Obama and Cardin Applaud Passage of Amendment to Standardize Information about Recalled Products
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Printable FormatFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Michael Ortiz (Obama) or Sue Walitsky (Cardin)
Amendment would provide parents with critical information to protect their children from dangerous products
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) today applauded the Senate's passage of their amendment to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Reform Act (S. 2663), which would provide consumers with comprehensive information about recalled products. In the wake of last year's toy recalls, this amendment would require the 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. The Senate passed the CPSC Reform Act today by a vote of 79 to 13.
This amendment is supported by consumer advocates, including the Consumers Union, the Consumer Federation of America, Kids in Danger, Public Citizen, Union of Concerned Scientists, and U.S. PIRG.
"Every day, Americans trust the Consumer Product Safety Commission to protect their families from dangerous products by upholding the highest regulatory standards," said Senator Obama. "Millions of lead-tainted toys were recalled last year, and 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 thank Senator Cardin for his leadership in this amendment's passage, and urge House and Senate negotiators to send this bill to the President as quickly as possible."
"It's essential that Congress and every parent and grandparent be confident that the products they bring into their home are safe," said Senator Cardin. "With adequate resources, the CPSC should do a better job providing the American public with the tools and information they need to keep their family from harmful products. There is no margin for error when it comes to our children."
The Obama-Cardin amendment would standardize 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.