Obama-Cardin Provision to Standardize Information about Recalled Products Passes Senate
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Printable FormatFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Michael Ortiz (Obama) or Sue Walitsky (Cardin)
Provision included in Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) today applauded the Senate's passage of the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act (H.R. 4040), which included a provision they offered to provide consumers with comprehensive information about recalled products. In the wake of last year's toy recalls, this provision requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to develop standardized recall notices with critical product information - including where the products were sold, where they were produced, and how consumers can obtain a refund or replacement. This measure ensures parents have the information they need to immediately protect their children from dangerous products.
"Keeping America's children safe from dangerous products must be a top priority," said Senator Obama. "After millions of lead-tainted toys were recalled last year, it's clear we must do more to ensure that Americans have comprehensive details about the products that are recalled so parents can immediately remove them from their homes. I am proud this provision was included in the legislation, and I thank Senator Cardin for his leadership in its passage. I urge the President to sign this bill into law as quickly as possible."
"Today's vote will bring peace of mind to parents, grandparents and all American consumers who need to know that the products they bring into their homes are safe," said Senator Cardin. "I am proud that we are able to deliver on our promise of greater resources and stronger authority for the CPSC so that it can fulfill its obligation to provide the American public with the tools and easy-to-understand information needed to react to product recalls and protect their families from harmful substances like lead and phthalates."
The Obama-Cardin provision standardizes information in recall notices in order to provide consumers and parents with critical information about dangerous products. Currently, recall notices often lack basic information about where a product was sold, what country it was manufactured in, or the names of all the retailers that may have sold the item. They are also often vague about the hazard posed by the product or how a consumer can obtain a refund or return the product for a replacement. Establishing baseline standards for recall notices would improve the recall process and increase response rates for recalls.