Child product safety stricter
New rule covers range of chemicals
SEATTLE – Washington state is requiring manufacturers of toys, cosmetics, jewelry and baby products to report when their products contain certain harmful chemicals, under a new law that took effect this week.
State officials have come up with a list of 66 chemicals that would trigger reporting to the state. The list includes formaldehyde, bisphenol A and phthalates, or plasticizers commonly found in consumer products.
Department of Ecology officials say the rule is the first step in making children’s products safer.
The law applies to manufacturers of products that are likely to be placed in a child’s mouth or on their skin and that are intended for sale in Washington. Retailers who sell but don’t make or import children’s products are exempt.
Large manufacturers, or those with gross sales of over $1 billion, must report to the state by August 2012. The rule will phase in over the next several years for smaller companies. The information will be made publicly available, though it’s unclear in what format.
The rule will add significant costs in testing and documentation for companies, Toy Industry Association spokesman Andy Hackman said.
Still, “it’s our firm belief that our manufacturers and members will do everything they can do to comply,” he said.