CPSC Commissioner Feldman Statement: Record Recall Numbers Reflect ROI For Consumers; “These Strong Numbers Are No Accident”
November 1, 2023, cpsc.gov
Commissioner Feldman notes the importance of recall results. “The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced more than 300 recalls in fiscal year 2023, a 20% increase over the previous year. Of particular note, defect and regulatory recalls are up, with the latter at an all-time high. These strong numbers are no accident. They reflect a multi-year push to re-prioritize the agency’s core mission of enforcement and compliance. I have supported efforts to increase funding, add additional staff and provide new case management tools for CPSC’s Office of Compliance and Field Operations (EXC). This approach is paying dividends for American consumers.”

Subcommittee Markup Recap: E&C Advances Bills To Enhance Product Safety, Transparency, Supply Chains And American Tech Leadership
November 2, 2023, Energy & Commerce Committee
The House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee advanced proposals to secure American technological leadership and improve people’s lives. In a subcommittee markup, the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee voted in favor of several pieces of legislation that enhance product safety, improve the resiliency of America’s supply chains and bring much needed price transparency to the ticketing and lodging industries.

Project Managers Should Think Like Startup Founders
November 2, 2023, Harvard Business Review 
Most project managers focus on planning and execution. But large projects rarely go in a straight line and the execution may go far in the wrong direction before the need for changes are recognized. The author, a strategic advisor to large firms, suggests that project leaders should think like startup founders instead, using tools that have become common in that sector: A project canvas, customer development and so forth. In doing so, project leaders can uncover and solve some of the project’s biggest questions and risks first, before scaling to full execution.

CBP Seizes Flammable Children’s Sleepwear
November 1, 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Champlain Port of Entry seized a commercial shipment of children’s sleepwear that failed flammability requirement standards. In August, CBP officers examined a shipment of children’s sleepwear that were manufactured in China. Working in collaboration with the Consumer Product Safety Commission a sample was provided for further testing. CPSC determined the products failed the flammability requirements under the Flammable Fabrics Act and recommended seizure. 

The U.S. Commerce Department Is Creating An AI Safety Agency
November 2, 2023, Husch Blackwell
The Biden Administration is creating a new Federal agency focused on the safety and security of Artificial Intelligence systems. President Biden directed the Department of Commerce to establish the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (USAISI), which will lead the government’s efforts on AI safety and trust. USAISI will facilitate the development of safety, security and testing standards for AI models, and the development of standards for authenticating AI-generated content.

CPSC: Stop Using Mollys Products’ Sodium Hydroxide. No Consumer Remedy Offered
November 2, 2023, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to immediately stop using Mollys Products’ sodium hydroxide products because they do not comply with the child resistant packaging requirements under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act.  product violates the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. The seller Burgess Jackson, Inc. of Philadelphia, has not agreed to recall the Mollys Products’ sodium hydroxide or offer a remedy to consumers.

The Forever Frontier: PFAS Trends Can Create New Areas Of Focus For Companies
November 3, 2023, Reuters
In recent years, mass tort litigation has shown increased focus on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), and perhaps more importantly, on new products, industries, and users of these substances that previously avoided such attention. As is often the case with mass and toxic tort litigation, the filer appetite for larger and more diverse groups of defendants has caused focus to shift to second, third, and fourth “tiers” of defendants. This happens as primary defendants become insolvent and seek bankruptcy protections.

What The Consumer Protection Act Says About Liability For Damage
November 4, 2023, The Citizen
It is important for consumers to know what the Consumer Protection Act says about liability for damages because it gives them a way to get recourse. Section 61 of the Act deals with the liability of the producer, importer, distributor or retailer of hazardous, unsafe or defective goods that caused the death, injury or illness of any person or loss of or physical damage to any moveable or immovable property. These parties can also be held responsible for damage or harm caused by not giving consumers adequate instructions or warnings regarding the use of the goods. While consumers do not have to prove that the producer, importer, distributor or retailer was at fault, they can only claim for loss which results from the types of harm mentioned above.

More Than 40% Of Consumers Use Their Social Media Feeds To Find Products
November 1, 2023, PYMNTS
In today’s digital age, social media has become a powerful tool for consumers to discover and purchase products. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have transformed the way people shop. Findings captured in a joint PYMNTS-AWS study show that 43% of consumers browse social media to find goods and services. Notably, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok have the highest conversion rates, with users frequently purchasing products they discover on these platforms.

Toy Safety Awareness Month Kicks Off
November 1, 2023, The Toy Association
November is Toy Safety Awareness Month. It’s goal is to help parents, grandparents, and other caregivers keep little ones safe this holiday season. From the importance of avoiding recalled and counterfeit products, to advice for keeping kids safe when playing with Internet-connected toys, families are being advised of some simple steps they can take to ensure children’s safety. Toy Safety Awareness Month is sponsored by PlaySafe.org, The Toy Association’s trusted safety resource for parents.

CPSC Chair Hoehn-Saric Focuses On Online Marketplaces At ICPHSO International Conference
October 27, 2023, Retail & Consumer Product Law Observer
CPSC Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric gave a keynote address to the International Symposium of the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO) in Almhult, Sweden. Hoehn-Saric focused his remarks on his stated goal for the third year of his term as chairman of the agency—addressing recalled or otherwise violative products sold on or through online marketplaces. In Hoehn-Saric’s view, consumers expect to purchase safe products on online marketplaces. He believes they should not need to know or discern whether a product is purchased directly from an online retailer or from an entity that has been provided access to consumers through the online platform. He complemented collaborative improvements by Amazon, eBay and Target but issued a call to action including adoption of “safety by design “and legislative and regulatory protections.

Sen. Ossoff Demands Answers About Baby Bib And Blanket Safety Following Recalls
October 24, 2023, Sen. Jon Ossoff
Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) is demanding answers about the safety of baby bibs and blankets following a recent recall. Little Sleepies recalled their “Sleepyhead Loveys” and “Bandana Bibs” due to potential choking hazards. Sen. Ossoff launched an inquiry with Little Sleepies CEO, Maradith Frenkel, demanding answers in three areas: 1) About the safety of their products, 2) What they are doing to insure the safety of other products being sold, and 3) What will be done to prevent dangerous oversights like this happening again. 

Building Consensus Around Difficult Strategic Decisions
October 27, 2023, Harvard Business Review
Making future-focused decisions in an uncertain world presents fundamental challenges for leaders. So how can leaders get clarity on the best path forward? The authors of this article have developed a tool that they call “strategic sparring sessions.” These are immersive, interactive discussions specifically designed to help groups see through the fog that accompanies today’s predictable unpredictability. These sessions help teams align on key assumptions, build conviction on a path forward, and activate individual and collective change.

ICPHSO Conference Highlights Need For Understanding The Basics Of Product Recall
October 26, 2023, Cooley
Increasing globalization of product markets brings tremendous opportunities for product manufacturers. New technologies enable companies to reach consumers in markets all around the world, and rapid geographical expansion is increasingly the order of the day. These opportunities also bring risks that must be managed. For any consumer product manufacturer, there is an ever-present risk – despite the best planning and investment – that something could go wrong in the design, production or distribution phases that creates an unexpected safety risk to consumers. When that happens, the manufacturer may need to consider implementing an international product recall or some other form of safety action. Sometimes, that action may be required as a mandatory step by government regulators.

Apple Lines Up To Support Nationwide Right-To-Repair Legislation
October 24, 2023, CNBC
Apple said that it supports nationwide right-to-repair regulation that would make iPhone parts and tools available to customers, the latest sign of the company’s shift toward supporting independent repair. Apple is an important symbol for the right-to-repair movement. Its products are widely used, and many users have encountered a cracked iPhone screen or used-up battery that required a trip to a repair or Apple store. Apple said it sees “real value” in a national law at a recent White House event.

Best Buy Recalls Almost 1 Million Pressure Cookers After Spewed Contents Burn 17 People
October 26, 2023, CBS News
Best Buy is recalling 930,000 pressure cookers due to a defect that can cause hot food and liquid to spew from the devices, potentially burning those nearby, the retailer said in a notice posted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The retailer said it has received 31 reports of the cooker’s contents being expelled under pressure. Some 17 people suffered burn injuries, some second-degree and severe. The Insignia electric pressure cookers have incorrect volume markings on their inner pots, which can cause overfilled contents to eject when pressurized, according to the Richfield, Minnesota-based company.

New Study: Dangerous ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Your Everyday Items Are Causing Cancer
October 24, 2023, Newsweek
Several “forever chemicals” found nearly everywhere in our day-to-day lives have been linked to thyroid cancer, new research has found. Certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals” due to their resistance to breaking down in the environment, have been associated with a 56 percent increased risk of thyroid cancer diagnosis. This is according to new research published in the journal eBioMedicine.

Clothing Textile Flammability Standard Revised
October 26, 2023, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a final rule that, effective approximately April 22, 2024, will amend the standard for the flammability of clothing textiles to clarify existing provisions. The Flammable Fabrics Act prohibits the importation, manufacture for sale, or sale in commerce of any fabric or article of wearing apparel that is so highly flammable as to be dangerous when worn by individuals. The CPSC uses a test first codified as a standard in 1975 (in 16 CFR Part 1610) and since amended several times to determine if fabric meets this criterion. This standard includes test equipment, materials and procedures for testing the flammability of clothing textiles and applies to all items of clothing and fabrics intended to be used for clothing (with certain exclusions).

Editorial: Social Media Can Harm Kids. Lawsuits Could Force Meta, Others To Make Platforms Safer
October 26, 2023, Los Angeles Times
It’s a rare issue that can bring 41 states together for a bipartisan fight. This week, state attorneys general across the political spectrum joined forces in suing Facebook parent company Meta for allegedly using features on Instagram and other platforms that hook young users, while denying or downplaying the risks to their mental health. This comes two years after states began investigating Meta following revelations that the company’s internal research found Instagram was having a negative effect on some teen users’ mental health.

Woman Who Burned Herself On Dunkin’ Coffee Settles For $3 Million
October 25, 2023, CNN 
A Dunkin’ franchisee is paying a woman $3 million to settle a lawsuit involving hot coffee falling on her lap that she alleges caused severe burns and life-altering injuries, according to her lawyers. According to the woman’s attorney, the lid came off the cup after she was given the drink and the hot coffee spilled on her lap causing second- and third-degree burns to her thighs, groin and abdomen. She also required “extensive” skin grafts, a statement said. The injury resulted in her spending weeks at a burn unit in a Georgia hospital, costing her $200,000 in medical bills.

Boyle: CPSC To Propose Mandatory Requirements For Batteries For Micromobility Products
October 17, 2023, Bicycle Retailer
CPSC Commissioner Mary T. Boyle recently addressed the PeopleForBikes’ SHIFT’23 conference. She provided information on CPSC plans for micromobility device regulations. “I’m happy to announce we are poised to consider regulatory regulations for micromobility devices across the board, including e-bikes,” Boyle told the group. “We’re going to propose mandatory requirements for batteries in micromobility products. But it’s going to take a while,” she said.

Kids Still Getting Injured After Swallowing High-Powered Magnets
October 20, 2023, US News and World Reports
Despite warnings and public education campaigns, kids continue to suffer injuries from swallowing small but strong magnets, according to a new study.  Children are also inserting high-powered, rare-earth balls into their ears and noses, even in households where parents fully understand the dangers of the toys, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. For the study, the researchers reviewed 2017 to 2019 data from patients aged 21 and younger from a study that included 25 U.S. children’s hospitals.

What To Do If You Feel Like You’ve Lost Your Intuition
October 19, 2023, Harvard Business Review
It can be disconcerting to feel that your intuition isn’t working the way it should. What happens when, as a leader, you feel your intuition is suddenly failing you? In this article, the authors outline five strategies to help you get back in touch with your gut instinct: 1) Lean on your team. 2) Create space in your day to be quiet and reflect. 3) Stop multitasking. 4) Practice small decisions. 5) Don’t worry about perfection.

Fortress Biometric Gun Safes Recalled Due To Injury Hazard And Risk Of Death; One Death Reported
October 18, 2023, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Fortress Safe, of Naperville, Illinois, announced the recall of about 61,000 biometric gun safes due to a serious safety hazard and risk of death. The cause of the recall is a programming feature that can allow unauthorized access to the safes. This can allow unauthorized users, including children, to access the safe to remove hazardous contents, including firearms. CPSC is aware of a recent lawsuit alleging a 12-year-old boy died from a firearm obtained from one of these safes. 

Right To Repair Becomes Law In California
October 16, 2023, Recycling Today
Apple and HP are among the organizations that supported the legislation. Supporters, including Apple and HP say the bill “is an important way to slow the creation of electronic waste.” The legislation provides for independent repair shops and consumers to access the repair materials they need to keep their products in use and out of the trash.” However, device manufacturer trade associations, including the Consumer Technology Association, National Electronic Manufacturers Association and PRBA – the Rechargeable Battery Association, opposed the bill. 

Update: EU Microplastics Ban Has Gone Into Effect October 17
October 18, 2023, The Toy Association
On September 27, 2023, the European Commission issued Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 to regulate microplastics. These regulations will immediately affect toymakers that use glitter in their products, along with other products that fall under the scope for microplastics, such as microbeads. Although there are some extensions for the implementation timeline of the new measures, they are limited to a few specific applications (including certain cosmetics); all other cases are effectively subject to an immediate ban. 

EU Advocate General Argues That Harmonized Technical Standards Must Be Freely Available
October 19, 2023, Cooley Productwise
In a case brought by two nonprofit organizations against the judgment of the EU General Court (the EU junior court) upholding the European Commission’s decision refusing to grant access to four harmonized technical standards (HTS), the Advocate General (AG) argued that the Court of Justice of the European Union (the EU senior court) should annul the General Court’s judgment and the European Commission’s decision and order the European Commission to grant the two nonprofit organizations access to the standards. If the Court of Justice endorses the AG’s reasoning, this might have groundbreaking effects, as it could open the way to requiring HTS to be made freely available.

September 2023 Prop 65 Bounty Hunter Plaintiff Claims
October 16, 2023, National Law Review
In September of 2023, product manufacturers, distributors, and retailers were the targets of over 294 new Notices of Violation (“Notices”) and amended Notices, alleging a violation of Prop. 65 for failure to provide a warning for their products. This was based on the alleged presence of the following chemicals in these products. Noteworthy trends and categories from Notices sent in September 2023 are excerpted and discussed below. A complete list of Notices sent in September 2023 can be found on the California Attorney General’s website, located at 60-Day Notice Search.

CPSC Signals Its Regulatory Interest In PFAS
October 17, 2023, National Law Review
On September 20, 2023, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a Federal Register Notice and Request for Information^. The agency asked for public comment about the use and presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in “consumer products” under its jurisdiction. By issuing this Request for Information, CPSC has signaled its interest in joining the EPA, FDA and Department of Agriculture, along with several state and municipal jurisdictions, in studying and potentially regulating PFAS.

Pressure Rises On Online Retailers To Fight Fakes
October 17, 2023, Rollcall
From clothes and shoes to electronics and even aircraft engine parts, online retail sites and social media marketplaces are awash in counterfeit products. Of 13,000 online consumers surveyed in 17 countries by the Michigan State University Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection, nearly 3 out of 4 reported having bought counterfeit products Consumer advocates and legal experts are urging Congress to pass legislation to make online platforms liable for dangers posed by counterfeit goods by putting them on par with brick-and-mortar stores. Now, Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s panel on intellectual property and Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., the panel’s top Republican, are pursuing legislation that would hold the platforms liable for the sale of counterfeits.

UK: Where Is The Design Industry In Terms Of Right To Repair?
October 20, 2023, Design Week
With the right to repair rising on the agenda we spoke to the Restart Project, designers and the Design Council about barriers from understanding and skills to legislation. Design Council senior Policy and advocacy manager Matilda Agace discusses how circularity and sustainable design has been on the Design Council’s agenda for many years – she describes encountering a mid-90s leaflet on the subject in the archive – but a focus on repairability is more recent, and particularly comes to the fore in this year’s edition of its Design for Planet Festival.

U.S. Advances First Safety Requirements For Infant Rockers After Nearly A Dozen Deaths
October 11, 2023, NBC News
The Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously to move forward with the proposal developed by its staff, which was unveiled last month. The recommendations come after the agency tallied 11 deaths associated with the reclined seats from 2011 to 2022, most of which happened after infants fell asleep in them. CPSC staff found that the popular products were also associated with 88 injuries in that 12-year period. “I believe that this rule can have a real impact on the safety of these products,” CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric said. The regulations must go through public comment and review before they are finalized.

U.S. Senate reintroduces SHOP SAFE Act to protect online buyers
October 5, 2023, The Toy Association (™)
U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) reintroduced the SHOP SAFE Act on September 28 to protect consumers from harmful counterfeit products that are sold online. The SHOP SAFE Act emphasizes the need for online platforms to meet the same requirements and liabilities for harmful counterfeit goods as traditional brick-and-mortar businesses. “We commend U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Thom Tillis for their leadership in addressing the pressing need to safeguard consumers, particularly children, from illicit products that are infiltrating online platforms,” stated Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of The Toy Association which backs the legislation.

Out Of Business: Producer Leaves Consumers No Remedy On Recalled
October 12, 2023, ABC 27 News
The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that The FORT’s Children’s play tents have been recalled due to laceration and choking hazards. According to the Commission, magnets that connect various parts of the forts can become dislodged, creating potential choking and laceration hazards. The FORT is no longer in business, so there is no remedy for consumers. The Commission says there have so far been 17 reports of loose or broken magnets associated with the play tents resulting in laceration injuries to two adults and a pinched finger to one child. The Commission reminds consumers that it is against federal law to sell or distribute recalled products.

The Delicate Dynamics Of Challenging A Superior
October 12, 2023, MIT Sloan Management Review
The act of challenging a superior necessitates more than just raising one’s voice; it involves understanding, navigating, and engaging in the subtle yet complex dance of power dynamics, diplomacy and mutual respect. Approaching someone above you in the professional hierarchy requires a delicate balance and a deep understanding of both the person and the situation. For those keen on maintaining professional decorum and growing in their roles, this guide can help ensure that your challenging conversations are both constructive and respectful.

Commissioner Feldman Requests Comments On Proposed Gas Furnace Safety Standard
October 11, 2023, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission voted to publish a proposed safety standard to reduce carbon monoxide (CO) injuries and deaths caused by residential gas furnaces and boilers. I voted to advance this rulemaking because of the deadly hazard CO presents, and to seek public input to strengthen it. I am concerned that, however we calculate it, the difference between cost and benefit is large and may subject this rulemaking to legal challenge. I would be particularly interested in hearing from stakeholders regarding two questions: What factors should the Commission use to determine when a cost-benefit relationship is “reasonable?” And how should the Commission apply such factors in this specific rulemaking?

US Customs And CPSC Seize Hair Dryers At The Peace Bridge
October 11, 2023, NBC 2 WGAZ
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo seized hair dryers on behalf of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CBP officers seized 65 hair dryers. According to the CPSC, the hair dryers did not have “integral immersion protection”, which is required for the “Standard for Safety for Household Electric Personal Grooming Appliances.”

PFAS Litigation Update: The Risks Of Consumer Product Marketing Claims
October 11, 2023, JD Supra
As general awareness of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) has continued to rise in recent years, courts have experienced an increase in civil lawsuits alleging false and misleading advertising in corporate marketing statements for consumer products. Most of the lawsuits filed in 2021 and 2022 focused primarily on four categories of products: Food and food packaging; cosmetics; clothing and textiles; and personal care products.

Tesla Australia Pays Penalties For Alleged Breach Of Button Battery Safety Standards
October 12, 2023, The National Tribune
Car manufacturer Tesla Motors Australia Pty Ltd has paid penalties of $155,460 after the ACCC issued it with ten infringement notices. The notices were for allegedly failing to comply with mandatory safety standards for products powered by button batteries, in breach of the Australian Consumer Law. The ACCC alleges Tesla failed to conduct the required safety tests before supplying three of its key fob models and two of its illuminated door sill models and failed to provide the mandatory safety warnings on these products as required by the standard. Since the ACCC started investigating the issue, Tesla has removed the products from sale and started testing them. 

When Toys Go Wrong: Hidden Hazards To Watch Out For
October 12, 2023, ABC2WMAR
Make sure the most wonderful time of the year isn’t the most dangerous one. Before you buy, make sure the toys are safe. According to the consumer product safety commission, emergency rooms treated over 224 thousand toy-related injuries last year. Dangers can be found everywhere. First know the classic toy dangers, such as small parts, strings, projectiles, toxic substances, rigid materials, and inaccurate warning labels.

Utah Sues TikTok Over Child Safety Issues And Its Links To China
October 11, 2023, Engadget
Utah has sued TikTok over child safety issues and the company’s China-based ownership, CNBC has reported. In the complaint, attorney general Sean Reyes called the app “an addictive product” and accused it of misleading users about its relationship with China-based parent company ByteDance. The state recently enacted some of the strictest social media laws in the country, requiring parental permission for teens to use social media. The lawsuit compares TikTok to a slot machine that provides “dopamine manipulation” triggered by swiping up on videos. 

‘Game-Changer’: EPA Issues Final Reporting Rule On ‘Forever’ Chemicals
October 11, 2023, Safety + Health Magazine
 An Environmental Protection Agency final rule will require manufacturers and importers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to report information on PFAS use, exposures and hazards. EPA has determined that the rulemaking will cover at least 1,462 PFAS – also known as “forever chemicals” because they break down slowly over time – and potentially impact industries including construction, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, and waste management and remediation. Published on Oct. 11 and set to go into effect Nov. 13, the rule requires anyone who has manufactured or imported PFAS since 2011 to report certain data.

The Two Final Rules That Implement Reese’s Law
October 4, 2023, Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
In March 2023, proposed safety standards were issued by the Consumer Products Safety Commission under Reese’s Law, a law aimed at protecting children 6 years of age and younger from the hazards of ingesting button cell and coin batteries. On September 21, 2023, the Consumer Product Safety Commission published two final rules in the Federal Register for 16 CFR 1263. The comprehensive nature of the final rules means that manufacturers need to act quickly and carefully to ensure compliance with the new labeling, packaging and testing requirements.

Rolling Candy Sold Nationwide Recalled After Death Of 7-Year-Old
October 5, 2023, CBS News
Two candy makers are recalling products sold nationwide because they contain rolling balls that can detach into a child’s mouth and pose a choking hazard, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said. The federal agency’s warning comes six months after a seven-year-old New York girl choked and died after a Cocco Candy Rolling Candy ball dislodged and became trapped in her throat. A separate recall involves a similar product with the same potential danger, CPSC said. Carmel, Indiana-based Candy Dynamics is recalling 70 million Slime Licker Sour Rolling Liquid Candy sold from June 2015 through July 2023 said the Agency.

Research: Can You Tell How You Come Across On Zoom?
October 6, 2023, Harvard Business Review
If you want to make a good impression and gauge what a colleague actually thinks of you, should you meet in-person or over videoconference? This is the question the authors explored in their research. The answer largely depends on whether you’re feeling anxious about social interaction. Most of us have moments when we feel a bit more socially anxious than usual. In those cases, setting a meeting on Zoom might level out the playing field, allowing you to be as aware of your impression as someone who is feeling more secure.

IKEA makes bold design move that could affect the safety of all furniture
October 5, 2023, Ideal Home
IKEA is making its new safety innovation, Anchor and Unlock, available to all furniture manufacturers, which reduces the risk of furniture tip-over accidents. While IKEA prides itself on unique innovations in home furnishing, they’ve announced a patent pledge which will allow other furniture manufacturers to adopt the Anchor and Unlock tip-over safety innovation. “At IKEA, we are proud of our innovation, and we protect it with our patents. But in this case, we hope others will adopt Anchor and Unlock for their products as well,” says Carl Ervér, patent manager at IKEA of Sweden.

Children’s Book Series Pulled From Shelves In Multiple Countries Over Safety Issue
October 2, 2023, Popculture.com
A novelty children’s book series was recalled in both the U.S. and Canada due to a serious choking hazard posed by the small pieces included. The books are called “Rainbow Road Series Board Books,” and they are made from sturdy card stock bound with colorful plastic rings. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission those rings can be detached and swallowed by children. So far, there have been two reported incidents in the U.S. and one in Australia, but regulators feared that this issue could have gotten worse without intervention.

New Standards Shield Australian Kids From Choking Dangers
October 6, 2023, Mirage News
Every year in Australia, an estimated 2,500 children under three years old visit to hospital emergency departments because of injuries from unsuitable or dangerous toys. The Australian Government has approved, with consultation and advice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), a new mandatory safety standard for toys marketed at children under three years. The new safety standard focuses on minimizing choking and suffocation risks for small children. The ACCC will enforce the new toy safety standard which will make it mandatory for all toys marketed at children under three to adhere to strict design and testing requirements ensuring toys do not contain small parts.

Australian Consumers Urged To Use And Store Lithium-Ion Batteries Safely To Prevent Deadly Fires
October 5, 2023, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
The ACCC is warning consumers about rare but serious fire hazards from lithium-ion batteries and is asking consumers to choose, check, use and dispose of the batteries safely, in its latest report. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are contained in common household items. Whilst incidents are rare, they appear to be increasing and are serious when they occur. The batteries can overheat or explode if they are used, charged or disposed of incorrectly or if they are damaged. Fires caused by the batteries can be dangerous and difficult to extinguish. 

Britons Warned Of Major Law Changes Coming Soon With Overhaul Of Electric Scooter Rules
October 5, 2023, GBN
New changes are set to be introduced in the coming months which will have a huge impact on electric scooter riders around the UK. From December 5, 2023, all new and existing members of electric scooter trials must provide their name and driving license number. In addition, they must submit a photograph of the front of their driving license under new minimum standards of verification. E-scooter operators must ensure they have robust systems in place for capturing and storing the information.

How Technology Can Reshape The Elderly Healthcare System
October 6, 2023, Techbullion.com
While older adults were viewed as laggards when it comes to new technologies, statistics reveal a different reality. During the pandemic, they turned to telehealth, smartphone apps, and other digital solutions. This underscores how technology can make healthcare more patient-centric for the elderly. These tools lower barriers and enable remote care options for them. Telemedicine and mHealth apps ranked among the top digital health technologies used by older adults. As per a Health Affairs study, ownership of smartphones surged from just 18% in 2013 to 61-83% among the 50+ age group in 2021. With so many people embracing these technologies, it’s clear that the future of adult primary care will be shaped by a digital revolution.

The US Government Seems Ready To Order A Recall Of Millions Of Air Bag Inflators For Safety Concerns
October 5, 2023, Associated Press
The U.S. government appears poised to order a recall of millions of air bag inflators due to a manufacturing flaw that could send metal shrapnel rocketing through a car’s interior. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration held a public hearing to field commentary and testimony on inflators made by ARC Automotive Inc. of Knoxville, Tennessee, which supplies the devices to air bag makers and several major auto companies. At least 25 million vehicles containing ARC-made air bags could be affected. At the heart of the issue is a metal inflator canister inside the airbag device. The government contends that a crucial flaw could cause this canister to “rupture” upon impact. Instead of releasing pressurized gas to inflate the air bag, the canister essentially explodes, sending metal shrapnel into the vehicle at head height.

Unlocking Strategic Insights By Leveraging Data Analytics In Product Management
September 14, 2023, Dataversity-California
In the dynamic landscape of contemporary business, data analytics in product management has become a pivotal driver of success. Data analytics, the systematic exploration of data sets to glean valuable insights, has revolutionized how companies design, develop, and refine their products. This transformative tool empowers product managers with a nuanced understanding of customer preferences, market trends, and performance metrics, ultimately steering their decision-making with precision and enhancing their strategic edge. Understanding the intricate interplay between data analytics and product management necessitates delving into the various product lifecycle stages.

BJ’s Wholesale Club Agrees To Pay $9 Million Civil Penalty For Failure To Report Portable Air Conditioners Posing Burn And Fire Hazards; One Death Reported
September 9, 2023, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing that BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. of Marlborough, Massachusetts, has agreed to pay a $9 million civil penalty. The settlement resolves CPSC’s charges that BJ’s knowingly failed to immediately report to CPSC, as required by law, that portable air conditioners manufactured by Royal Sovereign International, Inc. and sold by BJ’s contained a defect that could create a substantial product hazard and created an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death to consumers. 

CPSC Issues Safety Warning For Certain Bassinets Sold Online Due To Suffocation, Strangulation, Fall Risk; Importer Not Offering Remedy To Consumers
September 28, 2023, ABC news 33/40
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to stop using 5in1 Rocker Bassinets because they pose suffocation, strangulation and fall hazards to infants. The bassinets fail to meet the safety requirements of CPSC’s Infant Sleep Products Rule and do not conform to the requirements for bassinets. In addition, the products lack required markings, labeling and instructions. The importer, Rev. Grace Import Inc., of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, is not cooperating with the CPSC on the recall of this product and not offering a remedy to consumers.

How To Be A Better Leader Amid Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity And Ambiguity
September 27, 2023, Harvard Business Review
More than three decades ago, the U.S. Army War College developed a framework for understanding how leaders succeed during times of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. The framework, known as VUCA, turns out to be better at describing what successful leaders do than teaching all leaders how to succeed. The authors present an updated approach that has generated positive outcomes in military, business and sports contexts.

Sens. Coons, Tillis Introduce Bill To Crack Down On Harmful Counterfeit E-Commerce Goods
September 26, 2023, Sen. Chris Coons
The bipartisan bill, Stopping Harmful Offers on Platforms by Screening Against Fakes in E-Commerce (SHOP SAFE) Act, was introduced by Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Tom Tillis (R-NC) to protect consumers from harmful counterfeit products sold online. The SHOP SAFE Act is endorsed by the American Apparel & Footwear Association, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, the Toy Association, the National Association of Manufacturers and the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America.

Analysis: Preparing For The Legal Effects Of PFAS Legislation And Litigation On Your Business
September 27, 2023, JD Supra
If a business involves manufacturing or sale of physical products, odds are that it will be impacted one way or another by developments in legislation or case law involving per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemical substances (PFAS). Current PFAS-centered litigation is primarily focused on drinking water contamination, as well as with firefighting. However, it is expected that many other routes of exposure to PFAS will become the focus of litigation. The manufacturers, distributors and sellers of these PFAS-containing products will be included in the next wave of defendants.

Is Your Child At Risk Due To Their Toys? Pediatricians Issue Worldwide Alert For Parents
September 27, 2023, Zoom TV
As parents, we do a lot to keep our kids safe. We childproof our homes, choose the best car seats, and teach them to cross the road safely. But one area of child safety that often gets overlooked is the toys our kids play with. Pediatricians around the world are warning parents about potential risks associated with seemingly safe toys.

CPSC Announces $2 Million In Grants To Help Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
September 18, 2023, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is seeking applications for its Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Grant Program (COPPGP). The grants are intended to reduce deaths and injuries from carbon monoxide poisoning. “More than 400 Americans die each year from CO poisoning,” said CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric. “Carbon monoxide alarms save lives by alerting people to the poison before it is too late. These grants will enable localities to educate their residents and prevent CO poisoning in their communities,” he said.

Six Ways AI Will Revolutionize Risk Mitigation
September 26, 2023, Manufacturing.net
Among the most notable advancements is the integration of artificial intelligence, which provides businesses with significant capabilities in risk mitigation. By leveraging AI-driven solutions, manufacturers and distributors can proactively identify, analyze, and address potential risks—ultimately ensuring smoother operations, reduced losses and improved resilience. Here are several of the key areas where AI has the potential to revolutionize risk management.

Norwegian Research Reveals Link Between PFAS And Delayed Puberty
September 26, 2023, Nutrition Insight|
New research presented at the 61st Annual European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology Meeting has shed light on a connection between synthetic chemicals found in everyday products, such as water-resistant clothing, umbrellas and food packaging and delayed puberty in children. The study, led by Dr. Ingvild Halsør Forthun and a team of researchers in Norway, examined 19 different PFAS chemicals in 420 boys and 618 girls aged six to 16 as part of the Bergen Growth Study 2.

Study Shows: Kids Participating In Sports Need Eye Protection
September 27, 2023, Family Safety & Health
Sports-related eye injuries increased nearly 20% last year compared with 2021, according to estimates from advocacy group Prevent Blindness. Researchers developed the 2022 estimates based on data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Injury Information Clearinghouse and the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. Prevent Blindness says athletes of all ages should wear protective eyewear while participating in sports. According to the National Eye Institute, protective eyewear can prevent 9 out of 10 sports-related eye injuries.

Many Common Cleaning Products Contain Harmful Chemicals—It’s Safer To Go ‘Green’
 September 27, 2023, Health.com
 New research found that many popular cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can have harmful effects on your health. Green products—including products without fragrance—emitted the lowest quantities and concentrations of VOCs. Experts recommend choosing products with a third-party seal, like “A Safer Choice,” a “UL ECOLOGO,” or “Green Seal” in order to ensure you’re picking a safer option.

Children Of Color And From Low-Income Families Disproportionately Harmed By Toxic Chemicals, Study Finds
September 27, 2023, Stat News
Children are often exposed to harmful chemicals in air, water, soil, food, food packaging, and plastics. However, low-income children and children of color are disproportionately impacted by these exposures, according to the authors of a study that examines disparities in neurotoxic exposures and their harmful effects on children by race, ethnicity, and economic status. The review, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, highlights racial disparities in toxic chemical exposures and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. The researchers analyzed 218 epidemiological studies conducted over nearly 50 years that examined exposures to air pollution, lead, mercury, organophosphate pesticides, phthalates, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and polychlorinated biphenyls. 

CPSC Collecting Data On PFAS In Consumer Products
September 21, 2023, JD Supra
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is initiating a wide-ranging data collection effort on the use and presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products. As detailed in a September 30 Federal Register Notice and Request for Information (“ROI”), CPSC is requesting public comments by November 30, 2023. The information could provide the basis for a future rulemaking that may restrict or ban PFAS in a broad swath of consumer products.

Editorial: ‘Nobody Should Lose Their Child Over A Toy’
September 21, 2023, Consumer Reports
Water beads can be deadly to children and are sending thousands to the ER each year. An estimated 4,500 visits to the emergency room since 2017 have been related to water bead incidents, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. This is almost certainly an undercount. Inside bodies, the beads can contribute to hearing loss, infections and bowel obstructions that require the surgical removal of intestines. Blocked airways that can lead to lung collapse and even death can also result. Experts say the packaging of many water bead brands have vastly inadequate safety warnings that make no mention of any of these risks. 

CPSC Report Urges Parents And Caregivers To Check Baby’s Sleep Space; African Americans Disproportionately Impacted
September 21, 2023, cpsc.gov
A new report by the Consumer Products Safety Commission shows that risks associated with nursery products remain high. The report, Injuries and Deaths Associated with Nursery Products Among Children Younger Than Age Five, notes that there are more than 160 nursery product-related deaths annually. It also says that African American children are disproportionately impacted by nursery-product related deaths. African American children made up 29 percent of all deaths (compared to 16 percent of the population). 

5 Types Of Stories Leaders Need To Tell
September 22, 2023, Harvard Business Review
Storytelling is an important leadership skill, Executives who want to succeed should master five types of narratives: Vision stories, which inspire a shared one; values stories that model the way; action stories that spark progress and change; teaching stories that transmit knowledge and skills to others; and trust stories that help people understand, connect with, and believe in you.

Groove To These Glorious Consumer Product Safety Commission Songs
September 20, 2023, CNET
Move over, Taylor Swift. There’s a new pop superstar in town and it’s a government agency. The Consumer Product Safety Commission — the same agency that recalls dehumidifiers for fire hazards — has released a seven-track album of songs about wearing helmets and practicing fireworks safety. The album is called We’re Safety Now Haven’t We and you can download it for free. Don’t spend too long contemplating the grammar of that title. The cover hints at the absurdity beyond. There’s a cat with a phone, a fox wearing a bike helmet, a Shiba Inu riding an ATV and a bird hanging out with a smoke alarm.

 California’s Potential Approach To Regulations On Risk Assessments And Cybersecurity Audits Could Be A Game Changer
September 12, 2023, National Law Review
Until late August 2023, California’s data protection law, the California Consumer Privacy Act, or “CCPA,” only provided for future rulemaking on automated decision-making. This includes profiling, risk assessments and cybersecurity audits. However, the California Privacy Protection Agency, which shares enforcement authority of the CCPA with the California Attorney General, discussed a new set of draft regulations. While not yet part of the official rulemaking, the draft and the discussions around it provides direction on its upcoming rulemaking on these topics. 

How Safe Are Scooters? A Pediatric ER Expert Weighs In
September 19, 2023, CTV News
Scooters, both manual and electric, are gaining popularity. This popularity increase is leading to a surge in emergency room visits from scooter-related injuries, said Meagan Doyle, a pediatric emergency physician and the trauma medical director at McMaster University. A report published in 2022 by Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada stated there were 523 hospital cases related to e-scooter injuries between Jan. 2012 and Dec. 2019 in hospitals across the country. Out of these cases, 299 (57 per cent) were between the ages of two and 14 years old.

California Legislature Approves Bans On PFAS In Cleaning Products And Artificial Turf
September 19, 2023, JD Supra
The California legislature passed two bills regulating PFAS in certain products: AB 727 which restricts the use of PFAS in cleaning products and floor sealers and finishes; and AB 1423 which restricts the use of PFAS in artificial turf. Beginning on January 1, 2026, these products can no longer contain intentionally added PFAS, or total organic fluorine above certain thresholds, except for floor sealers and floor finishes where the effective date is January 1, 2028. Governor Newsom is expected to sign both bills into law.

Consumer Reports: Keep Your Baby Safe With This New Resource
September 20, 2023, WMTV 8
Parents and caregivers who are shopping for baby products face an unwieldy marketplace filled with items that may boast dubious claims, and in many cases turn out to be unsafe. Consumer Reports (CR), the nonprofit research, testing, and advocacy organization, launched a new initiative to provide parents with objective information they can use to make the best decisions about the safety, health and comfort of their children. As part of CR’s new baby initiative, the organization has expanded its testing, ratings and coverage of children’s products and created a comprehensive digital hub designed to be a new go-to resource for everyone who cares for an infant or small child.

Ex-Paramedic Warns Parents About ‘Extremely Dangerous’ Cleaning Detergent
September 21, 2023, 9honey/parenting
Ross Smith, founder of the popular first-aid education site Safer Little Steps, has warned parents dishwashing tablets and powder can be incredibly dangerous if kids get their hands on them. “They contain a caustic-type substance. When they bite on them and start chewing on them, they foam up, that foam can cause burns,” he explains. “They’re very attractive, they’re bright blues, bright reds, or multiple colored with round dots that look like a treat or some sort of sweet that [kids] want to have,” he says. 

Pediatric Group Warns Parents About Major Safety Risk Of Magnets Found In Reusable Water Balloons
September 5, 2023, Motherly
If you were outside with your kids this summer, chances are that you encountered reusable water balloons. They’re environmentally friendly and they provide hours of entertainment. But the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is issuing a warning about these summer staples—they can be dangerous. Specifically, the high-powered magnets used to keep these balloons closed pose a safety issue. After multiple uses, the materials on the balloon may wear down and the magnets can fall out. Or a young child (or family pet) could chew on these balloons and cause the magnet to come out as well.

U.S. House Budget Threats Jeopardize Proposed PFAS Regulations
September 8, 2023, Kiowa County Press
Environmental groups say a proposal to cut $4 billion from the Environmental Protection Agency budget would gut the regulations designed to clean up toxic chemicals from public water systems across the country. A group of House Republicans is demanding the cuts in exchange for their votes to keep the government from shutting down later his month. But this could jeopardize federal plans to eliminate “forever chemicals” known as PFAS found in U.S. water supplies. A bill in the House Appropriations Committee, which funds the EPA, proposes cutting the agency’s budget by more than one-third in fiscal year 2024.

Learning Is A Learned Behavior. Here’s How To Get Better At It.
May 2, 2018, Harvard Business Review
Many people mistakenly believe that people are born learners, or they’re not. However, a growing body of research shows that learning is a learned behavior. Through the deliberate use of dedicated strategies, we can all develop expertise faster and more effectively. There are three practical strategies for this. Effective learning often boils down to a type of project management. Another practical method is thinking about thinking. Also known as metacognition, this is akin to asking yourself questions like “Do I really get this idea? Could I explain it to a friend?” Finally, reflection is a third practical way to improve your ability to learn. In short, we can all learn to become a better study.

Business In The Dark Over Regulatory Avalanche For EU Trade
September 8, 2023, British Chambers.org
New research by the British Chambers of Commerce has uncovered that the vast majority of businesses are unaware and unprepared for a swathe of fast-approaching changes in EU/UK regulations.The lack of knowledge and preparation for the changes mean that some traders with the EU could face a whole range of new delays and unexpected costs. In some cases, exporters could also find their goods unable to be transited to EU customers.

Opinion: Creating Trust In An Era Of Consumer Skepticism
September 5, 2023, Forbes
In case you haven’t noticed, Americans are having trust issues. We have experienced a steady decline in trust in the federal government since the 1960s. Some see the loss of trust as a sign of societal decline. This is usually seen as an increase in individualism or general loss of reliability and an “I am my brother’s keeper” mentality. Others point the finger at deep societal divisions. The division seems to be linked to suspicion, cynicism and the ability to confidently identify “fake news.” Whatever the case may be, this societal loss of trust also translates to how we make purchase decisions, especially when it comes to our food, our health and our wellness products.

CPSC Warns Two Helmets That Fail To Meet Federal Safety Standards; Sellers Do Not Offer Recall Or Consumer Remedy
September 7, 2023, Bicycle Retailer
The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued warnings to stop using two adult bike helmets because they failed federal safety standard tests. The Cyclingsell Zacro helmets do not comply with federal positional stability, labeling and certification safety standard requirements. The Tengingyue Vera Natura helmets do not comply with federal positional stability, dynamic strength of retention system and label and certification safety standard requirements. The two Chinese sellers have not agreed to a recall or offered consumers a remedy.

Australia Updates Mandatory Toy Standard For Children
September 8, 2023, Bureau Veritas
The Australian mandatory standard for toys for children up to and including 36 months of age has been updated on September 5, 2023. From March 5, 2025, manufacturers must only comply with the updated standard. The mandatory standard sets requirements for the design and construction of toys for children up to and including 36 months of age.

Guidelines To Reduce The Risk Of Sleep-Related Infant Deaths
September 7, 2023, Loma Linda University
It’s a parent’s worst nightmare: putting a baby to sleep and they do not wake up. Every year in the United States, approximately 3,500 infant deaths are linked to sleep-related issues. These include cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation, and deaths with unknown causes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Michelle Parker, Safe Kids Coordinator Inland Empire at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, dives into the dos and don’ts of ensuring a safe sleep environment for babies.

Peloton “Instantly” Kills Man By Severing Artery, Lawsuit Claims
September 7, 2023, CBS News
The mother of a New York City man is claiming that a “dangerous” Peloton bike led to the death of her son when the fitness equipment fell on him as he was exercising and severed his carotid artery, according to a lawsuit. Johanna Furtado is asking for damages for “pain, suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and other non-economic damages.” The suit also seeking medical expenses and other damages, including the cost of past and future medical and psychiatric care, according to the suit, which was filed in March in New York Supreme Court. 

Consumer Alert: New York State DCP Offers Tips For Keeping Babies Safe
September 5, 2023, WNYpapers.com
The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is providing baby-proof safety measures and tips to help prevent some of the biggest dangers for babies. September is Baby Safety Month, an annual event that focuses on raising awareness of critical, lifesaving information to help parents and caregivers keep little ones safe. “The first years of a baby’s life are filled with many milestones and new experiences, and parents and caregivers are often working overtime to keep them safe from harm as they learn and grow,” Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said. “While the health and safety of a baby matters every day, Baby Safety Month is a great time to highlight these lifesaving tips that can help parents and caregivers create a safe environment for their little ones.”

Philippine Toxic Watchdog Group Pushes For “SAFE TOYS FOR KIDS” Campaign
September 6, 2023, Journal Online
As the “ber” months kick off, shops and stores are inundating their shelves with a wide array of toys. Toxic watchdog group BAN Toxics has taken the initiative to closely monitor these toys which aims to shed light on the presence of toxic chemicals in these playthings and to champion the health and safety of our children. Thony Dizon, Toxics Campaigner at BAN Toxics, stressed the importance of this endeavor, stating, “Every child deserves access to safe and good quality toys, free from potential hazards like choking, laceration, strangulation, eye injury and chemical exposure.”

Safety Warning Issued On Gel Water Beads
September 7, 2023, Irish Examiner
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has issued a warning to parents and caregivers about water beads. Also known as gel beads, sensory beads and by a number of other trademarked names, these small plastic spheres are made of a superabsorbent polymer and can retain hundreds of times their weight in water. ‘Safety Gate’ is an EU-wide system that allows consumer authorities across the EU to share information about dangerous non-food items that have made their way onto the market. Each alert contains information on the product, a description of the risk and the measures taken to deal with it. Every alert is followed up by authorities in each of the member states, who take action if they find the same product in their markets.