Surprised? The plan has no recommendations about stopping the use of lead in children's products (nor would it give the Consumer Product Safety Commission the same mandatory recall authority that is recommended for the FDA), budget numbers or adequate fines.
Bush Import Safety Plan Does Nothing about Lead Toy Mess
Bush Import Safety Plan Does Nothing about Lead Toy Mess
(via www.thedailygreen.com)
Submitted by socialpyramid on Wed, 2007-11-07 16:43. | Tags: health | cpsc | fda | product safety | recall | safety | toy recall | toys
An answer from the New York Times
Let's take the statements of Jean Halloran, Director of Food Policy Initiatives at Consumers Union, one at a time:
1. Lead restrictions. The plan has no recommendations about stopping the use of lead in children's products (nor would it give the Consumer Product Safety Commission the same mandatory recall authority that is recommended for the FDA.)
Ans: We already have laws against the use of lead. Under the plan, imports deemed to be especially risky would undergo mandatory safety certifications in the country of origin before shipment. Importers could submit less risky products to voluntary certification in exchange for speedier handling at entry ports. So the plan iterates laws already in place and strengthens the tests.
2. Budget numbers. How much it might cost to execute the plan is not included.
Ans: Many aspects of the administration’s proposal have been floated before but failed because of budgetary concerns or lack of political support. Some backers of the proposal said they were optimistic that the time was right for major changes because of concerns over the safety of foreign imports. And the Democratic-controlled Congress is considering tougher safety regulations.
3. Adequate fines. The new penalties are still not high enough to act as an inhibitor.
Ans: Fines would increase for companies that sent hazardous products to the United States.....Focusing resources on areas where contamination is most likely to occur.