From the Office of Utah Congressman Jim Matheson

MATHESON NEWS
Second Congressional District

For Further Information
Alyson Heyrend: (801) 455-5593 (cell)
www.house.gov/matheson

November 6, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matheson Bill Targets Toy Safety

Washington D.C.—Congressman Jim Matheson said numerous toy recalls by the world’s largest toy makers show that more needs to be done to inspect and test toys before they get to children.  Matheson, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Consumer Protection subcommittee, has introduced the “Kids Toys Safety Act”—HR 3903.

“No one wants to see a toy become an object of harm to a child. Parents try to do what’s right, but in today’s world, there are hidden dangers we can’t always spot. With most toys now made overseas, we need more comprehensive testing standards for companies to meet for all children’s toys and products,” said Matheson.

Matheson notes that toy giant Mattel has recently announced a number of recalls of more than 20 million toys because of dangers to children from lead paint or from tiny magnets that can be harmful if swallowed. 

“According to health experts there is no such thing as a ‘safe’ level of lead exposure for children.  Particularly for kids under age six, the health risks to their brains and central nervous systems are grave. We need more assurance that the toys we buy our children are not inadvertently poisoning them,” said Matheson.

Matheson said his legislation requires that the Consumer Product Safety Commission develop testing standards throughout the process—from design through manufacture-- for all children’s toys and products.  The bill also provides for product testing by a qualified independent testing lab.  It requires the CPSC to speed notification of a product recall, by issuing a recall notice within 48 hours.  To help consumers, Matheson said the bill requires manufacturers to put a tracking label on children’s products that helps them to identify whether the products are the subject of a recall.

Matheson said that while he agrees toy makers have a responsibility to look more closely at their overseas operations, consumer protections here need strengthening as well.

Matheson is also a cosponsor of comprehensive product safety legislation—HR 4040-- which was the subject of a hearing today in the Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee.   The Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act of 2007 includes a section on Children’s Product Safety which incorporates three important elements of Matheson’s legislation.

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Alyson Heyrend
Communications Director
240 East Morris Ave. #235
South Salt Lake, UT 84115
(801) 486-1236 (phone)
(801) 455-5593 (cell)
(801) 486-1417 (fax)