Microplastics pollution has emerged as a significant issue as the public learns more about the presence of microplastics in the environment and how they may enter the human body. In recent years, Congress has considered measures to address microplastics pollution, including a bill requiring the Food and Drug Administration to study the health effects of microplastics in food and water. But states and the plaintiffs’ bar have taken the most significant action to date. Several states are now considering laws to regulate, monitor, reduce, or entirely ban microplastics in certain products. Click here to continue reading the full version of this alert.

A recent wave of California class actions under Business & Professions Code § 17529.5 is targeting companies for allegedly misleading commercial emails, posing significant legal and financial risks—especially due to strict liability claims and substantial statutory damages. Click here to to continue reading the full version of this alert.

Federal Trade Commission
The building of the Federal Trade Commission in downtown Washington DC.

Due to the government shutdown, the FTC is closed aside from essential services.  Therefore, Crowell’s FTC updates will resume after the shutdown ends.

The FTC proposed recommendations to rescind and lighten its own regulations. The agency also published its 47th Annual Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Report summarizing merger enforcement actions in 2024. These stories, and more, after the jump.

Continue Reading FTC Updates September 2 – 26, 2025

After months of anticipation, the Senate has received a nomination for a Commissioner of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). 

In May 2025, President Trump removed the three Democratic Commissioners, leaving the two Republican Commissioners, Dziak and Feldman. Then, on August 22, 2025, Commissioner Dziak announced his resignation, leaving Acting Chairman Feldman as the sole Commissioner.

On October 2, 2025, President Trump nominated William “Billy” Hewes, III to join Acting Chairman Feldman as a Commissioner of the CPSC.

Continue Reading CPSC Commissioner Nominated

Crowell’s Litigation and Consumer Products partner Meghan McMeel will be speaking at the ICPHSO 2025 International Symposium on October 15. Meghan’s panel, Intersection of Consumer Product Safety and Mental Health, will discuss the implications of the General Product Safety Regulation’s inclusion of mental health when defining product safety, emphasizing the inclusion of mental health in pre-market risk assessments and continued monitoring for devices and software. Click here to learn more about this panel.

The ICPHSO 2025 International Symposium is taking place in London between October 14-15, 2025. Further details on the conference can be found here.

In light of the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission advises that it will reduce its workforce by one-third and will focus on enforcement actions that protect the public from consumer products that pose an imminent threat. Click here to read the full version of this alert.

Woman shopping on internet
Woman shopping on internet

On September 9, Crowell & Moring hosted its quarterly Crowell Atelier networking breakfast for luxury and retail clients. The event featured a conversation between Shane St. Hill, chief legal and compliance officer at Studs, an experiential retail and e-commerce company that offers bespoke ear piercing services; and Crowell partner Matthew F. Ferraro, former senior counselor for cybersecurity and emerging technology to the U.S. secretary of homeland security. Shane and Matthew discussed critical considerations for online consumer engagement, including the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence in targeted marketing; national and international data privacy requirements; cybersecurity; and consumer notifications and consents.

Continue Reading Crowell Atelier Fall 2025: E-Commerce in the Age of AI
many lithium batteries under green light
lithium batteries pattern

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC’s) proposed safety standard for lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility products is back on the agency’s agenda.

Continue Reading CPSC Takes Another Step to Advance Draft Rule on Lithium-Ion Batteries Used in Micromobility Products

On August 27, 2025, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) held a virtual public meeting to preview its 2026–2027 agenda. Acting Commissioner Peter Feldman and Executive Director Brian Lorenze outlined a significant pivot in the agency’s approach to product hazard detection and prevention—centered on artificial intelligence and predictive analytics.

Continue Reading CPSC Signals Shift to AI-Driven Product Safety Oversight
Federal Trade Commission
The building of the Federal Trade Commission in downtown Washington DC.

The FTC continues to prioritize consumer protection and fair competition, taking significant steps to prosecute and deter offenders while returning funds to consumers in recent cases.  In August 2025, the agency secured a $14 million settlement with Match Group, Inc. to stop deceptive advertising and billing practices in the online dating industry.  Additionally, the FTC addressed antitrust concerns in the transportation sector by ensuring that collaboration among industry leaders does not hinder competition.  The agency also commenced lawsuits against ticket resellers and scored a major victory in a pending case against a multi-level marketing company.  Finally, the Commission initiated actions against multiple companies for false or misleading claims, revealing its current priorities and thinking on claims related to Artificial Intelligence (“AI”).  These stories, and more, after the jump. 

Continue Reading FTC Updates (August 4 –August 22, 2025)