PRODUCT SAFETY LETTER View the entire issue in PDF format.

CPSC NOTES 2006 PERFORMANCE GOAL SUCCESSES CPSC’s 2006 Performance and Accountability Report says that the agency met or exceeded most of its performance goals for fiscal 2006 (ended September 30).

CPSC MAY CHANGE ELEMENTS OF FURNITURE PROPOSAL CPSC staffers are recommending some changes to the agency’s proposed upholstered furniture rules.

CPSC SAW 20 TOY DEATHS IN 2005; AGENCY GIVES ANNUAL ADVICE There were 20 toy-related deaths in calendar 2005 among children, according to agency data made public November 14.

CPSC HEARS CONCERNS ABOUT RIDE RESTRAINTS CPSC November 15 heard doubts about the effectiveness of amusement ride restraints in protecting children.

ASTM POOL COMMITTEE AVOIDS OVERLAP WITH ANSI STANDARD ASTM’s F15.60 subcommittee on portable pools decided to limit its work on a proposed voluntary standard to units with water depths under 36 inches.

EU COUNTERFEIT ACTIONS INCLUDE MANY HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS The European Commissions November 10 warned of the safety and health risks from counterfeit products when reporting that in 2005 European customs officials seized more that 75 million such units.

EUROPEANS ADVANCE MERCURY RESTRICTIONS The European Parliament November 14 adopted a first reading report of restrictions on new non-electric measuring devices containing mercury, including traditional thermometers.

EC PROPOSES NUMEROUS ‘BETTER REGULATION’ IDEAS The European Commission November 14 issued proposals related to its Better Regulation initiative.

CPSC BRIEFS Briefs on fire extinguishers, toy chests, activity toys, toy helicopters, sprinklers, circuit breakers, desk lamps, toy sets, toy tables, snaps, carpet/rugs, lead, CPSC meetings.

STANDARDS & TESTING BRIEFS Briefs on power equipment, bicycles, amusement rides (2 briefs), exercise equipment, exercise bikes, bicycles, LP gas, Chinese standards.

FOREIGN & INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Briefs on consumer education, gas appliances, basketball hoops, ski helmets, bicycles, asbestos, REACH, fire extinguishers, RAPEX.

STATE ACTIVITY BRIEFS Briefs on pesticides, carbon monoxide, drawstrings, yo-yo balls, air cleaners.