CPSC to Toy Industry: Eliminate Lead in Toys

Article on cnn.com -- Toymakers, stores must act on lead - regulator.  Here's an excerpt:

The head of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Monday that toymakers and retailers need to step up their efforts to eliminate lead from toys.

"I will not tolerate this industry or any other not complying with our regulations," said Nancy Nord, the acting chairwoman of CPSC. "This problem must be fixed."

Nord, speaking at the annual American International Toy Fair, called on manufacturers to audit their factories. She also said that retailers must do more to assure that they don't sell tainted toys.

"We will be relentless with recalls," Nord said. "There is no reason why they can't certify that every toy has been designed for safety."

The CPSC has been working with the Toy Industry Association over the past few months to hammer out tougher toy safety standards after more than 25 million toys were recalled last year because of lead paint hazards and defective designs.

The TIA board of directors on Sunday approved a proposal for testing and a safety verification system for toys sold in the United States. Specifics of the plan will not be released until Friday. The association said key elements include procedures for design hazard analysis, auditing manufacturing process controls and product safety testing.

BGS