House Passes Consumer Product Safety Overhaul; Strengthens Toy Safety Laws

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bipartisan final Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) overhaul (H.R. 4040) that will strengthen consumer protections - for children in particular - against faulty or dangerous products. After years of insufficient funding and neglect that preceded the record recalls of 2007, the Democratic-led Congress made strengthening the CPSC a priority with this reform legislation as well as increased funding for the agency. The bill moves next to the Senate. The President is still reviewing the legislation. 

"In recent years, consumers have lost faith in the federal government's ability to prevent hazardous products from making their way onto store shelves," stated Rep. Hoyer. "The sweeping reforms in this legislation will restore that trust and ensure the federal government can effectively protect the public, and especially our children, from unsafe products made in this country or elsewhere."

Among its key reforms, the legislation will require more stringent testing of children's products, enhance the recall authority of the CPSC, improve public notice procedures, and provide the agency with the necessary resources to enforce the protections under its authority. In addition, the legislation will take the important step of banning lead and toxic phthalates from children's toys.

"As a grandfather and great-grandfather, I am personally familiar with the concern and worry over last year's disturbing number of toy recalls," stated Rep. Hoyer. "The reforms in this bill will repair the holes in the product safety net and restore confidence that the toys given to our children bring joy - not harm."