Sean Ward

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) that could significantly reshape the micromobility industry. The CPSC issued the NPR to address what it describes as an “unreasonable risk of death and injury” associated with lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility products, including risks tied to thermal runaway that can lead to fires, explosions, gas releases, burns, overheating, and smoke inhalation. If finalized, the rule would impose mandatory safety requirements on a wide range of popular consumer products — from e-bikes to hoverboards.

Continue Reading CPSC’s Proposed Micromobility Rule Could Reshape the E-Bike and E-Scooter Industry: What Manufacturers and Retailers Need to Know About Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Requirements

When a consumer safety complaint arises, having the right procedures in place can make all the difference in minimizing legal and regulatory exposure. This cross-functional checklist is designed to help legal, compliance, engineering, manufacturing, customer service, and marketing teams stay aligned, act decisively, and respond with confidence when a potential product safety issue emerges.

Continue Reading Is Your Company Prepared? A Checklist for Responding to Consumer Safety Complaints  

Register now to join Crowell & Moring for “Between the Lines: What CPSC Enforcement Data Reveals for 2026 and Beyond” to explore the latest regulatory enforcement trends and gain a forward-looking perspective on what 2026 and beyond may bring. The webinar will take place on Thursday, May 7, 2026 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET.

Continue Reading Register Now! Between the Lines: What CPSC Enforcement Data Reveals for 2026 and Beyond

Day 4 marked the close of the ICPHSO 2026 Annual Meeting & Training Symposium in Orlando, Florida following a jam-packed week of education, exploration, and meaningful dialogue about the future of product safety and regulatory compliance in the U.S. and beyond. The day began with the traditional passing of the gavel to welcome incoming ICPHSO president Dani Cugini while acknowledging and celebrating the accomplishments of outgoing President Chris Harvey.  

Then, in a first ever for ICPHSO, participants were thrust into the Courtroom for a mock-trial experience, giving many product safety professionals their first inside look at the complexities and challenges of litigating safety and products liability issues. Crowell’s “court reporter,” Sean Ward, was on the scene with a riveting recap of all the action. As court was called to recess, Day 4’s short program concluded with a series of plenary sessions highlighting the consumer perspective and the need for inclusive and proactive safety solutions that recognize the dynamic challenges faced by vulnerable populations and ensure accessibility to safety information for all. 

Below is a closer look at select sessions from the final day of ICPHSO 2026. 

Continue Reading Day 4 of the ICPHSO Symposium: Courtroom Drama & Consumer Voices  

From Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) reporting on PFAS to increasing U.S. state-level requirements around chemicals in products, manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers are required to understand the makeup of the products they sell, down to a molecular level. From their position downstream of complex supply chains, retailers must implement and manage the data gathering and supply chain verification necessary to meet these reporting obligations. 

As our panelists at the ICPHSO Annual Meeting and Training Symposium made clear, the world of chemical reporting is growing more complex every year, posing new challenges — and opportunities — for everyone from manufacturers and retailers to regulators and consumers. 

The panel was moderated by Luisa Lobo of the Retail Industry Leaders Association with speakers Amy Symonds of Crowell & Moring, Travis Sjostrom of Best Buy, and Krystal Spickler of UL Solutions. 

Here are the four key areas discussed. 

Continue Reading The Ever-Expanding Chemical Reporting Universe at ICPHSO: A Look at Reporting Requirements and Approaches 

Register now to join Crowell & Moring for “Recall Execution Bootcamp: Practical Skills for Fast-Track Recalls,” a webinar that will cover the fundamental steps and considerations to execute a recall in a manner that minimizes business disruption and ensures compliance with regulatory expectations. This webinar will take place on Thursday, January 22, 2026 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET.

Continue Reading Register Now! Recall Execution Bootcamp