Committee Chair McMorris Rodgers On Budget Allocation: It’s Important Bipartisan Legislation
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) delivered the following opening remarks at a recent hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 Consumer Product Safety Commission Budget.” 

Read Chair Rodgers’ Remarks

Read Chair Bilirakis’ Remarks

Advocacy: National Association Of Manufacturers (NAM) Calls For Oversight On The CPSC
July 25, 2024, NAM Newsroom
Manufacturers have long been partners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission—working with the agency to keep the public informed and protected—but a lack of transparency at the CPSC in the past few years has stymied businesses’ attempts “to understand how [they] will be regulated,” the NAM told the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce. NAM has regularly called for congressional oversight of the CPSC in recent years. Ahead of the “Fiscal Year 2025 Consumer Product Safety Commission Budget” subcommittee hearing, NAM highlighted several areas of concern for legislators to address.

6 Ways To Bring Strategy Into Your Work Every Day
July 12, 2024, Harvard Business Review
Business leaders are expected to be strategic, and while organizational obstacles can prevent you from translating intent into strategic actions, so can your personal limitations and practices. It doesn’t have to be this way. Small decisions about where to focus and what to do throughout your day may feel inconsequential, but their impacts accumulate. Master those small decisions and before you know it, you’ll overcome the obstacles as you pursue your strategy with greater clarity, determination, and ultimately success. The author presents six ways to incorporate strategy into your daily practices.

Authorities Go For Gold On Fake Fashion Enforcement As Paris Olympics Begin
July 26, 2024, Retail & Consumer Product Law Observer
France is ramping up its enforcement efforts against counterfeit fashion as the 2024 Paris Olympics open. The French government has placed notices at its airports, warning consumers of the significant penalties they may face from buying and wearing counterfeit clothing and accessories. It has also conducted raids on vendors selling counterfeit items. In a January 2024 report, the European Union Intellectual Property Office estimated that genuine fashion companies in the European Union lost an average of almost 12 billion euros annually from 2018 to 2021.

U.S. Injuries From Electric Bikes, Scooters Are Soaring
July 23, 2024, HeallthDay
More and more Americans who use “micromobility” transport, such as electric bikes and e-scooters, are motoring their way straight into the ER, new data shows. In fact, the rate of e-bike injuries among Americans doubled each year between 2017 and 2022, reported a team led by Dr. Adrian Fernandez of the University of California, San Francisco. This steep rise in accidents “underscores an urgent need for added safety measures,” Fernandez said in a UCSF news release. His team published its findings July 23 in the journal JAMA Network Open. Fernandez and colleagues used data from Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for 2017 through 2022.

Australian Government Backs New Infant Product Safety Standards
July 24, 2024, Mirage News
Prime Minster Albanese’s Government has implemented the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) recommendation to make new mandatory safety and information standards for infant sleep products. The ACCC estimates that parents tragically lose ten babies every year due to unsafe sleeping and inclined non‑sleep products in Australia. The Government’s new mandatory standards will aim to reduce the risk of death and injury to young children. This announcement follows extensive consultation with industry groups, state and territory governments, consumer groups, and safety experts.

Can Safety Professionals Learn From An Analysis Of Boeing’s Safety Culture?
July 25, 2024, shponline.co.uk
Boeing has been in the spotlight over the safety record of its Boeing 737 Max aircraft since 189 passengers and crew died in a Lion Air flight, Just six months later, an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max crashed killing 157 people. Both incidents involved anti-stall software that could override pilots and force the aircraft downwards. All Boeing Max aircraft were grounded for 20 months while safety enhancements were made. Since then, Boeing’s safety culture has been receiving a great deal of scrutiny, principally from the Federal Aviation Administration. In March 2023 an expert panel convened to assess Boeing’s safety standards under the Aircraft Certification, Safety and Accountability Act. In February 2024, the FAA released the expert panel’s report. It found a “disconnect” between Boeing’s senior management and other members of the organization on safety culture. Interviewees also questioned whether the company’s safety reporting systems functioned “in a way that ensures open communication and non-retaliation”. The panel also found inadequate and confusing implementation of the five components of a positive safety culture (reporting culture, just culture, flexible culture, learning culture and informed culture).

CPSC: Stop Using Zonli Home Baby Loungers Due To Suffocation, Fall And Entrapment Hazards; Violations Of Federal Safety Regulations For Infant Sleep Products; No Recall Or Remedy
July 25, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to immediately stop using and dispose of ZonLi Home Baby Loungers because they pose suffocation, fall and entrapment hazards for infants. The baby loungers violate federal safety regulations for Infant Sleep Products because the sides are too low to contain the infant; the sleeping pad is too thick, posing a suffocation hazard; an infant could fall out of an enclosed opening at the foot of the lounger or become entrapped; and the loungers do not have a stand, posing a fall hazard if used on elevated surfaces. These violations create an unsafe sleeping environment for infants. CPSC issued a Notice of Violation to a seller of the ZonLi Home Baby Lounger of China, doing business as Sarah-Home and Kuang JinLong. The firm has not agreed to recall these loungers or offer a remedy.

 Online Sellers Already Pulling Out Of Northern Ireland Market Over New EU Regulations Coming Later This Year 
July 26, 2024, News Letter
The partitioning of United Kingdom’s internal market under the Windsor Framework looks set to throw up a new set of problems for Northern Ireland consumers before the end of the year. This, as new EU product safety rules come into force here but not in Great Britain.

Customers Asked To Destroy Recalled Toy Guns Sold On Temu
July 26, 2024, KSNT
The Federal health officials are urging people who bought a type of toy gun off Temu.com to take action immediately. The Consumer Product and Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall for Victor Electric Folding Soft Bullet Toy Guns. The toys are being recalled as they fail to meet federal safety standards such as lacking a blaze orange tip which is a mandatory requirement to help people tell the difference between toy guns and real guns. The toy guns also pose an eye injury hazard to children.

Important Product Safety Regulation Changes On The Horizon For Businesses In The UK
July 23, 2024, JD Supra
The new UK Government has unveiled the Product Safety and Metrology Bill, a critical piece of legislation that will affect all businesses involved in manufacturing, importing, and selling products in the UK. Announced as part of the King’s Speech on 18 July 2024, this legislation will seek to protect UK consumers as technology rapidly advances while also supporting business, to help deliver on the new Government’s growth agenda. With a raft of new consumer protection legislation being implemented in the EU, the Bill will provide the UK with the mechanism to align or diverge, depending on what is considered best for UK consumers and businesses.

UK King’s Speech 2024: New ‘Product Safety Bill’ Seeks To Address E-Bike Battery Fires
July 18, 2024, ZAG Daily
A new ‘Product Safety and Metrology Bill’ announced in the King’s Speech seeks to address the fire risks associated with e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries in the UK. The King’s Speech sets out the new Labor government’s legislative priorities following the party’s general election victory. Since 2020, there have been over 190 injuries and at least 13 deaths in lithium-ion battery fires, and the UK is currently experiencing nearly one e-bike or e-scooter fire per day. This Bill will give the new government powers to ensure a continued supply of safe goods into the UK market and provide more regulatory stability and protection for consumers. 

First Ever Consumer Product Safety Pulse Report Reveals Essential Insights On Consumer Recall Behavior
July 18, 2024, West Virginia News
The release of its first ever Consumer Product Safety Pulse Report by Sedgwick’s Brand Protection division is backed by a comprehensive survey of over 2,000 consumers across North America and Europe and offers insights on consumer attitudes, expectations, behavior and perception related to product safety. The consumer product safety pulse report highlights communication biases and motivators for consumer response to recall events as well as the potential reputational impact to brands. While the survey primarily focused on consumer products, the lessons derived are applicable across industries to help manufacturers and retailers enhance the effectiveness of product safety communications, recall strategies and customer retention. 

When Your Team Offloads Their Stress Onto You
June 11, 2024, Harvard Business Review
Being a leader in today’s evolving workplace is more emotionally demanding than ever — and especially so if you’re quietly sustaining the emotional well-being of your team or others. In this article, the author outlines five strategies to help you perform this vital organizational role without burning yourself out: 1) Seek to understand — not to feel. 2) Install boundaries. 3) Savor your positive impact. 4) Show yourself equal care. 5) Tie your contributions to performance.

CPSC Import Shipment Tracking Tool
July 2024, cpsc.gov
This tool will allow you to check the status of your shipment using your Entry Number with your filer code included and Entry Line Number (optional). Using this tool will allow you to see your shipment’s status and the remaining time left for CPSC to review the shipment. 

Bissell Recalls More Than 3.5 Million Steam Cleaners Due To Burn Risk
July 18, 2024, CBS News
Bissell is recalling more than 3.5 million steam cleaners sold across the U.S. and in Canada because the handheld products can spew hot water or steam, potentially burning users, the company said in a notice posted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Bissell has received 183 reports of hot water or steam escaping from the product, including 157 reports of minor burn injuries, according to the recall. Manufactured in China, the steamers were sold online and in stores including Amazon, HSN (formerly known as Home Shopping Network), Target and Walmart from August 2008 through May 2024, according to the recall notice. This follows the April recall of more than 2 million Black+Decker garment steamers blamed for scalding dozens of users.

June 2024 Bounty Hunter Plaintiff Claims
July 17, 2024, JD Supra
Because Prop. 65 permits enforcement of the law by private individuals (the so-called bounty hunter provision), this section of the statute has long been a source of significant claims and litigation in California. It has also gone a long way in helping to create a plaintiff’s bar that specializes in such lawsuits. This is because the statute allows recovery of attorney’s fees, in addition to the imposition of civil penalties as high as $2,500 per day per violation. The purpose of this article is to provide an idea of the ongoing trends in bounty hunter activity.

New Commissioner Douglas Dziak Announces On Addition To Senior Staff
June 10, 2024, cpsc.gov
CPSC Commissioner Douglas Dziak announced the first member of his staff. Dana Smullen has joined Commissioner Dziak’s team as Senior Policy Advisor. Dana has over a decade of experience working in Congress on health care, early childhood and education issues, senior services, and federal workforce improvement for Senator George V. Voinovich and Congressman Steve Chabot.

The Ever-Growing Increase Of EU And UK Product Safety Related Requirements And Enforcement Activity
July 18, 2024, JD Supra
In recent years, the EU and UK have significantly heightened their focus on product safety requirements. This increase in new (or at minimum, extended) legislation in both the EU and UK, aimed at ensuring only safe products are placed on these markets, in turn heightens the risk of regulatory scrutiny. This is made all the more complex for companies trying to navigating the various requirements at play, by the ever-growing notion of what is meant by a ’product’, as well as what ‘safe’ means in this context.

Marine Manufacturers Association Supports California’s Proposed Prop. 65 Changes
July 18, 2024, Boating Industry
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) submitted comments to California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) in response to its proposed changes to Proposition (Prop) 65 short form warning requirements. For several years, NMMA and its members have been working with the California regulator to provide clarity around the labeling proposal and its impact on the recreational boating industry. NMMA has been working with OEHHA since 2021 to develop a more targeted approach to marine products since they originally proposed changes to the Prop 65 short form warning label. In its new proposal, OEHHA includes “safe harbor language” for recreational marine vessel parts and offers clarity and consistency for Prop 65 warnings for products sold online – both of which were top priorities for the industry.

Boeing Case Puts A Spotlight On Plea Agreements Involving Corporate Defendants
July 18, 20244 MyNorthwest
After two jetliner crashes killed 346 people, a $2.5 billion settlement that let Boeing avoid criminal prosecution failed to resolve questions about the safety of the aerospace giant’s planes. Federal prosecutors now accuse the company of failing to live up to terms of the 2021 settlement. Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to a felony fraud charge in a new deal with the Justice Department. The department hopes to file the detailed plea agreement Friday, but says it may need “a few more days.” Experts on corporate behavior say whether the new agreement has a more lasting impact on safety than the earlier settlement could come down to how much power is placed in the hands of an independent monitor who is assigned to oversee Boeing for three years. Prosecutors made the appointment of such a monitor a condition of the plea deal, which also calls for Boeing to pay a new $243.6 million fine.

The What, How, And Why Behind Industry Standards
July 2024, Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Standards look to provide guidance and establish safety and performance requirements, and there are many reasons why society needs them. They protect people, our communities, and the environment – and in the product safety field, employees live and breathe standards. However, it’s easy to confuse industry standards with industry regulations, and for good reason.  Standards are technical documents and are consensus driven but they are not unanimous. They are created by experts in their fields. And in the United States, compliance with standards is voluntary. Regulations have specific requirements that companies must follow, and they may also reference standards. They are required by law, and they are overseen by federal, state, and/or municipal authorities. 

Leachco Wins Round One: Administrative Law Judge Hands CPSC Complaint Counsel Loss In Rare Litigated Recall Matter
July 9, 2024, Arnold & Porter
In a rare litigated recall case initiated by the  Consumer Product Safety Commission, only the third case in the last two decades to reach a merits decision by an administrative law judge (ALJ), the presiding ALJ has ruled that CPSC Complaint Counsel did not prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the product at issue presents a substantial product hazard as defined by the Consumer Product Safety Act and that a recall is therefore warranted. While Complaint Counsel may appeal this initial win for the litigating company, Leachco, Inc., the result may nevertheless prompt some companies to consider more seriously the option of rejecting recall requests from the agency when warranted by the facts and a careful analysis of the costs, benefits and risks in either path.

New York Gov. Hochul Signs Bills Aimed At Preventing E-Bike Battery Fires
July 11, 2024, Spectrum 1 News
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a package of bills aimed at reducing the risk of e-bike battery fires. The legislation focuses on e-bike, e-scooter and moped safety standards, as well as the sale, storage and charging of lithium-ion batteries. “Today, we’re taking the first steps to extinguish the scourge of lithium-ion battery fires here in New York City,” Hochul said at a news conference in Manhattan. “Today is a win for consumer safety, it’s a win for public safety, and no one should ever, ever, worry that an e-bike they use to make a living is also putting themselves, their families and their neighbors in harm’s way.”

Research: New Hires’ Psychological Safety Erodes Quickly
July 11, 2024, Harvard Business Review
Across industries, from manufacturing to health care, the luxury of waiting years to benefit from new talent is long gone. Thriving in today’s dynamic economy means bringing new hires up the learning curve faster than ever. Yet, the authors’ latest research suggests one catalyst for learning is often lacking when it’s needed most: psychological safety. They show why newcomers are vulnerable to this loss and present strategies to help preserve their early willingness to speak up.

Who’s Behind The CPSC Commissioners: Understanding The Organization Chart At CPSC
July 2024, cpsc.gov
Every year consumer products are involved in thousands of deaths and millions of injuries. In recent years, there were nearly 51,000 deaths (2019) and 28.5 million medically treated injuries (2020) associated with consumer products. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protection of consumers from injuries and deaths due to consumer products that present unreasonable risks. In this regard, the organization chart of the agency is useful to all CPSC staff. It’s also important to regulated companies, its employees, and its consultants, all of whom are responsible for the safety of products that consumers purchase. The more effective they are in understanding the CPSC, its mission and its structure, the more likely they are to have more favorable outcomes. This organizational chart is a good place to start.

A Proposed Class Action Makes Clear That No Product Is Exempt From PFAS Litigation
July 10, 2024, National Law Review
Two consumer companies were hit with a class action regarding fragrance-free baby wipes. Plaintiffs alleged that the products contain 3.7 parts per billion of per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), otherwise known as “forever chemicals.” The plaintiffs allege that although the baby wipes are advertised as “made with Naturally Derived Ingredients,” testing conducted by the plaintiffs’ counsel at an independent laboratory revealed the wipes contain 3.7 parts billion of the “forever chemicals.” This proposed class action, which involves Costco and Nice-Pak Products, Inc., is yet another example of the uptick in lawsuits against manufacturers and retailers involving allegations that products contain unsafe (or any) amounts of PFAS.

More Than 68,000 Temu Pajama Sets Recalled For Violating Federal Flammability Standards
July 11, 2024, WRAL News
Several different kids’ pajamas sold on Temu are being recalled because they violate federal flammability standards. A total of more than 68,000 pajama sets, made by three manufacturers, are covered under the recall from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The manufacturers include Fashion Online Juvenno Kids and Lovely Angel all of China.

Commissioner Peter A. Feldman On New Addition To Senior Staff
July 8, 2024, cpsc.gov
Peter A. Feldman, Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a new addition to his senior staff.  Nicole Brightbill joined Commissioner Feldman’s office on July 1 as Chief Counsel. Ms. Brightbill most recently served as Principal Deputy Special Counsel in the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. “Nicole brings a strong record of public service and legal expertise to CPSC,” said Feldman.  “The agency will greatly benefit from her experience, and I am excited to have her join my office.” he continued.

Ladder Of Learning: Simplifying Product Safety Management Education
June 30, 2024, EIN PressWire

‘Forever Chemicals’ Ban Could Impact Millions Of Americans
July 10, 2024, Newsweek
Pennsylvania has proposed a ban on the use of “forever chemicals” in a variety of products. The proposed House Bill 2238, which has not yet been passed, hopes to outlaw the use of PFAS chemicals in cleaning products, carpets, cookware, cosmetics, dental floss, food packaging, infant and children’s products, menstrual products, and textiles, among others, by 2027. “Because of the ubiquitous presence of PFAS in our environment, including water, soil and food, almost the entire population is exposed on a daily basis and it is thus difficult to completely avoid exposure,” Maaike van Gerwen, director of research for the Department of Otolaryngology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told Newsweek.

Rhode Island Joins The Fray, Banning PFAS In Numerous Consumer Goods
July 11, 2024, JD Supra
Joining the ranks of California, Maine, New York, Colorado, Minnesota, and Washington, Rhode Island has officially finalized a ban on the manufacture, sale and distribution of numerous products (as well as Class B firefighting foam) containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”).  H7356 (a/k/a ​“Consumer PFAS Ban Act of 2024” or ​“the Act”) was introduced in the Rhode Island House in late-January. Effective January 1, 2027, no person will legally be able to manufacture, sell, offer for sale or distribute in Rhode Island any ​“covered product” that contains ​“intentionally added” PFAS. ​“Covered products” include carpets or rugs, cookware, cosmetics, fabric treatments, juvenile products, menstrual products, ski wax, and textile articles. The same goes for artificial turf and outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions, unless accompanied by a ​“legible, easily discernable disclosure” including the following statement: ​“Made with PFAS chemicals.”

Analysis: The Supreme Court’s Latest Rulings On Administrative Agencies: Implications For ‎Consumer Product Companies
July 11, 2024, JD Supra
In the final week of this year’s Supreme Court term, the Court issued several decisions that alter the role of federal agencies in the way laws are interpreted and enforced, and thus the way that business will be done in the U.S. These include: Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless v. Department of Commerce,Securities and Exchange Commission v. Jarkesy and Corner Post v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

CPSC Extends Comment Period For Bassinets And Cradles Standards: Identifies 5 Hazard Patterns
June 21, 2024, SBA Office of Advocacy
On June 18, 2024, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) extended the public comment period for a proposed rule that amends safety standards for bassinets and cradles. The proposed rule removes the compact bassinet category and addresses five identified hazard patterns associated with young infants placed in or on. The proposed rule also requires warnings on all bassinets within the scope of the rule.

China Eyes Trade War Targets Across Europe For Counterstrikes
June 20, 2024, The Japan Times
As in past disputes, China looks to be readying a series of actions to punish the European Union for its proposed tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars. Things were different in the big trade war with the United States, which featured sweeping penalties on both sides. This time, Beijing’s targeted playbook looks more like the one it deployed against Australia a few years ago — with the government and state media already publicly identifying specific products that could get taxed. Here are some of the likely targets and the parts of Europe where the blow will land hardest.

Corporate Advocacy In A Time Of Social Outrage
Feb. 6, 2024, Harvard Business Review
Today’s employees, particularly young ones, expect their employers to speak out about the social, political and environmental issues they care about. Many organizations have complied, only to find themselves locked into a cycle of perpetual statement-making that is often tangential to their organizational priorities or runs against their political spending. Companies would be wise to reconsider how they determine what to prioritize and discuss internally and externally — and perhaps most important, how to involve employees early in the process.

Vitamix Expands Recall Of Blender Containers And Blade Bases To More Than 500,000, Citing Laceration Risk
June 21, 2024, Consumer Reports
Vitamix has expanded a recall of containers and blade bases from its Ascent and Adventurist series blenders that have been linked to 27 injuries. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the injuries occurred when the containers separated from the base, exposing users’ hands to the blades. Eleven of those injuries were reported prior to a 2018 recall of 105,000 of the same 8-ounce and 20-ounce blending containers and blade bases. The most recent action raises the number of recalled containers and bases to 569,000. An additional 121,950 recalled components were sold in Canada.

CPSC Social Media Guide For Recalling Companies
June 20, 2024, cpsc.gov
Companies are expected to use any and all social media and mobile platforms on which the company maintains a presence including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram, to notify consumers of the recall.  Companies are encouraged to use paid advertising on social media. A Guide to Best Practices for Communicating Recalls on Social Media can also be found in Appendix D of The Recall Handbook. 

More Than 70 Groups Urge NHTSA To Update Vehicle, Child Car Seat Fire Safety Standard
June 19, 2024, repairerdrivennews.com
Consumer Reports, the Green Science Policy Institute and the International Association of Fire Fighters delivered a letter and a petition with more than 32,000 signatures to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calling on the agency to update its flammability standard for car interiors and child car seats. The groups claim the standard, FMVSS 302 is outdated and causes manufacturers to add harmful flame-retardant chemicals to seat foam and other materials. Those include chemicals known or suspected to cause cancer and are linked to reproductive and neurological harm. A May 2024 peer-reviewed study by Duke University, Green Science Policy Institute and University of Toronto researchers found that the air inside all 101 personal vehicles tested was polluted with harmful flame retardants.

Hundreds Of Maine Households Are Stranded In PFAS Limbo
June 16, 2024, centralmaine.com
About 500 Maine households rely on well water that is considered too contaminated to drink under new federal limits on forever chemicals – but not contaminated enough to qualify for state money to install the expensive filtration system needed to make it potable. And those are only the private wells that have been tested by the state. No one knows how many others there are that fall into the gray area between state and federal safety standards and have yet to be tested or aren’t located near a farm that used tainted sludge to fertilize its fields. They exist in a forever chemical limbo, created by conflicting regulatory standards and anxiety over the rising costs of taming Maine’s forever chemical problem. Maine didn’t make the toxic chemicals, but its environmental leaders concede that its now-defunct sludge recycling program made the problem worse.

Officials: Leave Fireworks To The Professionals
June 19, 2024, Jerseyshoreline.com
More than 2,000 children nationwide are injured each year by fireworks, with a large percentage of injuries taking place around the Fourth of July weekend. Store-bought legal fireworks and illegal explosive devices are the cause. Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Barbara Jo Crea said, “many of our communities have exciting fireworks displays planned for the July Fourth holiday. I encourage our families and visitors alike to enjoy one or more of these professionally arranged spectacular shows.” The Consumer Product Safety Commission also has safety advice for the handling of common fireworks.

CPSC: Stop Using Xastro Fuel Bottles Due To Poisoning, Burn And Flash Fire Hazards; No Recall Or Remedy Offered
June 20, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to immediately stop using Xastro fuel bottles, sold by Zhengzhou Weipai Jiajuyou Xian Gongsi, because they pose a risk of poisoning and burns to children due to lack of a child resistant closure, which violates the Children’s Gasoline Burn Prevention Act. Furthermore, the fuel bottles pose a flash fire hazard to all users because they lack a flame mitigation device. Under the Portable Fuel Container Safety Act, portable fuel containers manufactured after July 12, 2023, must have flame mitigation devices that impede the propagation of a flame into the container. 

Amazon Ditches Plastic Air Pillow Packaging In North America
June 20, 2024, Supply Chain Brain
Amazon says it has stopped using plastic air pillows in the vast majority of its packaging for deliveries in North America. As of June 20, the company has replaced 95% of its plastic pillows with recyclable paper fillers at its North America fulfillment centers, aiming to fully phase out the pillows by the end of 2024. Amazon estimates that this will eliminate roughly 15 billion plastic air pillows per year.

ACCC: Novelty Toy Supplier And The Operator Of Timezone, Kingpin And Zone Bowling Pay Penalties For Alleged Button Battery Testing Non-Compliance
June 19, 2024, accc.gov.au
Novelty toy supplier MDI International Pty Ltd (MDI) and the owner and operator of Timezone, Kingpin and Zone Bowling, TEEG Australia Pty Ltd (TEEG), have each paid $49,500 in penalties. This after the ACCC issued them with infringement notices for alleged breaches of the Australian Consumer Law, by failing to comply with the testing requirements of the button battery safety standard. The ACCC issued three infringement notices to each company in relation to the supply of three types of novelty toy products containing button batteries: the World’s Smallest Alarm Clock, the Pocket Fart Gun and the Sonic Spinner.

Safety concerns emerge over weighted baby sleeping products following commission warning
June 14, 2024, YouTube
Exhausted new parents are opting for weighted sleep sacks and blankets to improve the sleep of their infants. However, serious safety warnings have been issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. CBS News’ senior consumer investigative correspondent Anna Werner has more.

Tariff exemptions to end as supply chain challenges rear, levy increases loom
June 5, 2024, Print & Promo Marketing|
With supply chain costs soaring, importers in the promotional products industry and beyond have another potential sourcing cost escalator to deal with: the imminent expiration of exclusions from trade tariffs on hundreds of China-made products. The United States Trade Representative announced that it’s going to allow more than 230 product-specific exclusions from the so-called Section 301 tariffs on items imported from China to expire by June 14. The increased duties will apply to steel and aluminum, electric vehicles, battery components, natural graphite, permanent magnets, solar cells and legacy semiconductors.

3 signs to quickly spot someone with exceptional leadership skills
June 10, 2024, INC.com
What is your single biggest leadership challenge right now? This isn’t a difficult exercise, but it does require accountability and self-reflection. Your challenge should be apparent–it might be the one issue that has troubled you most of the year. Is it a communication problem? A hiring issue? A team not meeting expectations? This article identifies key cornerstones in leadership styles and hopefully will fill some gaps and move the needle on your leadership performance.

State law requiring PFAS disclosure leads to class action lawsuit
June 10, 2024, JD Supra
A Maine law that required (at least until recently amended) consumer products companies to disclose the presence of “intentionally added” per- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in products sold within the state has led to the filing of a consumer class action lawsuit against the disclosing company. This lawsuit may be a harbinger of future litigation aimed at companies who must make similar disclosures in order to comply with a growing number of state PFAS disclosure mandates, such as in New York, Washington, Vermont, Connecticut, Colorado, California, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Rhode Island and Hawaii. 

Law expert: E-scooters are robbing Australian Seniors of safe spaces
June 14, 2024, Australian Seniors News.com.au
An Australian university law and technology expert has warned the advent of e-scooters is robbing Australian seniors of what were traditionally safe spaces. Charles Darwin University’s Dr Mark Brady says government policy around e-scooter use needs to consider the impact on the community, not just the environmental benefits. “Whole of life cycle needs to be an essential consideration when drafting policy around sustainability. Policymakers need to take into consideration distributive justice up and down the chain and consider the impacts both vertically and horizontally.”

ACCC: Blinds, curtains and window fittings
June 2024, CAAA.com
This mandatory standard applies to internal blinds, curtains and some window fittings (corded internal window coverings) supplied after 30 December 2010.

Rare recall: Smoke/carbon monoxide detectors sold on Amazon recalled, but manufacturer reneges on refunds
May 31, 2024, PIRG
 In a rare occurrence, a hazardous product has been recalled through the Consumer Product Safety Commission without the manufacturer cooperating with the agreed-upon remedy. About 6,800 Chzhvan brand combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were recalled this month because they can fail to activate, which means they could fail to warn people about a fire. The company initially consented to a recall and planned to issue refunds, then pulled back. “The firm has been uncooperative in the implementation of the recall. Consumers are urged to dispose of the product,” the CPSC said on May 20. There is no refund or recourse available to consumers.

EPA takes sweeping actions to regulate PFAS, California makes targeted moves
June 12, 2024, National Law Review
PFAS have unique physical and chemical properties and are colloquially termed “forever chemicals” for their ability to persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in humans and animals. In response to research indicating that PFAS can cause adverse human health and environmental effects, the Environmental Protection Agency has undertaken a “whole-of-agency” approach to addressing PFAS contamination, which is focused on restricting dispersion, remediating contamination, and investing in research on PFAS risks and removal technologies. At the state level, California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) adopted public health goals for PFAS and the state has enacted legislation concerning PFAS in food packaging, cookware, textiles, and cosmetics. 

QIMA May 2024 Regulatory Update
June 24, 2024, QIMA

Rare Recall: Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors Recalled Without Manufacturer Consent
May 31, 2024, cpsc.gov
In a rare occurrence, a hazardous product has been recalled through the Consumer Product Safety Commission without cooperation from the manufacturer. About 6,800 Chzhvan brand combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were recalled this month because they can fail to activate, which means they could fail to warn people about a fire. At least five complaints were filed about the smoke detectors not detecting the presence of smoke. No injuries were reported in connection with the malfunctioning smoke detectors. The products were imported by Haikouhuidishangmaoyouxiangongsi of China. “The firm has been uncooperative in the implementation of the recall. Consumers are urged to dispose of the product,” the CPSC said. There apparently is no refund or recourse available to consumers.

CPSC Reports Off-Highway Vehicle Deaths Soar 33%
May 30, 2024, cpsc.gov
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and with it an increase in off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has released its annual report on deaths and injuries from off-highway vehicles which showed a staggering 33% increase in OHV-related deaths in 2020 compared to 2019, the most recent years for which data are available. Overturning and collisions with other vehicles or stationary objects, like a tree, were the leading causes of death. OHV occupants were frequently ejected in these types of incidents. CPSC is urgently warning all riders to prioritize safety and take necessary precautions to avoid tragedy. Read the Report

Read Commissioner Trumka’s Statement

6 Common Leadership Styles — And How To Decide Which To Use When
April 9, 2024, Harvard Business Review
Research suggests that the most effective leaders adapt their style to different circumstances. But what if you feel like you’re not equipped to take on a new and different leadership style? In this article, the author outlines the six leadership styles Daniel Goleman first introduced in his 2000 HBR article, “Leadership That Gets Results,” and explains when to use each one. The good news is that personality is not destiny. Even if you’re naturally introverted or you tend to be driven by data and analysis rather than emotion, you can still learn how to adapt different leadership styles to organize, motivate and direct your team.

Deadly Lithium Battery Fires Spur House To Pass Safety Rules
May 30, 2024, In Compliance Magazine
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation that would strengthen safety standards applicable to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. CBS News reports that the legislation passed by the House in mid-May, titled “Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act,” will require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a safety standard applicable to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The legislation was originally introduced in 2023 and passed with an overwhelming bi-partisan vote of 378-34.

Commissioner Trumka: “New CPSC Tool Provides Clarity For Business And Consumers”
May 30, 2024, cpsc.gov
Recently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission created a resource for businesses to identify the hazardous substances they needs to warn consumers about on product labels. This tool provides more clarity for businesses and will help consumers identify toxic products that pose a hazard. The tool helps businesses comply with the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (“FHSA”) by providing a list of hazardous substances that have been identified by other public health agencies. CPSC’s resource also gives consumers insight into what qualifies as a hazardous substance. “Hazardous substances” is an expansive term that includes many categories of hazards 

Consumer Product Safety Commission Semiannual OIG Report To Congress
May 30, 2024, Oversight.gov
The Semiannual Report to Congress for the Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Inspector General (OIG). This report details the work of the OIG in the oversight of the CPSC for the first half of Fiscal Year 2024, October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024. Read the Report

Medline Industries Recalls 1.5 Million Adult Portable Bed Rails Due To Serious Entrapment And Asphyxia Hazards; Two Deaths Reported
May 30, 2024, cpsc.gov
Northfield, Illinois, are announcing the recall of two models of Bed Assist Bar adult portable bed rails. The recalled bed rails pose a risk of entrapment and asphyxia because users can become entrapped within the rail, or between the rail and mattress.

What Apparel Companies Need To Know About The CPSC
May 29, 2024, National Law Review
The Consumer Product Safety Commission regulates consumer products, including a variety of products made and sold by the Apparel industry. The agency provides education, regulations via the Code of Federal Regulations (“CFR”), and enforcement. Clothing being imported through ports of entry get tested by CPSC’s Office of Import Surveillance that works closely with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) at the ports. Questions around whether the product is hazardous will trigger the importer being asked to provide test records within 24 hours. If a CPSC violation is found, whether through testing or untimely test record responses, the shipment product(s) in question will be detained or conditionally released with samples taken for further testing.

New York Lawmakers Send Lithium-Ion Safety Package To Governor Hochul
May 29, 2024, Bicycle Retailer
The New York State Senate passed a legislative package aimed at strengthening lithium-ion battery safety standards, including one that will recognize the European testing standard EN 15194 along with UL 2849. The legislative package, which was passed by the New York State Assembly early this month, now will be sent to Gov. Kathy Hochul for approval. If Hochul signs off on the legislation, it will become law 90 days after signing. Manufactured and Sale Standards of Lithium-Ion Batteries (Bill S154F) would allow manufacturers to use ISO 17025, ISO 17065, or an OSHA-approved nationally recognized testing lab.

Build-A- Bear: Our Product Safety Standards
May 2024, buildabear.com
All of our products are produced from high-quality materials. Our stuffing is made from a high-grade polyester fiber. Each of our products is tested through an independent, third-party testing lab for compliance with toy safety standards specific to the countries where we have stores, including ASTM/CPSC (US), CPSA (Canada), AS/NZS (Australia), EN71 (Europe), NOM (Mexico) and GB6675/GB5296.5 (China). Before they are shipped from our suppliers, all Build-A-Bear products must have a passing test report on record. Most of our products — including our furry friends, clothing and many accessories — are produced in Asia, similar to the entire toy industry. Our suppliers are compliant with the International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI), CARE (Caring, Awareness, Responsible, Ethical) certification, or comparable designation. These programs promote ethical manufacturing, from fair labor treatment to employee health and safety, in the toy industry worldwide.

Bipartisan Bill Aims To Ban Potentially Hazardous Water Beads Sold As Children’s Toys
May 9, 2024, NBC News
A bipartisan bill, named “Esther’s Law”, was introduced in the U.S. Senate. It proposes a ban on the sale of water beads designed or marketed as children’s toys, sensory tools or educational or art materials. The bill is sponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) Bob Casey (D-PA) and Susan Collins (R-ME). “Parents buy toys and educational materials for their kids with the understanding those products are safe for their children. Sadly, with water beads that is just not the case,” Baldwin said in a statement. The bill instructs the CPSC to establish the ban, since the agency has the authority to outlaw hazardous products to protect the public.

New UL Report: How E-Bike Awareness Gaps And Behavior Increase Battery Fire Risks
May 7, 2024, KTLA News 5
UL Standards & Engagement released a report that reveals e-bike and e-scooter owners’ alarming misunderstanding of the lithium-ion batteries that power their devices and the fire threat that they pose. Further, the report identified a series of dangerous practices, from unsafe charging habits to blocking exit paths in the event of a fire. “The massive growth of the e-bike and e-scooter market has not been matched by consumer safety education on these devices,” said Sayon Deb, director of primary insights at UL Standards & Engagement. This report comes on the heels of UL Standards & Engagement’s April 19 update of UL 2272, the Standard for Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices. Read the Report

How To Present To An Audience That Knows More Than You
May 8, 2024, Harvard Business Review
What happens when you have to give a presentation to an audience that might have some professionals who have more expertise on the topic than you do? While it can be intimidating, it can also be an opportunity to leverage their deep and diverse expertise in service of the group’s learning. This article offers several tips for how you might approach a roomful of experts, including how to invite them into the discussion without allowing them to completely take over. It also advises how to pivot on the proposed topic when necessary.

State Level PFAS Regulations Are Coming: Are You Ready?
May 9, 2024, JD Supra
As the Environmental Protection Agency expands its regulation of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a number of states have also taken steps to regulate the use, production, and sale of products containing PFAS. It is critical to understanding how a state defines PFAS and whether (and how) any of the requirements apply to your product. It’s complicated. Some states are legislating PFAS as a class using a very broad definition, while others are targeting specific PFAS chemicals. Commercial and industrial producers should be aware of any new obligations that may affect their business practices.

No, The Biden Administration Is Not Banning Portable Gas Generators
May 9, 2024, NBC News 12
Is the Biden administration banning portable gas-powered generators? In response to numerous carbon monoxide poisoning deaths and injuries caused by portable gas-powered generators, the Consumer Product Safety Commission proposed a rule in March 2023 that would regulate the carbon monoxide emissions and auto-shutoff sensitivity of new portable gas-powered generators. This regulation would not ban portable gas-powered generators, but would instead require manufacturers to meet new standards when manufacturing portable generators. The rule combines two preexisting industry standards that portable generator manufacturers can currently voluntarily follow.

Breaking Down Virginia Tech’s Helmet Ratings
May 7, 2024, SLOWTWITCH.com
By law, all bicycle helmets sold in the US must be certified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission If you look inside your helmet, you will find a sticker that attests to this certification. The CPSC testing is pass/fail and involves four tests, one of which is a drop test. The pass/fail threshold for the drop test is the point of skull fracture. As helmet consumers, all we know from the CPSC certification is that our helmet passed the minimum standard to be sold to us in the US and will hopefully prevent a skull fracture. However, we don’t know from the CPSC certification the extent to which any particular helmet reduces concussion risk. That’s where the Virginia Tech Lab comes in with much more involved and rigorous helmet testing.

$3.0m Available In Pool Safely Grants To Help Prevent Drownings And Drain Entrapment
May 10, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission urges state, local, and tribal governments to apply for up to $3.0 million in grant funding for the Pool Safely Grant Program (PSGP or grant program). The two-year grants are to be used to reduce deaths and injuries from drowning and drain entrapment incidents in pools and spas. The PSGP is an essential part of CPSC’s national campaign to prevent drowning and drain entrapment. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death among young children. The grant awards will range from $50,000 to $400,000 each and is authorized through the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB Act).

How Resale Marketplaces Safety-Check Hard Goods Like Car Seats & Strollers
May 8, 2024, Modern Retail
Resale marketplaces like The RealReal and StockX must verify and authenticate shoes, apparel and other soft goods on a daily basis. But for platforms that sell open-box or secondhand hard goods — many of which have safety risks or expiration dates — vetting products becomes a more high-stakes game. Selling hard goods, however, can be challenging. Compared to soft goods, hard goods may require more frequent manual vetting. Here’s how three resale platforms approach vetting their products to ensure they’re safe to use.

Mega-Tac Adhesive Recalled; Failure To Meet Poison Prevention Packaging Act; No Recall Or Remedy Offered
May 9, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to stop using Mega-Tac Permanent Adhesive, Silicon Liquid Glue. The glue bottles do not comply with the child-resistant packaging requirements under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), posing a poisoning hazard to young children if ingested. CPSC issued a Notice of Violation to the importer Genesis Inc., of Puerto Rico, but the firm has not agreed to recall this product or offer a remedy to consumers. 

Commentary: Buying Fakes Hurts Americans, Helps Criminals
May 8, 2024, MyJournalCourier
Employees who make high-quality U.S. goods have to compete with reality TV, which is celebrating the counterfeit market that’s costing these workers jobs. Whether it’s name-brand jeans, designer handbags or a must-have child’s toy, there is a black market of counterfeits that pretend to be American-made products but are lower-quality knock-offs. For some shoppers, buying these fakes is a thrill. That’s the sentiment behind the ABC News Impact production picked up by Hulu: “Super Fakes: The Shadow World of Counterfeit Purses.” But whether it’s knockoff handbags or counterfeit car parts, the effects are the same: American workers lose market share, and American consumers wind up with potentially unsafe products.

First Sturdy Act Recall: Dressers Recalled For Violating Tipover Standard
May 2, 2024, Woodworking Network
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled the Mill Valley Junior, a six-drawer dresser that was sold exclusively at Rooms to Go. The recall was for violating a year-old, federally mandated tip-over standard. This is the first action CPSC has taken due to a violation under the STURDY (Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth) standard since it went into effect last year. According to the CPSC notice, the recalled dressers, which were imported by LFN Limited and manufactured in Vietnam, are unstable if they are not properly anchored to the wall, posing serious tip-over and entrapment hazards.

CPSC: Stop Using Floatstep Dock Ladders Due To Risk Of Fingertip Amputation And Crushing Injuries; No Acceptable Recall Offered
May 2, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is urgingconsumers not to purchase or sell Floatstep Dock Ladders and to stop using and dispose of the dock ladders immediately. The dock ladders have pinch points which can cause fingertip crushes and amputations. Two people have suffered fingertip amputations while using the ladders in incidents in Kentucky in 2022 and Florida in 2018. The manufacturer, Atlantic Aluminum and Marine Products Inc., of Lantana, Florida, has not agreed to an acceptable recall of the dock ladders at this time.

Four Reasons Why Managers Fail
April 11, 2024, Harvard Business Review
Gartner research has found that managers today are accountable for 51% more responsibilities than they can effectively manage — and they’re starting to buckle under the pressure. According to data from a 2018 study, 54% are suffering from work-induced stress and fatigue and 44% are struggling to provide personalized support to their direct reports. Ultimately, one in five managers said they would prefer not being people managers given a choice. Further analysis found that 48% of managers are at risk of failure. This article offers four predictors of manager failure and offers suggestions for organizations on how to address them.

Gov. Polis signs bill strengthening Colorado’s ‘forever chemical’ product bans
May 2, 2024, The Hill
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed into law a bill that will result in sweeping bans of “forever chemicals” across a wide range of consumer products. The law expands upon existing state legislation that prohibited the sale or distribution of certain products containing PFAS compounds, while laying out a specific timeline for the implementation of each ban. The compounds, of which there are thousands, are staple ingredients in industrial discharge, certain types of firefighting foam and many household items. 

 Bausch + Lomb recalls Project Watson dog eye wipes due to risk of bacteria, fungus exposure
May 2, 2024, KSBY 6 News
A recall was issued for Bausch + Lomb’s Project Watson dog eyelid wipes because of the risk that fungi and bacteria can begin to grow in the containers, posing a risk of infection for pets, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said. The company believes that when the package is opened, organisms can flourish in the container and can pose a risk not only to pets but to their human guardians as well, the consumer safety agency said. This risk is increased in those with weakened immune systems.

Bike Helmets Recalled: 140,000 And Counting Don’t Meet Safety Standards; 13 Separate Recalls
May 1, 2024, U.S. PIRG
Since Jan. 1, 2023, more than 140,000 bicycle helmets sold in the United States have been recalled because they didn’t meet federal safety standards. So far this year, from Jan. 1 through April 30, five brands of helmets have been recalled. During 2023, there were an additional eight, for a total of 13. During 2023 and 2024, eight were for children or youth. The total, so far, is 142,958 products recalled. All but one of the helmets were manufactured in China. All but one were modestly priced at $50 or less. Two of them were sold exclusively on Temu.com.

CPSC: Stop Using Floatwheel Self- Balancing Electric Skateboards; Fall And Crash Hazards; Chinese Maker Refuses CPSC Request For Recall And Product Information
May 2, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers about the risk of death and serious injuries with Floatwheel’s self-balancing electric skateboards. Floatwheel, of China, has refused to agree to CPSC’s request for a recall and has refused to supply information to CPSC about the products. CPSC also advises that imports of the Floatwheel skateboards may be subject to enforcement action at U.S. ports to prevent their importation. The Floatwheel skateboards are currently sold on a Russian website for between $1,600 and $1,800.

Editorial: Indiana AG Rokita Right To Target Forever Chemicals
May 2, 2024, The Republic (Indiana)
Most everyone can appreciate the convenience of waterproof and nonstick products. But at what cost to public health and the environment? Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has filed a lawsuit against 22 companies in the state that, allegedly, have tried to conceal their longtime use of “forever chemicals” and the potential cost to human health. Defendants in the lawsuit include heavy hitters such as 3M Company, DuPont, Corteva, United Technologies and Carrier Global. Rokita is doing the right thing by holding almost two dozen companies operating in Indiana accountable for hiding those costs, allegedly, in order to sell their products.

The United Kingdom Intends To Recognize CE-Marked Weighing And Measuring Instruments Indefinitely
May 2, 2024, NIST
Before Brexit, products placed on the UK market had to comply with the EU directives and bear a CE mark (when applicable) to show compliance with these directives. After Brexit, the UK has implemented new UK regulations as a replacement for the EU directives. The UKCA mark was introduced as the new compliance mark for the UK market. The UK implemented a transition period ending on December 31, 2024, giving manufacturers and importers time to implement the new UK regulations into their business operations. However, on January 24, the UK government announced that it intends to legislate to continue recognition of EU requirements, including the CE marking, indefinitely for a range of product regulations this spring.

Connecticut Senate Targets More Products That Contain Pfas ‘Forever Chemicals’
May 2, 2024, CT News Junkie
The Connecticut Senate passed a bill that could ban the sale of many products that typically contain long-lasting, harmful chemicals that fall under a group called “PFAS.” The bill would ban the use of 14 products that contain the so-called “forever chemicals” – such as cleaning products, fabric treatments, and menstruation products. The ban on the sale of those products will be enacted on Jan. 1, 2028, with manufacturers being required to submit reports to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection that include a description of a product and the amount of PFAS chemicals is in it. That requirement will go into effect on Jan 1, 2026.