• 19
  • July
    2011

After a rash of recalls of children's toys and products, Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008. The CPSIA called for the development of a database to track the safety concerns of consumers and mandated new safety requirements for consumer products, including new standards for cribs and children's toys.

Even though the CPSIA's purpose is to keep U.S. consumers and children safe, there has been significant pushback against the CPSIA from the business community. Detractors have indicated that the CPSIA is too burdensome. Members of the House Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee recently seemed to agree with those critical of the CPSIA.

In May of 2011, the subcommittee voted to amend the CPSIA in ways that would scale back the CPSIA's safety measures. Reuters notes that the vote included:

  • Limitations on adding information to the consumer complaint database
  • Exemptions for product testing
  • Permission for childcare centers to use unsafe products
  • Revisions to the restrictions on lead in children's products

While Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), chairman of the subcommittee, believes that the subcommittee is implementing "common sense reforms ... to make a good law even better," consumer safety groups disagree.

The loosening of the CPSIA's safety measures would put consumers and children at heightened risk of injury. If the law is changed, even the most well-informed consumer will be at an elevated risk for injury by a dangerous or defective product. If you or a loved one is hurt while using any kind of consumer product, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your options.