WTF? Dangerous Toys May Be Around for Another Year
This news is a couple of weeks old at this point, but it’s never too late to complain about it, nonetheless.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is obviously still griped with the Bush-era, pushover-for-Big-Business philosophy when it comes to regulating children’s toys and other products. I guess when it comes to testing for lead, some prices are too high.
Last (this) year when all those toys were (are) being recalled, Congress in their infinite wisdom decided to pass some legislation to protect consumers against manufacturers and their distributors when it comes to taking short cuts or using cheaper and more dangerous materials in the manufacture of children’s goods. Sounds good, yes? Well, it would be if our government would bother to enforce some rules every now and then.
The CPSC decided to give manufacturers and distributors another year before they have to start testing products before selling them to an unwitting public. That’s right, another year before said companies will have to test for lead in the paint used on your kids toys. You’d think that for starters the Consumer Product SAFETY Commission would want a company to test their products before someone gets sick or before the costs of a massive public recall. But no, it’ll be another year before anyone will be testing your child’s toys.
According to the LA Times article on the subject, the CPSC spokesperson said that to start testing today would not be feasible and the time frame was unrealistic.
Ensuring the safety of products given to our smallest and most vulnerable citizens should always be feasible. But again, it is just another example of a business’ bottom-line coming before your safety and health.
Larry Mestyanek, owner of Los Angeles company TAG Toys, thinks the stay will save him $50,000 in testing fees. He’s been fielding calls from customers every day asking whether his toys have been tested and whether he can explain the law, so he appreciates the reprieve.
But it’s too late to save money for Albert Lee, owner of boys clothing manufacturer Monster Republic in Los Angeles. He said he has been rushing to test his clothing since he heard about the law in mid-December. It cost him “a solid month of worry and stress,” plus a few thousand dollars, he said. — LA Times
Wow, $50,000 is worth more than a child's health...
Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC, recall, toy, children, health, lead, products, regulation, safety, testing, Congress
