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

TOY INDUSTRY OK WITH PARTIAL BY NOT WHOLESALE F963 ADOPTION “Wholesale adoption” of ASTM F963, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety, would not be a desirable effect of pending CPSC reauthorization legislation, the agency heard from representatives of the toy industry May 21.

CPSC WARNS OF INCREASING POOL/SPA INCIDENTS CPSC May 21 warned that there has been an increase in the annual average number of pool and spa drowning among children under 5 years old.

CHINA TOOK MEASURES ON 49% OF RAPEX REPORTS SENT BY EU From September 2006 to December 2007, China acted on 357 RAPEX notification sent by EU officials.

EU GOT 135 RAPEX REPORTS IN APRIL The EU May 20 said it received 135 RAPEX reports in April, bringing the 2008 year-to-date total to 622.

FAKE COSMETICS, TOYS AND COMPUTERS INCREASE IN EU Cosmetics and personal care items, toys and computer equipment were among the product areas seeing significant increases in EU counterfeiting cases in 2007.

CU URGES ACTION ON CPSC REFORM Consumers Union (CU) is pointing to the number of recalls in the first part of 2008 to urge Congress to pass a final CPSC reauthorization bill.

CPSC BRIEFS Briefs on children's blankets, candle holders, snowboard bindings, toys, ovens, cell phones, toys, toy wands, sleeping bags, gas grills, musical instruments, magnets, fireplaces, snowmobiles, paint brushes, lead, CPSC meetings.

STANDARDS & TESTING BRIEFS Briefs on AC adaptors, bicycles, electrical appliances, magnetic toys, play equipment, building material, material flammability, panelboards, plugs/receptacles, decorations, wire/cables, gas/vapor sensors, air compressors, fire extinguisher (2 briefs), fire alarms, fire pumps, tools, flammable liquid.

FOREIGN & INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Briefs on education accessories, ATVs, cribs, fryers, CO/smoke detectors, scarves, cosmetics, RAPEX.

STATE ACTIVITY BRIEFS Briefs on pools, life jackets, jackets.