NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

Energy and Commerce Committee Approves Landmark Consumer Protection Legislation

Bill Raises Safety Standards for Toys; Increases Resources and Authority for CPSC

Washington, D.C. – The Committee on Energy and Commerce today voted 51-0 to approve a substantial consumer product safety bill designed to protect children with redefined safety standards for toys and other products, manufactured both domestically and abroad. The legislation, if enacted, will create the toughest lead standard in the world, as well as significantly increase funding and staffing for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

“This legislation is a common-sense solution to our national consumer safety crisis,” said Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and an original sponsor of the bill. “The American people and, especially, American parents are demanding swift action to protect children from dangerous imports and contaminated toys. This legislation creates the toughest lead standard in the world for children’s products and I’m proud that policymakers, consumer advocacy groups and industry leaders have worked together to move this bill forward. I look forward to supporting H.R. 4040 on the House floor and hope to see it approved as quickly as possible.”

The legislation will implement a graduated reduction of lead standards, reaching 100 parts per million, a level unmatched anywhere in the world. The bill will also require manufacturers to include tracking labels to aid in the event of a recall on all toys intended for children age 12 and younger, and mandate third party testing of toys by labs accredited by the CPSC. Additionally, the CPSC’s budget would increase to $100 million by fiscal year 2011 and the Commission would receive $20 million to modernize its testing laboratory.

“In this unprecedented year of consumer recalls for children’s products, I am pleased to join with Chairman Dingell and my friends and colleagues, on both sides of the isle, in moving to the floor of the House of Representatives H.R. 4040, the ‘Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act of 2007,’” said Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-IL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection and an original sponsor of the legislation. “This legislation represents a quantum leap forward in strengthening the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s watchdog role on behalf of American consumers. I hope that the vision of reform that was embraced, unanimously, today in our committee will inspire a majority of my colleagues in the full House to do the same.”

The Committee voted to adopt two amendments during the markup proceedings. The first was an amendment sponsored by Rep. Mike Burgess (R-TX) that would require the CPSC to conduct a study, due nine months after the enactment of H.R. 4040, on its ability to prevent unsafe products from entering the country. The second amendment, sponsored by Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), would enhance the commission’s power to quickly stop the distribution of unsafe products and notify State and local health officials of products that pose an imminent risk of death or severe injury or illness.

The Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing on November 6 to hear testimony from the Commission, industry, consumer groups and other stakeholders.

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