Conference Report on H.R. 4040, Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008

CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4040, CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2008 -- (Extensions of Remarks - August 01, 2008)

SPEECH OF
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
OF MINNESOTA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2008

* Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act (H.R. 4040) and to commend Chairman Dingell and the conferees for their hard work on this important issue. In a recent letter to the conferees, I joined several other members in support of this bill and I am pleased that Congress is moving forward on this legislation that will help ensure the safety of America's children and consumers.

* According to a leading consumer rights group, more than 45 million toys and children's products were recalled because of unsafe toxins and choking hazards in 2007. Data for 2008 shows that there have been 22 percent more recalls in the first half of this year as compared to the same period in 2007. Toy safety, which has been called ``last year's problem'' by the toy industry, is still very much an urgent, current challenge. Congress must act to ensure that the products and toys our children are exposed to are free of toxins and hazards.

* The Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act takes bold measures to enhance the safety of products available to our children. This legislation takes a strong stand against destructive oil industry interests by banning toxic phthalates in children's toys. Studies indicate that exposure to phthalates in childhood increases the risk of cancer as an adult. It mandates third-party testing and certification for certain children's toys and materials, which were previously voluntary. The bill also has new protections for whistleblowers that will help ensure consumer safety by making it easier for employees to alert the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) about possible hazards before products reach the public.

* Part of the toy safety problem has been the lack of capacity of the CPSC. The CPSC has been underfunded and inadequately equipped to ensure the safety of the products available to children. Staff levels at CPSC are currently less than half of 1980 levels. The Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act bolsters CPSC capacity by increasing funding and staffing for the agency, a significant step toward ensuring safety for our children. Also, by banning industry-sponsored travel by CPSC Commissioners and staff and restoring the five-member commission, the legislation prevents potential conflicts of interest that may jeopardize toy safety.

* It is unacceptable for parents to have to worry about toys harming their children. The Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act is timely and targeted bipartisan legislation that takes significant steps to ensure that America's children are kept safe from harmful toxins in their toys. I urge my colleagues to support the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act and give this bill my full support.

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