CPSC & Other U.S. Briefs

ROVs: A joint statement by CPSC and Polaris on fires in certain RZR models confirmed that some units were not subject to an earlier recall and that the two are working on addressing the matter (bit.ly/2CgoJeJ).

Kid's Tents: Jewett-Cameron December 20 – without CPSC – told (prn.to/2C9P5Qn) buyers of its Playtime Pals units to return them to Home Depot for refunds or credit as fiberglass rods break. It did say it reported to CPSC.

Burden Relief: CPSC's docket on its determinations proposal involving engineered wood indicated it got seven comments. As of the PSL press time, only five were available, and those were off topic. PSL will cover the other two if they are on topic. Access to comments can be delayed due to issues like clearance.

Pool Drains: CPSC's remarks for the 10th anniversary of the Virginia Graeme Baker law focused not only on there being no entrapment deaths over that time, but also on drownings declining generally (bit.ly/2EeDyN5).

Magnets: CPSC members in December voted 3-1 to approve an order and action plan listing step Zen must take to proceed with a recall. The negative was Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle, who also provided a statement (bit.ly/2EbWDzp) on her concerns in the matter, especially on calculating refunds in light of use allowance. The order and plan followed an October commission decision (PSL, 11/6/17) to set aside an administrative law judge's decision that was less expansive.

Children's Chairs: CPSC's final Section 104 rule on folding units will be effective June 15. It incorporates some elements of ASTM F2613-17a. Non-folding are not covered (PSL, 12/11/17). See the December 15 Federal Register (bit.ly/2Ckz755).

Gasoline Burns: A direct final rule will be effective January 12 assuming CPSC got no significant adverse comments by December 28. It incorporates five changes to ASTM's F2517 fuel can standard (PSL, 12/11/17). See the December 14 Federal Register (bit.ly/2pRtFBH).

Generators: A December letter from Consumer Reports to PGMA explaining why it cannot support recent updates to ANSI/PGMA G300 – including its desire for both a reduce-emissions approach and shutoff mechanisms – is at bit.ly/2CgUxAe.

Fires: A December article by the U.S. Fire Administration on research into use of geographic mapping to identify communities with increased risk is at bit.ly/2lqFE3N.

Recalls: A December 26 statement by FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb on concerns about that agency's recall process, including new policies under consideration, is at bit.ly/2pRusm9.

NFIRS: The U.S. Fire Administration December 14 reiterated what responders should and should not report to its National Fire Incident Reporting System. Yes: fires, vehicle accidents, EMS/rescue incidents, hazardous materials incidents, weather emergencies, overpressure ruptures/explosions, false alarms/calls, service calls, good intent calls, smoke detector installations, community paramedicine. No: parades, training, fire prevention events, sporting event stand-by, and code inspections.

Conformity Assessment: NIST is seeking comments by February 26 on two draft documents: ABC's of Conformity Assessment and Conformity Assessment Considerations for Federal Agencies. Find them and learn more at bit.ly/2CkcF9H.