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

CPSC GIVES UPDATE ON VOLUNTARY STANDARDS WORK CPSC’s recent report on voluntary standards activity during the first half of fiscal 2008 (October-March) includes activity on more than 60 product types.

FEDS LAUD IMPORT SAFETY ACTIVITY The Interagency Working Group on Import Safety July 1 said that U.S. has made “significant improvement … since last year to enhance the safety of imported products.”

EU SEEKS FEEDBACK ON HEARING RISKS OF MUSIC PLAYERS The EU Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks is seeking comments by August 27 on a preliminary report on the hearing risks from personal music players (PMP) and mobile phones with music functions.

ECHA PANEL TO OPEN MEETINGS TO STAKEHOLDERS The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) June 30 said its Member State Working Group decided to invite representatives from 15 stakeholders to observe its future meetings.

AUSTRALIAN STROLLERS/BABY CARRIAGES REQUIRE TETHERS Tethers for securing strollers and baby carriages to other objects, as well as parking brakes, became mandatory July 1 under Australian standards.

EU COMMITTEE TO UPDATE EMF RISK REPORT The EU Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks is seeking feedback by November on updating its opinion on the health risks of electromagnetic fields (EMF).

CPSC BRIEFS Briefs on toy vehicles, jackets/hoodies, golf carts, toy helicopters, bicycles, power supplies, paintball guns, CPSC meetings.

CONGRESSIONAL BRIEF Brief on CPSC reauthorization.

STANDARDS & TESTING BRIEFS Briefs on desk lamps, running surfaces, helmets.

FOREIGN & INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Briefs on sanders, RAPEX.