Play It Safe

November 16, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Another provision of the CPSIA, aside from all the new testing and certification requirements, is the establishment of a public database.  This database, tentatively titled SaferProducts.gov, is intended to provide a single central location where consumers can go to report product safety incidents, and to search for prior incidents and recalls on products they own or may be thinking about buying.  If done properly, the database will be a valuable tool for all, including consumers, manufacturers, retailers, health care professionals, child care providers, testing laboratories, and other product safety experts.  However, if the database is not properly executed, th...Read More

November 9, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (2)

The CPSC has released their long-awaited draft guidance document regarding CPSIA Testing and Certification, which will be voted on by the Commission.  The draft document includes valuable information that will help the industry understand the CPSC’s current position and considerations on a variety of topics, including what constitutes a reasonable testing program, recommended testing frequency, considerations for sample size, and component testing possibilities.  The document also includes clarification on certification requirements.  While it does not include the level of detail and definitive answers that some may have been hoping for (mys...Read More

October 28, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

On October 1, the Toy Industry Association (TIA) launched its new Toy Safety Certification Program® (TSCP) to industry participants.  This means that toy companies can apply for certification of their product, and TSCP-certified toys will begin to appear on store shelves next year.

The launch comes just over two years since the first meeting of toy industry stakeholders was held, in August 2007, to address the increased number of toy recalls during the Spring and Summer of 2007 (the so-called Year of the Recall) and to address the corresponding decrease in consumer confidence in the safety of toys. 

October 22, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (1)

With the Stay of Enforcement scheduled to be lifted on February 10, 2010, all children’s product subject to a CPSC children’s product safety rule will require third party testing and certification.  The laboratories performing this testing must be accredited per CPSC requirements.  To this end, the CPSC has issued some important information related to test methods and laboratory accreditation requirements to certify compliance to Section 101 of the CPSIA, Lead in Certain Children’s Products. 

&n...Read More

September 26, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

The CPSC has issued a new testing policy for determining CPSIA phthalate compliance.   It is, in my opinion, a more common sense approach than the previous testing policy.  As we all know, section 108 of the CPSIA prohibits the sale of children's toys and child care articles containing more than 0.1% of certain phthalates.  In previous guidance issued by the CPSC, the agency had taken the posit...Read More