PRODUCT SAFETY

LETTER
An independent weekly for executives concerned with consumer
product regulations, legislation and standards. Founded in 1972.

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October 24, 2016

Vol. 45, No. 40

Commissioners Hear about

Info- Embedding Tech
CPSC members, on October 14 received presentations about a technology to embed
information into products via small NFC (near frequency communication) chips. Smart
phones can display warnings as well as other information that now often is separated from
products with traditional paper manuals. The approach also potentially helps with smallprint difculties. Commissioners additionally heard assertions of recall effectiveness
benets.

In This Issue
CPSC Activity: FY2017 plan
passes with 7 changes. Page 1
SDOs: CPSC sought input on
development practices Page 1
6(b)/Recalls: Groups express
complaints & worries . Page 1
Generators: Brieng covers
recommended rule...... Page 1
Furniture: NPR recommendation gets criticized .. Page 1
Fireworks: Overloads draw
industry request.......... Page 1
Floors: Labeling petition is
center of rancor .......... Page 1

Dan Jordan, Innercell (Twych Innovation) president, explained that his company's platform
allows manufacturers and others to push out information to the chips. Situations discussed
included used products and consumers' hearing of a recall but being unsure if their units are
affected.
Jordan contrasted the approach with QR codes. Those, he said, did not have anticipated
universal use due to problems with standardization that his company is seeking to address.
This includes demands that the chips offer valuable content as opposed to QR codes, which
can facilitate spam or even malware.

Recalls: CPSCers see demo of

embedded tech ........... Page 1

Involved in this point is use of NFC, which does not require an app and already is part of most
smartphones models. Although it is limited on Apple products for now, Jordan was optimistic
that will change.

Appliances: U.K. sets up advisory panel ............... Page 3

He demonstrated mockups on products that included a toy, a sweatshirt, and an aspirin bottle.

Australia: Two more rule reviews sent to public .... Page 3

He was joined by former CPSC Compliance chief David Schmeltzer.

As is typical of such presentations, the visitors heard caveats that the agency cannot advocate
products, but there clearly was interest in the idea, including Schmeltzer's suggestion that the
agency someday might be able to seek generic requirements in corrective action plans related
to recall-enhancing technology. That would be akin to the move in recent years to include
social media as well as older dissemination methods.
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