New Children’s Product Safety Requirements to Take Effect in February

(World Trade Interactive)

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recently issued the following guidance on new requirements under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act that will take effect February 10. Manufacturers, importers and retailers are expected to comply with these requirements.

Lead Ban
Beginning February 10 children’s products cannot be sold in the U.S. if they contain more than 600 parts per million total lead, even if they were manufactured before that date. The total lead limit will drop to 300 ppm on August 14, 2009.

Phthalates
Certain children’s products manufactured on or after February 10 cannot be sold in the U.S. if they contain more than 0.1% of certain phthalates or if they fail to meet new mandatory standards for toys.

Certification
Importers and domestic manufacturers must certify that children’s products made after February 10 comply with all new safety standards and the lead ban. Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.

More information from the CPSC here.