When you hear the word recall in relation to a product purchased at a store, most people think the item needs to be returned immediately or something catastrophic will happen to them. This is not to say that isn't the case sometimes but more often than not in our industry, it means there is a simple, but important, fix that needs to take place.
Our vendors work very closely with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in ensuring these are announced publicly, managed so all affected products can be fixed and continue to meet compliance standards. I simply bring this up to urge you to read through any announcement thoroughly so if your product is affected it can be fixed as rapidly and efficiently as possible.
We always try to offer the latest information to our fans, followers and customers so they can stay on top of the latest information, issues and trends. That being said, on Tuesday, November 10th, Maclaren USA will be announcing a recall on ALL of their strollers manufactured since 1999. The issue involves the stroller's hinge mechanism, which poses a fingertip laceration and amputation hazard to the child when unfolding/opening the stroller.
Maclaren will be providing, free of charge, to all consumers who own an affected Maclaren single or double stroller a kit to cover the strollers hinge mechanism. The kit consists of two simple easy-to-fit covers that fit over the left and right hand hinges on the sides of the stroller. They will simply zip around the joint on the stroller frame. Retailers will be receiving kits to update existing inventory but most likely will not have extras. The quickest way to obtain the kit will be to order them through Maclaren either from their website www.maclaren.us/recall or by calling 877-688-2326. Both are currently not functioning but presumably will be on 11/10.
Remember, Maclaren strollers are safe! This is a voluntary recall and does not relate to a defect of their product. It is simply an alert to the owner/operator there is a possible risk of injury when opening/closing their strollers. Until you receive your hinge kit you should use extra care and be sure your children’s hands are clear of all mechanisms when folding and unfolding your stroller.
Showing posts with label CPSC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CPSC. Show all posts
Friday, November 6, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
CPSIA: Ever Heard About it?
I have been holding off on posting about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) as it has been a nightmare to understand. There has been a huge debate brewing over how to interpret this law and how it will effect manufacturers and retailers of baby and juvenile products.
Created in an effort to stop the flow of children's goods carelessly made with high levels of toxins, it is a poorly conceived piece of legislation with not thought about the ramifications to an entire industry. This law is affecting large manufacturers of strollers, car seats and baby furniture down to the mom and pop size companies selling their invention out of their garage. While the large companies can pay their lawyers to ensure company compliance the small and even mid-size companies will struggle with compliance. Many will simply choose to close up shop instead of pay for the testing to be compliant.
US Senator, Jim DeMint (South Carolina) posted a grat summation of the law on Real Clear Politics today. I have re-posted his article as it is succinct and easy to understand. Should you have a lot of extra time on your hands and easily understand the overly technical, legaleze style of writing than Click Here.
February 10, 2009
Congress Turns Toy Story into Nightmare for Small Business
By Jim DeMint
In a mad rush to "do something" last fall about the lead paint scare involving children's toys, Congress hastily passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. Today that law goes into effect, and its unintended - but entirely foreseeable - consequences have begun to threaten our already fragile economy.
CPSIA was meant to protect children from careless or unscrupulous Chinese toy manufacturers, but its ultimate function may be to stifle competition in the domestic market for children's goods. The legislation requires expensive tests - for lead and other toxins - be conducted on all products marketed to children under the age of 12, and imposes cumbersome rules to be followed. Big companies with large legal teams and regulatory compliance staffs - foreign and domestic - can afford such tests and follow these rules without much difficulty.
But the CPSIA makes no distinction between such businesses and consignment shops, thrift stores, and small manufacturing companies. Under the new law, even stay-at-home moms selling baby blankets and headbands online would be vulnerable to fines and lawsuits for not conducting the expensive tests or filling out "Form XYZ" in triplicate.
Riding a wave of outrage and media attention, opportunistic advocates of big government convinced Congress that only such a sweeping, one-size-fits-all bill could possibly "protect the children." Consumer and environmentalist groups seized the "lead scare" to push for increased regulations across the board, and now the law may prove as harmful as the danger it was designed the thwart.
My office has been bombarded with phone calls and letters from people from around the country concerned about how this law will affect their livelihood. Companies large and small that were looking to expand and hire more employees are being forced to rethink their business plans now that CPSIA stands in the way.
And just last week, a federal judge sided with environmental and consumer groups in overturning the law's timeline. Rather than allowing for any grace period during which the children's products industry could adjust to the new rules, everyone - even granny knitting her stocking caps - is vulnerable to lawsuits and fines right now.
Worried about just these kinds of problems, I was one of three senators to vote against the original bill last year. Our products - especially children's toys - must be safe, but I believe free-market solutions offer better ways to protect public health while allowing small businesses and second-hand stores to compete.
This past month I drafted legislation that would postpone for six months the effective date of the new regulations, giving all parties involved the chance to find a workable solution - the common good has to include common sense.
My legislation (S. 374) would cut back on duplicative and wasteful testing, while continuing to ensure safety needs are met. After all, if the materials a small manufacturer buys from a large supplier have already been tested, there is no reason to test the final products as well.
It would also exempt thrift stores, yard sales, consignment shops and other re-sellers from being forced to meet unwarranted requirements and remove the threat of retroactive repercussions for selling items already produced under previous rules. That way makers of homemade goods and local manufacturers can stay in business and aren't stuck with un-sellable items already in stock.
Finally, my legislation would instruct the Consumer Product Safety Commission - the agency charged with enforcing CPSIA - to develop a plain-English compliance guide so that even companies without a team of lawyers on staff can understand and follow the rules.
No one can deny that the protection of our children from harmful toxins is of utmost importance, but CPSIA as currently written does more harm than good. Not only will it limit the range of children's products available in the marketplace, it will remove the opportunity to purchase them through less traditional and less expensive venues. And it will stifle market competition at the very moment we need it most.
Protecting children from toy toxins is a good idea, but we need to do it the right way - to make sure there are still jobs waiting for them when they grow up.
Jim DeMint is a U.S. Senator from South Carolina.
Created in an effort to stop the flow of children's goods carelessly made with high levels of toxins, it is a poorly conceived piece of legislation with not thought about the ramifications to an entire industry. This law is affecting large manufacturers of strollers, car seats and baby furniture down to the mom and pop size companies selling their invention out of their garage. While the large companies can pay their lawyers to ensure company compliance the small and even mid-size companies will struggle with compliance. Many will simply choose to close up shop instead of pay for the testing to be compliant.
US Senator, Jim DeMint (South Carolina) posted a grat summation of the law on Real Clear Politics today. I have re-posted his article as it is succinct and easy to understand. Should you have a lot of extra time on your hands and easily understand the overly technical, legaleze style of writing than Click Here.
February 10, 2009
Congress Turns Toy Story into Nightmare for Small Business
By Jim DeMint
In a mad rush to "do something" last fall about the lead paint scare involving children's toys, Congress hastily passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. Today that law goes into effect, and its unintended - but entirely foreseeable - consequences have begun to threaten our already fragile economy.
CPSIA was meant to protect children from careless or unscrupulous Chinese toy manufacturers, but its ultimate function may be to stifle competition in the domestic market for children's goods. The legislation requires expensive tests - for lead and other toxins - be conducted on all products marketed to children under the age of 12, and imposes cumbersome rules to be followed. Big companies with large legal teams and regulatory compliance staffs - foreign and domestic - can afford such tests and follow these rules without much difficulty.
But the CPSIA makes no distinction between such businesses and consignment shops, thrift stores, and small manufacturing companies. Under the new law, even stay-at-home moms selling baby blankets and headbands online would be vulnerable to fines and lawsuits for not conducting the expensive tests or filling out "Form XYZ" in triplicate.
Riding a wave of outrage and media attention, opportunistic advocates of big government convinced Congress that only such a sweeping, one-size-fits-all bill could possibly "protect the children." Consumer and environmentalist groups seized the "lead scare" to push for increased regulations across the board, and now the law may prove as harmful as the danger it was designed the thwart.
My office has been bombarded with phone calls and letters from people from around the country concerned about how this law will affect their livelihood. Companies large and small that were looking to expand and hire more employees are being forced to rethink their business plans now that CPSIA stands in the way.
And just last week, a federal judge sided with environmental and consumer groups in overturning the law's timeline. Rather than allowing for any grace period during which the children's products industry could adjust to the new rules, everyone - even granny knitting her stocking caps - is vulnerable to lawsuits and fines right now.
Worried about just these kinds of problems, I was one of three senators to vote against the original bill last year. Our products - especially children's toys - must be safe, but I believe free-market solutions offer better ways to protect public health while allowing small businesses and second-hand stores to compete.
This past month I drafted legislation that would postpone for six months the effective date of the new regulations, giving all parties involved the chance to find a workable solution - the common good has to include common sense.
My legislation (S. 374) would cut back on duplicative and wasteful testing, while continuing to ensure safety needs are met. After all, if the materials a small manufacturer buys from a large supplier have already been tested, there is no reason to test the final products as well.
It would also exempt thrift stores, yard sales, consignment shops and other re-sellers from being forced to meet unwarranted requirements and remove the threat of retroactive repercussions for selling items already produced under previous rules. That way makers of homemade goods and local manufacturers can stay in business and aren't stuck with un-sellable items already in stock.
Finally, my legislation would instruct the Consumer Product Safety Commission - the agency charged with enforcing CPSIA - to develop a plain-English compliance guide so that even companies without a team of lawyers on staff can understand and follow the rules.
No one can deny that the protection of our children from harmful toxins is of utmost importance, but CPSIA as currently written does more harm than good. Not only will it limit the range of children's products available in the marketplace, it will remove the opportunity to purchase them through less traditional and less expensive venues. And it will stifle market competition at the very moment we need it most.
Protecting children from toy toxins is a good idea, but we need to do it the right way - to make sure there are still jobs waiting for them when they grow up.
Jim DeMint is a U.S. Senator from South Carolina.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Bumbo Baby Sitter - WARNING! ! !
Bumbo International today, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), are voluntarily making available free downloads of updated instructional leaflets and safety warning labels to be used with the Bumbo Baby Sitter.
I purposely did not label this as a recall as people hear that and want to return the item in question. There is nothing that needs to be changed to the product. The downloads (updated leaflets and warning labels) are what are being updated.
The bottom line here - USE COMMON SENSE! When you use the Bumbo Baby Sitter your child is just about sitting up. Your child is also at the stage where they may be rolling over. In addition, if they are not sitting up by themselves, the possibility of them falling forward or to the side is inherently present. For these reasons the Bumbo Baby Sitter or anything else that is not specifically designed for a raised surface should not be used on one. It is designed to be used on the ground only!
When use properly the Bumbo Baby Sitter is a great way to introduce siting up to your child. In addition it can be a great temporary relief to Mom or Dad as they can be hands free for a short period of time. Should you not want to put your child on the floor buy a carrier of any type. Swings or bouncers are also good alternatives where the child can be restrained in a harness.
Bumbo International Website where downloads can be found:
http://www.bumbosafety.com/
Full CPSC Press Release:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08046.html
Richard Goore
www.goores.com
www.gooresblog.blogspot.com
I purposely did not label this as a recall as people hear that and want to return the item in question. There is nothing that needs to be changed to the product. The downloads (updated leaflets and warning labels) are what are being updated.
The bottom line here - USE COMMON SENSE! When you use the Bumbo Baby Sitter your child is just about sitting up. Your child is also at the stage where they may be rolling over. In addition, if they are not sitting up by themselves, the possibility of them falling forward or to the side is inherently present. For these reasons the Bumbo Baby Sitter or anything else that is not specifically designed for a raised surface should not be used on one. It is designed to be used on the ground only!
When use properly the Bumbo Baby Sitter is a great way to introduce siting up to your child. In addition it can be a great temporary relief to Mom or Dad as they can be hands free for a short period of time. Should you not want to put your child on the floor buy a carrier of any type. Swings or bouncers are also good alternatives where the child can be restrained in a harness.
Bumbo International Website where downloads can be found:
http://www.bumbosafety.com/
Full CPSC Press Release:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08046.html
Richard Goore
www.goores.com
www.gooresblog.blogspot.com
Friday, September 21, 2007
Simplicity for Children Recalls approx. 1 million cribs
The term recall has a a negative stigma about it. Many "recalls" put out by manufacturers are simple fixes that don't actually need a complete replacement of the item, just a new pat or add on piece. This recall is a little different.
Please read the full release about the recall by clicking the link below. The issue is that the drop-side can detach from the crib, which can create a dangerous gap and lead to the entrapment and suffocation of infants. CPSC is aware of two deaths in Simplicity manufactured cribs with older style hardware, including a 9-month-old child and a 6-month-old child, where the drop-side was installed upside down. CPSC is also aware of seven infant entrapments and 55 incidents in these cribs.
This is the main reason why companies want you to register products when you purchase them new. Whenever there is a recall manufacturers will automatically contact anyone who has registered for that item. Take the time to register your purchases. Most companies will never do anything with your personal information other than contact you in the case of a recall or issue.
The full press release from CPSC can be read by clicking the link below. Please read it in detail to ensure you know what to do if you have one of the affected items.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07307.html
Richard Goore
www.goores.com
www.gooresblog.blogspot.com
Please read the full release about the recall by clicking the link below. The issue is that the drop-side can detach from the crib, which can create a dangerous gap and lead to the entrapment and suffocation of infants. CPSC is aware of two deaths in Simplicity manufactured cribs with older style hardware, including a 9-month-old child and a 6-month-old child, where the drop-side was installed upside down. CPSC is also aware of seven infant entrapments and 55 incidents in these cribs.
This is the main reason why companies want you to register products when you purchase them new. Whenever there is a recall manufacturers will automatically contact anyone who has registered for that item. Take the time to register your purchases. Most companies will never do anything with your personal information other than contact you in the case of a recall or issue.
The full press release from CPSC can be read by clicking the link below. Please read it in detail to ensure you know what to do if you have one of the affected items.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07307.html
Richard Goore
www.goores.com
www.gooresblog.blogspot.com
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Fisher-Price Recalls Licensed Character Toys Due To Lead Poisoning Hazard
In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Fisher Price issued a recall this morning for over 80 different licensed products. The recall in total covers almost 1 million units manufactured between April 19, 2007 and July 6, 2007. The issue with these items is that the surface paints used could contain excess levels of lead.
Consumers are asked to immediately stop using the toys and contact Fisher Price. It is important you don't rush back to the store you purchased it at! As with almost all recalls the remedy will be handled directly with the manufacturer. For additional information contact Fisher-Price at (800) 916-4498 anytime or visit the firm’s Web site at www.service.mattel.com
To read the official press release from the CPSC CLICK HERE!
Richard Goore -- www.goores.com -- www.gooresblog.blogspot.com
Consumers are asked to immediately stop using the toys and contact Fisher Price. It is important you don't rush back to the store you purchased it at! As with almost all recalls the remedy will be handled directly with the manufacturer. For additional information contact Fisher-Price at (800) 916-4498 anytime or visit the firm’s Web site at www.service.mattel.com
To read the official press release from the CPSC CLICK HERE!
Richard Goore -- www.goores.com -- www.gooresblog.blogspot.com
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