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 report on voluntary standards activity during fiscal 2008 includes activity on 75 product types.

CPSC CLARIFIES EFFECTS OF CPSIA ON BOOKS “Ordinary” books will not be subject to the general certification requirements in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), according to a CPSC letter made available January 12.

CPSC AND OTHERS DRAFT GOOD IMPORTER PRACTICES Importers should have systems in place that consider four aspects of product safety, according to a draft guidance made available January 12 by CPSC and seven other federal agencies.

CONGRESS SETS CPSC SUBCOMMITTEES FOR 111TH SESSION Expectations are high for continued focus in Congress on consumer issues, especially with the presidency of Barack Obama.

CPSC BRIEFS Briefs on lead, play yards, sunglasses, bicycles, toy xylophones, infant garments, rattles, dishwashers, home heating vents, cribs, stools, toy cars, shades, flashing pacifiers, circular saws, CPSC staff, CPSC meetings.

CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFS Briefs on window bars, video games.

OTHER FEDERAL BRIEFS Briefs on booster seats, CO poisoning.

STANDARDS & TESTING BRIEFS Briefs on glass furniture, bike trailers, building materials, XRF, amusement rides, declarable substances, strollers, dishwashing, food waste, dry-bath, floor cleaning, mechanical tubing, electric skillets, refrigerants, insulation.

FOREIGN & INTERNATIONAL BRIEF Brief on RAPEX