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

CPSC BUDGET DOCS SHOW WHERE NEW MONEY IS GOING CPSC’s 2008 operating plan and 2009 budget request, both issued February 4, show where it will use its recent budget increase.

COMMISSION DELEGATED AUTHORITIES AS QUORUM ENDED Duties related to CPSC’s quorum are delegated to the general counsel or compliance director now that the commission’s interim quorum has expired.

CPSC ASKS ASTM TO ADDRESS AIR MATTRESS RISK TO BABIES CPSC will ask ASTM to develop standards for inflatable mattresses related to the entrapment risk for infants.

EU PROPOSES SIMPLIFICATION OF COSMETICS REGULATIONS The EU February 5 predicted a 50% cut in administrative costs to companies from its proposed simplification and consolidation of cosmetics regulations.

ICC CALLS FOR ACTION AGAINST COUNTERFEITS The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) February 5 announced the Dubai Declaration, which will call for a global effort against counterfeiting and intellectual piracy.

VOTES CAME AS CPSC QUORUM EXPIRED CPSC members Nancy Nord and Thomas Moore made numerous votes February 1 as the commission’s quorum expired.

PRYOR AND DURBIN DRAW ATTENTION TO LEGISLATION Sens. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) hosted five families affected by unsafe products at a Washington, D.C. press conference that promoted passage of S. 2045.

CPSC BRIEFS Briefs on bicycles, pendants, toys (2 briefs), sketchpads, sweatshirts, Vornado, mattresses, CPSC meetings.

OTHER FEDERAL BRIEFS Briefs on smoke detectors, animal testing, child seats, PFOA, child restraints,

STANDARDS & TESTING BRIEFS Briefs on REACH, amusement rides, heating appliances, meter sockets, room heaters, PFDs, dishwashers, hunting stands, infant swings, sports surfaces.

TRADE & INDUSTRY BRIEFS Briefs on toys, phthalates, bisphenol-A, air cleaners.

FOREIGN & INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Briefs on child restraints, magnetic toys, candles, play mats, gas fireplaces, microwave ovens, hurricane lamps, Kmart, RAPEX.

STATE ACTIVITY BRIEFS Briefs on wood products, carbon monoxide, burns.