Senator Amy Klobuchar

Working for the People of Minnesota

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Senator Klobuchar Calls for Investigative Hearing on Chinese Toy Recall

Thomas the Tank Engine Toys made in China coated with possibly poisonous lead paint

June 25, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today called for a Congressional hearing to investigate reports of unsafe toys coming from China. Klobuchar, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee – whose jurisdiction includes product recalls – requested Senate action in analyzing the underlying concerns of safety for our children, China’s role and what can be done to safeguard children from these potentially harmful products.

Just last week news reports revealed that all of the 24 toys recalled by the U.S. came from China and 60 percent of all recalls across the board for any product were made in China as compared to 36 percent in 2000. The most recent recall, including 1.5 million Thomas and Friends trains and railroad sets, were found to be coated with possible poisonous lead paint. Sets of toy drums and a toy bear were also recalled because of lead paint and an infant wrist rattle was recalled because of a choking hazard.

Klobuchar said in the letter, “As a parent of a 12 year-old and as a Member of the Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Insurance and Automotive safety, I am alarmed by these statistics and concerned that the risks our children face in playing with these unsafe toys are not being adequately addressed.”

Increased congressional scrutiny over Chinese imported products, including toys, is essential to ensure the enforcement of existing consumer safety-related regulations and to address any voids or gaps in the law.

Below is full text of the Senator’s letter to the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee:

June 25, 2007

Daniel K. Inouye

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

508 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Chairman Inouye:

There is increasingly substantial evidence that every one of the 24 toys recalled for safety reasons in the United States so far this year was manufactured in China.  In fact, the number of Chinese-made products that are being recalled in this country by the Consumer Product Safety Commission has doubled in the past five years. 

As a parent of a 12 year-old and as a Member of the Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Insurance and Automotive Safety, I am alarmed by these statistics and concerned that the risks our children face in playing with these unsafe toys are not being adequately addressed.   As you know, I have in the past expressed concern in the ability of the Consumer Product Safety Commission to do its work, especially when it comes to protecting the safety of our children.  To that end, I ask that the Senate Commerce Committee hold the hearing on toy safety as promptly as possible. 

I know that both you and Senator Pryor share my concern about these unsafe products and are working to schedule the hearing on this issue.  Given the safety interests at stake, I urge you to schedule the hearing before the August recess.  Thank you for your consideration and for your continued leadership on these issues.   

Sincerely,

Amy Klobuchar

U.S. Senator

cc:        Senator Mark L. Pryor

 

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