According to The National Association of Manufacturers’ (NAM) Monday Economic Report this week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index rose 0.4% last month, up 3.5% from a year ago in March. The index for shelter and gasoline rose in March and combined, contributed to over half of the monthly increase. As markets had expected the Fed to start cutting interest rates in June, it seems unlikely given the higher-than-expected inflation report.   While grocery categories show mixed trends, the energy index increased 1.1% with gasoline prices rising 1.5% and ..read more

The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled Ghostbed Natural mattresses, model number beginning with 13GBNAT or “Natural,” due to fire hazard. The mattresses violate the smoldering ignition requirements of the Part 1632 federal mattress flammability regulation. This recall covers mattresses sold on GhostBed.com, GhostBedNatural.com and other websites from June 2021 through March 2023. Consumers should immediately stop using the mattress and contact GhostBed to receive a free cover to put on the mattress to bring it into compliance. GhostBed is contacting all known purchase ..read more

On April 11th, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) rejected MRC’s proposed program plan a second time and requested additional information. MRC has 60 days to submit another revised plan to DEQ for review. DEQ has 45 days to review the plan. If To keep up with our progress, consider subscribing to MRC’s Oregon Update newsletter, published to help potential participants in the Oregon program prepare for its launch. The post MRC Revised Plan in Oregon Rejected appeared first on International Sleep Products Association | ISPA ..read more

The California Assembly last week amended SB 707, which would create a manufacturer-funded recycling program for textiles (defined to include apparel and textile articles). Pursuant to ISPA’s request, the amended bill continues to exclude materials managed under MRC’s California mattress recycling program (which includes mattresses, foundations and futons). ISPA is working with the bill’s proponents to clarify another definition in the amended bill. Although the California Senate passed an earlier version of SB 707 in May 2023, if the Assembly passes the amended version of the bill, it must re ..read more

Do you sell packaged products under your brand name in California, Colorado or Oregon? Then your company likely has a legal obligation to register with the Circular Action Alliance (CAA), a nonprofit Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) dedicated to implementing extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws for paper and packaging across the United States. Registration is free and must be completed by July 1, 2024. To date, four states have enacted packaging recycling laws: California, Colorado, Maine and Oregon. These states are in the process of deciding how to implement their laws, and ..read more

According to the National Association of Manufacturers’ (NAM) Monday Economic Report for this week, the number of manufacturing job openings in the U.S. decreased in February as did the number of hires, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Manufacturers hired 330,000 workers in February, down from 383,000 in January and 435,000 in February 2023.  In comparison, new orders for U.S.-manufactured goods increased in February, up 1.4% after dropping 3.8% in January according to the Commerce Department’s Census Bureau.  The boost is driven by the demand for ..read more

In 2022, the ISPA Board of Trustees created a new Government Affairs Committee to recommend policies that the Association should adopt and actions that we should take that will advance ISPA’s strategic goals. The committee reflects a cross-section of ISPA supplier and manufacturer members and meets both in person and virtually as needed.  If you are interested in government affairs issues and would like to volunteer for this committee or would like additional information, please contact GovernmentAffairs@sleepproducts.org The post Call for Volunteers to Serve on ISPA Government Affairs Co ..read more

Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the Consumer Advocacy and Protection (CAP) Act (H.R.7096/ S.3667) to eliminate the civil penalty maximum the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) may currently impose.   The bill would amend the Consumer Products Safety Act (CPSA) to increase the maximum civil penalty for a single CPSA violation from $100,000 to $250,000 and remove the $17,150,000 inflation-adjusted maximum cap for a series of violations. In addition, this legislation would allow the CPSC to adjust the $250,000 per violation civil pen ..read more

As we reported over a year ago, President Biden in March 2023 nominated Douglas Dziak to fill the seat on the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) expiring on October 27, 2024 vacated by former Commissioner Dana Baiocco (R) upon her resignation in October 2022. Over 16 months after Baiocco’s resignation, the U.S. Senate has finally confirmed Dziak’s nomination, although only a few months of his term remain. The CPSC is now comprised of 3 Democrats and 2 Republicans, whose terms will end as indicated:  Doug Dziak (R) to October 2024 Mary Boyle (D) to October 2025 Peter Feldman (R) t ..read more

MA H 4486, a wide-ranging PFAS bill that combines three existing bills was introduced in Massachusetts. The bill bans intentionally added PFAS in specific product categories, including fabric treatments, upholstered furniture and children’s products manufactured after January 1, 2027. The term upholstered furniture is broad enough to likely include mattresses, and the children’s product definition would include mattresses intended for children 12 and under.   The bill also includes a blanket ban on any consumer product containing intentionally added PFAS manufactured after January 1 ..read more