toy safety

[Guest guest]

Hi Jeanne,

I'm excited to report progress on a couple of key toy safety reforms. There

is movement on the product safety bill in the Senate, Toys " R " Us and

Wal-Mart announced tough standards for toy manufacturers, and toymakers

unveiled their own safety standards. So, even though the new standards in

the product safety bill won't take effect for a while, and even though

recommendations made by the Toy Industry Association won't happen

immediately, the standards set by the retailers will help increase the

safety of toys in the short-term.

Senate moves on the product safety bill

There is movement on the product safety bill in Congress. A Senate vote on

the product safety bill is expected in the first week of March. The House

passed the bill back in December but negotiations have been taking place in

the Senate since the new year. Key elements of the legislation emphasize

resources, product testing, disclosure and accountability. Read the

highlights of the legislation...

Retailers announce strict guidelines for safety, chemicals in toys

Toys " R " Us and Wal-Mart separately announced new mandatory safety checks

for its toy manufacturers. Toys " R " Us guidelines, which will cover all the

products shipped to the company beginning March 1, include third-party

testing, call for a significant reduction in lead content, and eliminate

lead-cadmium batteries from items manufactured exclusively for the company.

By the end of 2008, all infant products sold in the company's stores will

not contain phthalates. Wal-Mart announced similar guidelines. Read more

here...

Toy trade group announces plans for new safety standards

Yesterday the Toy Industry Association (TIA) and the American National

Standards Institute (ANSI) unveiled a plan that called for stricter safety

standards. They want toy companies to test their products for design

defects. They also want factories worldwide to submit to regular

manufacturing and quality audits and toy companies to perform mandatory

safety checks on their products. You can review the proposal and submit your

comments here. The deadline is March 24. One downside of these standards?

They are voluntary, so no toy maker will be forced by them. If only these

standards were mandatory. The TIA and ANSI don't have the authority to

require manufacturers to comply, which is just one more reason to keep

pushing for legislation at the federal level

News you don't want to toy with...

Will the real Nord please stand up?

At the American International Toy Fair in New York Nord said, " As a

mom and as chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, I am very,

very angry that we found so many violations of a standard that should be

familiar to all of you...I will not tolerate this industry ... not complying

with our regulations. " Read more...

However, Nord objected to provisions in the Senate version of the product

safety bill that give state prosecutors greater authority to enforce

consumer product laws and increase the penalties for safety violations. Read

more...

" 2007: The Year of the Recall "

Kid in Danger released their annual report on children's product recalls.

There were 231 recalls accounting for more than 46 million items, including

12 recalls that involved more than one million units. Read more...

2008 toy trends: Pricey electronics and " eco " toys

Toymakers unveiled new tech toys at the American International Toy Fair to

compete with popular electronic toys such as the Wii. They also acknowledged

that retail prices for toys will increase as a result of escalating costs

(oil, labor, resign and transportation) and mandatory safety checks. Hasbro

estimates that the cost of China-made toys will rise 14 to 15 percent. Read

more...

Agency misses chance to curb lead in jewelry

Since January 2007, the CPSC has lacked the necessary quorum to enact rules

or take enforcement action because they have only two of the required three

commissioners. President Bush has proposed several former industry lobbyists

to head the agency, none of whom were approved. Congress temporarily granted

the CPSC authority to make rules in August in the face of all the recalls.

However, according to a CPSC spokeswoman, they didn't get to a vote on

banning lead in children's jewelry before their authority expired because

they didn't complete the research. You really can't make this stuff up. Read

more...

Watch out for dangerous products that resemble toys

The National Association of Fire Marshals warn that novelty lighters

resembling toys are causing a number of injuries and deaths because kids

pick them up and play with them. Read more...

The Recall Roundup

-Spiderman Water Bottles Sold Exclusively at Sears Recalled by Fast Forward

Due to Choking Hazard

-Cinderella Battery-Powered Toy Cars Recalled by Dumar International USA Due

to Fire and Burn Hazards

-Mission City Press Recalls Girl's Bracelet Sets Due to Violation of Lead

Paint Standard

-Bassettbaby Drop-Side Cribs Recalled Due to Entrapment and Strangulation

Hazard

-Boys' Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings Recalled by Siegfried & Parzifal

Due to Strangulation Hazard

-Christmas Tree Shops Recalls Tea Light Candles Due to Fire Hazard

-Remote-Controlled Helicopter Toys Recalled By Soft Air USA Due to Fire and

Burn Hazards

-Netshops Recalls Children's Table and Chair Sets Due to Violation of Lead

Paint Standard

-West Music Recalls Egg-Shaker Toy Instruments Due to Choking and Aspiration

Hazards

-Pendants and Candle Charms Recalled Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

-Trek Recalls Girls Bicycles Due To Frame Failure

Sincerely,

Peggy Lo

Toy Safety Online Organizer

PeggyL@...

http://www.toysafety.net

P.S. Thanks again for your support. Please feel free to share this e-mail

with your family and friends.

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