Arkansas US Sen. Mark Pryor Introduces Bill On Toy Safety

Today's THV: Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) . . . introduced legislation with Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) that is intended to rebuild the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) . . . . Pryor noted many companies are taking responsible steps to test their products and restore their reputation following major recalls, and he wants to further encourage all companies to place consumer safety above their bottom line. His legislation proposes an increase in civil and criminal penalties, third party safety certification on all children’s products, an outright ban all children’s products that contain lead, an increase in public disclosure requirements by manufacturers and whistleblower protections for manufacturers’ and importers’ employees. Specifically, the legislation would: . . . . {Besides expanding CPSC}
•Increase civil fines up to $250,000 per violation with a cap at $100 million.•Increase criminal penalties to 5 years in jail for those who knowingly and willingly violate product safety laws.
•Require independent, third party safety certification on every children’s product that enters the U.S..
•Require manufacturers to label children’s products with tracking information to facilitate recall.
•Ban the direct use of lead in all children’s products – from lunch boxes to toys. . . . [Read More]

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Tags: consumer protection, Mark Pryor, protecting children, Senator