PRODUCT SAFETY LETTER View the entire issue in pdf format.

CPSC HAS OPERATED WITHOUT A QUORUM BEFORE If President George W Bush delays further in nominating a replacement for former CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton, it could set up a months-long lack of a quorum that has two precedents in the past 18 years: in 2002 and 1989.

UL INCREASES ANTI-COUNTERFEIT ACTION Underwriters Laboratories January 18 announced it will be increasing its anti-counterfeit efforts in two areas.

EU COSMETICS GUIDANCE TARGETS NON-ANIMAL TESTS The EU Health and Consumer Protection Directorate General (DG Sanco) January 18 distributed an updated cosmetics testing guidance.

PHILIPPINES SET TO BEGIN STANDARDS CURRICULUM The Philippines Department of Trade and Industry January 15 said the nation is ready this year to implement a plan to educate secondary school students about product standards.

DUTCH REPORT INCREASE IN FIREWORKS INJURIES The Netherlands’ Consument en Veiligheid (Consumer and Safety) January 21 reported that just-past new year celebrations saw a significant increase in fireworks injuries, to 960.

NHTSA HEAD COMMENDS CONSUMER REPORTS WITHDRAWAL National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) head Nicole Nason January 18 praised Consumer Reports decision to withdraw a report on child car safety seats.

CPSC GENERATOR VIBRATION STUDY IS LARGELY UNCHANGED The overall data in a final CPSC study issued January 23 on portable generator vibration remains the same as in the draft version issued about two months ago.

FEMA AND STATES TARGET STORM-RELATED CO RISKS The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) January 19 warned consumers in Missouri to use caution when using portable generators following weather related power outages in the state.

CONNECTICUT GOES AFTER TOYS FOR CHOKING RISKS The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection January 19 said it had embargoed seven toys for alleged choking hazard violations.

NEW HAMPSHIRE URGES SNOWMOBILE SAFETY The New Hampshire Department of Natural Resources January 17 said that the state already has seen six snowmobile accidents this winter, including one death in December.

CPSC BRIEFS Briefs on sippy cups, ATVs, boilers, water coolers, tower fans, trunks, candles, boiler controls, pumps, hair dryers, sparklers, Nexgrill, Hoover, CPSC meetings.

OTHER FEDERAL BRIEFS Briefs on child restraints (2 briefs).

CONGRESSIONAL BRIEF Brief on campus fires.

STANDARDS & TESTING BRIEFS Briefs on CO alarms, circular saws, planers, electric vehicles, lampholders, electric signs, fireplaces, outlets, door openers, solvents/thinners, declarable substances.

FOREIGN & INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Briefs on halogen lamps, snowsuits, air conditioners, candles, refrigerators, extension cords, highchairs, ski helmets, child passenger safety, nuisance alarms, RAPEX.