RC2 PAYS HIGHEST POSSIBLE PRE-CPSIA PENALTY RC2 will pay $1.25 million to settle CPSC allegations it violated the lead paint ban related to two toy recalls in 2007.

COMPONENT POLICY HINGES ON REPRESENTATIVE Representative is an important concept in CPSC’s new interim enforcement policy related to component testing for lead content and lead paint.

CPSC BEGINS RECALL CARD OUTREACH CPSC December 24 took the atypical step of promoting a new final rule, on recall registration cards, with a press release.

CPSC SMOKE ALARM STUDY REVIEWS NUISANCE EVENTS A CPSC draft study made available December 30 gives insight into the effects of nuisance triggering of smoke alarms due to cooking.

CPSC REVIEWS SHOPPING CART INJURY DATA There were an estimated 12,065 injuries associated with shopping carts, on average, among children under age 5 from 2006 to 2008, according to data CPSC made available December 29.

CPSC NAMES PHTHALATES CHAP CPSC December 23 made available the names of the members of the chronic hazard advisory panel (CHAP) that will look at three temporarily banned phthalates as mandated by the CPSIA.

CPSC BRIEFS Briefs on Simplicity cribs, winter heating, sampling, stay, ROVs, CR closures, recalls, meetings.