OPEI TESTIFIES AS PART OF U.S. CPSC LITHI- UM-ION BATTERY FORUM OPEI’s testimony provided sup- port for compliance in industry voluntary safety standards during the July 27 lithium-ion battery forum hosted by the Consumer Products Safety Commission.
The OPEI Engine and Fuels Committee continues to monitor the situation. For additional information please contact Greg Knott, Senior Vice President, Standards and Regulatory Af- fairs, at gknott@opei.org. OPEI FILES PFAS COMMENTS On Sept. 28 EPA announced its long-anticipated final rule requiring the reporting of PFAS use, which includes importers of articles (products) and does not grant any product exclu- sions from required compliance or an allowed de minimis threshold. Reporting also includes a “look-back” to require uses in each year beginning in 2011 through 2022. Reporting is required within the next 18 months. Also, on Aug. 7, OPEI filed comments with EPA, expressing concern over its potential action to suspend/ban the neces- sary fluorination of fuel tanks broadly used by OPEI members, based on concerns related to PFAS. This pending matter is under agency authority provided by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This matter is pending in federal district court in Pennsyl- vania. A decision in the case is expected soon, and while an adverse decision poses obvious challenges for some OPEI members, the case could be appealed in the 3 rd circuit which may delay any immediate impact to the supply of fuel tanks.
The CPSC was specifically focusing on fire risks in e-bikes and other micro-mobility products, as well as the risks that may arise from the ever-growing consumer battery-powered products marketplace. OPEI highlighted the story of electri- fication in the outdoor power equipment sector as one of success, due in large part to the all-encompassing and widely adopted voluntary safety standards and product certification schemes that exist today. Ongoing dialogue on how the CPSC will support rulemaking within the micro-mobility sector will be monitored by the OPEI Battery Electric Products Committee with the ability to provide further comments if necessary. OPEI STANDARDS IN DEVELOPMENT OPEI/ANSI ISO 5395 Mower Standards – OPEI Finalizes Adoption of ISO Mower Standards: On Nov. 6, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved the OPEI-pro- posed U.S. national adoption of the international lawnmower standards ISO 5395, Parts 1 (terminology and common tests), 2 (pedestrian-controlled), and 3 (ride-on). These first-time national adoptions mark significant progress towards harmonizing North American and global requirements for combustion-engine-powered lawnmowers, while at the same time including important modifications to respect the needs of the U.S. market and the effective requirements long central to the existing ANSI/OPEI stan- dards. The new standards will replace the ANSI/OPEI B71.1 and B71.4 standards following the two-year compliance transition period. Contact Dan Mustico, Senior Vice President, Govern- ment and Market Affairs, at dmustico@opei.org for additional information. B175.4:2018 Cut-off Machines Standard: OPEI has initiated the process to reaffirm the B175.4-2018 cut-off machine stan- dard without revision. The standard is currently available for
OPEI’S BOWEN NAMED TO 40 UNDER 40 CLASS Chuck Bowen, OPEI’s Vice President, Communications and Member Relations, has been named to Association Forum’s 2023 Forty Under 40 Program. Recipients were selected
based on their career accom- plishments, commitment to the industry, and their continued pursuit to advance the profes- sional practice of association management.
The Forty Under 40 Program is an opportunity to honor and celebrate individuals whose endeavors (before turning 40) have had an impact within the association management community.
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