MATTEL fined $2.3 mln for lead-tainted toys from China

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has fined MATTEL Inc $2.3 million for violating a ban on bringing dangerous products into the United States.  

The fine stems from the toymaker's 2007 recall of 95 types of toys and up to 2 million units, primarily for excessive lead in paint, including the "Sarge" toy car and Barbie brand accessories. 

A 1978 law bans toys and other children's articles that have more than 0.06 percent lead by weight in coatings. 

Source: Reuters

USA : Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act

On February 10, 2009, the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act became effective, which means the following changes to the current regulation :

	Test Method: CPSC-CH-E1003-09 – Standard Operating Procedure for Determining Lead (Pb) in Paint and Other Similar Surface Coatings, April 26, 2009 [PDF]
	Stay of Enforcement of the Lead Content Limits for Certain Youth Motorized Recreational Vehicles, April 28, 2009 [PDF]
	Record of Commission Action – Request from ATV Companies for Exclusion from Lead Content Limits under Section 101(b)(1) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) [PDF]

Toys ``R'' Us Toughening Safety Standards

TOYS'R US will soon have stricter safety standards for the products it sells in its more than 1,500 stores. Starting March 1, the Wayne-based toy retailer is setting a much tighter standard for the amount of lead allowed in toys made just for the chain.

It's also barring two chemicals that have raised safety concerns in products for infants and young children.

By the end of the year, there also won't be nickel-cadmium batteries in Toys ''R'' Us products -- a move meant to help the environment.

The company says the changes should meet or exceed new federal standards expected from Congress.

Source : AP

MATTEL : Lawmakers Say Mattel Broke Word on Lead

Dozens of members of Congress sent a letter Tuesday to the chief executive of Mattel, accusing the company of not living up to its promise to keep lead-tainted toys out of children’s hands.

The letter was prompted by Mattel’s decision not to issue a nationwide recall of a blood-pressure cuff in a toy medical kit sold under the Fisher-Price brand, recalled on Dec 4th 2007. The legislators said they were disturbed by the company’s “lack of action.”

Source : The New York Times