Pryor Recognizes 5th Anniversary of Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act

U.S. Senator Mark Pryor joined consumer and industry officials to recognize the fifth anniversary of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.

“When parents purchase a toy or crib for their child, they want to know that it’s safe. Unfortunately, before the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act was signed into law, dozens of everyday products were being recalled—from fake eyeballs filled with kerosene to building block sets with magnets that could squeeze children’s intestines shut if swallowed—and more than 230,000 children nationwide were suffering from toy-related injuries. As Chairman of the Consumer Protection Subcommittee, I joined a bipartisan coalition of senators to overhaul the Consumer Product Safety Commission and keep toxic toys and dangerous products out of the marketplace. It’s been five years, and we've seen incredible progress. Thanks to the new consumer incident database, families can now report and search for product safety hazards online. Products are being tested by independent, third parties for safety compliance, strong standards have been put in place for cribs and infant and toddler products, and we’ve significantly reduced the amount of lead in toys. Even more, we’ve cut fatalities in half and dramatically reduced recalls,” said Senator Pryor.

“The CPSIA represents the most comprehensive strengthening of product safety laws in a generation. The CPSIA gave new vigor to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The agency now reflects consumer perception of what our nation’s product safety net should be. Consumers are safer as a result of the CPSIA and its effective implementation,” said Rachel Weintraub, legislative director and senior counsel at Consumer Federation of America. “Never in CPSC’s history have more rules been promulgated and in such a short time period. These rules will have an important and positive impact on consumers.”

“This landmark law, a portion named for Danny Keysar, gives parents assurance that the products they buy to care for their children will keep them safe,” said Nancy Cowles, Executive Director of Kids In Danger (KID) founded by Danny’s parents after his death in an unsafe portable crib. “The effort to pass the law and implement it fully has made children safer – a real legacy for Danny and other children killed or injured by unsafe products.”

"The CPSIA was Congress’ response to the recall of millions of toys and children’s products for excessive lead, ingestion hazards, and other serious risks," said Ami Gadhia, senior policy counsel with Consumers Union, the advocacy arm of Consumer Reports. "We thank Senator Pryor for his leadership on product safety, and for helping to make our kids safer.”

 “Public Citizen is delighted to celebrate the five-year anniversary of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. As a result of the law, which exists thanks to Senator Pryor and other leaders in Congress, products are safer, more resources have been devoted to providing guidance and ensuring the rules are being followed, and consumers are empowered because they can independently share and learn about product safety risks on an online database. In short, the CPSIA is working incredibly well,” said Christine Hines, consumer and civil justice council, Public Citizen.

"Senator Pryor's leadership was crucial to passage of this bill. Its strong provisions helped restore scientific integrity to this agency,” said Celia Wexler, senior Washington Representation of the Union of Concerned Scientists.

“Thanks to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, we're keeping lead and other toxins out of our children's toys and school supplies,” said Katherine McFate, President and CEO of the Center for Effective Government. “This law is just one of many examples of the way standards and safeguards protect us as we go about our everyday lives.”