In the News: March 8, 2021

CPSC Report Details COVID-19 Impact On Last Year’s ER Visits
March 4, 2021, cpsc.gov
The report is the first glimpse into injury patterns from the first 7 months of the pandemic. It is an overview of changes observed in reports from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System from March-September 2020.

Pandemic Causes Shifts In ER Visit Causes And Patterns
March 4, 2021, The Washington Post
The pandemic saw a dramatic shift in how Americans got hurt last year, according to a study from the CPSC. Sports injuries collapsed. Injuries from fireworks, bicycles and home power tools soared. Overall, ER visits were flat.

What To Do When Your Employee Is Totally Checked Out
March 5, 2020, Harvard Business Review
It’s frustrating when a team member mentally checks out. In some cases, this person does only the bare minimum. In others, they miss meet important deadlines or they drop the ball on critical projects. How can you determine what’s going on and decide how to address it.

EU Safety Gate Helps Take Dangerous Products Off The Market
March 2, 2021, The European Sting
The EC published its annual report on Safety Gate, the EU rapid alert system for taking dangerous non-food products off the market. The report shows actions are growing annually, reaching a new record number of 5,377, compared to 4,477 in 2019.

Sedgwick Brand Protection’s 2021 State Of The Nation Recall Index
March 2021,Sedgwick Brand Protection
In 2021, expect the COVID-19 to continue impacting regulatory oversight and enforcement activities for the first half of the year. The US report includes 5 considerations that companies should plan for.

CPSC Must Redo Rule Banning Chemicals From Kids’ Toys
March 1, 2021, Reuters Westlaw
A unanimous three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals remanded to the CPSC its rule prohibiting the manufacturing and sale of certain children’s toys and care articles saying that the Agency “procedurally erred,” in conducting its rulemaking responsibility.

Overheating Issues Prompt Recall And Replacement Of Australian Battery Storage Systems
March 1, 2021, Energy Storage News
LG Energy Solution, formerly known as LG Chem, is offering free replacements to customers for some of its battery energy storage systems sold in Australia due to potential defects that could cause overheating. A number of energy storage system (ESS) home batteries equipped with lithium battery cells from specific production lots produced during the period March 2017 to September 2018 “may overheat and catch fire,” a listing on consumer watchdog Product Safety Australia’s website said.

UNEP Study Finds Harmful Chemicals In 25% Of Childrens’ Toys
March 3, 2021, LISD
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has published a report that finds 25% of children’s toys contain harmful chemicals. Chemical additives are used in plastic toys and other plastic products to provide specific levels of hardness or elasticity. Many of these chemicals can harm children’s health, according to the study. The researchers recommend these substances be phased out in toys and replaced with safer alternatives.

Consumer Product Safety Enforcement To Heat Up Under Biden Administration
March 4, 2021, JD Supra
More aggressive enforcement actions and increased regulatory activities under the Biden Administration are here. In President Biden’s first weeks, he is making good on his promise to reverse course from the previous administration’s product safety agenda.

Democrats Demand More Government Regulation On Furniture
March 1, 2021, Reason
“The furniture industry has been allowed to self-regulate for too long—and with tragic consequences, as a child is injured by tipped furniture every 17 minutes,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D–Conn.) in introducing the Stop Tip-Overs Of Unstable, Risky Dressers On Youth Act. The legislation would require the CPSC to develop more rigorous standards for dressers and other free-standing “clothing storage units” to prevent them from tipping over.

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In the News: March 1, 2021

CPSC Expected To Ramp Up Enforcement Of Regulations
February 24, 2021, National Law Review
President Biden is expected to nominate a new CPSC commissioner and chair. This will bring the CPSC’ leadership to its full 5-person strength. It will also allow the CPSC to usher in a new era of increased regulation and more aggressive enforcement.

Prescription Drug Blister Packages Recalled Due To Risk Of Poisoning
February 25, 2021, CPSC
The products were labeled and distributed by Dr. Reddy’s for institutional use only. They were distributed by 3rd party wholesalers to retail pharmacies and could have been dispensed to consumers. The packaging is not child resistant.

How To Stay Optimistic (When Everything Is Awful)
February 25, 2021, Harvard Business Review
These are trying times for optimists. COVID deaths are tragically high. Job growth is stubbornly low. Many of our colleagues are feeling stressed, exhausted, angry. The author offers advice to help make you and your colleagues more optimistic.

Recalls In Review: Power Tools
February 24, 2021, Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
The CPSC has regulated power tools at a consistent rate since the 1990s, conducting at least 93 recalls of power tools since 2001. This analysis covers recall data, civil penalties and types of products over a 20-year period.

“STURDY” Bill Meant To Stop Furniture Tip-Overs Reintroduced
February 24, 2021, Consumer Reports
The bill, introduced by Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), would require the CPSC to create a mandatory federal rule that would ensure furniture stability. Advocates charge that voluntary standards are inadequate.

Spin To Launch Disability Awareness Module For Scooter Riders
February 24, 2021, Intelligent Transport
E-scooter company Spin has announced a partnership with non-profit London Vision to educate Spin riders on safe riding and etiquette to help protect vulnerable pedestrian groups in the areas in which the e-scooter provider operates.

Toy Warning: Parents Can Check Kids’ Toys For List Of 126 Potentially Harmful Chemicals
February 24, 2021, The Sun
Parents can check their children’s toys to see if they’ve been made with potentially harmful chemicals. It comes after a study by the United Nations found 126 chemicals in hard, soft and foam plastic toys that could cause long-term illnesses in children. In total, UN Environment researchers found the dangerous chemicals in a quarter of childrens’ toys based on existing studies.

The Chemical BPF Can Be Linked To Children’s Cognitive Development
February 24, 2021, Medical Xpress
Researchers at Karlstad University, Uppsala University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York have found that exposure to bisphenol F (BPF) during early pregnancy can be linked to poorer cognitive function in children at seven years of age.

KULR And CSA Group To Develop New Battery Safety And Testing Procedures For Canada
February 25, 2021, EIN Presswire
KULR Technology Group, Inc., a leading developer of next-generation lithium-ion battery safety and thermal management technologies, announced a joint collaboration with the CSA Group (formerly the Canadian Standards Association), a leading standards development organization and a global provider of testing and certification services, to develop a new battery safety and testing procedure to be titled: C22.2 No. 350 Test Method for Safety and Performance of Thermal Barriers For Use in Batteries and Battery Based Energy Storage Systems.

New EU Battery Rules Support A Sustainable Energy Industry
February 23, 2021, PV Magazine
The European Commission proposal 2020/353 (Batteries Regulation) is more than 100 pages long and comprises 79 articles, 14 annexes, and about 30 pieces of secondary legislation. As one of the first product-specific legislative proposals under Ursula von der Leyen, the Batteries Regulation is a key element in the implementation of the European Green Deal. The EU classifies batteries as a strategic value chain and puts them at the core of its economic and technological leadership initiatives. With the goal of establishing a competitive ecosystem based on innovative and sustainable batteries made in Europe, the continent’s Strategic Action Plan on Batteries already foresaw in 2017 a new legislative setting designed to “ensure consistency with the EU’s broader enabling and regulatory framework.”

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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

In the News: February 22, 2021

CPSC Warns Against The Catastrophic Winter Storms
February 18, 2021, CPSC
As storms continue across the U.S., millions are without power. Using portable generators for power and heat increases the risk of CO poisoning and fire. The CPSC says about 70 people die annually from CO poisoning from portable generators.

Face Mask Guidelines: The First Ever Set Of Standards Is Here
February 18, 2021, NBC News
ASTM International released its Standard Specification for Barrier Face Coverings, answering a call for face mask manufacturing best practices. The standard is more specific than CDC guidelines and approved masks can add a label to their product.

How To Reinvent Your Organization In The Middle Of A Crisis
February 15, 2021, Harvard Business Review
Crises typically meet a “ragged end,” so it’s on leaders to make an informed judgment about when to shift from crisis management to reflection and preparation. This ongoing phase of the crisis presents an opportunity to look at your company and make it more resilient.

New Study Says E-scooters Less Safe Than Bikes
February 18, 2021, The Canberra Times
E-scooters are less safe than bikes, with users less likely to wear protective gear and more likely to have accidents while drunk. These are findings of the first study to compare hospitalizations due to e-scooter incidents with other transport.

Arnold & Porter Has Updated Their Reference Manual On The CPSC And Section 15 Reporting

CPSC Warns Of Risks Of Buying Repackaged ‘18650’ Batteries
February 15, 2021, People
The batteries are “separated, repackaged and sold as new consumer batteries.” The CPSC says this could lead to potential fires or explosions.

Heightened Government Safety Enforcement Imminent For All Products, Warns Sedgwick’s Brand Protection Division
February 18, 2021, Sedgwick Brand Protection Division
Companies across all product categories will face increased regulatory enforcement, legal action and reputational damage in 2021 and the post-pandemic world, the Sedgwick Brand Protection 2021 State of the Nation Recall Index warns. The Recall Index is the premier analysis and perspective on safety regulation and product recall incidents arising across industries.

Amazon Reminds Toymakers of Government Regulations
February 13, 2021, eCommercebytes.com
Amazon recently posted a reminder to UK sellers that makers of handmade toys and games must comply with government regulations in addition to its own guidelines.

Plastic Recycling Results In Rare Metals Being Found In Children’s Toys And Food Packaging
February 17, 2021, Science Codex
Some of the planet’s rarest metals – used in the manufacture of smartphones and other electrical equipment – are increasingly being found in everyday consumer plastics, according to new research. Through a number of detailed assessments, they examined levels of rare earth elements (REEs) but also quantities of bromine and antimony, used as flame retardants in electrical equipment and a sign of the presence of recycled electronic plastic. The results showed one or more REEs were found in 24 of the 31 products tested, including items where unregulated recycling is prohibited such as single-use food packaging.

Puppy-Selling Pet Stores Have Made Consumers Sick: Petition Asks Feds To Require Health Risk Warnings
February 17. 2021, The Humane World
U.S. health authorities have linked numerous human cases of campylobacteriosis—a bacterial infection with often severe and debilitating symptoms—to infected puppies sold in several Petland pet stores, according to a petition filed with the CPSC asking it to require that pet stores selling dogs post signs warning consumers about the potential health risks.

Scientific Experts Report That Phthalates Impair Children’s Brain Development And Call For Immediate Action
February 18, 2021, American Journal of Public Health
In a peer-reviewed article published in the American Journal of Public Health, leading scientists and health professionals of Project TENDR identify ortho-phthalates as neurotoxic chemicals that increase children’s risks for learning, attention, and behavioral disorders.

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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

In the News: February 15, 2021

Cybex To Pay $7.95m Civil Penalty For Failure To Report
February 11, 2021, CPSC
Cybex International will pay a $7.95 million fine resolving the CPSC’s charges that it failed to immediately report, as required by law, a defect or an unreasonable risk of injury. Injuries that went unreported include paralysis and spinal fractures.

Children’s Watches Recalled Over Life-Threatening Defect
February 11, 2021, news.com.au
The ACCC issued the alert for Kaisercraft’s ‘Kaiser Kids Slap Band Watches’ urging customers to immediately stop using the products and return them. The button battery within the watches may become easily accessible, says the ACCC.

Company Culture Is Everyone’s Responsibility
February 8, 2021, Harvard Business Review
A new culture-building approach is in place at some organizations, which doesn’t relegate culture-building to an amorphous concept that everyone influences but no one leads. And it weaves in employees to customers, middle managers and the CEO.

How Can We Ensure Micromoblility Remains Safe?
February 10, 2021, Intelligent Transport
As Lime looks to launch e-mopeds in Paris and Washington DC, what are the company’s safety and security polices to ensure micromobility solutions can remain safe for riders and other road users?

The Trek WaveCel Helmet Lawsuit Explained
February 10, 2021, Outside
Two years ago, Trek Bikes hyped a new line of its Bontrager-brand helmets with a novel impact-mitigation system called WaveCel. A class-action lawsuit was filed against the company alleging, not unreasonable risk of injury, but “economic harm.”

How To Ensure Your Baby’s Snowsuit Isn’t A Safety Hazard
January 5, 2021, Babygaga
While they look adorable, snowsuits can pose a hazard to babies if they are not properly worn or taken care of. So, its important before heading out for a day of fun in the snow to ensure that bundling up is done correctly.

California’s Prop 65: Companies With Fewer Than 10 Employees
February 9, 2021, JDSupra
Companies with fewer than ten employees are exempt from California’s Proposition 65 warning requirements but may nonetheless have a sophisticated distribution network for their product, making them an attractive target for Proposition 65 plaintiffs. What should you do if your company receives a 60-Day Notice of Intent to Sue (“Notice”), threatening to sue you for failing to make Proposition 65 warnings about your product?

CDC Study Finds Two Masks Are Better Than One vs. COVID-19
February 10, 2021, St. Louis Post Dispatch
CDC researchers found that two masks are better than one in slowing coronavirus, but health officials stopped short of recommending that everyone double up. The researchers found that wearing one mask, surgical or cloth, blocked around 40% of the particles coming toward the test head. When a cloth mask was worn on top of a surgical mask, about 80% were blocked. The CDC reported the results of a lab experiment that spaced two artificial heads 6 feet from each other and checked to see how many coronavirus-sized particles spewed by one were inhaled by the other.

CDC Says Fully Vaccinated People Don’t Have To Quarantine If Exposed To COVID-19
February 10, 2021, Forbes
Someone who is fully vaccinated who’s exposed to coronavirus doesn’t have to quarantine, the CDC said, offering clarity into how vaccinated people should go about their lives as the rest of the country waits to get inoculated.

Opinion – Jim Dey: Court Drama Not All It’s Cracked Up To Be
February 9, 2021, News Gazette
Perry Mason moments — the ones where the real killer confesses in response to the defense lawyer’s provocative questions — are the order of the day. Right? Well, not exactly. The reality is that truth is frequently duller than fiction.

CHOICE Helps Win Fight To Improve Button Battery Safety
February 11, 2021, choice.com.au
In December 2020, after years of campaigning by CHOICE, parents and other passionate advocates, Australia became the first country in the world to introduce new mandatory safety and information standards for all products containing button batteries. This is a huge win for parents and families.

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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

In the News: February 8, 2021

CPSC Report Shows TV And Furniture Tip-Overs Kill Dozens Of Children Annually
February 4, 2021, Family Safety and Health
A new CPSC report says TV and furniture tip-over incidents kill approximately 45 children and injure more than 11,000 every year. Based on data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, the report shows that between 2000-2019 an estimated 451 children under 17 died in TV and furniture tip-overs.

NZXT Halts H1 Case Sales A Second Time Due To Fire Danger
February 2, 2021, PC World
NZXT halted sales of its H1 Xbox One-like case in December due to a “low probability occurrence” of a fire caused by screws connecting its PCIe riser cable to the case. But an investigation showed that the screws themselves aren’t the root problem.

How To Follow Up With Someone Who’s Not Getting Back To You
January 13, 2021, Harvard Business Review
Sending an email follow up can feel awkward — especially if you have to do it multiple times. But just because someone hasn’t responded to your initial request, it doesn’t mean their answer is “no.” Here are six tips to help you get the response you need.

First US Face Mask Standards. Are They Strict Enough?
February 4, 2021, CNN
Triggered by the pandemic, hundreds of new and untested face covering products flooded the marketplace with almost no oversight or regulation, making consumer masks the Wild West of personal protection equipment. That is set to change.

New Report Finds Toxic Heavy Metals In Popular Baby Foods
February 4, 2021, Washington Posts
A congressional report found many of the products made by the country’s largest commercial baby food manufacturers contain significant levels of toxic heavy metals which can endanger infant neurological development and the FDA failed to warn consumers of risk.

New Massachusetts Law Bans Certain Chemical Flame Retardants
February 3, 2021, wamc.org
Massachusetts now has a law that bans chemicals used as flame retardants in many consumer products, including bedding, furniture, children’s items, window treatments and carpeting that contain any of 11 chemicals that are used as flame retardants.

Ability To Use Proposition 65 Short-Form Warnings May Be Short Lived
February 3, 2021, JDSupra
The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has proposed significant changes to the Prop 65 warning requirements that may impact businesses’ compliance strategy.

10 Expert-Approved Products To Help Babies Sleep Safely
February 2, 2021, Reviewed.com
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, adhering to proper sleep guidelines can minimize the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Unfortunately, another study warns that nearly two-thirds of parents don’t properly follow safe infant sleep practices.

The Doctor’s Itchy Underpants And Australia’s Consumer Protection Laws
February 3, 2021, ABC.net.au
While it sounds comical, the irritation in an Adelaide man’s pants in 1931 set an important legal precedent in many Commonwealth nations. The principles established still stand today and may even explain the tiny warnings on clothing tags suggesting you wash a garment before wearing it.

Canada-Wide Recall Issued For 15 Hand Sanitizers Due To ‘Health Risks’
February 4, 2021, Pique Magazine
Health Canada is advising Canadians that multiple hand sanitizers have been added to a growing recall list because they may pose health risks to consumers, The products are being recalled from the marketplace because they do not meet Health Canada’s requirements, and customers should stop using them immediately.

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

In the News: February 1, 2021

Ikea Implements Tip-Over Awareness Sales Requirement
January 28, 2021, Furniture Today
Home furnishings retail giant Ikea has announced new sales protocols for its U.S. stores, designed to alert consumers of the need for wall attachment on chests of drawers and other clothing storage units in order to prevent tip-overs. Customers at all U.S. stores must now acknowledge the need to attach the product to the wall and provide their name and e-mail address before the sale can be finalized.

Toy Association Continues Fight Against Counterfeit Toys
January 27, 2021, Toy and Hobby Retailer
As the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates the online shopping trend, the fight against unsafe counterfeit toys sold through e-commerce platforms is more urgent than ever – and a top priority issue for The US Toy Association and its 1,000 member companies. “The Toy Association and our members have been continually advocating for the removal of illicit counterfeit toys and play products from online marketplaces,” stated Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of The Toy Association.

Work-Life Balance Is A Cycle, Not An Achievement
January 28, 2021, Harvard Business Review
Despite evidence that working long hours can be harmful to employees and employers, many people still struggle to overcome their assumptions, and their ingrained habits, around work hours. What does it take to free yourself from these patterns?

CR Finds Problem With USI Electric MPC122S Smoke & CO Detector
January 26, 2021, Consumer Reports
The USI Electric MPC122S Smoke/ Carbon Monoxide Detector might alarm too quickly, too late, or not at all, when exposed to carbon monoxide, according to tests conducted by Consumer Reports. It’s one of 14 smoke and CO detectors CR recently tested.

Hong Kong Mask Producer Arrested For Sale Of Face Coverings With Bacterial Count 12.5 Times Beyond Safety Limit
January 28, 2021, South China Morning Post
Hong Kong customs has arrested the director of a mask manufacturer and a chain cosmetics store manager over face coverings which were found with a bacterial count exceeding safety limits by 12.5 times, prompting the brand to withdraw the items from sale.

CPSC Spreading Word About TV Tip-Overs And Child Safety
January 28, WLKY TV
Tip-over furniture sends 11,000 children to the ER every year. That includes falling TVs. And with the Super Bowl right around the corner, that means TV sales are about to boom. If you are buying one and you have kids, now is the time to think about safety and making sure your new TV (or the ones you have right now) are anchored.

Biden Administration Looks Set To Target ‘Forever Chemicals,’ As 3M Warns About Onerous Regulation’
January 26, 2021, Market Watch
President Biden’s administration looks poised to crack down on a group of “forever chemicals” that have been linked to a range of health problems, a move that could put companies like 3M and DuPont on the hook for billions of dollars in cleanup costs.

Proposition 65 Notices of the Month – 2020 Prop. 65 Roundup: Over 3,500 Notices Sent
January 28, 2021, JDSupra
2020 was an unprecedented year of crisis throughout the world with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay-at-home orders, quarantines, remote work, and Zoom-school did not slowdown Proposition 65 plaintiffs, however. Throughout the course of the year, citizen plaintiff groups sent over 3,500 Notices of Violation (“Notices”) to companies doing business in California up and down the supply chain—from manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, to everyone else in between—alleging that products sold in California required the all too familiar “Proposition 65 warning label” because of the alleged presence of chemicals in the products.

Doctor’s ‘Toilet Roll Test’ Makes Checking For Choking Hazards Easy
January 26, 2021, Today
A pediatrician in Ohio is sharing her simple way to check for choking hazards. In a video that has gone viral on TikTok, Dr. Nkeiruka Orajiaka demonstrates how she uses a toilet paper roll to determine if a toy is too small for children from birth to age 3.

New Vision On Counterfeit Liability In World Trademark Review
January 27, 2021, World Trademark Review
The USPTO had reopened its comment period regarding secondary trademark infringement liability in the e-commerce setting. One organisation to make a submission so far is the American Apparel & Footwear Association, which is calling for legislation to hold online platforms liable for counterfeit goods sold on their sites. “The foundation of our trademark system predates e-commerce and is not equipped to address the online counterfeiting issues experienced today.”

FDA Targets Mexican-Made Hand Sanitizers
January 28, 2021, AARP
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has placed all alcohol-based hand sanitizers from Mexico on a countrywide “import alert” that will allow federal agents to detain shipments until the products are determined to be safe to bring into the U.S.

Mattel Earns Perfect Score on Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index For 2nd Consecutive Year
January 28, 2021, OAOA
Mattel, Inc. has, for the second consecutive year, received a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. Mattel joins the ranks of more than 760 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year. The results were released today by The Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

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

In the News: January 25, 2021

Ethics In The Biden White House: A Chance For A New Beginning
January 20, 2021, Bloomberg Law
Restoring ethics in the White House is a big task ahead, and President Biden’s selection of new White House Counsel Dana Remus is a strong choice to lead the way, says Richard W. Painter, University of Minnesota Law School professor and former chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush. He outlines the wide range of policies, practices, and legal positions of the Trump administration that need to be reversed to restore public confidence in government.

Viral TikTok Shows Why Infants Can’t Have Toys In The Crib
January 21, 2021, Fatherly
A viral video on TikTok will have you rethinking putting that stuffed animal or baby blanket in the crib with your infant. The video shows a baby, asleep in a crib, pulling a blanket over their face during the night and struggling for agonizing seconds to get it off their face.

Why Should Anyone Be Led By You?
January 21, 2021, Harvard Business Review
We all know that leaders need vision and energy, but after an exhaustive review of the most influential theories on leadership–as well as workshops with thousands of leaders and aspiring leaders–we find that great leaders also share four unexpected qualities.

Making Microwaves Safer For Children
January 20, 2021, TheDietWorld
A 15-year research and advocacy effort to make microwave ovens safer has led to a change in national manufacturing standards that will make microwaves more difficult for young children to open, protecting them from the severe microwave-related burns.

Importance Of Product Safety And Risk Assessment (YouTube)
September 2020, You Tube
Two experts of the industry, Geraldine Cosh and Richard Poate, discuss some of the product safety and risk assessment challenges they have faced out in the field.

Amazon Offers Biden Vaccine Assistance After Months Of Silence With Trump
January 21, 2021, New York Post
Amazon is offering to help President Biden hasten distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, inviting questions about whether the offer was ever made to the Trump administration.

Mosquito Spray Tainted With PFAS From Shipping Containers
January19, 2021, Chemical & Engineering News
Environmentally persistent chemicals discovered in an insecticide aerially sprayed in more than half of US states leached into the pesticide from plastic shipping containers, the Environmental Protection Agency says.

Children’s Bunk Beds Pose ‘Entrapment, Fall And Strangulation’ Risks
January 18, 2021, Daily Mail
Children’s bunk beds have been recalled over fears of ‘entrapment, falls and strangulation’ due to a top bunk defect. Product Safety Australia (PSA) has issued an urgent recall of Australian hardwood bunk beds in single, king single and single over double sizes from Organature, a company based in Victoria.

These Are 3 Skills You Need To Succeed In 2021
January 18, 2021, Fast Company
Harvard Business School Online has identified three top “upskills” essential for professionals to acquire, or hone, in 2021. They are: Literacy in Data Science; Competency in Leadership, particularly while in crisis; and Understanding of the Global Economy.

Lawsuits And Limits Multiply With PFAS Chemicals Problem
January 20, 2021, Engineering News-Record
Lawsuits and environmental cleanups are expected to grow exponentially for producers and even users of some 7,000 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known collectively as PFAS, as more states set exposure limits and Biden administration regulators weigh specific drinking water rules or declare as hazardous substances the chemicals with wide business and consumer use in products.

Getting A Grip On What’s Next For Robotics In Manufacturing
January 21, 2021, Manufacturing Innovation Blog
The growth path for small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) with robotics is increasingly focused on applications and added capabilities, not just efficiency and continuous improvement. The key to increasing adoption of robotics in SMMs is making the robots easier to use and re-use.

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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

In the News: January 18, 2021

McDonald’s Vows To Stop Using Harmful Chemicals In Packaging
January 13, 2021, Miami Herald
In a victory for health and environmental advocates, the world’s largest fast-food chain promised to stop using potentially harmful chemicals in packaging. McDonald’s will remove all PFAS from wrappers, containers and other packaging by 2025.

Kidde Penalty May Signal Stiffer Biden Era Safety Rules
January 12, 2021, Market Watch
The first major CPSC penalty in almost three years could preview tougher oversight that companies will face under a more aggressive Biden administration. Kidde was fined $12 million for several serious violation including failure to report and under reporting.

Nine Trends That Will Shape Work In 2021 And Beyond
January 9, 2021, Harvard Business Review
While 2020 was the most volatile year in modern history, it would be a mistake to think that we’re in for smoother sailing this year. In fact, as we move into 2021 and beyond, the rate of disruption will potentially accelerate as the implications from 2020 play out across the next several years. Here are nine predictions from the chief of research for Gartner’s HR practice.

Ford Studying Tech For Bikes, E-Scooters To ‘Talk’ To Cars
January 13, 2021, Washington Post
If bikes and e-scooters could “talk” to cars, riders would be safer, at least in theory. That’s what’s behind a consortium of bike and scooter manufacturers working to develop safety software to allow forms of micromobility to communicate with cars.

Shovel Snow Safely This Winter
January 12, 2021, Courier Journal
Shoveling snow can increase the risk of injury and people may be surprised to learn just how frequently such injuries happen. The CPSC notes that, in 2018, more than 137,000 people needed medical assistance for injuries that happened while shoveling snow or using snowblowers.

Five Things Consumer Product Whistleblowers Must Know
January 13, 2021, Forbes
Countless employees in the consumer products industry play a pivotal role in making sure products —ranging from toys to coffee makers to power tools — do not pose a threat to people using them. A relatively unsung law, the Consumer Safety Products Improvement Act (CPSIA), 15 U.S.C. § 2087, provides crucial protection against retaliation for whistleblowers.

Two Former Executives Acquitted In Humidifier Cleaner Death Cases
January 12, 2021, Yonhap News Agency
A court recently acquitted the former heads of SK Chemical Co. and the consumer goods company Aekyung Industrial Co. in a deadly humidifier sterilizer case. They were accused of manufacturing and selling Humidifier Mate, a humidifier sterilizer that includes harmful chemicals, in the early 2000s. But the court said the causal relations between lung-related illnesses such as asthma and the chemical substances used to make the product have not been firmly established.

GE Appliances Releases First Ever Corporate Citizenship Report
January 12, 2021, The Tullahomanews.com
GE Appliances recently released its first-ever Corporate Citizenship Impact Report, highlighting the company’s long-standing, purpose-driven commitment to making a difference in the world through its people, products, and the places where it operates.

What Is A Design Defect Products Liability Claim?
January 11, 2021, Lawyers.com
In a design defect case, the company that designed the product is normally the only entity that is held liable. In manufacturing or marketing defect cases, anyone involved in the manufacture, assembly, and distribution of goods can be held liable. Overall, products liability claims can be based on negligence, strict liability, or breach of warranty of fitness.

Trump’s EPA Team Overrules Career Scientists On Toxic Chemical
January 13, 2021, Politico
Political officials at EPA have overruled the agency’s career scientists to weaken a major health assessment for a toxic chemical contaminating the drinking water of an estimated 860,000 Americans, according to four sources with knowledge of the changes. The changes to the safety assessment for the chemical PFBS, part of a class of “forever chemicals” called PFAS, is the latest example of the Trump administration’s tailoring of science to align with its political agenda, and another in a series of eleventh-hour steps the administration has taken to hamstring President-elect Joe Biden’s ability to support aggressive environmental regulations

Brexit Implications For Business
January 11, 2021, Safety and Health Practitioner
UK REACH, the UK’s independent chemicals regulatory framework, started on 1 January 2021. This guidance sets out how to comply with the EU and UK REACH chemical regulations when using, making, selling or importing chemicals in the UK and in the EU. It has been updated to include access to the ‘Comply with UK REACH’ service.

California To Tire Makers: Please Remove Harmful Chemicals That Threaten Our Aquatic Life And Waterways
January 12, 2021, YubaNet.com
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) today put tire manufacturers on notice that California wants them to explore alternatives to using zinc, a toxic chemical that harms aquatic life and burdens waterways.

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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

In the News: January 11, 2021

Fire Extinguisher Maker Ordered To Pay $12 Million penalty
January 4, 2021, Justice Department News
A federal judge ordered Walter Kidde Portable Equipment Inc. to pay a $12 million civil penalty in connection with allegations that the company failed to timely inform the CPSC about problems with fire extinguishers manufactured by the company.

Statement Of Acting Chairman Robert Adler On Kidde Inc. Civil Penalty
January 5, 2021, CPSC
Acting CPSC Chairman Adler notes: “This penalty is important not only because of its size, but also because it represents the first such penalty by CPSC after an unfortunate hiatus of several years.”

Cross Team Meetings Don’t Have To Be A Waste Of Time
January 7, 2021, Harvard Business Review
Working across silos is fraught with challenges. Turf wars, internal politics and lack of focus all interfere with a productive conversation, leading to wasted time and frustration. Fortunately, there are ways to solve problems faster, reduce repetition and be more productive.

Tel Aviv Leads The World With New E-scooter Safety Measures
January 6, 2021, Traffic Technology Today
E-scooter operators in Tel Aviv have responded to a request from the Israel National Road Safety Authority to tighten reregistration conditions, add automated procedures, and update terms of service – thereby, it is hoped, improving safety for all road users.

Updated Health Canada Industry Guides Released
January 7, 2021, Consumer and Hazardous Products Safety Directorate, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch of Health Canada
Health Canada is advising interested parties that updated industry guides for several products that are subject to the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act are available. The industry guides have been updated to provide information related to the use of flame-retardant chemicals.

Make Sure Your Space Heater Doesn’t Start A Fire
January 6, 2021, WRAL.com
Space heaters are to blame for house fires, with an estimated 25,000 house fires and 300 deaths each year. The CPSC says the majority of fires start when heaters are placed too close to curtains, bedding, or furniture.

CPSC Recall Guidance: Be Prepared For Recall Planning
December 2020, cpsc.gov
If you are a manufacturer, importer, distributor, or retailer of consumer products, you may need to conduct a product recall in the future. Experts have shown that one of the best ways to ensure that a product recall is effective is to have a recall plan already in place and to execute the plan as quickly as possible.

Countless Toys Went Untested By Federal Inspectors During The Pandemic
January 6, 2021, Cleveland 19 News TV
The Commission says that the decision to pull inspectors from ports all over the country for months during the pandemic was unanimous given the deadly threat of the virus. The CPSC says they’re closer to being back to full force.

Toy Association Sets 2021-2022 Trade Show Marketplace
January 2021, TA Newsletter
As COVID-19 remains insufficiently resolved, The Toy Association has announced that it will not conduct an interim trade show in New York for 2021, which was previously planned to take place May 1 to 4.

National Flammability Standard For Upholstered Furniture To Take Effect In June 2021
January 5, 2021, National Law Review
Congress has passed a law mandating nationwide compliance with California’s flammability standard for upholstered furniture. The “COVID-19 Regulatory Relief and Work from Home Safety Act,” included in the massive appropriations bill passed by Congress and signed into law by the President on December 27, 2020, incorporates the provisions previously proposed in the Safer Occupancy Furniture Flammability Act (SOFFA), a bill widely supported by the furniture industry.

Helmet Safety Vital For Bikers And Boarders
January 4, 2021, Shreveport Times
If someone at your house found wheeled equipment, a bike, skateboard, rollerblades, or hoverboard, under the Christmas tree this year, make sure Santa also remembered to include the proper accompanying safety equipment.

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

In the News: January 5, 2021

Mom Turns Tragedy Into Passage Of Burn Victim Bill
December 26, 2020, The Press Democrat
The Sonoma woman led the campaign to require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to write new rules for manufacturers of portable fuel containers to ensure other families would not suffer the same terrible fate.

Brexit Deal Done, Britain Now Scrambles To See How It Will Work
December 25, 2020, New York Times
Britain is finally departing from the European Union, but its formal exit is only the beginning of a high-stakes experiment to unstitch commercial relations across an integrated continent.

What Did 2020 Do To Retail?
December 28, 2020, Harvard Business Review
Driven partly by the pandemic, dozens of retailers filed for bankruptcy in 2020. As the year comes to a close, HBR spoke with Marc-Andre Kamel, a partner who heads the global retail practice at Bain & Co., about what retailing trends he sees emerging in 2021.

How To Stay Safe From Falls, Freezing This Winter
December 27, 2020, HealthDays
Outdoor activities can help you keep fit this winter while staying safe from COVID-19, but you need to take precautions to reduce your risk of injury, says the CPSC and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

In Europe, Bicycle Helmet Use Differs, But Saves Lives
December 29, 2020, Forbes
In European capitals, whether cyclists and e-scooter riders decide to don a bicycle helmet or not varies considerably. Despite big differences, recent crash tests show that bicycle helmets are effective in protecting riders.

Recalls In Review: IoT Products
December 29, 2020, Recall & Consumer Products Law Observer
The internet of things (“IoT”) is the use of network sensors in physical devices to allow for remote monitoring and control. These devices have made great strides in making our lives more convenient. But interconnectivity and data collection can also have serious security and privacy implications.

What Does Purpose-Driven Leadership Really Mean?
December 23, 2020, Forbes
The sooner leaders adopt a management style that embraces collaboration, the better prepared they will be for the tidal wave of change that is to come.

Erin Brockovich Blasts U.S. Regulation Of Toxic Chemicals
December 28, 2020, Scientific American
Erin Brockovich, the real woman who inspired the film, is broadening her battle to water pollution around the world. Her efforts now center on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of chemicals linked to cancer and other health effects.

Doctors Say Flying With COVID-19 Isn’t Just Reckless; It’s Potentially Deadly
December 30, 2020, Washington Post
Beyond the danger those infected passengers are creating to the people around them, they also pose a sizable risk to themselves when they board their planes. Low cabin air pressure is likely a factor in coronavirus-related deaths on planes.

Lead Poisoning Could Lurk In Indian Spices
December 26, 2020, Despardes
Indian researcher tested 52 samples of chili, cumin, curry powder, turmeric, garam masala and chat masala. She found lead in all of them. Exposure to the heavy metal from spice powders is affecting child health across the country, says a report in The Guardian.

Nearly 200K Ceiling Fans Recalled Because Blades Can Detach and Fly Off
December 28, 2020, CBS-Dallas
Blades flying off ceiling fans? It’s a concern for the King of Fans. The Florida-based company is now recalling more than 190,000 ceiling fans because the fans’ blades can detach while in use.

FAA Issues Long-Anticipated Rules For Commercial Drones
December 29, 2020, Wall Street Journal
U.S. regulators established industry-wide requirements for remote identification of drones, along with new safeguards for flights over populated areas and at night, in a long-awaited effort to expand commercial use of the craft.

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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