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Follows is the response received by Sue Breska in Jan 2009 from Minnesota Congressman James L. Oberstar on CPSIA:

Dear Ms.

Thank you for your message regarding the recently-enacted Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (P.L. 110-314). I appreciate hearing from you.

In response to recalls involving children’s toys containing toxic chemicals, Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which was signed into law on August 14, 2008. I supported this important law intended to protect the health and safety of our children and families. The law authorizes an increase in funding for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, bans lead in children’s products, mandates toy safety standards, increases fines for manufacturing faulty products, and permanently outlaws three types of phthalates.

The new regulations will take effect on February 10, 2009. Any product that fails to comply with the new standards can not be sold on or after this date. The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a press release on January 8, 2009, clarifying the regulations as they apply to reseller, thrift, and consignment stores. In its release, it stated: “Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.”

It is important that the commission issue clear, easy-to-understand guidelines that help small business comply with the law. More information on the regulations can be found on the Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site at the following link:

http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/cpsia.html

I will continue to monitor this situation as the new regulations are finalized and take effect in February.

With best wishes.
                                                    Sincerely,
                                                    James L. Oberstar, M.C.