Consumer Product Safety

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Have ideas to lighten the load for complying with consumer product safety regulations? The Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC” or “Commission”) wants to hear about them.  The Commission has asked for comments and suggestions for ways it could potentially reduce burdens and costs of its existing rules, regulations or practices without harming consumers. CPSC requests…

Marketers of natural personal care products will want to take note of a recent nationwide settlement over marketing and advertising for Neutrogena Naturals. Plaintiffs filed suit in the Northern District of California in January of 2012. They alleged that product labels and website advertising for Neutrogena Naturals facial cleansers, body washes, and moisturizers violated California…

Late Thursday night, the Senate confirmed President Obama’s two appointments to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC” or “Commission”), Marietta S. Robinson and former Representative Ann Marie Buerkle.  The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee confirmed the women by unanimous consent, without hearings, ensuring that the upcoming departure of Commissioner Nancy Nord will not leave…

With a looming departure date for Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC" or "Commission") Commissioner Nancy Nord that would leave the CPSC without a quorum, the Obama Administration announced last week the nomination of former Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle to serve as a Republican Commissioner. During her single term, Congresswoman Buerkle criticized what she described as…

The tide continues to rise for Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) civil penalties as the Commission announces a $987,000 penalty against Williams-Sonoma, Inc. and the company’s agreement to implement an extensive compliance program. On Monday, the CPSC announced that Williams-Sonoma has agreed to pay the civil penalty to resolve allegations that the company knowingly failed…

Yesterday Inez Tenenbaum, Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”), announced at the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization’s (“ICPHSO”) annual conference that she will not seek renomination when her term expires in October 2013. She took the position in 2009, and her confirmation brought the Commission to three sitting Commissioners for the…

The Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC") recently announced a settlement with Whalen Furniture Manufacturing, Inc. (d/b/a Bayside Furnishings), resolving allegations that the company failed to file a timely Section 15(b) Report and imposing a $725,000 civil penalty. The penalty demonstrates that the CPSC will be particularly aggressive when it goes to a company to seek…

President Obama has (again) nominated Marietta S. Robinson to fill the open Democrat seat at the Consumer Product Safety Commission.  The President nominated her last January, and she had a Senate confirmation hearing, but the Senate took no further steps to confirm her nomination.  The President has not nominated anyone to fill the open Republican…

Earlier this week, the CPSC filed an administrative complaint against Star Networks USA, LLC, the seller of Star Magnicube Magnet Balls and Magnet Cubes. The Commission voted 2-1 to file the complaint, with Commissioner Nord voting against the f. As described in our previous post, the CPSC has already filed three other administrative complaints…

On Wednesday, the CPSC filed an administrative complaint against Baby Matters, LLC, the manufacturer of Nap Nanny and Nap Nanny Chill infant recliners. The CPSC alleges there have been at least five deaths and over 70 additional incidents resulting from the use of the products. The Commission voted 3-0 to file the complaint after discussions…