyl ether  – a flame retardant used in textiles, plastics and polyurethane foam – as well as phenol, isopropylated, phosphate (3:1). PIP 3:1 can be a plasticizer, flame retardant, anti-wear additive or an anti-compressibility additive. Its uses include hydraulic fluid, lubricants and greases, and industrial coatings. It’s also used in consumer and commercial goods – such as cellphones, laptop computers, and other electronic and electrical devices – as well as industrial and commercial equipment.

Study Finds PFAS Still Abundant In Apparel
December 1, 2023, Sourcing Journal
Despite calls for bans and commitments from brands, outerwear products around the world are still laden with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), new research shows. Jackets and other apparel purchased in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America were found to contain the “forever chemicals,” which have been linked to severe health conditions, according to a study from the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) and 13 IPEN members including international public interest NGOs. The groups tested items from 13 countries, finding that many were marketed to children and came into direct contact with the skin.

Is It Safe To Leave Outdoor Christmas Lights On Overnight?
November 29, 2023, Romper
In short: no, you should not leave outdoor Christmas lights and decorations on overnight. It’s indisputably safer to turn your exterior lights off when you hit the hay, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Their holiday safety guide clearly states that you should “turn off all lights on trees and other decorations when you go to bed or leave the house. Lights could short and start a fire.” If you’re worried you’ll forget or don’t want to fuss with turning your light display on and off every day, just invest in an outdoor light timer.