PRODUCT SAFETY

Articles and editorials

Vote for Safer Food, H9132 [30JY]

Bills and resolutions

American Society of Mechanical Engineers: anniversary of codes and standards development (see S. Res. 179), S6364 [9JN]

Appliances: prohibit the sale of kitchen ranges or ovens which do not include designs or devices which comply with an applicable consensus product safety standard intended to prevent the product from tipping (see H.R. 1049), H1519 [12FE]

Business and industry: prohibit manufacture, sale, or distribution in commerce of any consumer product containing dimethyl fumarate (see H.R. 3080), H7703 [26JN]

Chemicals: ban use of bisphenol A in food and beverage containers (see S. 593), S3074 [12MR] (see H.R. 1523), H3437 [16MR]

———prohibit manufacture, sale, or distribution in commerce of children's food and beverage containers composed of bisphenol A (see S. 753), S4063 [31MR]

———require a warning on label of food containers composed, in whole or in part, of bisphenol A or could release bisphenol A into food (see H.R. 4341), H15499 [16DE]

Children and youth: establish a conditional stay of the ban on lead in children's products (see S. 389), S1677 [5FE]

China: condemn manufacture and export of unsafe products, disregard for environment, and exploitation of workers and encourage U.S. suspension of importation and purchase of goods (see H. Res. 44), H162 [9JA]

———investigate drywall imports, prohibit further imports, recall hazardous drywall, seek penalties against manufacturers, and provide assistance to homeowners affected by hazardous drywall (see S. Res. 91), S3986 [30MR]

Consumer Product Safety Act: exempt second-hand sellers of certain products from lead content and certification requirements (see S. 374), S1542 [4FE] (see H.R. 968), H1158 [10FE] (see H.R. 1027), H1518 [12FE] (see H.R. 1465), H3399 [12MR]

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act: clarify applicability of certain provisions (see H.R. 1815), H4249 [31MR]

———exclude secondary sales, repair services, and certain vehicles from the ban on lead in children's products (see S. 608), S3163 [17MR]

———exempt all-terrain vehicles from certain lead prohibitions (see H.R. 1510), H3436 [16MR]

———exempt off-highway vehicles from certain lead prohibitions (see H.R. 1587), H3640 [18MR]

———exempt ordinary books from certain lead prohibitions (see H.R. 1692), H3834 [24MR]

Consumers: establish a comprehensive process to inform consumers about food and product recalls (see H.R. 3076), H7703 [26JN]

Courts: restrict protective orders and sealing of cases, and allow disclosure of discovery information in civil actions to ensure disclosures relevant to public health or safety (see S. 537), S2828 [5MR] (see H.R. 1508), H3401 [12MR]

CPSC: clarify and ensure effective implementation of certain children's product safety standards (see H.R. 3533), H9340 [8SE]

———confirm jurisdiction relative to releasing systems on residential window bars and establish a consumer product safety standard ensuring such bars include a quick-release mechanism (see H.R. 418), H161 [9JA]

———ensure effective implementation of children's product safety standards (see H.R. 1046), H1519 [12FE]

———promulgate final consumer product safety rule banning novelty lighters (see S. 723), S3897 [26MR] (see H.R. 2050), H4686 [22AP]

———require residential carbon monoxide detectors to meet certain safety standards and encourage States to require installation of such detectors in homes (see S. 1216), S6364 [9JN] (see H.R. 1796), H4128 [30MR]

———study drywall imported from China from 2004 through 2007 (see S. 739), S3986 [30MR] (see H.R. 1977), H4523 [2AP]

Dept. of Agriculture: develop an effective sampling and testing program to test for E. coli in boneless beef manufacturing trimmings and other raw ground beef components (see S. 2792), S11492 [18NO]

Dept. of Commerce: establish Office of Imported and Domestic Product Safety and the Product Safety Coordinating Council (see S. 893), S4669 [23AP]

Dept. of HHS: provide authority to order a mandatory recall of any product that is regulated by the FDA (see H.R. 841), H921 [3FE]

Dept. of HUD: permit use of funds from the Community Development Block Grant Program to be used to remediate damage from installation of tainted drywall (see S. 2850), S12708 [8DE]

FDA: ensure safety and quality of medical products and enhance authorities (see S. 882), S4669 [23AP]

———establish a standard for broad-spectrum protection in sunscreen products (see H.R. 2088), H4732 [23AP]

———establish standards for the inclusion of risks, benefits, and comparative clinical effectiveness information in drug and device labeling and advertising (see S. 1142), S5819 [21MY]

———improve safety of food, drugs, devices, and cosmetics in the global market (see H.R. 759), H778 [28JA]

———improve safety of food in the global market (see H.R. 2749), H6305 [8JN]

———improve safety of food in the global market (H.R. 2749), consideration (see H. Res. 691), H9054 [29JY]

———study presence of contaminants and impurities in cosmetics and personal care products marketed to and used by children (see S. 925), S4891 [29AP]

———use consumer information maintained by retailers to improve recalls of food (see H.R. 1907), H4520 [2AP]

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: preserve ability to file State product liability lawsuits relative to defective medical devices (see S. 540), S2828 [5MR] (see H.R. 1346), H3054 [5MR]

Food: require foods containing certain ingredients derived from meat, poultry, or other animal products to bear labeling that states that fact and the names of such ingredients (see H.R. 2086), H4732 [23AP]

Foreign trade: include a Public Health Advisory Committee on Trade in the trade advisory committee system and require public health organizations to be included in relevant sectoral or functional advisory committees (see H.R. 2293), H5307 [6MY]

———include Public Health Advisory Committee on Trade in trade advisory committee system and require public health organizations be included in relevant sectoral or functional advisory committees (see S. 1644), S8994 [6AU]

———provide for limitation on entry of steel, drywall, and cement products that fail to meet industry standards (see H.R. 2155), H4914 [28AP]

———require foreign manufacturers of products imported into the U.S. to establish registered agents in the U.S. who are authorized to accept service of process against such manufacturers (see S. 1606), S8992 [6AU]

Hazardous substances: ensure uniform Federal scheme of regulation of restrictions for use of certain substances in electrical products and equipment in interstate and foreign commerce (see H.R. 2420), H5664 [14MY]

———prohibit sale of household dishwashing detergent containing high levels of phosphorus (see S. 675), S3657 [24MR] (see H.R. 3946), H11868 [27OC]

Health: ensure the FTC bears the burden of proof in false advertising cases involving dietary supplements and dietary ingredients (see H.R. 3394), H9055 [29JY]

———review claims about effects of foods and dietary supplements on health-related conditions and diseases (see H.R. 3395), H9055 [29JY]

Home Safety Month: designate (see H. Res. 543), H6743 [12JN]

Insurance: prohibit insurers from canceling or refusing to renew homeowners insurance policies because of the presence of certain types of drywall in the home (see H.R. 4094), H13068 [17NO]

Interstate commerce: limit civil actions brought against persons whose only role with regard to a certain product is as a lawful seller of the product (see H.R. 2518), H5890 [20MY]

Labeling: require household cleaning products and similar products bear a label that contains a complete and accurate list of ingredients (see H.R. 3057), H7445 [25JN]

———require that household cleaning products and similar products bear labels that state completely and accurately all of the ingredients of such products (see S. 1697), S9733 [23SE]

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: require disclosure of information on the fair market value and safety of damaged motor vehicles (see H.R. 1257), H2923 [3MR]

SBA: improve and extend certain disaster assistance and hurricane relief programs and provide assistance to homeowners affected by defective drywall imported from China (see S. 2731), S11205 [5NO]

Taxation: exclude from gross income remediation payments for hazardous drywall (see H.R. 4362), H15500 [16DE]

Letters

Food Safety Enhancement Act: Representative Peterson, Committee on Agriculture (House), H9014 [29JY]

———Representative Rangel, Committee on Ways and Means (House), H9014 [29JY]

———Representative Waxman, Committee on Energy and Commerce (House), H9014 [29JY]

SBA Disaster Recovery and Reform Act: Karen Gordon Mills, SBA, S11212 [5NO]

———several Senators, S11212 [5NO]

Motions

FDA: improve safety of food in the global market (H.R. 2749), H9161 [30JY]

Remarks in House

Business and industry: importance of accountability between employers and employees, H4231 [31MR]

China: investigate effects of drywall imports on foreclosures and availability of property insurance for homes where defective drywall imports are present, H5363, H5364 [7MY]

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act: exempt off-highway vehicles from certain lead prohibitions (H.R. 1587), H5128 [5MY]

Consumers: establish a comprehensive process to inform consumers about food and product recalls (H.R. 3076), E1833 [17JY]

CPSC: exempt off-highway vehicles from certain lead prohibitions (H.R. 1587), H3643 [19MR]

———funding, E2002 [24JY]

———require residential carbon monoxide detectors to meet certain safety standards and encourage States to require installation of such detectors in homes (H.R. 1796), E814 [30MR]

———study contaminated drywall imported from China from 2004 through 2007, H11560 [21OC]

———study drywall imported from China from 2004 through 2007, H8209 [16JY]

———study drywall imported from China from 2004 through 2007 (H.R. 1977), H5363 [7MY]

FDA: grant quarantine authority in a geographic area if there is evidence of food-borne health risk, H9136 [30JY]

———improve safety of food, drugs, devices, and cosmetics in the global market (H.R. 759), H3148 [11MR]

———improve safety of food in the global market (H.R. 2749), H8272 [16JY], H8990-H9016 [29JY], H9140-H9165 [30JY], E2093, E2143, E2154, E2177 [31JY], E2356 [24SE]

———improve safety of food in the global market (H.R. 2749), consideration (H. Res. 691), H9131-H9138 [30JY]

———improve safety of food in the global market (H.R. 2749), motion to recommit, H9162 [30JY]

———prohibit diversion of funds to tobacco regulatory efforts from other FDA programs and initiatives, H4413 [2AP]

———use of food facility registration fees to purchase food for inspection purposes, H9162-H9164 [30JY]

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: preserve ability to file State product liability lawsuits relative to defective medical devices (H.R. 1346), E575 [5MR]

Health: ensure the FTC bears the burden of proof in false advertising cases involving dietary supplements and dietary ingredients (H.R. 3394), E2086 [29JY]

———review claims about effects of foods and dietary supplements on health-related conditions and diseases (H.R. 3395), E2086 [29JY]

Home Safety Month: designate (H. Res. 543), H8059-H8061 [14JY], H8205 [16JY], E1610 [26JN]

Lance, Inc.: tribute, H475 [22JA]

SBA: make low-interest disaster loans to homeowners for repair or replacement of toxic drywall installed in principal residences, H12111-H12113 [29OC]

Remarks in Senate

American Society of Mechanical Engineers: anniversary of codes and standards development (S. Res. 179), S6391 [9JN], S6420 [10JN]

Chemicals: ban use of bisphenol A in food and beverage containers (S. 593), S3086 [12MR]

Children and youth: establish a conditional stay of the ban on lead in children's products (S. 389), S1685 [5FE]

China: investigate drywall imports, prohibit further imports, recall hazardous drywall, seek penalties against manufacturers, and provide assistance to homeowners affected by hazardous drywall (S. Res. 91), S4710 [24AP]

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act: exclude secondary sales, repair services, and certain vehicles from the ban on lead in children's products (S. 608), S3165 [17MR]

Courts: restrict protective orders and sealing of cases, and allow disclosure of discovery information in civil actions to ensure disclosures relevant to public health or safety (S. 537), S2834 [5MR]

CPSC: establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to protect small and home businesses from final consumer product safety rule banning lead in children's products, S4286, S4287 [2AP]

———funding, S5679 [20MY]

———promulgate final consumer product safety rule banning novelty lighters (S. 723), S3924 [26MR]

———study drywall imported from China from 2004 through 2007, S5794 [21MY]

———study drywall imported from China from 2004 through 2007 (S. 739), S4709 [24AP]

FDA: ensure safety and quality of medical products and enhance authorities (S. 882), S4686 [23AP]

———establish standards for the inclusion of risks, benefits, and comparative clinical effectiveness information in drug and device labeling and advertising (S. 1142), S5848 [21MY]

———study presence of contaminants and impurities in cosmetics and personal care products marketed to and used by children (S. 925), S4910 [30AP]

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: preserve ability to file State product liability lawsuits relative to defective medical devices, S1861 [6FE]

———preserve ability to file State product liability lawsuits relative to defective medical devices (S. 540), S2846-S2848 [5MR]

Foreign trade: require foreign manufacturers of products imported into the U.S. to establish registered agents in the U.S. who are authorized to accept service of process against such manufacturers (S. 1606), S9007-S9009 [6AU]

Labeling: require that household cleaning products and similar products bear labels that state completely and accurately all of the ingredients of such products (S. 1697), S9735 [23SE]

SBA: improve and extend certain disaster assistance and hurricane relief programs and provide assistance to homeowners affected by defective drywall imported from China (S. 2731), S11207-S11210 [5NO]

Reports filed

Consideration of H.R. 2749, Food Safety Enhancement Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 691) (H. Rept. 111-235), H9054 [29JY]

Food Safety Enhancement Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 2749) (H. Rept. 111-234), H9054 [29JY]

Rulings of the Chair

FDA: improve safety of food in the global market (H.R. 2749), H9162 [30JY]

Texts of

H. Res. 543, Home Safety Month, H8059 [14JY]

H. Res. 691, consideration of H.R. 2749, Food Safety Enhancement Act, H9131 [30JY]

H.R. 2749, Food Safety Enhancement Act, H8990-H9007 [29JY], H9140-H9156 [30JY]

S. 537, Sunshine in Litigation Act, S2835 [5MR]

S. 593, Ban Poisonous Additives Act, S3087 [12MR]

S. 608, Common Sense in Consumer Product Safety Act, S3166 [17MR]

S. 723, Protect Children From Dangerous Lighters Act, S3924 [26MR]

S. 1142, Informed Health Care Decision Making Act, S5849 [21MY]

S. 1697, Household Product Labeling Act, S9735 [23SE]

S. 2731, SBA Disaster Recovery and Reform Act, S11210-S11212 [5NO]

S. Res. 91, investigate drywall imports from China, prohibit further imports, recall hazardous drywall, seek penalties against manufacturers, and provide assistance to homeowners affected by hazardous drywall, S4006 [30MR]

S. Res. 179, American Society of Mechanical Engineers codes and standards development anniversary, S6387, S6391 [9JN]