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September 12th, 2007

Pryor Introduces Bill On Toy Safety

Abstract:
Specifically, the legislation would:

•Authorize funding levels for 7 years starting at $80 million in 2009 and increasing at a rate of 10 percent per year through 2015. For 2008 and 2009, an additional $20 million would be authorized to upgrade CPSC's laboratories and $1 million would be authorized to research the safety of nanotechnology in products.

•Increase civil fines up to $250,000 per violation with a cap at $100 million.

•Increase criminal penalties to 5 years in jail for those who knowingly and willingly violate product safety laws.

•Require independent, third party safety certification on every children's product that enters the United States.

•Require manufacturers to label children's products with tracking information useful to facilitate a recall.

•Ban the direct use of lead in all children's products - from lunch boxes to toys.

•Restore the Commission to five members instead of three members to prevent future absences of quorum.

•Allow state Attorneys General to bring civil action on behalf of its residents to enforce product safety laws and obtain damages and restitution.

•Provide whistleblower protections for manufacturers' and importers' employees to shed light on any problems along the supply chain;

•Make it unlawful for retailers to sell a recalled product.

•Streamline product safety rulemaking process to be timely and proactive.