CANADIANS PROPOSE PRODUCT SAFETY OVERHAUL An increase in maximum fines from C$250,000 to C$5 million would be among the product safety enhancements Health Canada would receive under legislation introduced January 29.

AUSTRALIAN PANEL QUESTIONS NATIONALIZED PLASTICS RULES “Regulatory uniformity” may not be achievable or desirable in Australia’s approach to safety and environmental regulation of plastics, a January 26 report from that nation’s Productivity Commission concluded.

EU CONSIDERS REGULATING PERSONAL MUSIC PLAYERS The EU needs to consider three issues when looking at the potential hearing risks from long-term and frequent use of personal music players, Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva January 27 told attendees at a stakeholder meeting.

FOREIGN & INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Briefs on better regulation, baby walkers, nanotechnology, counterfeits, chemicals, cell phones, lip gloss, sleepwear, dishwashers, squeeze toys, children's cosmetics, toy drums, rattles, dolls, bike forks (2 briefs), decorations, CO alarms, RAPEX.