Aug 4, 2008 1:27 pm US/Eastern
New Law Eliminates Deadly Chemicals From Toys
Eliminates Use Of Lead & 6 Other Chemicals
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
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Photo illustration from AP images
AP
Toy safety will be in the spotlight this week when President Bush signs a new bill that virtually eliminates lead and six other chemicals, including phthalates, from toys.
The legislation also boosts the budget of the Consumer Product Safety Commission which has been on the hot seat since last year's rash of lead related toy recalls.
At a daycare facility in Ft. Lauderdale on Monday, U.S. Congressman Ron Klein said the Product Safety Modernization Act (H.R. 4040) will protect children from even trace amounts of lead in toys.
"We will not allow our children to be exposed to toxic chemicals by unscrupulous toy manufacturers," said Klein. "The rash of product recalls in the last year proved that we must be vigilant when it comes to consumer safety. Thanks to this legislation, parents in South Florida and across the country can rest a little easier."
"When there was a Thomas the Train recall every mom that has a little boy has it with 10-thousand pieces, I was very scared," said Shari Berger, mother of three, "because my 1-year old was putting them in his mouth."
The measure also requires that entire range or products, from toys to cribs and car seats, undergo testing before they are sold.
"We need something like this," said Berger, "finally someone is standing up for the moms who are too busy, maybe, to make toy safety really important."
The bill was a rare bipartisan slam dunk. Congess moved quickly after a slew of recalls and incidents of children getting sick after eating lead tainted charms, magnets and even Aquadots.
"This watchdog agency (CPSC) for over 18 years turned into a toothless old mutt that slept night and day," said Senator Richard Durbin.
The toy industry will have to work quickly to comply, and insiders say the changes won't come cheap. The potential pay off, however, will be worth their efforts; a boost in sales and reputation.
"We feel terrible that we have in some respects lost the confidence of some consumers," said Carter Keithley, President of the Toy Industry Association.
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