Lead, Phthalates and Sellers of Children’s Products – What’s All the Fuss? An Explanatory Overview for Consumers

As of February 10, 2009 it is against the law to manufacture or sell any children’s product over the then-current lead limits. However, phthalate bans apply only to products manufactured on or after February 10, 2009. Products containing the banned phthalates can still be sold if they were manufactured before February 10, 2009.

CPSC General Counsel Publishes Clarification on Lead Testing and Certification Requirements

Earlier this week, the CPSC General Counsel published a letter (dated January 15, 2009) regarding lead testing and third-party certification requirements for children’s products.  Notably, General Counsel indicated that there could be changes that would allow third-party testing of product components rather than requiring testing of every finished product. In addition, General Counsel clarified that, [...]

Products and Materials Exempted from CPSIA Lead Limits:

Within Section 101 of the CPSIA, the commission is granted the power to exclude certain products or materials from the new lead limitations if there is scientific evidence indicating any lead existing in the product would not be absorbed into the human body under normal use or abuse, nor “have any other adverse impact on [...]

Commission to Consider Staff Proposals Related to Lead Limit Exemptions

In December, the CPSC staff submitted four proposals to the Commission regarding potential exemptions to the lead limits set forth in Section 101 of the CPSIA.  The Commission was scheduled to vote on the proposals January 5th.  Although there has not been an official CPSC announcement regarding the vote, passing would not yet establish the [...]

Quick Guide to US Code Sections Amended by the CPSIA

CPSC to Streamline Certification Requirements Under CPSIA Sec. 102

Due to apparent mass confusion surrounding the new product certification rules, the Commission’s final ruling limits the types of companies that must provide certifications and trims down some of the administrative requirements. Background: Section 14 of the Consumer Product Safety Act [US Code Title 15, Chapter 47, Section 2063] covers Product Certification and Labeling. The [...]

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (2008 CPSIA) Does Not Replace the Consumer Product Safety Act (1972 CPSA)

Over the last few months, I have been asked several times whether the CPSIA of 2008 replaces the CPSA. The answer is no. The CPSIA of 2008 amends previous laws, in some instances by revising the language, and in others by adding entirely new sections.  In fact, the CPSA of 1972 has been amended several [...]

More Information About the CPSIA Please

If you have been following this blog since its inception, you have noticed a mix of topics, from research regarding the financial impact of recalls on manufacturers to safety tips for consumers. The reason? A mix of readers. Much to my delight, this blog is read by consumers, manufacturers, retailers, academics and researchers. After several [...]

Another Crib Recall Prompted by Death of Infant Causes CPSC to Seek New Rules

Delta Enterprise voluntarily recalled more than 1.5 Million cribs today to repair missing or failed pegs needed to secure the crib’s drop-side mechanism. One baby is known to have died due to missing pegs. The incident has prompted the CPSC staff to recommend an evaluation of design and durability issues, potentially leading to stricter standards [...]

US Product Recall System is Ineffective…Still?

Every year millions of people are injured or killed in product-related accidents. In 2006 (the year before recalls regained the spotlight) product-related incidents in the US alone injured 33.1 million people and killed an additional 27,000. 1 That same year, in attempt to quell those numbers, the CPSC recalled 471 products, accounting for 124 million [...]

Brief Overview of the US Consumer-Product Recall System – Old and New

In the United States, more than 15,000 types of consumer products, not including food, drugs and vehicles, fall under the jurisdiction of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the government agency whose job it is to protect the public “from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products.”[1] Maintaining the product recall system [...]