PRODUCT SAFETY LETTER View the entire issue in PDF format.

CPSC RESOURCE CONCERNS AGAIN GET CONGRESSIONAL FOCUS Although the Senate Consumer Affairs, Insurance and Automotive Safety Subcommittee does not have direct control over CPSC’s budget, that topic drew the most attention at a March 21 CPSC oversight hearing.

CPSC LINKS SPRING CLEANING AND RECALL EFFECTIVENESS CPSC March 19 launched an effort, the Drive to 1 Million campaign, which seeks to get at least 1 million consumers to sign up to receive recall information via email and to look for recalled items when doing spring cleaning or getting seasonal items from storage.

COURT AFFIRMS SENTENCE IN CPSC FIREWORKS CASE The 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals March 12 affirmed an 80-month prison sentence related to the sale to consumers of professional-use-only display fireworks.

CPSC DATA SHOW 90% DECLINE IN CHILDHOOD POISONINGS A March 19 CPSC report shows that children ages 4 and under experienced a 90% decrease in poisoning from 1972 to 2004, from 216 to 22 deaths.

ANSI SEEKS FEEDBACK ON ISO PROPOSALS ANSI is seeking suggestions for its upcoming comments on two ISO product safety proposals.

EU MOVES TOWARD STRONGER COUNTERFEIT LAWS The EU Parliament at its April plenary session will consider a proposed law that would set maximum penalties of €300,000 for counterfeiting or piracy that involves health or safety risks.

U.K. HOUSE FIRE DEATHS DROP TO 50-YEAR LOW The U.K. Communities and Local Government office March 20 announced that the reporting year that ended March 31, 2006 saw the lowest number of fire deaths since 1958.

CONSUMER REPORTS OUTLINES TESTING PROCEDURE CHANGES Consumers Union March 20 announced changes to its product testing procedures.

ILLINOIS EYES TOYS ‘R’ US UNDER RECALL-EFFECTIVENESS LAW The Illinois Attorney General’s office March 16 announced it will scrutinize the Toys ‘R’ Us recall of military-style toys under the state’s Children’s Product Safety Act.

NEW JERSEY PASSES RECALL-EFFECTIVENESS BILL The New Jersey Assembly March 15 passed a state Senate bill (S264), the Children’s Product Safety Act, which will set up recall-effectiveness rules.

CPSC REMOVES RECALL FILE FROM ITS WEBSITE PSL readers March 19 could not access a web-link to a 542-page CPSC file on a recall.

DOT ADVISES ON AIR TRAVEL WITH RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES The Department of Transportation (DOT) March 22 advised air passengers traveling with notebook computers, cameras, cell phones and similar devices to keep spare batteries in original retail packaging.

CPSC BRIEFS Briefs on lighting, ATVs, keyboards, children's clothing, water heaters, infant slings, smoke detectors, washing machines, CPSC meetings.

OTHER FEDERAL BRIEFS Briefs on lead paint, HCFCs.

STANDARDS & TESTING BRIEFS Briefs on trampolines, vacuum cleaneres, baby bath seats, bassinets/cradles, activity centers, folding chairs, bed rails, escape ladders, fryers, building material, trash compactors, flammable liquid, A/V equipment, component connections.

RESEARCH & JOURNALS BRIEFS Briefs on generators, lead.

FOREIGN & INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Briefs on incident reporting, baby walkers, compact florescent lights, trampolines, falls, toy weapons, safety vests, clamp meters, lights, binoculars, glass tables, TVs, drills, thermal flasks, RAPEX.

STATE ACTIVITY BRIEFS Briefs on lead, mattresses.