PRODUCT SAFETY LETTER View the entire issue in PDF format.

TENENBAUM CALLS REQUESTS FOR CPSIA CHANGES PREMATURE CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum September 10 declined to say whether Congress should make changes to the CPSIA or whether the agency can handle the problematic parts of the law through the rulemaking process or other administrative activity.

CPSC EXPLAINS PLANS FOR CREATING CPSIA DATABASE CPSC September 10 reported to Congress that by March 11, 2011, it plans to launch SaferProducts.gov, a website that will meet the CPSIA section 212 requirement that the agency create a searchable product complaint database.

FOUR FIRMS SETTLE REPORTING ALLEGATIONS FOR DRAWSTRINGS CPSC September 8 said four companies settled reporting allegations related to children's clothing with drawstrings at the hoods.

EU FINDS VARYING ODDS THAT CONSUMERS WILL COMPLAIN The likelihood that consumers will contact sellers with concerns about product problems (or other commercial complaints) is highly variable, according to a European Commission report on perceptions about consumer redress.

EU PRAISES CREATION OF CONSUMER GROUPS IN SIX NATIONS DG Sanco September 3 lauded the establishment of independent consumer magazines and websites in six member state.

STRUCTURE FIRES DECLINED 3% FROM 2007 TO 2008 There were an estimated 515,000 structure fires in 2008, according to data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

CPSC BRIEFS Briefs on schools, drywall, pools/spas, toys, bicycle chains, bandsaws, sweatshirts, masks/pendants, CPSC meetings.

CONGRESSIONAL BRIEF Brief on CPSIA.

CONSUMER ADVOCACY BRIEF Brief on health care.

STANDARDS & TESTING BRIEFS Briefs on infant walkers, infant swings, activity centers, folding chairs, bassinets/cradles, trampolines, building material, light strings, pilot lights, bird deterrent systems, sprinklers, cable TV, electric tools, motors, cooking appliances, semiconductors, wallcovering.

FOREIGN & INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Briefs on hot water bottles, strollers, pull toys, RAPEX.

STATE ACTIVITY BRIEFS Briefs on Toys 'R' Us, adhesive remover.