STEARNS AND CHAIRMAN RUSH TO EXAMINE CURRENT STANDARDS FOR PROTECTING THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS

Washington, Aug 23, 2007 - "In May, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall on several products imported from China that contained lead in excess of American safety standards," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth), Ranking Member of the House Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee.  "Such products pose serious health risks to our nation's children and we need to be vigilant against the importation of dangerous.  We will be holding a hearing on this matter in September, and this information is essential in ensuring that American consumers are protected from harmful imports."
Stearns joined the Subcommittee Chairman, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), in requesting information from the companies affected by the recall.  In the letter each company is asked to provide information on any other children's products imported with lead that exceed the safety standards, to detail the amount of lead found in the recalled products, to provide the name and location of the facility that manufactured the children's products, and to outline any language in the agreement with the Chinese manufacturers regarding a ban on lead or on safety standards for the product.