Judge Rules CPSC Must Correct Loophole Regarding Hazardous Chemical

Greg Webb

Attorney
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A judge has recently ruled that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) may not allow toys containing toxic manufacturing chemicals to remain on shelves after a ban goes into effect on February 10, 2009. The judge said the commission, whose purpose is to protect the American public, must correct a loophole that allows substances to remain in toys made before the ban. The ban relates to phthalates, which are dangerous chemicals used in soft plastics that when absorbed through the skin or mouth can interfere with reproductive hormones. A federal law passed last summer banned the chemical from being used in toys.

This decision has been considered a victory for children’s health. Had this decision not been made, consumers would have no idea whether or not their products contain hazardous chemicals or not. This ruling came much to the dismay of manufacturers who claim they would have to pull millions of dollars worth of products off of store shelves to comply. The CPSC plans not to appeal the decision.