July 2024

Chevron Deference Struck Down

Posted on Jul 22nd, 2024 by Norm Howe

In 1984 the Supreme Court ruled that courts should defer to a Federal agency’s opinion when a law is ambiguous.  That decision was known as the “Chevron Deference”. The effect of that  decision was to give regulatory agencies (who are staffed with technical experts) deference in courts, when they were challenged on how the law should be enforced.

Even the Experts Still Don’t Get It

Posted on Jul 17th, 2024 by Norm Howe

Ever wonder why product quality and customer service seem to be going downhill these days?  The answer is employee fear.  Here’s a little incident that tells you why:

A business resource website for quality experts recently required its members to update their profiles.  I dutifully updated mine and then pushed a button to make it visible to the public.  Then I got out of the site, re-entered, and searched for my profile.

NOTHING.  No sign of my profile.

What if FDA Gets Cut?

Posted on Jul 3rd, 2024 by Norm Howe

Like every organization, public or private, the Food & Drug Administration has a budget.  That budget changes from year to year depending on Congress and the Executive Branch.  If that budget gets cut, what does it mean for ordinary citizens?

Let’s first look at the big picture and then drill down.  Here’s a list of the types of products FDA regulates:

  • Food, human & animal
  • Drugs, prescription & OTC
  • Infant formula
  • Medical Devices
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Radiation-Emitting Products
  • Tobacco Products
  • Cosmetics
  • Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics