HEARING ON RECALL OF TOYS/CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS IMPORTED FROM CHINA DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS OVER LEAD, SEPARATED MAGNETS, AND OTHER RISKS

Washington, Sep 19, 2007 - The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued 48 recalls this year on toys or other children's products imported from China, due to concerns with lead content in the product, the paint, or the packaging; or concern that magnets on the toy could become separated and swallowed by a child.  As Ranking Member of the Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee, Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) sought to determine how best to protect American consumers from harmful products.
Stated Stearns, "Parents have relied upon many of the name brands because they have always stood for quality. Yet here we are holding a hearing on the subject and we are left questioning how these products made it through the production chain into our stores and homes."  The subcommittee heard testimony from Nancy Nord, Acting Chair of the Product Safety Commission  (CPSC), CPSC Commissioner Thomas Moore, and the CEO of Mattel Robert Eckert.  The two-part hearing will conclude tomorrow with testimony from health officials, consumer groups, retailers, and industry representatives.
"We have rules and regulations and they were broken," added Stearns. "Violations are not excusable. The efforts of some to increase their testing are a good first step and I want to hear more on how they will ensure safe products."