Experts say CPSIA still requires scientific review, clearer guidelines
The Child Safety Task Force, a non-profit advocacy alliance for children’s safety, announced it support today of the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s stay on the third party testing and certification requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). The CPSC has yielded to calls from all corners, acknowledging the difficulties and potential dangers of a rush to judgment on this issue. Given the many still-unanswered questions regarding testing, CSTF welcomes a year of informed debate on the best way to move forward.
“It’s good that we have time to discuss these issues,” said Bob Johnson, President of the Child Safety Task Force. “There are still too many unanswered questions regarding the best ways to test products for lead and phthalates, and we need to have an open and informed debate and base any decisions regarding implementation on sound science.”
The Child Safety Task Force is particularly concerned about provisions placing a temporary prohibition on high molecular weight phthalates, DINP, DnOP, and DIDP, pending further review by CPSC. As an organization devoted to the use of sound science to protect children from threats, CSTF questions a law which bans a substance which has been repeatedly proven safe.
“Requiring manufacturers to use untested alternatives because a safe product has been banned is misguided consumer policy,” Johnson continued. “Switching to alternatives is expensive, unnecessary, and entirely arbitrary – if bans are not based on science, how can consumers have confidence in the process?”
The CPSC’s previous, four-year investigation on DINP concluded that there were “no demonstrated health risks” from DINP in children’s toys, and that there is “no justification” for banning its use. Scientists for The European Union, National Institutes of Health, and Centers for Disease control have reached similar conclusions about the safety of DINP.
CSTF encourages rapid implementation of the Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel on high molecular weight phthalates and phthalate alternatives as specified in the law to bring sound science to bear on the ban,” continued Johnson.
A scientific review of alternatives, as well as known chemicals, will provide the basis that consumers expect from their government – a determination of which toys are safe, regardless of their ingredients. The Task Force expressed concern and encouraged caution regarding bans prompted by political pressure, rather than science.
