CPSC: China to end lead paint use in toy exports

By Staff -- Playthings, 9/11/2007 9:10:00 AM

Wash., D.C.—The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced an agreement with its product safety counterparts in the Chinese government to stop using lead paint in its manufacture of all toys exported to the United States, effective immediately.

At a "Consumer Product Safety Summit" held today, the CPSC announced that China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) also agreed to increase its inspections of consumer products destined for the U.S., and to assist CPSC in tracing hazardous products to the manufacturer, distributor and exporter in China. 

In addition, the agencies agreed on plans for future cooperation in the toy category, including a roadmap for bilateral efforts to improve their safety. The two agencies expect to review the plans’ effectiveness within one year to identify possible areas for improvement, according to the CPSC.

"This is an important signal from the Chinese government that it is serious about working with CPSC to keep dangerous products out of American homes," CPSC acting chair Nancy Nord said. "We will be looking for meaningful cooperation on the ground—that means not just with the Chinese government, but also with industry at both ends of the supply chain." Nord also said that the plans show "significant forward progress" in the agency’s efforts to bring Chinese-made consumer products into line with U.S. safety rules.