PRODUCT SAFETY LETTER View the entire issue in PDF format. (Print-only subscribers must CLICK HERE to log in.)

CPSC COMPLIANCE ACTIVITY IS AT RECORD PACE March ended CPSC’s busiest 12-month period in recent years for recalls and Section 15 reports.

CPSC URGES CODE AUTHORITIES NOT TO REJECT AFCIs CPSC in March wrote to code making authorities urging them not to use and option to reject arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) when adopting the 2008 National Electric Code (NEC).

USFA DATA SHOW THE ELDERLY MOST AT RISK FOR FIRE DEATH People over age 85 have the highest risk of fire death, according to an April 1 report from the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA).

NORD GETS NEW LEGAL ASSISTANT Joe Martyak joined Acting-Chairman Nancy Nord’s staff as Special Assistant (Legal).

EU SETS MONTHLY RAPEX RECORD WITH 184 IN FEBRUARY The EU received 184 RAPEX reports in February, its top month on record, bringing its 2008 total to 364.

WASHINGTON LEADS STATES ON TOYS Washington State in July 2009 will lower the allowable lead in toys to 90 parts per million (ppm) from the federal standard of 600 ppm.

ILLINOIS REITERATES CALL FOR TOY MAGNET BAN The Illinois Attorney General Office March 27 repeated its request that CPSC declare magnets in toys to be banned hazardous substances.

TENN. MIGHT BE 2ND STATE WITH NOVELTY LIGHTER BAN Pending the signature of Gov. Phil Bredesen (D), Tennessee would become the second state to restrict sales of novelty lighters.

CPSC BRIEFS Briefs on sunglasses, candle holders, deck cleaner,, locks, hot tubs, sweatshirts (2 briefs), activity centers, heating/cooling, water heaters, Reebok, CPSC meetings.

OTHER FEDERAL BRIEFS Briefs on car seats, CFLs, sprinklers, lead paint.

STANDARDS & TESTING BRIEFS Briefs on kitchen appliances, telecommunications, door openers, building material, cribs, playground surfacing.

FOREIGN & INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Briefs on single market, Canadian policies, EU injuries, toys, water bottles, locks, fans, sunglasses, glider chairs, water bottles, candle holders, kettles, RAPEX.