Product Safety Letter will not have a December 29, 2014 edition due to its schedule of 50 issues per year. The next issue, Vol. 44, No. 1, will be dated January 5, 2015. The staff of Product Safety Letter wishes you joyous holidays and a happy and prosperous 2015.

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Commissioners December 17 voted 3-2 on party lines to publish the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR), without amendments, on phthalates.

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CPSC Chairman Elliot Kaye December 17 lamented a “broken chemicals management public policy” in the United States.

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CPSC executive director Patricia Adkins December 12 discussed the agency’s 2015 priorities and concerns with representatives from seven consumer groups.

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Members of a task group on UL 1026, Electric Household Cooking and Food Serving Appliances, December 17 addressed final comments in four sections of the standard.

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Subgroups of the ASTM F15.71, Liquid Laundry Packets subcommittee December 15 updated the panel on progress with labeling, scope, menu option and child deterrents.

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The ASTM F15.51 task force on gravity flow systems for pools and spa drains December 18 reviewed updated schematics and parts for the dry force transducer assembly and transducer grate support components of their proposed test apparatus.

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An ASTM F21.15 infant sling carrier task group December 17 looked at solving an issue with test dummies flipping.

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An ASTM F15.18 task group December 18 began work to address if certain infant sleep products should be covered under the F2194 standard for cradles and basinets.

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The United States had about 366,900 residential fires annually in 2010 to 2012, according to a U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) report made available December 15.

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The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) will have new powers to target counterfeits under a law passed earlier in December.

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Health Canada said it will provide two periodic product safety reports.

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The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) December 17 announced that the phthalate DEHP should be deemed a substance of very high concern (SVHC).

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The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) December 15 offered a guidance document for complying with the EU PIC (prior informed consent requirements).

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The EU would need to process 257 RAPEX reports in December to surpass the annual tally of 2,364 set in 2013.

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The 282 RAPEX reactions processed by the EU in November takes the annual tally to 2,415.

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The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs December 15 petitioned CPSC to determine if 66 chemicals should be declared banned hazardous substances in children’s products.

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Briefs on NFIRS, roller shades, stress balls, circuit breakers, hoodies, and more.

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Briefs on air guns, amusement rides, kitchen ventilation, cooking equipment, nightlights, and more.

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Briefs on reporting, bean bag chairs, off-road vehicles, Christmas, ECHA, fence post drivers, baking dishes, ceiling fans, gas ranges, string lights, and more.