Consumer Product Safety Act of 2008 Signed Into Law
The levels of lead are to be kept to a bare minimum, both in the surface coatings as well as in the material of toys. Six types of phthalates are to be completely banned, especially in chewable toys. I was particularly happy about the mandatory toy testing which must be done by an accredited independent assessment body. This testing has to be done before the toy is actually imported or distributed, thus preventing the very entry of hazardous toys into the market. Hopefully this will prevent cases like what we've seen in the past, with dangerous recalled toys being sold on eBay and other places.
All children's products have to carry a trackable label which will be able to identify information concerning where and when the product was produced, batch and lot number, etc. Also, any toy advertisements have to display mandatory warnings like the small parts warning and other applicable warnings in a prominent fashion. In addition, a database is going to be made which will help parents and consumers keep track of any dangerous products on the market.
With all these new toy safety measures coming up rapidly, I think that parents can finally breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to safe and healthy toy play in the years to come.
Comments
Great news! And long overdue. . . here’s hoping we can get the lead levels down to zero!
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Yes, but this law also affects Crafters who make things and sell. They will no longer be able to because they can’t afford the testing. Also, Yard sales. you will not be able to resell anything that hasn’t been tested. And Flea Market people.. They can’t afford the testing. It will Force them to stop seling, stop buying thing to make they things they sell. Which means less money going to the govenrment from taxes that these people turn in every year. Without those people buying items to use to make things… there will be less buying.. less production and people will lose their jobs. I understand the goal of this bill.. but it’s application is very unrealistic and in the end won’t save anyone.. but will only hurt more people..
This law is ridiculous. It will shut down millions of home industries who are trying to offer alternatives to the cheap garbage coming out of China. It will shut down moms who sew organic diapers, children’s clothing, etc. It will drive the price of clothes at your local Walmart through the ceiling since the cost of testing for each garment (and each component, which is required, including thread, snaps, buttons, fabric, tags, etc. etc) is in the thousands of dollars. Retailers will be forced to dump tons into our landfills of items when are known to have no lead in them anyway. Forget consigning your clothes to your local consignment shop - they are closing up and declaring bankruptcy (do an internet search, LA times covered it this week.) Say goodbye to Goodwill and Salvation Army that help so many people - they can’t afford to test each garment and each component of that garment that comes in. Won’t be able to sell your used video games or toys on Craigslist, etc. This is the LEAST thought out law on the books and the economic catastrophe that it will cause is mind boggling. I’m a work at home mom of four kids and their health is of the utmost concern to me, but this law is too broadly written and is absolutely ridiculous as it stands now.
I agree with you wholeheartedly that this law needs to be narrowed down and certain exemptions need to be made. At the time the law was passed, the far reaching consequences were possibly not taken into consideration. In the meantime, the small scale toy companies and now, the thrift shops too are facing the not so pleasant ramifications. In case you are interested, here’s a related blog post - Small Toy Makers Panic due to Toy Testing Law Soon to be in Effect
Just don’t sell ‘em to kids under 12 or whatever the age limit for kids is now. Sell ‘em to the parents.