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

CPSC SEEKS MORE MONEY TO PAY FOR NEW DUTIES CPSC is asking Congress for a roughly 35% increase in its budget to help deal with the increased resource needs from the recently enacted reauthorization legislation, Acting Chairman Nancy Nord said September 4.

CPSC AND EPA TAKE NUMEROUS ACTIONS ON LEAD PAINT Two actions by CPSC and another by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the week of September 1 address lead paint hazards.

CPSC ADVISES STATES ON POOL SAFETY LAW CPSC August 29 gave guidance to the states that might seek pool safety money.

CPSC FIRE DATA SHOW STEADY NUMBERS CPSC’s new residential fire loss estimates show that in 2005 (latest year available), there were about 375,100 fires, compared to 386,100 in 2004 and 374,700 in 2003.

CPSC SEEKS FEEDBACK ON INTERNET LABELING CPSC is seeking comment about the upcoming toy rules that will require warning labels on internet sites and catalogs similar to those currently on packaging.

CANADA EYES BALLOON KITS Health Canada September 3 warned consumers about balloon blowing kits.

CANADA LOOKS AT MORE CHEMICALS Health Canada and Environment Canada August 30 said they are beginning work on another batch of substances under its Chemical Management Plan.

FINLAND TO ADOPT RIP CIGARETTE STANDARD ASTM September 2 said that Finland will be the first European nation to adopt its E2187, Test Method for Measuring the Ignition Strength of Cigarettes.

NEW ZEALAND GIVES TIPS ON HOME SAFETY The New Zealand Ministry of Consumer Affairs September 1 launched “Safety Begins at Home Week.”

USFA WEIGHS IN ON SMOKE ALARMS TYPES The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) August 27 joined other government agencies and fire-safety organization recommending consumers use both types of smoke alarm: ionization and photoelectric.

SEVENTEEN RETAILERS JOIN SIMPLICITY BASSINET RECALL Seventeen retailers, many of them single stores of larger chains, the week of September 1 said they would recall Simplicity bassinets.

CALIFORNIA SUES TURF MAKERS Artificial turf makers September 2 became the target of a Proposition 65 suit related to their products’ lead content.

CPSC BRIEFS Briefs on hoses, sweaters, hammocks, bags, dog leashes, ranges, screwdrivers, socks, bicycles, baby carriers, jewelry, computers, nursing pillows, surveys, electrical safety, recalls, CPSC meetings.

STANDARDS & TESTING BRIEFS Briefds on material flammability, kitchen vents, eye protection, paintball (3 briefs), infant bedding, torches, fuel cylinder (2 briefs), refrigerant components, sockets, appliances (2 briefs), electrical equipment, pools, EM filters, cord reels, electric taps, AFCIs.

FOREIGN & INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Briefs on bassinets, bags, robes, baby sleeping bags, lights, baby monitors, toys, blocks, kitchen exhaust, toys, edgers, RAPEX.