The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) dispute with Spectrum Brands was resolved in court on September 29, 2017, with both sides able to claim victories of sorts. On the one hand, CPSC was able to obtain a civil penalty for Spectrum’s failure to report and sale of recalled products. On the other, that civil
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)
CPSC Obtains Record $15.45 Million Settlement from Dehumidifier Manufacturer


The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced that it had obtained a record $15,450,000 settlement of civil penalty liability from three Gree Electric entities (Gree Electric Appliances, Inc., of Zhuhai; Hong Kong Gree Electric Appliances Sales Co., Ltd.; and Gree USA Sales, Ltd.) (collectively, Gree). (The settlement is provisional until after the public…
CPSC Staff Appear Set to Get Vote on Voluntary Standards

Members of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are set to vote on a final rule to allow the staff not only to participate on the committees that develop voluntary standards, but to vote as members of the committees and even lead them (provided the Executive Director gives prior approval). If the Commission approves…
Not-So-Voluntary Standards? SCOTUS Considers Constitutional Concerns About Key Regulatory Tool, Public-Private Development Process

The Supreme Court heard a case earlier this month that could have a big impact on businesses in many areas regulated by federal agencies that use voluntary standards. In U.S. Department of Transportation v. Association of American Railroads, the Supreme Court is considering a D.C. Circuit decision that invalidated a law that gives Amtrak …