Washington — Alarmed by a year of recalls targeting millions of tainted toys, the House voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to ban lead and other dangerous chemicals from items such as jewelry and rubber ducks that could end up in children's mouths.
The legislation also would toughen rules for testing children's products and take steps to give more muscle to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which was criticized last year for its feeble handling of a flood of goods from China deemed hazardous to children.
"It should be a given that toys are not dangerous," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in welcoming legislation that was lauded by lawmakers and consumer groups as one of the most far-reaching product safety bills in decades.
The bill, a product of House-Senate negotiations, would impose the toughest lead standards in the world, banning lead beyond minute levels in products for children 12 or younger.
It would also ban children's products - either permanently or pending further study - containing six types of phthalates, which are chemicals that are found in plastics and suspected of posing health risks.
The 424-1 vote sends the measure to the Senate, which could approve it before Congress leaves for its August recess at the end of this week. The White House has voiced opposition to parts of the legislation but has not threatened a veto.
The bill would require third-party testing for many children's products before they are marketed, a key change in monitoring practices following a year in which 45 million toys and children's products - 30 million from China - were recalled.
Those included lead-contaminated children's jewelry, "Spider-Man 3" flashing rings and Halloween pails.
"Third-party testing is a centerpiece of the new law" and a victory for consumers, said Ed Mierzwinski, consumer program director of U.S. PIRG, a grassroots environmental organization.
The bill would double the budget of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, to $136 million by 2014, and give it new authority to monitor testing procedures and impose civil penalties on violators.
The CPSC was founded in 1973 with a staff of about 800. It now employs about half that number, while imports have vastly increased.
It also would boost whistle-blower protections to encourage people to report hazards to the CPSC and would direct the agency to set up a database where consumers, government agencies, child care providers or doctors could report incidents of injury, illness, death or risk related to products.
Comments
denak 9 years, 10 months ago
Who is the one bozo who voted against this measure????This should be a given.Dena
Steve Jacob 9 years, 10 months ago
I was right, it was Ron Paul. If anything involves spending more money or government regulation, he's against it.
Bob Forer 9 years, 10 months ago
Cowbell, thanks for refreshing my memory. But I think it was Dan Ackroyd who played the weasel toy manufacturer.
more_cowbell 9 years, 10 months ago
The one guy probably thinks this will put toy companies out of business, unfortunately. As if businesses always have the interests of the children in mind... I doubt the guy has kids. He probably thinks it's "undue government interference" of some sort.I think, though, that the political comedy shows are going to have a field day with him later tonight. I'd be surprised if he's still in office after November, as well... he just gave his opponent the material for a perfect campaign ad.There was an SNL skit on waaaay back in the ol' days, with Steve Martin. One of the items was "Bag O' Glass" if I recall correctly.I know, that dates me...
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