Enforcement Begins for New CPSIA Requirements
Come Aug. 14, manufacturers of children’s products will have more-stringent requirements to adhere to thanks to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.
On that date, the Consumer Product Safety Commission will begin to enforce a handful of new requirements, including one that reduces the lead limit in children’s products from 600 parts per million to 300 parts per million. Similarly, the limit for lead in paint and similar coating materials will be reduced from 600 parts per million to 90 parts per million. Items that exceed either limit will be unlawful to manufacture, import or sell.
Another new regulation requires that permanent tracking labels be adhered to any product meant primarily for children 12 and younger. The tracking labels will provide basic information, including the manufacturer or private-label maker, location, the date of manufacture, and more detailed information about the manufacturing process, such as a batch or run number.
Another regulation increases the civil penalties a manufacturer or importer can face to a maximum of $100,000 per violation and up to $15 million for a related series of violations. Previously, violations topped out at $8,000 per single violation and $1.8 million for a related series of violations.
For a complete list of new requirements, visit the CPSIA Web site at www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html. —Erin Barajas
