Save Daylight, Save Lives; Replace Batteries in Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms - Consumer Product Safety Commission
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the season changes, consumers should replace their batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges consumers to ensure they have working alarms throughout their home and to take steps to prevent fires such as cleaning clothes dryer vents. Make these annual habits to help save lives.
“When moving your clocks forward, remember to check every level of your home for working smoke and CO alarms,” said CPSC Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric. “Use this additional daylight to prevent home fires by cleaning clothes dryer vents.”
Annually, there are 360,300 residential fires according to CPSC estimates. The fires result in about 2,390 deaths, 10,860 injuries and $7.34 billion in property damage. Proper installation, operation and maintenance of smoke and CO alarms reduces the risk of property damage, injuries and death.
Smoke and CO alarms tips:
• CPSC recommends installing smoke alarms on every level of the home, inside each bedroom and outside sleeping areas.
• CO alarms should be installed on each level of the home and outside sleeping areas.
• Test the alarms monthly and replace the batteries at least yearly, unless the alarms have sealed 10-year batteries.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for replacing smoke and CO alarms.
Clothes dryers can be a hidden hazard. CPSC estimates a yearly average of 6,400 clothes dryer fires that injure about 180 people and cause nearly $105 million in property damage.
Clothes dryer tips:
• Do not use the dryer without a lint filter and make sure it is clean before or after each use.
• Make sure the air exhaust vent pipe is not restricted and the outdoor vent flap will open when the dryer is operating.
• Clean lint out of the vent pipe at least once a year.
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Federal Register Notices:
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products From Taiwan: Amended Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2020-2021
• Light-Walled Welded Rectangular Carbon Steel Tubing From Taiwan: Continuation of Antidumping Duty Order
• Certain Hardwood Plywood Products From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited First Sunset Review of the Countervailing Duty Order
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Stainless Steel Bar From India: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2021-2022
• Barium Chloride From India: Countervailing Duty Order
• Wood Mouldings and Millwork Products From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results and Partial Rescission of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2020-2021
• Stainless Steel Flanges From India: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Final Determination of No Shipments; 2020-2021
• Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2021
• Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Products From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results of Changed Circumstances Reviews, and Intent To Revoke the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders, in Part
• Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules, From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results of Changed Circumstances Reviews, and Intent To Revoke the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders, in Part
• Small Diameter Graphite Electrodes From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results of the Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Rescission of Review, in Part; 2021-2022
• Stainless Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings From Italy, Malaysia, and the Philippines: Final Results of the Expedited Fourth Sunset Review of the Antidumping Duty Orders
• Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp From Thailand: Preliminary Results and Partial Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2021-2022
• Wood Mouldings and Millwork Products From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, Preliminary Determination of No Shipments, and Rescission in Part; 2020-2022
• Certain Cold-Drawn Mechanical Tubing of Carbon and Alloy Steel From India: Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2021
• Certain High-Performance Gravity-Fed Water Filters and Products Containing the Same Notice of Request for Statements on the Public Interest
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Products From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, Partial Rescission of Antidumping Administrative Review, and Preliminary Determination of No Shipments; 2021-2022
• Ripe Olives From Spain: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2020
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Hot-Rolled Steel Flat Products From the Republic of Turkey: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2020-2021
• Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules, From the People's Republic of China: Notice of Court Decision Not in Harmony With the Results of Antidumping Administrative Review; Notice of Amended Final Results; Correction
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Tin Mill Products From Canada, China, Germany, Netherlands, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, and United Kingdom
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FTC Finalizes Order Against Pyrex Glass Manufacturer for False Made in USA Claims - Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission has finalized its order against Instant Brands, manufacturer of Pyrex-brand kitchen and home products, for making false “Made in USA” claims. The FTC’s order, first announced in January 2023, stops the company from making deceptive claims about products being “Made in USA” and requires it to pay a monetary judgment.
The FTC’s order against Instant Brands, which the company has agreed to, includes a number of requirements about the claims it makes:
• Restriction on unqualified claims: The company will be prohibited from making unqualified U.S.-origin claims for any product, unless it can show that the product’s final assembly or processing—and all significant processing—takes place in the U.S., and that all or virtually all ingredients or components of the product are made and sourced in the U.S.
• Requirement for qualified claims: The company is required to include in any qualified Made in USA claims a clear and conspicuous disclosure about the extent to which the product contains foreign parts, ingredients or components, or processing.
• Requirement for assembly claims: The company must also to ensure, when claiming a product is assembled in the U.S., that it is last substantially transformed in the U.S., its principal assembly takes place in the U.S., and U.S. assembly operations are substantial.
The order also requires Instant Brands to pay a $129,416 judgment.
The Commission vote to finalize the order was 4-0. The lead staff attorney on this matter was Julia Solomon Ensor in the Bureau of Consumer Protection.
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CBP Officers in Louisville Seize Over 1,600 Pounds of Narcotics in February - U.S. Customs & Border Protection
LOUISVILLE, Ky — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to keep Americans safe from the dangerous items and activities that threaten communities around the U.S. During the shortest month of the year, CBP officers in Louisville seized a large volume, which collectively exceeded a total of1,600 pounds of narcotics and prescription medication.
The laundry list of narcotics arrived from Mexico, Canada, Netherlands, United Kingdom, China, Hong Kong, and other high-risk countries, destined for locations across the U.S. The top three seized drugs, by weight, were 1,245 pounds of marijuana, 139 pounds of methamphetamine, and 81 pounds of steroids.
While marijuana is legal in several states, CBP enforces the laws of the United States and U.S. laws have not changed. Although medical and recreational marijuana is legal in some states, the sale, possession, production, and distribution of marijuana is illegal under U.S. Federal Law.
According to the DEA, methamphetamine, like fentanyl, can be made cheap and is very potent – making it lucrative to expanding profits in the drug business. Cartels and drug organizations see this and have been capitalizing on the opportunity for further profit -- with a wanton disregard for human life.
Steroids are synthetically produced variants of naturally occurring hormones that are abused to produce muscle growth, enhance athletic or other physical performance, and improve physical appearance. Abuse can lead to dramatic mood swings, increased feelings of hostility and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Anabolic steroid use may cause psychological dependence and addiction, as well as permanent physical changes, and are Schedule III substances under the Controlled Substances Act.
These three drugs would have had a street value over $3.1 million.
“The work of our officers has been incredible and their dedication to CBP's enforcement mission is evident when you look at these narcotics seizures,” said LaFonda Sutton-Burke, Director, Field Operation-Chicago. “Drug traffickers are persistent in their attempts to smuggle hard narcotics into the United States, however, through our hard work and vigilance we will continue to intercept these dangerous drugs at our port of entry before they can harm our communities."
Officers also seized 77 pounds of precursors, 44 pounds of prescription medication, 20 pounds of cocaine and ketamine, 2 pounds of heroin and 68 grams of fentanyl. In all 1,628 pounds of dangerous and potentially lethal drugs were seized.
“These seizures are the dangers our officers see every night and it doesn’t stop,” said Gene Matho, Acting Area Port Director-Cleveland. “Our officers do an outstanding job stopping these shipments. These criminals keep trying different ways to sneak their contraband in and our officers do a better job of finding it and stopping it in its tracks.”
Louisville CBP also stopped counterfeit merchandise, cock fighting spurs, counterfeit treasury checks and dangerous agricultural items during the month of February.
As the largest federal law enforcement agency in the United States, CBP has a vast, complex, and dynamic mission faced with constantly changing threats. By being continuously watchful and alert, CBP is dedicated to facilitating lawful trade and travel and protecting the homeland and its people.
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FDA Proposes New Requirements for Tobacco Product Manufacturing Practices - Food & Drug Administration
Today (3/8/23), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is proposing new requirements for tobacco product manufacturers regarding the manufacture, design, packing and storage of their products. These proposed requirements would help protect public health by, among other things, minimizing or preventing contamination and limiting additional risks by ensuring product consistency.
“While no tobacco product is safe, this proposed rule is intended to minimize or prevent additional risks associated with these products,” said Brian King, Ph.D., M.P.H., director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. “Once finalized, it would establish requirements for tobacco product manufacturers that will help protect public health.”
These proposed new requirements would help ensure that the public health is protected and products comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. For example, these requirements would help minimize or prevent the manufacture and distribution of tobacco products contaminated with foreign substances—such as metal, glass, and plastics—which have been found in tobacco products. The proposed rule would also help address issues related to inconsistencies between e-liquid product labeling and the actual concentrations in e-liquids; such variability can be misleading to consumers, potentially intensifying addiction and exposure to toxins.
The proposed rule would also establish several requirements related to the identification, tracing and corrective actions for tobacco products that don’t meet specifications or are contaminated, including for tobacco products that have already been distributed. In the event of an issue, these requirements would require manufacturers to take corrective actions, which may include conducting a recall.
These proposed requirements apply to manufacturers of finished and bulk tobacco products. As laid out in the proposed rule, a finished tobacco product is a tobacco product, including any component or part, sealed in final packaging; for example, a pack of cigarettes or a can of moist snuff. A bulk tobacco product is a tobacco product that isn’t sealed in final packaging, but is otherwise suitable for consumer use.
The proposed rule establishes a framework for manufacturers to adhere to, including:
• establishing tobacco product design and development controls;
• ensuring that finished and bulk tobacco products are manufactured according to established specifications;
• minimizing the manufacture and distribution of tobacco products that don’t meet specifications;
• requiring manufacturers to take appropriate measures to prevent contamination of tobacco products;
• requiring investigation and identification of products that don’t meet specifications to institute appropriate corrective actions, such as a recall; and
• establishing the ability to trace all components or parts, ingredients, additives and materials, as well as each batch of finished or bulk tobacco product, to aid in investigations of those that don’t meet specifications.
The FDA will hold a public oral hearing on April 12 to gather additional comments from stakeholders, including industry, the scientific community, advocacy groups, and the public. The proposed rule also will be available for public comment for 180 days. The agency will review all comments as part of the rulemaking process for this foundational rule.
“We remain committed to transparency and stakeholder engagement, including providing clarity to industry so that they are equipped to comply with the law,” said Dr. King. “We encourage all interested individuals and organizations to participate in the rulemaking process. When the public submits a comment based on sound grounds, that can make an important difference in the agency’s decision-making.”
The FDA will also hold a meeting of the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) on May 18 to seek recommendations from the agency’s outside panel of experts on the requirements laid out in the proposed rule. As part of the TPSAC meeting, the public will have an opportunity to make oral presentations. The FDA intends to make TPSAC meeting materials available on its website no later than 48 hours before the meeting.
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State Department and European Commission Engage Diamond Industry to Discuss Next Steps on Russian Diamonds - U.S. Department of State
Today (3/6/23), Ambassador James O’Brien joined Deputy Director General and Chief Trade Enforcement Officer Denis Redonnet of the European Commission to discuss with the U.S. and European offices of leading diamond retailers, manufacturers, laboratories, and industry trade associations the importance of the diamond industry’s engagement on future Russia-related import measures, including on polished diamonds, as noted in the recent G7 Leaders’ Statement. Russia continues to earn billions of dollars from the diamond trade, and the discussion centered on the most effective and impactful ways to disrupt that revenue stream. The United States and European Union remain committed to imposing economic consequences on Russia for its unprovoked war in Ukraine.
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Important Updates on Passport Processing - U.S. Department of State
The Department of State is committed to providing the best possible service for our passport customers. We encourage all Americans to check their passport expiration date before making any definitive plans for international travel, and to take action to renew their passport well in advance of international travel this year. This is especially important as we approach what is expected to be our busiest summer travel season on record.
Our passport processing times are currently 8-11 weeks for routine processing and 5-7 weeks for expedited processing, which costs an additional $60 per application. These processing times fluctuate throughout the year depending on demand and we anticipate that they will rise, especially as we approach the busier travel season. Processing times begin when we receive an application and do not include delivery times.
As more Americans are traveling internationally again, we are directing resources to meet the unprecedented demand seen so far in 2023. We are on track to set the record for the highest demand year ever, far surpassing volumes seen during previous surges in demand in 2007 and 2017. During some weeks this winter, the Department received more than 500,000 applications, the highest number ever for this time of year, exceeding our official projections.
We are addressing the increased workload through a number of efforts. We are aggressively recruiting and hiring across our passport agencies and centers. Our passport team members nationwide contribute tens of thousands of hours of overtime a month to issue the millions of passports sought by traveling Americans. We have opened a satellite office to help process the large number of applications we are receiving.
We understand some customers are facing extended wait times when calling the National Passport Information Center and we are taking steps to improve the telephone experience. We encourage customers who have questions about how to apply or the status of their passport application to visit our website, travel.state.gov, which has extensive information and allows customers to check the status of their passport application and sign up for updates via email.
We are committed to transparency and will continue to provide regular updates about passport processing times, and to encourage Americans to apply for their passport well in advance of any planned international travel to avoid last-minute issues. We also encourage all U.S. citizens traveling overseas to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP.state.gov) so they can receive important messages about their destinations directly, including timely Alerts and updates to Travel Advisories, and to enable us to assist in an emergency