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

REACH HITS MILESTONE; ECHA OPENS OFFICIALLY The EU June 1 officially opened the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the same day that mandatory REACH registration began for non phase-in products.

AUSTRALIA LETS MATTEL LIMIT RESPONSE TO PROBLEM The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) June 4 said it agreed to let Mattel limit its reaction to a toy safety issue to a “product alert.”

CPSC OPINES ON 2008 NEC CPSC staff May 29 gave advice on AFCIs, GFCIs and tamper resistant receptacles to the code makers considering the 2008 National Electrical Code (NEC).

EU GIVES RECOMMENDATIONS ON TOY SUPPLY CHAIN An EU report made available June 5 gives recommendations on improving the toy supply chain.

CPSC BRIEFS Briefs on tomato planters, batteries, ATVs, science projects, log swings, jewelry (2 briefs), toy helicopters, crib mattresses, cribs, toy kitchens, CSPC activity, CPSC meetings.

OTHER FEDERAL BRIEFS Briefs on child seats, rodenticide.

STANDARDS & TESTING BRIEFS Briefs on AC adapters, electric fences, space heaters, REACH, playground equipment, declarable substances, pools, appliances, switches, refrigeration, dehumidifiers, electrical products (3 briefs), heating elements, electrical equipment, lawn mowers, battery adapters, emergency lighting, flexible lighting.

CONSUMER PROTECTION & ADVOCACY BRIEFS Briefs on smoke alarms, cigarettes, Fire Prevention Week.

RESEARCH & JOURNALS BRIEFS Briefs on bunk beds, pole vaulting, smoke toxicity, nanotechnology, winter sports, hair dye.

FOREIGN & INTERNATIONAL Briefs on New Zealand/Australia, DIY, bathrobes, window shades, sleeping bags, toy wands, toy phones, lights, RAPEX.

STATE ACTIVITY BRIEFS Briefs on artificial turf, lunch bags, toys.