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

OBAMA’S MEMO AND LEGISLATORS’ LETTER LOOM OVER CPSIA Questions about CPSC’s implementation of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) have risen following communications from the White House and Congress.

ELECTRICAL ITEMS RANK HIGH IN SEIZED COUNTERFEITS Electrical articles represented 10% of the value of counterfeit items that U.S. border officials seized for safety concerns in fiscal 2008 (10/1/07 – 9/30/08).

CPSC GETS INPUT FROM BOOK AND APPAREL MAKERS Representatives of the apparel and book industries January 22 voiced concerns about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) at separate meetings at CPSC’s Bethesda, Md. headquarters.

NANOTECH PROJECT COULD IMPROVE SAYS EPA More participation, increased information, better understanding of risk management practices and development of lessons are needed for progress in an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nanotechnology project, that agency said.

REPORT FINDS LITTLE POSITIVE FOR POTENTIAL EU SAFETY MARK A new product safety mark in the EU would not be in the offing if policy-makers there follow the findings of a report made available January 16.

2008 WAS ANOTHER RECORD YEAR FOR RAPEX The 163 RAPEX reports received by the EU in December made 2008 another record year with 1,866 notices.

AIR CONDITIONERS CAN BE SUBJECT TO CALIF AIR CLEANER RULE Air conditioners that include designated cleaning units or features are subject to AB 2276, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) said

CPSC BRIEFS Briefs on furnaces, pajamas, stationary bikes, NEISS, Section 15, CPSC meetings.

OTHER FEDERAL BRIEFS Briefs on Eric Holder, child injuries.

CONGRESSIONAL BRIEF Brief on nanotechnology.

STANDARDS & TESTING BRIEFS Briefs on UL structure, battery chargers, navigation systems, lighting protection, lights (2 briefs), fluorescent lights, immersion suits, electrical insulation, spas, chimney liners, duct heaters, electrical mounts, sprinklers, wiring, garage doors, emergency lights, mattresses, fire tests, windows (2 briefs), activity centers, infant carriers.

TRADE & INDUSTRY BRIEFS Briefs on toys, promotional products.

RESEARCH & JOURNALS BRIEFS Briefs on mountain sports, cell phones, booster seats, risks.

FOREIGN & INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Briefs on GPSD, consumer policies, toys (2 briefs), baby walkers, laser printers, paint-strippers, reject shops, REACH (2 briefs), safety inventions, rings, play yards, cribs, costumes, cribs, plush toys (2 briefs), consumer policies, stationery, jewelry, decorations, rattles, luggage straps, bike wheels, RAPEX.