NIST Report Finds Mattress Flammability Standard Is A Lifesaver
November 18, 2020, PHYS.org
A 2007 standard for mattress flammability from the CPSC sought to curb the danger of fires, which caused an estimated 95 deaths annually from 2002-2005. The standard reduced the risk. Now industry leaders are searching for ways to do better.

New Jersey Boy Who Swallowed Toy Magnets Needed Intestinal Surgery
November 19, 2020, NBC
Doctors couldn’t figure out what made 6-year-old Cameron Moreau sick — until his x-ray revealed he ate magnetic balls he received for his birthday, his mom says.

First Responders Offer Winter Weather Safety Tips
November 18, 2020, smnewsnet.com
The National Fire Protection Association knows where the winter fire risk resides in homes: heaters, carbon monoxide, candles, electrical equipment and generators. Now they want consumers to be on guard.

Is Self-Sabotage Burning You Out?
November 19, 2020, HBR
Our workplaces can be hazardous to our wellbeing. Strict demands, never-ending changes, and unfair policies are just a few things that contribute to burnout.

Study Shows Lung Damage In One Third Of E-Cigarette Users
November 19, 2020, Medical News 365
The National Youth Tobacco Survey in 2020 indicates that about 33% of people who vape have symptoms that are usually associated with lung damage. In fact, the report shows that they have at least 1 and possibly more of the 5 symptoms linked to lung damage.

AG Nessel Sues Trump DoE Over Energy Efficiency Standard
November 18, 2020, CBS
Michigan AG Dana Nessel joined 15 other attorneys general and New York City in filing suit against the Trump administration’s Department of Energy for failing to meet legal deadlines for reviewing and updating national energy efficiency standards.

ICPHSO’S 2020 International Symposium: Sustainability, New Tech, COVID-19, Recalls And Traceability
November 19, 2020, Mondaq

The NEXT 50 Companies To Disrupt The World In A Really Great Way For 2020
November 18, 2020, biofuelsdigest
The advanced bioeconomy has diversified significantly and the NEXT 50 includes companies focused on fuels, chemicals, foods, new crops and crop protection, animal feeds and engineered biology services.

Biden’s Surprisingly Simple Plan To Clean Up “Forever Chemicals” Could Actually Work
November 18, 2020, INVERSE
President-elect Biden pledged in an environmental plan to designate PFAS as hazardous within the Superfund cleanup law, and to set limits for these chemicals in the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Industry To UK Leaders: Toy Shop Opening ‘Crucial For The Industry’s Survival’
November 16, 2020, Toy News
The British Toy and Hobby Association and the Toy Retailers Association have made fresh calls on the UK government to take swift action in adding toy shops to the essential retailers list or assure the industry that shops will be allowed to re-open from December 2nd, in a move that will be ‘crucial for the industry.’

What Inclusive Leaders Sound Like
November 19, 2020, Harvard Business Review
When leaders commit to building an inclusive organization, they tend to start with the company mission, vision, values, and a promise to ensure everyone in the organization has a voice. But if they don’t change the way they communicate every day with their employees, leaders are missing a crucial piece.

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

Clearer Expectations For The CPSC In The Biden Era
November 14, 2020, National Law Review
Now that Joe Biden will take over the White House in January, the near future for the CPSC is a little clearer. While there are still a couple key unknowns, we can now get closer to answering what the CPSC of 2021 and beyond will look like.

CDC Says Wearing A Mask Protects Both You And Everyone Else
November 10, 2020, NBC News
Wearing a mask not only protects others from the spread of COVID-19, but it protects the wearer as well, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said recently in its strongest messaging yet on face coverings.

Senators Introduce COVID-19 Consumer Protection Legislation
November 12, 2020, WIBW
The bill would require the CPSC to study injuries and deaths caused by products during the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluate the impact of the injuries on members of vulnerable groups and work with the media to distribute information.

You’re Delegating. It’s Not Working. Here’s Why.
November 12, 2020, Harvard Business Review
Many managers know the supposed benefits of delegation: It offers the opportunity to develop employees, while removing tasks from your never-ending to-do list. While many individuals find delegation is good in theory, it falls apart in practice.

Legislative Update: PFAS Consumer Products Regulation
November 14, 2020, National Law Review
As 2020 comes to a close and we begin to discuss in earnest the potential impacts of a Biden-Harris administration on U.S. environmental policy, it is important to look at the current and potential PFAS consumer products regulations.

AI Computer Vision Used On E-Scooters To Detect Pedestrians
November 1, 2020, Smart Cities World
European e-scooter operator Voi Technology and micromobility start-up Luna have teamed to integrate computer vision for e-scooters that will help detect pedestrians and pavements.

Sound The Alarm: Pants Do Catch Fire; CPSC Urges Seniors To Stay Vigilant About Clothing Fire Safety
November 12, 2020, CPSC
Did you know that older Americans (over 65) are one of the groups at greatest risk of dying in a fire? Seniors are 16% of the population, but they account for 77% of the deaths from clothing fires. The CPSC wants to sound the alarm on this sobering statistic, by reminding our senior community to stay vigilant about fire safety.

New Consumer Agenda: European Commission To Empower Consumers To Become The Driver Of Transition
November 13, 2020, European Commission
The European Commission launched the New Consumer Agenda to empower European consumers to play an active role in the green and digital transitions. The Agenda also addresses how to increase consumer protection and resilience during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought significant challenges affecting the daily lives of consumers.

Protect Your Family Before And After Hurricane Eta
November 6, 2020, Health News Digest
As Hurricane Eta threatens several states, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to be prepared for power outages and to take steps now to keep their families safe.

Blog: Product Recall Insurance: Checking is the Best Policy
November 11, 2020, JDSupra
Over the last few years, a number of factors, including the introduction of a new UK regulator, the Office for Product Safety and Standards, and an increased international focus on enforcing product safety regulatory regimes, have led to an increase in the frequency of product recalls. This, and the fact that recalls are becoming more complex and expensive, has strengthened demand for product recall insurance.

Recall Roundup
November 10, 2020, The Sentinel
Candles, mugs, fitness timers recalled over fire, burn hazards.

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

Pfizer Says Its Coronavirus Vaccine Is Over 90% Effective
November 9, 2020, Politico
The better-than-expected result is the first Phase III data from any of the four candidates now in the final stage of testing in the U.S. That result is “encouraging but preliminary,” experts said.

How China And The US Threaten The World Trading System
November 4, 2020, The Diplomat
The world’s two biggest economies are also threats to the global trading system. As China became more integrated into the global system, its use of coercion to serve its interests increased. Tensions between the U.S. and China have heightened.

Recalls in Review: Lithium-ion Batteries
November 4, 2020, Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
The CPSC has conducted at least 64 recalls involving lithium-ion batteries since 2006. The number of recalls rose substantially in 2016 and 2017, many of which were related to the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries inside hoverboards and laptop computers. The Commission took a more active role in warning consumers about the hazards posed by the batteries after two incidents of overheating lead to serious house fires in March and October of 2017.

E-scooters To Get Fake Engine Noises To Warn Pedestrians
November 3, 2020, The Daily Mail
E-scooters will be fitted with artificial noises to warn pedestrians they are coming. Experts are looking into which sound would be most effective to alert other road users that the vehicles are approaching. Fake engine sounds are being considered.

Stay Cool Under Pressure Without Appearing Cold
November 5, 2020, Harvard Business Review
If you handle stress with ease, while your boss and team become wound ever tighter, you may give the impression that you don’t care about the work. Being cool under stress is an asset, but your colleagues may read your nature as “nonchalance.”

Harvard Study Says Flying During Pandemic Is Low-Risk
October 29, 2020, AARP
Air travel now is no more risky than going to a grocery store, says a Harvard report. Researchers found “a relatively very low risk of acquiring COVID-19 while flying” due to air-filtering systems and requirements that passengers wear masks.

Streamline Your Chemical Management With SAAS
Nov. 5, 2020, Occupation Health Safety
As part of a comprehensive environmental, health and safety (EHS) program, preventing exposure to chemical hazards is critical to protecting your employees. Preventing chemical hazard exposure starts with a safety data sheet (SDS) management system designed to support the elimination, substitution, exposure control or use of hazardous materials.

CDC Advises: How To Celebrate Thanksgiving Safely
November 4, 2020, CNET
Just because the holidays won’t look the same this year as others, there are still ways to celebrate holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving and New Year’s safely, according to the CDC Holiday Guidelines and other health authorities.

AG Landry Warns about Recalled Children’s Products
November 5, 2020, Myarklamiss.com
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is warning parents about several children’s products that have recently been recalled. General Landry said, “In order to help ensure the well-being of all Louisiana children, I urge parents and guardians to take a brief moment to learn about these recalled products.”

Manufacturing History From The Year You Were Born
November 7, 2020, Winston Salem Journal
A synopsis of how manufacturing evolved during—and steered the evolution of—an American century defined by advances so revolutionary that their impact is still being felt today.

The Great E-Scooter Debate
November 5, 2020, Axios
Fun, helpful and convenient or dangerous eyesores for the young? Whichever side you take, shared e-scooters are coming in March to New York City — that is, to the four boroughs other than Manhattan.

UK Creates Technology Hub For More ‘Ethical’ Business With China
November 7, 2020, Economic Times
The UK government has published guidance it says will help UK firms negotiate the “ethical, legal and commercial” questions they may encounter in China, or when working with Chinese businesses, and safeguard national security concern.

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

CPSC’s Feldman Wants To Increase The Agency’s Enforcement Budget 10%
October 30, 2020, CPSC
CPSC Commissioner Peter Feldman has reintroduced an amendment to the agency’s 2021 Operating Plan that would increase the enforcement budget by 10%. He explained his rationale in a statement. He notes: “Too often, and particularly in recent months, the CPSC has fallen short in discharging this duty, as evidenced by fewer recalls, longer wait times, and more settlements that don’t advance consumer safety.”

CPSC Proposes Mandatory Crib Mattress Safety Standard
October 29, 2020, Furniture Today
In an effort to reduce fatalities associated with infant suffocation, the CPSC has proposed a mandatory safety standard for crib mattresses including full-size and non-full-size crib mattresses and after-market mattresses for play yards.

ACCC Head Urges Prevention, Not Reaction And Recall
October 28, 2020, The Conversation
A general safety provision, backed by financial penalties and other regulatory powers, would require them to supply only safe products, taking into factors such as consumer expectations and industry best practices.

Google, BASF And Sephora Are Coming Together On Chemistry
October 28, 2020, Green Biz
Google is among ChemFORWARD’s roster of “co-design” partners that includes Sephora, Target, Levi’s, HP, Levi Strauss, H&M, Nike, Steelcase and Method, each recognized for various leadership efforts toward safer chemistry.

Republicans: CPSC Must Ask Questions About Chinese Products
October 29, 2020, Ripon Advance
Republican House members questioned the CPSC about Chinese products that may be the result of human rights abuses against Uighur Muslims. The CPSC must assure that it is taking steps to address this, the members wrote to CPSC Acting Chair Adler.

How To Thrive When Everything Feels Terrible
October 30, 2020, Harvard Business Review
It can feel impossible to escape from negativity right now. Fortunately, research shows that we can protect ourselves from the damaging effects of toxicity by taking steps to ensure we are “thriving.”

CPSC Says Its Time To Check And Change Your Smoke Alarm Batteries
October 29, 2020, KTBS-TV
“Early warning is crucial to getting out of a house fire alive and for surviving CO poisoning,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Robert Adler. “I encourage everyone to check and change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Doing this can save you and your family in a fire or CO emergency.”

Could The Pandemic Renew Public Trust In Science?
October 29, 2020, Washington Post
A new survey from 3M suggests that this experience may have fundamentally changed the way citizens view science. The results from 3M’s most recent State of Science Index Survey offer a glimpse into how the impact of the pandemic on people’s lives has bolstered public faith in science for the first time in years.

Many Toys Bought By Irish Parents Online Fail EU Safety Laws
October 28, 2020, Offaly Express
Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune has asked the European Commission to focus on sellers not adhering to regulations at the European Commission. This comes as the EU is finalising plans for new legislation called the Digital Services Act (DSA), which will set guidelines for the new online landscape, including online platforms.

Tough Macho Leadership Is Over. Here’s What’s Taking Its Place
October 30, 2020, Fast Company
Tough macho leaders put their teams and followers at risk. Vulnerable leaders who don’t hide their weaknesses make their teams and followers stronger.

AHLA: Support Grows For Hotel Industry’s Safe Stay
October 29, 2020, Hotel Business
Support for the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AHLA) Safe Stay initiative continues to grow with endorsements coming from leading scientists, physicians and public health experts in epidemiology and infectious disease, the association reports.

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

Adler and Kaye: Industry Tip Over Efforts Are “Inadequate”
September 28, 2020, CPSC
In a joint statement, CPSC Acting Chair Adler and Commissioner Kaye challenge the effectiveness of recall efforts and ask for “full refund efforts: in getting greater consumer response to safety appeals.

Industry: A “variety” Of Efforts On Tip Overs Is In Place
October 14, 2020, Furniture World
AHFA says the statement doesn’t address two additional reasons customers might choose not to request or install an anchoring kit for a recalled product. It also says it urges companies to comply with the current voluntary standard.

A Framework For Leaders Facing Difficult Decisions
October 13, 2020, Harvard Business Review
Many decision-making frameworks aim to help leaders use objective information to mitigate bias, operate under time pressure, or leverage data. But these frameworks tend to fall short when it comes to decisions based on subjective information sources that suggest conflicting courses of action. And most complex decisions fall into this category.

Study Finds Most E-Scooter Rider Injuries Happen On Sidewalk
October 15, 2020, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
City planners and many pedestrians have wondered how to get electric scooters off the sidewalk, but two new studies from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety raise a different question: Just where should e-scooters be ridden?

JPMA Outlines Key Initiatives For 2021
October 9, 2020, Furniture Today
This week the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Assn. has announced several key initiatives for 2021, including a SKU-level certification for baby and children’s products and a new industry foundation called JPMA Cares.

Police In Norway Seize E-Scooter Tuned To Break Limit
October 13, 2020, Independent
Police in Norway have seized an electric scooter tuned to travel at 36mph – nearly three times the speed limit. The e-scooter was impounded by officers in Oslo during a road safety policing operation in the capital.

North Carolina Attorney General Sues Chemours, DuPont Over PFAS Contamination
October 14, 2020, North Carolina Health News
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein filed a lawsuit Tuesday saying the Chemours and DuPont chemical companies need to be held accountable for contaminating the state’s natural resources with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS.

Study: Risk Of COVID-19 Transmission On Planes ‘Virtually Nonexistent’ For Mask Wearers
October 15, 2020, Forbes
Passengers wearing masks are at a very low risk of contracting COVID-19 on planes, even during packed flights, according to a recent study from the Department of Defense and United Airlines which offers new insight into the safety of air travel amid the pandemic.

Survey: Consumer Confidence In Cleaning Products Remains High During Pandemic
October 14, 2020, AP
A new national survey reveals 86 percent of Americans are confident in their cleaning products to help protect against coronavirus. This new consumer cleaning and hygiene research was presented as by the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) and Good Housekeeping.

10 Essential Leadership Qualities For The Age Of Artificial Intelligence
October 10, 2020, Forbes
The way we run businesses will change, and the successful leaders of the future will need a slightly different skillset from the traditional skills associated with leaders.

Honoring Our Heroes
October 2020, SPSP Website
SPSP makes a permanent home for the salute poster at its website

CPSC OIG: 2019 Data Breach More Significant Than Reported
October 7, 2020, National Law Review
The CPSC OIG released its long-awaited report summarizing its investigation of the 2019 CPSC data breach. Most notably, the report finds that the data breach was larger and went on for longer than originally disclosed by the agency. The report further concludes that the primary causes of the data breach were mismanagement and incompetence but rejects any speculation that the data breach was the result of outside hackers or a deliberate leak by a CPSC employee.

Infant Deaths Prompt Warnings Against Using Nursing Pillows For Sleep
October 7, 2020, Today.com
Sleeping with a nursing pillow or a lounging pad could spell danger for infants, according to a new report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The agency noted that almost 1,000 infants suffocate in their sleep every year.

Q4 data: Asia manufacturers rebound after pandemic downturn
October 2020, QIMA
Strong recover is reported by China, Vietnam and Bangladesh, despite the poor outlook that prevailed earlier in the year, QIMA sourcing insights for Q3 suggest that the crash of global trade in 2020 may ultimately be less dramatic than predicted.

Not All Baby Products Are Created Equal: Identifying Safety Concerns Before It’s Too lLte
September 30, 2020, Forbes
As September ends, so does Baby Safety Month, sponsored by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. The month is meant to raise awareness about the safe use and selection of products for kids.

Electric Scooter Are Coming To UK cities – A Good Idea?
October 6, 2020, Motherwell Times
Previously banned everywhere except on private land, American-made electric scooters have been approved for use on Britain’s streets. The Transport Committee of MPs had previously suggested making so-called ‘e-scooters’ legal on roads – but not pavements – as a green method of transport.

How To Manage A Hybrid TeamOctober 7, 2020, Harvard Business Review
The hybrid workplace, one in which some employees are in an office and others are working remotely, presents management challenges. You need to ensure employees in the office are in sync with those working from home with fairness in your workflow.

CPSC’s Adler: Cordless Blinds Are “Only  Safe Option” With Kids In Area
October 10, 2020, CPSC
“Accessible window cords are dangerous,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Robert Adler. “Even if you tie them high, or use so-called “safety cleats,” kids can still strangle to death in under one minute. Cordless window blinds and curtains, or those with inaccessible cords, are the only safe option to use in homes, childcare centers or any other places where young children are present.”

Expanding the Internet of Things: Four key legal issues
October 9, 2020, JDSupra
Web-enabled sensors and devices with broad data-collection capabilities promise to transform life and business, but the law hasn’t kept pace and could hinder development. What are the key legal issues that need to be addressed?

CPSC Urges Families to Follow CDC Halloween Advice for Safe Celebrating
October 6, 2020, CSPC
The CSPC is urging families to follow CDC advice for Halloween. Among the key guidance: A Halloween mask is not an appropriate substitute for a protective cloth mask. CPSC joins with CDC in recommending that consumers wear a protective cloth mask of at least two layers of breathable fabric—not a costume mask. Protective masks should never be worn under a costume mask because it can become hard to breathe.

5 Things You Need To Stay Safe In Public Amid COVID-19
October 6, 2020, USA Today
In addition to wearing a mask in public settings and doing your best to stay at least 6-feet away from anyone outside your household, you can take extra precautions by using disinfecting and antiseptic products, such as hand sanitizer and cleansing wipes, while you’re on-the-go.

Honoring our Heroes
October 2020, SPSP
SPSP Makes A Permanent Home For The Salute Poster At Its Website

House Passes Four Consumer Protection Bills
September 29, 2020, House Energy and Commerce Committee
“Protecting consumers has always been one of this Committee’s top priorities, and these bills achieve that by improving the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s ability to screen imported consumer products,” according to House leaders.

Ohio High Court Holds Amazon Not Liable For Teen’s Death
October 2, 2020, ABC News
Retail giant Amazon can’t be held responsible under current Ohio product liability law in the death of a high school senior who ingested powdered caffeine purchased on Amazon’s “fulfillment by Amazon” program.

CPSC Approves Delaying Rule For Infant Carriers
September 9. 2020, QIMA.com
On July 31, 2020, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a final rule to delay the effective date of the CPSC’s mandatory standard for hand-held infant carriers, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The effective date for the direct final rule published on May 20, 2020, at 85 FR 30605, is delayed from August 3, 2020, until January 1, 2021.

Leaders Need To Harness Aristotle’s 3 Types Of Knowledge
October 2, 2020, Harvard Business Review
A critical skill a leader must bring to the table is the ability to figure out what kind of thinking is required to address a given challenge. Distinctions between types of knowledge go as far back as Aristotle, who highlighted, for example, the differences between the realm of scientific fact on one hand and ethical judgment on the other.

FDA Warns Of Methanol-Tainted Hand Sanitizer — But Can’t Force Companies To Recall It
October 1, 2020, NBC News
The FDA has counted 17 deaths from exposure to methanol-tainted sanitizer this year and the agency has received an additional 2,000 reports of exposure or injuries. It’s a vivid example of the FDA’s lack of authority to crack down on dangerous over-the-counter drugs, a category that includes hand sanitizers.

Child Safety Group Says Poison Control Calls Up 70% Since Start Of Pandemic
October 1, 2020, ABC7 Chicago
A child safety group is warning parents about dangerous household products that are poisoning kids at record rates this year. Products that have become common during the COVID-19 pandemic, like disinfectants and hand sanitizers, are the main problems, the group said.

PFAS Firefighting Foam Ban Passes In California
September 30, 2020, National Law Review
California Governor Gavin Newson has signed into law a bill that is in essence a PFAS firefighting foam ban and is said to be strong step forward in eliminating firefighting foams as a significant source of PFAS contamination in drinking water. The law bans the manufacture, sale and use of PFAS firefighting foam in most applications starting on January 1, 2022, including training classes.

Honoring Our Heroes
SPSP
The field of safety salutes its professionals

Toy Association’s Alan Kaufman Honored With Painter Memorial Award By ASTM International
September 28, 2020, The Toy Association
Alan Kaufman, senior vice president of technical affairs at The Toy Association and ASTM board member, has been honored with the Robert J. Painter Memorial Award from the ASTM International.

8 Qualities Of Great Leaders Who Get The Best Out Of Their Teams
September 29, 2020, Entrepreneur
In a world of increased flux and uncertainty, today’s sense of normal continues to shift and slide to finds its place in our lives and work. Amid significant business changes, leaders need to dig deeper into their sense of courage, empathy and trust.

A Grateful Group Salutes Product Safety Professionals
A grateful group of industry associations and safety advocates pause to thank the community of product safety professionals who have worked so hard over the past year to design, make, and sell safe products during one of the most challenging periods in our history.

Amazon Appeals Product Liability Ruling To CA Supreme Court
September 25,2020, Bloomberglaw.com
A California appeals court “usurped the role of the Legislature and expanded strict liability beyond well-established limits,” Amazon.com LLC said in a petition for state high court review of a case over an allegedly defective laptop battery.

New Jersey Enacts ‘Strongest Single-Use Ban On Plastics In The US’
September 24, 2020, Forbes
The NJ legislature passed what a local group is calling the strongest single-use ban on plastics in the country, to prohibit grocery stores and restaurants from bagging in single-use plastic or paper bags and the use of polystyrene boxes.

Study Says Dental Injuries Rising Thanks To E-Scooter Use
September 22, 2020, Global News
After a study on the frequency and severity of dental and maxillofacial injuries associated with electric-powered bikes and scooters, a University of Alberta professor wants to see more education and possibly even more enforcement and legislation.

Toy Safety: EU Commission Looks At Limiting Aniline In Toys
September 25, 2020, EU Reporter
The Commission launched a public consultation on limiting aniline in toys in order to enhance the protection of children’s health. Aniline, which may be bound to colorants in toy materials, is suspected to cause cancer and cell mutations.

3 Ways To Motivate Your Team Through An Extended Crisis
September 25, 2020, Harvard Business Review
Research shows that we are most energized and committed when we are internally motivated by our own values, sense of enjoyment, and growth — in short, internal motivation, not external structure, inspires us to be our best selves. Leaders can use this approach to keep teams going in times of prolonged crisis, such as the continual uncertainty brought on by Covid-19.

Vodafone IoT System Is Said To Auto-Disable Faulty Products
September 24, 2020, IoT News
Vodafone has unveiled a new recall system it says will insure customers are kept informed and safe. The prototype system is said to allow manufacturers to instantly notify customers of recalls using Vodafone’s network.

Key Regulatory Concerns For Companies Making COVID-19 Products
September 23, 2020, Law360
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, product manufacturers and distributors — many of whom have pivoted to create personal protective equipment for the first time — are now faced with a veritable morass of guidelines and requirements to navigate, from a variety of governmental agencies

Rejecting Scientific Evidence Of Harm To Children’s Brains, EPA OKs Continued Use Of Chlorpyrifos
September 23, 2020, Common Dreams
Dismissing extensive scientific evidence showing that even low levels of chlorpyrifos damage children’s brains, the Environmental Protection Agency released a risk assessment calling the toxic pesticide’s effects “unresolved” and allowing its continued use in a wide variety of agricultural products pending a future final decision on its use.

Consumer Goods Coalition To Accelerate Effort To Reduce Deforestation And Forest Degradation
September 22, 2020, PRNewswire
The Coalition, led by the respective company CEOs and co-sponsored at the CGF Board level by Carrefour and Mars, Incorporated, brings the world’s largest consumer goods brands together with a collective market value of US$1.8 trillion. Its ambition is to utilise its collective reach and knowledge, global networks and resources, to engage and collaborate with producers, suppliers and traders, as well as governments and civil society, to advocate for forest positive solutions.

Leaders Need Human Interaction Skills Now More Than Ever
September 23, 2020, Forbes
A leader’s job is to create stability in chaos, focusing first and foremost on the human element and using emotional intelligence to drive strategy at every level.

‘Highly Careless’ Toy Importers Fined $118k For Toys That Endangered Children
September 23, 2020, Stuff
The New Zealand Commerce Commission says that two companies have been called “highly careless” and fined a total of $118,000 for importing toys that were unsafe and put children at risk.