MEASURE STRENGTHENS AND REFORMS THE CONSUMER PRODUCE SAFETY COMMISSION

Washington, Dec 19, 2007 - "Millions of Americans are concerned with the safety of toys and other children's products due to lead contamination found in millions of toys imported from China," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL). "We must move aggressively to safeguard consumers from lead exposure, and to provide the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) with the tools and funding it needs to safeguard the public."

The House today approved H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act, which Stearns co-authored with the Chairman and Ranking member of the full committee, Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Joe Barton R-TX), and the chairman of the Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee, Rep. Bobby Rush (R-IL).

Explained Stearns, "H.R. 4040 changes the current law with more stringent lead paint and lead content standards, making them the toughest in the world. It also requires testing of children's products in accredited lab, tracking labels on all children's products, and registration cards with certain products to notify consumers of recalls. In addition, the measure authorizes additional funding for the CPSC to hire more personnel and for a state-of-the-art laboratory. Finally, the bill would expedite the release of information on health safety risks to the public, and streamline the regulatory process to make the CPSC more effective."