Mandatory requirements for water bead toys came into force on March 12, 2026. The Federal Safety Standard for Water Beads (Final Rule) amends the Safety Standard for Toys, 16 C.F.R. Part 1250 (Toy Standard), by adding performance and labeling
Consumer Protection Connection
Consumer Protection Connection, published by Keller Heckman, focuses on legal developments and regulatory updates related to consumer protection. The blog covers topics such as compliance with state and federal consumer product safety laws, privacy regulations including children’s online privacy, environmental and recycling fee requirements for consumer products, false advertising and sustainability claims, and emerging issues in product labeling and marketing. It serves businesses and legal professionals seeking to understand evolving consumer protection obligations, enforcement trends, and legislative changes affecting product safety, privacy, and environmental compliance.
Latest from Consumer Protection Connection - Page 2
New Executive Order Adds to Growing Uncertainty Surrounding “Made in the USA” Claims
On March 13, 2026, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO), “Ensuring Truthful Advertising of Products Claiming to be Made in America,” directing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Agency) to prioritize enforcement of fraudulent “Made in U.S.A.”…
CalRecycle Approves Landbell USA as Textile Industry PRO
On February 27, 2026, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) approved Landbell USA as the producer responsibility organization (PRO) for managing textile producer obligations under the nation’s first extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for textiles, the Responsible…
FTC and DOJ Launch Inquiry into Updating Antitrust Guidance for Business Collaborations
On February 23, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division launched a joint public inquiry, inviting comments on whether new antitrust guidance for business collaborations is needed and what content such guidance should…
FTC Issues COPPA Enforcement Policy Statement Promoting Age-Verification Technology
On February 25, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released an important children’s privacy enforcement discretion statement: COPPA – Enforcement Policy Statement Promoting the Adoption of Age-Verification Technology. Age verification of minors is an increasingly hot topic in children’s…
Kids and Teens Privacy: 2025 Look Back and 2026 Predictions – Part II: The State Privacy Patchwork
As we discussed in Part 1 of this series, while the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) remains the primary federal law protecting children’s online privacy, there is a growing patchwork of state laws aimed at protecting both children and…
Kids and Teens Privacy: 2025 Look Back and 2026 Predictions – Part I: The Federal Landscape
As we look back at key privacy developments during 2025, one thing is clear: it was all about kids and teens. That trend seems likely to continue in 2026. The problem is, while there are very real concerns about the…
FTC Warns 10 Companies to Comply with the Consumer Review Rule
In the midst of the busiest shopping season of the year, Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) staff reminded companies of their obligations under the Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials (Consumer Review Rule). On December 22,…
California Embedded Battery Recycling Fee Kicks in January 1, 2026
Starting January 1, 2026, retailers of covered battery-embedded (CBE) products in California must charge consumers a CBE Waste Recycling Fee at point of purchase or cover the costs of the fee themselves. Per regulations finalized last week, the fee will…