The Commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission are scheduled to vote by July 12, 2011 on a draft proposed rule that would amend CPSC's mandatory standard for all-terrain vehicles. CPSC's ATV standard is based on the 2007 ANSI Standard for Four-Wheel All-Terrain Vehicles Equipment Configuration and Performance Requirements, developed by the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (ANSI/SVIA 1-2007). The proposed rule would update CPSC's ATV standard to reference the 2010, not the 2007, version of the ANSI/SVIA standard. CPSC states that the differences between the two versions are relatively minor and expects few manufacturing changes would be needed.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is scheduled to vote on July 13, 2011 on two notices involving children’s products. The first would announce whether the 100 parts per million lead content limit for children’s products will take effect as scheduled on August 14, 2011. The second notice would establish the requirements for third-party labs to be accredited to test children’s toys pursuant to the ASTM toy standards, F 963-08 (all toys) and section 4.27 from ASTM F 963-07ε1 (on toy chests).

As part of a systematic review of all current rules and guides, the Federal Trade Commission has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking public comment on its rule that requires manufacturers and importers to attach labels with care instructions for apparel, so consumers have reliable instructions for washing, bleaching, drying and ironing their clothing.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission published notice of the following voluntary recalls from July 5-6, 2011:

The Consumer Product Safety Commission published notice of the following additional voluntary recalls on June 30, 2011:

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has updated the list of meetings between CPSC and its stakeholders that are open to the public, unless otherwise stated:

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced its weekly meeting on July 13, 2011 in which the staff briefs the Commission on various compliance matters. The meeting is closed to the public and the agenda is confidential.

Columbia Sportswear Company and its Italian subsidiary, OutDry Technologies S.r.l., have filed a complaint with the European Commission against W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc., alleging that Gore has violated European Union competition laws by abusing its dominant position in the market for waterproof breathable membranes for footwear and gloves. Columbia and OutDry also stated that they welcomed news that the Federal Trade Commission has issued a subpoena to Gore in connection with an investigation into whether Gore's fabric division has engaged in unfair methods of competition regarding its waterproof and/or breathable outerwear, clothing, footwear, gloves, accessories, or other apparel and items. The Vice President of Colombia states that Columbia and OutDry have long been concerned that Gore's commercial practices systematically prevent consumers, brand owners and manufacturers from gaining access to competing product innovations in waterproof breathable footwear and gloves.

The Commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission are scheduled to consider a Phthalates Enforcement Policy on July 6, 2011. During the meeting, they will also consider a draft notice that would establish the requirements for third party labs to be accredited to test toys pursuant to the ASTM toy standards, which would mean that toys manufactured 90 days after publication would have to be third-party tested and certified as complying. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/30/11, 11063038, for BP summary on CPSC's consideration of the lab notice for toys.)

Staff of the Consumer Product Safety Commission has submitted compliance data to the Commission as it considers the 100 parts per million lead content limit in children's products that is set to take effect August 14, 2011, unless the Commission determines that this limit is not technologically feasible for a particular product or product category. Among other things, staff states that from October 1, 2009 to the present, CPSC found 812 violations of the lead content limit in children’s products.