Conformity Magazine - June 2008 - (Page 78)

NewsBreaks Updated Standards List for the EU’s PPE Directive The Commission of the European Union (EU) has an updated list of standards that can be used to demonstrate conformity with the essential requirements of its Directive 89/686/EEC concerning personal protective equipment. The extensive list of standards was published in the March 8th issue of the Official Journal, with a correction issued on March 29th. The new list of standards, as corrected, replaces all previously published standards lists for the directive. Our readers can view the complete list of standards at www.conformity.com/1816. The corrections can be viewed at www.conformity.com/1817. According to Nancy Nord, the CPSC’s acting chairperson, “With new strategies and growing resources, I am confident that we can prevent the entry of unsafe products into our country, remove those that do find a way in, and punish those who willfully disregard the safety of our consumers.” CPSC Actions in the News In conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the following manufacturers have issued voluntary recalls for certain consumer electrical and electronic products. Here are the details: Electric Toasters: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. of Glen Allen, VA is recalling about 482,000 Hamilton Beach and Proctor-Silex brand toasters manufactured in China. Hamilton Beach says that the toasters can remain energized (“on”) after popping up, and can ignite flammable items that cover or come in contact with the toaster, posing a fire hazard. The company has received at least 63 reports of toasters that remain energized following the toasting cycle, but has received no reports of injuries or fires. The recalled toasters were sold in a wide range of retail stores and through various online retailers from August 2007 through February 2008 for between $13 and $40. Electric Toasters: In a separate action, Salton, Inc. of Lake Forest, IL has recalled about 12,000 toasters manufactured in China. The company says that the toasters can turn on without bread in the slots and ignite items placed on top, posing a fire hazard. Salton has not received any reports of incidents or injuries related to the recalled toasters, but has initiated the recall to prevent future incidents and injuries. The toasters were sold through online and retail liquidators nationwide from January 2000 through December 2007 for between $40 and $50. Deep Fryers: J.C. Penney of Plano, TX has announced the recall of about 27,000 of its Cooks brand deep fryers manufactured in China. According to the company, the appliance has a faulty heating element which can cause it to overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers. J.C. Penney says that it is aware of five incidents involving the recalled deep fryers, including one report of a minor burn and three reports of damaged countertops. The deep fryers were sold through J.C. Penney stores nationwide and through the company’s catalog and on-line store from August 2007 through January 2008 for about $50. Toggle and Rotary Switches: Disconnects of Florida Corporation of Tampa Florida has recalled about 19,000 toggle and rotary switches manufactured by Ensto Control Oy of Finland. The company says that, when switched “off,” one electrical pole in the switches may remain energized, posing a risk of electrical shock hazard to consumers. Ensto Control Oy has received 13 reports of the switches not functioning properly, but no reports of injuries. The recalled switches were sold through electrical distributors for between $30 and $60, and were not sold in retail establishments or to consumers. Portable Air Compressors: Finally, All-Power America of City of Industry, CA is recalling about 64,000 of its Strike Force brand portable air compressors manufactured in China. All-Power says that the compressor’s motor can overheat and ignite the protective cover, posing a fire hazard to consumers. The company has received four reports of fires, but no reports of injuries. The recalled air-compressors were sold through Advance Auto Parts retail stores nationwide and at the company’s online store from October 2006 through December 2007 for about $90. Our readers can learn more about these and other product recalls through the CPSC web site at www.cpsc.gov. CPSC Announces New Effort to Keep Out Hazardous Products In conjunction with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced the formation of a new agency division to stem to flow of hazardous consumer products into the country through the nation’s shipping ports. The newly formed Import Surveillance division will permanently assign CPSC staff to key ports of entry for goods coming into the United States. Assigned staff will work with officials from Customs and Border Protection to examine and hold shipments of suspected hazardous products. The Port of Long Beach in California will reportedly be the first port with a permanent CPSC presence, with staff assigned to additional ports as the new division expands. 78 Conformity JUnE 2008 http://www.conformity.com/1816 http://www.conformity.com/1817 http://www.cpsc.gov

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Conformity - June 2008

Conformity - June 2008 Contents Editor's Note 700 MHz Auction Raises a Record $20 Billion FCC Modifies PCS and AWS Power Limit Rules for Broadband Wireless Commission Designates Spectrum Test Bed FCC Releases Report on Wireless Competition Commission Proposes $5 Million Fine for Slamming Using EDX for Non-Destructive Detection of Lead in Consumer Products ESD Open Forum Challenges in Testing - Improving Election Security and Accuracy Part 1 Challenges in Testing - Human Body Model: The Hidden Challenges High-Speed Signal Integrity Considerations for ESD Components Focus On...EMC Components Buyer's Guide FCC Levies $2.6 Million Fine for Junk Faxes FDA Updates Guidance on its Product Review Process EU Issues Updated Energy Star Regulations EU Repeals Directive on Veterinary Electro-Medical Equipment New Product Announcements Updated Standards List for the EU's PPE Directive CPSC Announces New Effort to Keep Out Hazardous Products CPSC Actions in the News IEC Standards Update UL Standards Update Product Reviews Telcordia Standards Update From Our "You Can't Make This Stuff Up" Department Looking Back: Items from Past Issues of Conformity Advertisers

Conformity - June 2008

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