Conformity Magazine - January 2009 - (Page 43) NewsBreaks continued from page 11 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has produced a “frequently asked questions” (FAQ) document to provide guidance. Under the CPSIA, manufacturers and importers of consumer products intended for use by children twelve years of age or younger will now be required to have those products tested by an accredited independent testing laboratory, and to certify that those products meet applicable CPSC requirements. The FAQ document addresses general issues, such as the definition of a children’s product under the CPSIA, as well as more specific questions regarding the new lead-containing paint requirements, mandatory testing requirements, tracking labels, advertising requirements, and other issues. Our readers can view the complete text of the CPSC’s FAQ document atwww. conformity.com/2519. Separately, the CPSC has also produced a document that explains manufacturers’ certification requirements, and which provides a sample certificate of compliance. That document is available at www.conformity.com/2520. category, as well as the dates by which third-party testing is required for products in that category. Our readers can view the complete text of the CPSC summary of the testing requirements under the CPSIA at www.conformity.com/2521. Separately, the CPSC has also posted a list of independent testing laboratories currently accredited to assess conformity with the ban on lead-containing paint in children’s products. The list, which will be updated on a regular basis, can be viewed at www.conformity.com/2522. 19 reports of batteries overheating, including 17 reports of flames and/or fire, and two reports of minor burns. The recalled batteries were sold separately, and as part of notebook computer systems, from April 2004 through June 2006. Notebook Computer Power Adaptors: Battery-Biz, Inc. of Camarillo, CA, has recalled about 1300 Duracell-brand power adaptors used with notebook computers and manufactured in China. The company says that the adaptors can fail and overheat, posing a burn hazard to consumers. Battery-Biz has received five reports of the power adaptors overheating, but no reports of injuries. The recalled power adaptors were sold through www.dell.com and www.duracelldirect.com from February 2008 through March 2008 for between $80 and $120. Battery Chargers: Fujifilm U.S.A. Inc. of Valhalla, NY has recalled about 5300 battery chargers manufactured in China. Fujifilm reports that the plastic portion of the unit’s power plug can crack or detach, posing an electrical shock hazard to consumers. The company has not received any reports of incidents or injuries related to the battery chargers, but has initiated the recall to prevent possible future incidents. The recalled battery chargers were sold through camera and photo supply retailers Accreditation Requirements for Third-Party Laboratories Published The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has also published information on the criteria and process for the Commission’s acceptance of accreditation of third-party laboratories for the testing of children’s cribs and/or pacifiers. The information, which was published in the Federal Register in October 2008, is available at www.conformity.com/2523. CPSC Posts Summary of Testing Requirements for Children’s Products In addition, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has posted on its web site summary information for manufacturers on mandatory thirdparty testing requirements for certain children’s products under the recently enacted Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). The CPSC website posting provides a summary schedule for the publication of accreditation procedures by product Other CPSC Actions in the News In conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the following manufacturers, distributors and retailers have issued voluntary recalls for certain consumer electrical and electronic products. Here are the details: Notebook Computer Batteries: Sony Energy Devices Corporation of Japan is recalling about 35,000 lithium-ion batteries sold in the United States and used in Hewlett-Packard, Toshiba and Dell notebook computers. Sony says that the lithium-ion batteries can overhead, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers. The company has received JAnUAry 2009 Conformity 3 http://www.conformity.com/2521 http://www.conformity.com/2522 http://www.dell.com http://www.duracelldirect.com http://www.conformity.com/2519 http://www.conformity.com/2519 http://www.conformity.com/2523 http://www.conformity.com/2520 http://www.ieee-pses.org http://www.nepss.org
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