New safety feature on portable generators could save lives, Consumer Reports tests show
August 28, 2019, Consumer Reports
To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, some new generators feature a built-in sensor that triggers an automatic shutoff if CO builds up to dangerous levels in an enclosed space, and some also have engines that emit less CO in the first place. Recent CR test data show that these safety features are likely to save lives.

CPSC issues carbon monoxide warning to consumers in the path of Hurricane Dorian
August 28, 2019, cpsc.gov
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is issuing an important warning about the lethal hazard of carbon monoxide poisoning to consumers in Hurricane Dorian’s path who may soon be relying on portable generators for temporary electrical power. Consumers in the path of the storm need to be especially careful during power outages and take the proper precautions to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning while using portable generators, which emit carbon monoxide as exhaust.

92% of apparel from China will be hit with tariffs  – here’s how retailers are coping
August 30, 2019, CNBC
While some Chinese apparel imports will have a delay until December 15 before tariffs are introduced, 91.6% of Chinese apparel imports will still be hit with a 15% tariff beginning Sept. 1, according to new data breakdowns from the American Apparel and Footwear Association. The group also said 68.4% of home textiles and 52.5% of footwear will also begin to see tariffs on Sept. 1. The remaining imports in these categories will be levied 15% on Dec. 15. “It has been, and will be, extremely difficult to move this amount of product due to capacity limitations in other countries, the need to build new relationships to ensure compliance with various product safety and labor regulations, and the fact that every industry is being asked to move at the same time,” AAFA executive vice president Stephen Lamar said in an email.

Grieving CT mother, Blumenthal, advocate for stronger furniture safety standards
August 29, 2019, New Haven Register
A grieving Stamford, CT mother spoke along side of U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., advocating for a stronger, mandatory stability standard for furniture. Blumenthal has introduced the Stop Tip-Overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth, or Sturdy, Act, which would mandate safety standards for furniture manufacturers, instead of leaving the institution of such standards up to the company.He said there is a need to improve safety, noting a child is injured by a piece of furniture tipping over every 17 minutes in the United States.

Brexit Backstop: No longer sacrosanct for EU, insists Boris Johnson
August 28, 2019, The Times
Boris Johnson believes that the EU no longer sees the Irish backstop as “sacrosanct”, amid growing momentum for a potential sector-by-sector Brexit deal.However, any agreement with Brussels could lead to a showdown with hardline Brexiteers, No 10 made clear yesterday. A number of so-called “Spartans”, including David Davis, the former Brexit secretary, have said they want further changes to the withdrawal agreement beyond the removal of the backstop, an insurance policy to keep the Irish border open.

Opinion: How to get electric scooters right this time
August 30, 2019, Red and Black (University of Georgia)
When electric scooters descended on the University of Georgia and Athens last year, they were a public nuisance. After only a few days, UGA began impounding scooters on campus. By the end of the year, the Athens-Clarke County mayor and commission placed a temporary ban on the scooters. However, the fleet may soon take flight once more. On Aug. 23, the Athens Banner-Herald reported that the ACC Commission could soon release plans for a pilot project to allow rental scooters in Athens.

Statement of Commissioner Robert S. Adler and Commissioner Elliot F. Kaye Regarding Petition CP 18-2: Labeling Requirements Regarding Slip Resistance of Floor Coverings
August 6, 2019, cpsc.gov
On July 26, 2019, the Commission by a vote of 3-2 denied a second petition by the National Floor Safety Institute (NSFI) to require manufacturers of floor coverings and coatings to label their products’ slip resistance in accordance with an ANSI standard for floor coverings.[1]  We voted to grant the petition because we believe that slips and falls on floors remain a serious public health hazard, and there is sufficient information at this stage upon which to open a rulemaking proceeding under section 27(e) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA).[2]

Blog: CDC studies scooter injuries and it’s not pretty
August 29, 2019, Atlanta Journal Constitution
Critics of electric scooters have complained they’re a menace to public safety since they began appearing on Atlanta streets more than a year ago. A string of recent fatal scooter accidents has fueled those complaints.
Comprehensive e-scooter accident and injury data are hard to come by, in part because they’re a new phenomenon.

UK: Four thousand incidents involving electric scooters have been reported to police in just three years
August 29, 2019, Herald Publicist
There have been greater than four,000 crimes reported associated to e-scooters within the final three years. Street security campaigners have urged the federal government to take motion after hundreds of crimes, together with street site visitors collisions, anti-social behaviour and felony harm have been reported throughout the UK. It comes after Emily Hartridge, 35, a YouTube star, grew to become the primary particular person in Britain to be killed whereas driving an e-scooter when she was hit by a lorry in London.

Green Chemistry 2018-2018: A review of the year that was and predictions for the remainder of 2019
August 29, 2019, National Law Review (Keller and Heckman)
Proposed green chemistry legislation has proliferated since our last green chemistry report. While enacted legislation remains relatively rare and continues to focus principally on children’s products, consumer product manufacturers, importers, and distributors should be aware of some significant changes and upcoming deadlines as of July 29, 2019

The Secret To Building Corporate Reputation Is Integrity
August 29, 2019, Huff Post
Harman’s CEO shares her company’s approach to integrity: Harman’s ability to foster and retain customers’ trust in our products has helped the company thrive and expand over the decades to include new technology like smart products and connected services. But products and services are just one piece of the reputation equation. A positive reputation is critical to the success of all companies — from other legacy brands to innovative startups looking to make their marks. So, how can board members and other leaders bolster the reputation of their businesses?

‘It’s Just a Nightmare.’ Despite tariff delay, toy makers are worried
August 15, 2019, New York Times
Toymakers breathed a little easier this week when President Trump announced plans to delay tariffs on many goods from China — but their relief may not last long. Yet toymakers are already looking ahead to next year’s holiday season, and fretting about the crippling uncertainty that the president’s on-again, off-again trade policy has created for them.

FAA bans MacBook Pro models from flights; Apple recalled them in June
August 14, 2019, USA Today
Heads up, travelers, the Federal Aviation Administration has banned certain MacBook Pro laptops in checked or carry-on bags; Apple recalled them in June. “The FAA is aware of the recalled batteries that are used in some Apple MacBook Pro laptops,” the Federal Aviation Administration told USA TODAY in a statement on Wednesday. “In early July, we alerted airlines about the recall, and we informed the public. We issued reminders to continue to follow instructions about recalls.” .”

Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle’s Letter to All 50 Governors to Change Building Codes for Residential Elevators
August 6, 2019, cpsc.gov
CPSC Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle wrote to all 50 state governors in the U.S. seeking “assistance in protecting consumers in your State from a serious hazard associated with residential elevators.  Specifically, some elevators installed in your jurisdiction may have excessive space between the elevator car door/gate (car door) and the hoist way or swing door (hoist way door).  In some installations, the space between the elevator car door and hoist way door is large enough to allow children to fit between the closed doors.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff is aware of a total of nine (9) incidents associated with this product, including five fatalities involving entrapments between car and hoist way doors of residential elevators and a sixth where a toddler was trapped beneath the elevator.”

E-scooter craze has European cities scrambling for new safety laws
August 14, 2019, Associated Press (Washington Post)
Ban them? Issue speeding tickets? Make users take a driving test? European cities are searching for solutions to the two-wheeled phenomenon that’s fast transforming cityscapes worldwide: Electric scooters. Fans call them a leap into the future, a thrilling, app-based way to zip from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, without generating planet-choking pollution.
Rubbish, say critics, noting growing numbers of injuries and even deaths involving e-scooters.

4 ways to guarantee an on-time launch for your new product
August 14, 2019, Forbes
For consumer goods and retail brands, few events are more important than the launch of a new product. When done right, a new product can attract new customers, incentivize existing users to make an additional purchase and even help your company attract valuable free press.
However, the sheer number of things that can go awry make launching a new product often seem intimidating—especially for relatively new businesses. In fact, the Harvard Business Review reports that only 25% of product launches are considered successful.

Child-resistant Packaging: FDA finalizes guidance 
August, 2019, Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday finalized guidance on child-resistant packaging (CRP) statements that should be included in the labeling of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. The seven-page final guidance comes two years after FDA released the draft version for comment. FDA says it considered the comments submitted to the public docket and has edited the guidance for clarity.
Under US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulations, certain consumer products, including many prescription and OTC drugs, are subject to special packaging standards.

California defies White House plan to scrap ban on controversial pesticide
August 15, 2019, Phys.org
California will outlaw the use of a pesticide linked to developmental problems in humans after President Donald Trump’s administration scrapped plans for a nationwide ban, state health officials said Wednesday. The decision to ban chlorpyrifos in the agriculturally rich state follows “mounting evidence” of serious health effects for exposed children and other vulnerable people, two California health agencies said in a statement.

Furniture flame retardants may not stifle deadliest home fires
August 15, 2019, Reuters
Targeting the flammability of smoking materials like cigarettes, pipes and cigars, rather than fireproofing all furniture with hazardous chemicals, may be a more effective way of reducing the most deadly residential fires, a U.S. study concludes. Although fires that start on furniture account for only 2.2% of residential fires, they carry significantly higher odds than others for injury and death, researchers report in the American Journal of Public Health. And among these furniture fires, those ignited by smoking materials are 3.4 times more likely to be lethal than those caused by open flames like candles.

Restrictions could mean some consumers will miss important recalls
August 14, 2019, WRAL.com
A Consumer Reports study revealed surprising restrictions placed upon the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the agency responsible for protecting people from dangerous products. If the government determines deaths are linked to a potentially hazardous product, one would think that information should always be made public. But Section 6-B of the Consumer Product Safety Act says otherwise. “Section 6-B requires the CPSC, in most cases, to get permission from manufacturers before releasing their names or any information that could reveal their identities, even when products are linked with injuries or fatalities,” said Rachel Rabkin Peachman, an investigative reporter with Consumer Reports.

How should ethics factor into your brand identity
August 15, 2019, Forbes
There are a few different ways to make ethics a part of your core brand identity. No matter what, you’ll position your brand in a way that aligns it with a certain moral philosophy, socially responsible cause, or commitment to ethical practices. To be effective, this needs to be unique. It can’t be something like “non-discriminatory hiring practices” — this is an ethical choice we expect all businesses to follow.

After deadly wrecks, Atlanta bans electric scooters at night
August 9, 2019, Fox17
Atlanta is banning electric scooters in the nighttime hours during what’s been a deadly summer for riders. The ban comes as cities across the nation struggle to regulate the companies renting the devices and keep riders safe. In Atlanta, three riders have died since May in crashes that involved a public bus, an SUV and a car. Police in the Atlanta suburb of East Point say a fourth rider was killed there Tuesday in a collision involving his scooter and a truck.

California enacts nation leading youth football safety standards into law
August 7, 2019, Galt Herald Online
The future of youth football practices will be seeing less full-contact time on the field starting with the 2021 season. According to a press release by Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove)’s office, Assembly Bill 1 was signed into law on July 31 by Governor Gavin Newsom. Assembly Bill 1, also known as the California Youth Football Act, will enact safety standards for youth football, limiting full-contact practices to reduce brain injuries.

DC closes three playgrounds after tests show high lead levels
August 7, 2019, DCist
The D.C. government has closed three playgrounds after testing showed elevated levels of lead. The closures went into effect at Aiton Elementary School, Cardozo Education Campus, and Thomson Elementary School. It’s not entirely clear what caused the elevated lead levels, or when the three playgrounds will reopen. The closures are the first of their kind, because D.C. has never tested these kind of playground surfaces for lead before.

Recalled infant sleepers are still used in many daycare centers according to new report
August 9, 2019, Romper
Months after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced recalls on various infant sleepers over safety concerns, a report published this week found that daycare centers are still using recalled infant sleepers. According to researchers behind the report, confusing recall messaging and a lack of direct alerts may be to blame. In a survey of 376 child care facilities that watch children under the age of 1 year old, U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education (PIRG) and the nonprofit organization Kids in Danger found that one in 10 facilities were still using at least one recalled infant sleeper.

ASTM expected to update voluntary furniture stability standard
August 6, 2019, Furniture Lighting & Décor
ASTM International is expected to publish an update to the voluntary furniture stability standard this month incorporating two new warning labels and expanding the scope of the standard to cover clothing storage furniture 27 inches and taller. The previous standard covered furniture over 30 inches. The updates to ASTM F2057 will become effective immediately upon publication. To comply with the standard, all clothing storage furniture 27 inches and taller must pass two stability tests, carry a permanent warning label and be shipped with tip restraints and instructions for installing them.

The 7 best convertible baby cribs, selected by engineers and moms
August 6, 2019, Good Housekeeping
A convertible crib is a great option because it can transition with your child from infancy through toddler years and potentially into preschool and beyond, since it can convert from a crib into a toddler bed, a day bed, or a full-size bed. Convertible cribs are often full-size cribs that require bed conversion kits (often sold separately). There are numerous reliable brands on the market for baby cribs. Here are our top picks for great convertible cribs:

California’s Prop 65 Amendments One Year Later: Litigation Trends and What to Look Out For
August 7, 2019,  National Law Review (Schiff Hardin)
Over the past 10 years, the number of private Proposition 65 actions against businesses have nearly quadrupled from 604 in 2009 to 2,364 in 2018. Additional Prop 65 regulations on “safe harbor” warnings and online retailers took effect last August, clarifying the duties of online retailers regarding warnings, which may have caused a decrease in new Prop 65 actions against online retailers.

Putnam man continues safety crusade
August 9, 2019, Herald Citizen
He admits he may be “tilting at windmills,” much like Don Quixote in “Man of La Mancha.” But Putnam County resident Stephen Maddox plans to continue pursuing efforts to get the county more involved in regulating problematic properties and in encouraging the town of Monterey to improve park safety.

‘We need to remove all scooters and start over:’ Briley calls for total ban on devices in Nashville, citing safety concerns
August 6, 2019, Tennessean
Nashville Mayor David Briley said stricter regulations on scooters are not enough — he wants to ban them outright. “I continue to believe we need to remove all scooters and start over,” Briley said in a letter sent to the Metro Council. Briley announced his intention not to sign an ordinance adopted by the council on July 16. That ordinance includes new regulations to reduce fleet sizes and implement several immediate changes to how electric scooters operate on Metro streets.

Why empathy is the most underrated weapon in the marketers arsenal today
August 8, 2019, Marketing News
There is always a temptation for digital businesses to commodify consumers, and advanced data-gathering tools encourage an understanding of individual people as ‘units’. But those who work in digital fields must resist this trend, and in marketing there is a very real business reason to do so.

Chicago issues citations to 7 of 10 electric scooter companies
July 23, 2019, NBC Chicago
Citations have been issued to seven of 10 electric scooter companies participating in Chicago’s e-scooter pilot program for not following the rules, the city revealed. Violations covered in the 14 citations (see below for full list) included operating outside the pilot zone, failure to limit scooters to 15 mph and failure to require post-ride pictures, among others.

Consumers kept in the dark about potential product safety concerns
July 21, 2019, Fox KC
Products in homes across the country may put you at risk every day.  But FOX consumer reporter Steve Noviello says – the Consumer Product Safety Commission is prohibited from telling you about them. The folks at Consumer Reports are ready to cut the red tape after the deaths of 32 infants tied to the now recalled Fisher-Price Rock and Play Sleepers. The CPSC confirms it was aware of deaths tied to that product as early as 2009, some 10 years before it was pulled from store shelves.

Manufacturers Beware: DOE battery charger regulations can cost
July 25, 2019, Retail Consumer Products Law
Manufacturers of battery chargers or external power supplies (EPSs), or sellers of consumer products that include battery chargers or EPSs, are likely subject to strict energy conservation standards. By virtue of Department of Energy (DOE) regulations that took effect in February 2016 and June 2018 for EPSs and battery chargers, respectively, manufacturers and importers of these charging devices must now meet stringent conservation standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) or risk the assessment of civil penalties.

How to protect your baby from unsafe products
July 24, 2019, Health Day News
In an average year, close to 70,000 children under age 5 go to the emergency department because of injuries from common nursery items, according to the journal Pediatrics. About 90% of these injuries happen at home, so prevention starts there. One reason young children are more prone to injury is that they have disproportionately large heads, which raises their center of gravity. They tend to lead with their head when they fall and are unable to break their fall with their arms because of lack of coordination and strength.

Is one American company cheating when it comes to tariffs on Chinese goods
July 24, 2019, Fox Memphis
Products marked as made in one country could actually be “Made in China.” Is one American company cheating when it comes to tariffs on Chinese goods? The products found right here in the Mid-South are surge protectors and FOX13 Investigates helped initiate a nationwide investigation.

The electric scooter boom raises new road safety questions
July 24, 2019, AXIOS
Electric scooters have already landed dozens of riders in the hospital in less than two years since they appeared on city streets—but are they more dangerous than other modes of transportation like bicycles? The bottom line: The answer is both yes and no, according to experts. While their characteristics differ, scooters and bikes share the same huge challenge — operating in an environment that’s not built for them. Scooters are inherently different from bikes in both form and usage, making them more prone to accidents in some ways.

Third Circuit Holds Online Retailers May Be Liable for Defective Third-Party Products Under Pennsylvania Product Liability Laws
July 24, 2019, JD Supra
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has held that online retailers such as Amazon could be held liable for allegedly defective third-party products sold through its website.
In a 2−1 panel decision in Oberdorf v. Amazon.com, Inc., — F.3d —, 2019 WL 2849153 (3d Cir. July 3, 2019), the Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the district court’s ruling that Amazon was not a “seller” under § 402A of the Restatement Second of Torts, and therefore could be held strictly liable under Pennsylvania products liability law.

Concerns about the safety of indoor play structures
July 24, 2019, FOX25
In the heat of summer, an indoor play center may seem like the perfect way to keep your cool while keeping your kids active. A growing number of indoor play facilities are opening up around the metro. But when it comes to safety, some owners say they’re not equal. Up to a thousand kids a week take over 2,100 square feet of play space inside Breakaway Indoor Playground. It’s no wonder the owners say they’re constantly inspecting and maintaining the equipment.

Counterfeit Concerns: Toy Association’s Rebecca Mond testifies before Congress
July 23, 2019, The Toy Association
The Toy Association’s Rebecca Mond, vice president of federal government affairs, was invited by Congress to testify last week on the toy industry’s concerns regarding the prevalence of counterfeit toys sold on e-commerce platforms. Speaking July 18 in front of the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, Mond highlighted the risk of infringing products, many of which do not meet the same safety standards as legitimate toys sold through legitimate channels and pose a significant health and safety risk to America’s most vulnerable consumers – kids.

VW Ordered to re-hire engineer fired in diesel emission scandal
July 25, 2019,  Bloomberg Law
Volkswagen AG was ordered to re-hire an engineer fired amid the carmaker’s diesel scandal and told it cannot make her pay for some of the massive costs it incurred from the crisis.
The 52-year-old manager won her job back even though she worked on the controversial software used to cheat emission tests and later took part in destroying evidence, the Braunschweig labor court said in an emailed statement.

Why e-scooter companies are getting serious about safety
July 16, 2019, City Lab
Lime, the micro mobility company that’s flooded the streets of more than 100 cities around the world with fleets of green-and-white electric scooters, launched a Public Policy and Safety Advisory Board last week. Lime has joined rival Bird in establishing the group which has been tasked with helping the e-scooter industry shape local regulations—and shake its risky reputation. Among the Board’s members is former CPSC Chair Inez Tenenbaum.

After death of YouTube star, Amazon will push e-scooter safety warnings
July 18, 2019, Washington Post
Wherever electric scooters have appeared around the globe, severe injuries have followed.
Now the United Kingdom — where motorized scooters are banned from public roads and sidewalks — is seeking to publicize the danger associated the devices. The Department of Transport, which oversees British transportation networks, has persuaded Amazon, the global e-commerce giant, to pressure electronic scooter manufacturers to make clear in their online listings that their devices cannot be used on public roads.

Protect your data: What parents need to know about WiFi-connected toys
July 16, 2019, WRAL
Experts say parents of teenagers, elementary school children and even preschoolers need to be cautious when it comes to Wi-Fi-connected toys. According to a Consumer Reports study, wireless-connected toys can ask for names and birth dates and even require a password, and that information could lead to trouble if it lands in the wrong hands.

Girl, nine, dies after touching a cord in a light fixture being repaired in the family pool
July 18, 2019, Daily Mail
A nine-year-old girl died while swimming in a pool in California after being electrocuted and drowning as a result. The accident happened near Sacramento, when McKenzie Kinley apparently touched a cord attached to a light fixture that was under repair in her dad’s backyard pool. The girl’s father spoke out about the tragedy, saying he was not home at the time, but that his girlfriend had been in the pool with his daughter and three of her friends before she stepped out to go to the restroom.

Consumer Reports launches digital lab
June 6, 2019, Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports announced the launch of the Digital Lab, a new initiative that will expand CR’s work on consumer privacy rights and digital security. The project, funded in part by a $6 million initial investment from Craig Newmark Philanthropies, will help Consumer Reports develop new ways to test and report on digital products and services—from connected thermostats, to cars that collect data on their drivers, to online platforms such as Amazon, Google, and Facebook.

CPSC Offers wide range of product safety publications covering variety of topics, industries
July, 2019, cpsc.gov
CPSC offers a number of product safety publications covering topics that include:  bicycles; carbon monoxide; clothing and accessories; containers and packaging; cribs; electronics and electrical; fire; fuel, lighters, and fireworks; furniture, furnishings and decorations; general information; hobbies; home; kids and babies; kitchen appliances; outdoors and gardens; playgrounds; pools and spas; sports, fitness and recreation; toys and other subjects. The material will be useful as a reference resource in any company or organization product safety library.

Wrap-up of federal and state chemicals regulatory developments
July 16, 2019, JD Supra
“TSCA: Three Years Later” Conference Looks To The Past And Into The Future: On June 24, 2019, B&C, the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), and the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health (GWU) presented “TSCA: Three Years Later,” a day-long conference with leading experts exploring the current impacts of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) on science policies, challenges faced by industry, and the impacts of TSCA on regulatory policies, especially those concerning ensuring compliance and enforcement

Advocates joint letter to House committee on markup of product safety bills
July 16, 2019, Consumer Reports
Advocate groups write to express support for advancing six bills that were marked up by the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee. The organizations, Consumer Federation of America, Kids in Danger, Consumer Reports, and Public Citizen have worked together on these bills based on their determination that each proposed piece of legislation helps address a significant product safety hazard.

E-scooter riders lack awareness of rider liability survey says
July 18, 2019, Property Casualty 360
According to a survey by VOOM, a majority of e-scooter riders have never thought about purchasing insurance coverage despite safety concerns. Voom, an insurance platform for specialized mobility, found that 49% of millennial e-scooter riders are concerned about harming themselves or others when riding, but 53% have never thought about purchasing insurance coverage.

Group recommends trampoline parks receive safety oversight under the Safety Code for Amusement Rides and Devices
July 17, 2019 Technical Safety BC
To improve public safety, Technical Safety BC has made a recommendation to the Government of British Columbia that trampoline parks be regulated. The move comes after serious injuries at various trampoline parks, and a fatal incident in Richmond in 2018. Technical Safety BC oversees the safety of amusement devices, including roller coasters, ziplines, inflatable devices such as bouncy castles, bumper cars, simulators and waterslides, but current regulation does not address trampoline parks.

CPSC Warns Consumers in Tropical Storm Barry’s Path to Take Precautions When Using Portable Generators
July 12, 2019, cpsc.gov
Tropical Storm Barry could become the first hurricane of the season before its expected landfall in Louisiana Saturday morning. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is alerting consumers to take precautions. Consumers need to be especially careful during power outages, as the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and fire increase.

Cities grapple with how to regulate e-scooters
July 10, 2019, Washington Times
In San Diego over the holiday weekend, police handed out nearly 100 citations to electric scooter users, while a TV broadcast of a man riding one with an infant in a baby carrier strapped onto him sparked outrage. Across the country, cities are grappling with the increasing number of e-scooter sharing programs and the regulatory challenges posed by the vehicles. “First off, they need to learn to slow down when they’re on the sidewalk,” said Tye Shipman, a tourist in Washington, D.C., where nearly 1 in 6 residents used e-scooters in the past year, according to a recent poll.

Syracuse, N.Y., Sees big promise in e-bike launch
July 10, 2019, Government Technology
A fleet of bright seafoam green e-bikes hit the streets of Syracuse Tuesday, and Mayor Ben Walsh was one of the first to take one out for a spin, donning a helmet as he rode to the public celebration in front of the Marriott Syracuse Downtown. A bike-share program has been on Walsh’s agenda since he took office in January 2018. The road to the debut of the Gotcha Bike Sync system included investment in new bike lanes and research on how to make the system work for Central New York. “Not everyone has a car that they can drive around wherever they want,” Walsh said during the official ribbon cutting with Gotcha Bike officials Tuesday evening. “In order to provide a range of options, having a bike share program was a critical part of our transportation priorities.”

Thompson announces advancement of Portable Fuel Safety Container Act
July 11, 2019, Lake County News
Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced that his bipartisan bill, the Portable Fuel Container Safety Act, was passed unanimously by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee at Wednesday’s markup. This bill directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a standard requiring Flame Mitigation Devices to be used to prevent fire accidents.

What Amazon product liability lawsuits mean for e-commerce giant’s business
July 10, 2019, Fox Business News
A pair of recent court rulings allowing consumers to sue AmazonOpens a New Window. over defective products could create some short-term concerns for the e-commerceOpens a New Window. giant and its third-party marketplace, but the trend is unlikely to have a major impact on the platform’s business model.

7 Toxic chemicals hiding in your waterproof stain-resistant and wrinkle-free clothes
July 11, 2019, Stamford Advocate
Your clothes probably aren’t killing you, but they could contain some unpleasant chemicals.
Modern clothing is often formulated and treated with compounds that help soften them or prevent them from getting stained, wrinkled, or soggy. Those same compounds have been linked to adverse health effects such as skin irritation, developmental issues, and even cancer.
Take a look at some of the common chemicals lurking in your jeans, T-shirts, and workout clothes, among other items.

Blog: Lawmaking for the Internet of Things
July 12, 2019, JDSupra
Internet-connected devices contributing to the Internet of Things (IoT) are projected to exceed 50 billion devices by 2025, according to the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection in its June 2018 comments on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s notice of public hearing and request for written comments on “The Internet of Things and Consumer Product Hazards.”

New EU Market Surveillance Regulation adopted
June 28, 2019, Steptoe
On June 25, 2019, Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 on market surveillance and compliance of products was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (the Market Surveillance Regulation). The new Market Surveillance Regulation is part of the “Goods package” which also contained the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mutual recognition of goods lawfully marketed in another member state, adopted in March 2019 (the Mutual Recognition Regulation).

What the high rate of CEO turnover teaches executives about ethics
July 11, 2019, JDSupra
According to the latest PwC CEO Success study, more CEOs were dismissed in the last calendar year for ethical lapses than for financial performance or conflicts with the board.
The PwC study offers some explanation; it suggests both societal and governance influences, including “more aggressive intervention by regulatory and law enforcement authorities.” It also highlights the growing momentum behind the #MeToo movement, supported in part by “zero-tolerance” stances adopted by Boards of Directors.

Canada: Product Liability
July 11, 2019, Mondaq.com
One of a manufacturer’s greatest worries is an unexpected call about an accident and injuries involving its product. When product liability claims arise, they require a calm and quick assessment of legal liability, corporate reputation and insurance coverage. This article offers some considerations for manufacturers and distributors and some practical suggestions for managing and avoiding expensive and reputation or relationship damaging product liability claims. Knowing your potential exposure to liability and having a plan to deal with product liability claims before they arise will help preserve your company’s reputation and minimize the costs associated with a claim.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital: Follow bicycle helmet safety
July 11, 2019, Reformer
Long summer days filled with sunshine are perfect for a family outing. Kids and parents alike are will be taking their bikes off the hooks and filling up the tires. Before hitting the road, don’t forget the most important piece of equipment: your helmet. More children between the ages of 5 and 14 are seen in emergency rooms for injuries related to biking than any other sport. Helmets can reduce the risk of severe brain injuries by 88 percent, yet only 45 percent of children 14 and under usually wear a bike helmet. Helmet use is the most effective way to reduce bicycle related fatalities.