March 2023 Newsletter
Upcoming SPSP Webinars
Below is information on the next three webinars presented by SPSP. You can register for any of these webinars at https://www.productsafetyprofessionals.org/upcoming-webinars.
Data Analytics and Product Safety – April 19, 2023
Insurance Company Guidance on Product Safety Efforts – May 17, 2023
International Update – June 20, 2023
In addition, SPSP is joining with ICPHSO to put on a webinar entitled Ethics and Product Safety on April 26, 2023. You can register by going to https://form.jotform.com/230754364511149.
An SPSP view of the ICPHSO Experience
It was a great experience to see old friends and make new ones at the 2023 ICPHSO 30th Anniversary symposium. We started the week with SPSP’s Annual Meeting held on Monday, February 20th, 2023. We had about 30 people in attendance at the meeting with a mix of SPSP members as well as people looking to learn more about SPSP. We were honored to present the Class of 2022 Certified Product Safety Professionals with their pins. In attendance were Erin Bradley (CPSP), Supervisor, Product Safety and Recall, Costco Wholesale Corp, and Chris Guldbrandsen (CPSP), Director of Compliance and Quality, Jool Baby. James Choi (CPSP), Senior Manager, Product Compliance, 5.11 Tactical, was not able to attend.
SPSP President Shelia Gottschalk introduced the new SPSP Board Members as well as the other changes that have been undertaken by the board in response to feedback from last year’s event. These include updates to the SPSP website, restructuring to a single membership level and requirements as well as working to establish a Corporate Advisory Board. To solicit feedback from the attendees, we used a JotForm survey. In reviewing the results, we saw that a number of people in attendance were not familiar with SPSP and had come to learn more about what SPSP offers. So Shelia provided a brief “What is SPSP?” explanation as well as led a discussion about current members experiences with the courses, particularly the certification program.
Our booth was set up to emphasize the new university relationships we have in place for the 2023 program year. The staff for the booth included SPSP Board Members Kristin Cordz, who was the lead organizer, Shelia Gottschalk, Laurel Roney, Ken d’Entremont, Lisa Trofe, and Don Mays with help from Richard Stern of ADK Information Services and SPSP members Jared Frantz and Chris Gulbrandsen. Personal interaction with old friends and new prospects made the days interesting and worthwhile.
SPSP offered a Roku Soundbar as a raffle prize to ICPHSO attendees who visited our booth. We are pleased to congratulate Sabrina Mooers, Boise State University, ICPHSO Mentee, for winning our drawing. Thanks to Lisa Trofe and Richard Stern for serving as our raffle drawers.
In reflecting on the entire ICPHSO experience, SPSP President Gottschalk sums it as a success in this report:
“ICHPSO 2023 was a success for SPSP and ICPHSO. The volunteers at our booth did a great job of engaging people. People were interested in all three programs as well as SPSP. Having Alan Abrahams from Virginia Tech at the conference was a huge plus for the certification program. His enthusiasm for the upcoming course matched ours. We had quite a few people at our stakeholders meeting that had little information on SPSP. We provided details on our mission and activities and ended the session with a Q & A.
Our evening reception was well attended and provided an opportunity to network with fellow professionals outside of the ICPHSO schedule. SPSP Board members discussed ideas for the future growth of SPSP. In my opinion, it is very clear that SPSP is steadily growing and is recognized by safety professionals. Our constant request for feedback helps to ensure we are providing the type of information our members need and find effective.”
Launch of the 2023 Professional Certification Program
The 2023 Consumer Product Safety Professional Certification Program went live on March 22 at Virginia Tech’s Research Center in Arlington Virginia. Class members came from across the country. The industry mix promises a learning experience within the group itself. Industries represented children’s products, promotional products, sporting goods retailing, home products, and toys and entertainment products. The opening workshop featured a discussion focused on CPSC programs and activities with CPSC Commissioner Mary T. Boyle. This was followed by seven presentations on topics including organization culture, product safety and ethics, risk assessment and management, regulatory compliance, and a case study communications exercise.
A class dinner took place on March 22 that gave the group an opportunity to relax and enjoy each other’s company. There is a consensus that presenting the certification program in the Washington DC area is very appealing to product safety professionals.
Below is a picture of this year’s class along with some of the opening session speakers.
In class photo above, from left to right: Melissa McCrigh, DICK’s Sporting Goods; Jessica Doyle,
The Boppy Company; Jacob Borowiec, Hasbro; Patricia Adair, CPSC and VT graduate; Sanjay Kotia, SnugZ USA; CPSC Commissioner Mary T. Boyle; Jarrod Kuhn, Sterno; Delfina Anderson, Goldbug; Rebecca Kurisko, Hasbro; and Beth Millard, SnugZ USA.
The 2023 Product Safety Leadership Fundamentals Program
Registration is now open for the 2023 Product Safety Leadership Fundamentals course which starts on June 20, 2023. This course, previously entitled Product Safety Management, is in its 14th year. This program serves as an orientation for those who are new in the product safety field or those who are more experienced professionals interested in a refresher course.
The 2023 program is being offered in partnership with the Center for Occupational Health and Safety Engineering at the University of Michigan, a top university with a reputation for excellence. Tuition is $3,400 with reductions available to paid members of SPSP, and those who register prior to May 2. Course information can be seen at: https://www.productsafetyprofessionals.org/michigafundamentals-program.
The program begins with a two-day opening in-person workshop on June 20 and 21. It concludes at a closing in-person workshop on August 10 and 11, when each participant will present their individual case study to their peers in the program. Program participants will receive Certificates of Completion from the University’s Center for Occupational Health and Safety Engineering.
Ask the Expert
SPSP is accepting questions submitted by webinar attendees and readers of this newsletter. Go to https://www.productsafetyprofessionals.org/ask-the-expert to submit your question.
We will select ones that we believe a number of you would be interested in and then find an expert to provide an answer. Please note that the answers represent the opinion of the person indicated and do not necessarily represent the position of SPSP or its Board.
Here is a recent example:
Q: I've been reading about problems with e-bikes catching on fire. What is the problem and what can be done about it?
A: E-bikes sales and use have increased rapidly over the past few years, especially in urban areas where they may replace cars for commuting and delivery. Many e-bike fires are caused by substandard lithium-ion batteries or their charging systems, and unfortunately, substandard batteries that are counterfeit or cut corners on safety have flooded the market. Lithium-ion batteries that go into thermal runaway and catch fire are particularly dangerous because they are hard to extinguish. Over the past two years, there have been at least 208 fires or overheating heating events that caused a reported 19 fatalities, according to the CPSC.
As lithium-ion batteries have been added to more and more types of e-mobility devices, UL has developed new safety standards that include performance requirements to mitigate fire risks:
UL 2271, Standard for Batteries for Use In Light Electric Vehicle Applications, covers any storage battery for a powered bicycle or mobility device.
UL 2849, Standard for Electrical Systems for e-Bikes, covers the electrical system of any powered bicycle.
UL 2272, Standard for Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices, for all powered mobility devices, including e-scooters.
There are a number of actions that should be taken to reduce the risk of e-bikes catching fire, and reduce injuries and deaths from any fire that may occur:
Ensure that all e-bikes, electric scooters, or their replacement batteries are certified to meet the applicable UL standard. New York City has just passed legislation that will require third-party safety certification of battery-powered micro mobility devices to the above UL standards, and as a result all micro mobility devices that are sold, distributed, leased, or rented in the city will have to comply with those standards.
Follow all manufacturers’ instructions associated with their e-bike, electric scooter, or replacement batteries.
Ensure that charging e-bikes doesn’t block fire escape routes, and that all smoke alarms are in good working condition in case there is a fire.
— by George Borlase, Vice President of Standards Development, UL Standards & Engagement