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The article deals with measures adopted by the European Union (EU) and its member-states to prevent value added tax (VAT) fraud. Resolving the problem of VAT fraud is an important task for the EU and member-states in view of a report by the Europol that 100-billion € is lost each year as a result of fraud and in Germany alone, the fiscal damage amounts to nearly 17-billion €. As a response, EU member-states attempt to counter various forms of VAT fraud by applying reverse charge schemes for various consumer goods. The EU on its part, is willing to amend Article 395 Directive of the VAT Directive to hasten the process of prosecuting fraudulent transactions.

The article discusses a court case involving misrepresentation, time-limits on legal claims for the value of a purchase product, and deficiency. Information is provided on the prosecution's failure to establish a deficiency in the case, as well as the application of a general interest test in the determination of product fitness and quality.

The article reports that the American Coatings Association (ACA) has submitted comments to the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) in California regarding the Safer Consumer Product Alternatives Regulations on the implementation of the California Green Chemistry initiative. ACA's comment describes the DTSC draft regulations as a narrative standard approach which may lead to inconsistent compliance across priority product manufacturers. Also included is ACA's call for research funding.

The article reports that the European Union parliament has approved a ban on phosphates in consumer laundry and automatic dishwasher detergents by June 30, 2013 and January 1, 2017, respectively.

The article reports that U.S. President Obama has signed the HR2715 to amend the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008 and provide Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) greater discretion to exclude products and materials that cannot meet the 10ppm lead standard

The article offers guidelines on enforcement of trade mark rights in north Africa. Topics discussed include factors that make Africa attractive to manufacturers of branded consumer goods, advice for brand owners to review the provisions of the local trade mark law and laws covering unfair competition, civil or criminal procedures and Customs rules and the article 9 of the Algerian Trade Mark Law.

The article reports on the chemical regulatory bill released by U.S. Representatives Bobby Rush and Henry Waxman with which the Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) commends its move toward modernization of chemical regulations.

The article reports that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is ready to consider the banning of cadmium and cadmium compounds used in consumer products, such as metal toy jewelry.

The article focuses on the recognition of the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) of the Oeko-Tex Zertifizierungsstelle GmbH's Standard 100 certification for children's textiles and textile-based products in the U.S. It states that the authority has approved the certification process since it follows the lead content limit specified in the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act. Moreover, the certification tests for more than 100 other substances believed to be harmful to human health.

The article reports that California legislators have proposed six policy options on December 16, 2008 to reduce and eventually eliminate hazardous chemicals in consumer products, the environment and industrial processes. The policy recommendations come in a report released by the Department of Toxic Substances Control.

The article reports that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law 2 measures giving state officials greater authority to regulate consumer products that contain chemicals of concern. One law requires the California Department of Toxic Substance Control to establish a science-based process by 2011 for identifying and evaluating product ingredients that pose a concern. The other measure creates a clearinghouse of scientific studies giving the public access to data on chemicals' suspected adverse health effects.

The article reports that the U.S. Senate has passed a consumer product safety bill that would increase funding for the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The legislation would direct CPSC to upgrade its testing facilities and mandate higher fines for companies that fail to report product hazards. Senator Amy Klobacher says the bill contains key provisions for protecting children's health, including a measure she advocates that would ban the sale of recalled toys.

The article offers information on S.B. 509, a bill in California which would require manufacturers and wholesalers to disclose all substances in consumer products. California Senator Joe Simitian claims that consumers have a right to know what are in the products they are buying. If signed by the governor, the bill will require manufacturers to publish lists on the Internet, detailing the ingredients in their products.

The article reports on the decision of U.S. President George W. Bush to create a product task force to recommend steps to ensure the safety of food and consumer goods shipped into the U.S. and to step up enforcement efforts. The task force will be chaired by Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt and will include Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, among others. The group aims to enhance the safety of imported products, and safeguarding the supply chain.

Comments on the decision by the sixth district of the California Court of Appeal in a case involving a roofer who allegedly violated the provisions of the Song-Beverly Warranty Act. Ruling of the court as confirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals; Definition of consumer goods under the act; Decision of the court.