CPSC to Vote on Delay in Effective Date for New Lead Content Limits- SEND LETTER NOW
The sporting goods & fitness industry has a major opportunity to delay the February 10th effective date of new lead content limits in children’s products. A delay in the effective date will benefit the entire industry.
In 6 days, (2/10/09), new product safety laws are scheduled to go into effect regarding lead content in children’s products. The new levels are 600 ppm and children’s products are defined as products primarily intended for children 12 and under.
Many companies have likely made changes to its products to comply with the new lead limits, however as the law was drafted the new lead content limits will be applied retroactively. Simply put products made in compliance with all existing lead standards from the Fall of 2008 forward will be non-compliant starting next Tuesday. Non-compliant products on retailer’s shelves and inventory in warehouses will be returned to manufacturers if the CPSC holds to the February 10th effective date.
Previous SGMA letter campaigns have resulted in over 300 letters to the CPSC commissioners and 900 to Congress requesting help on the lead/phthalates issue. Our industries need to keep the pressure on the CPSC and make sure they consider our industry when deciding on the emergency stay. SGMA has prepared a letter for the CPSC commissioners asking for their support of the stay. Please click here to send a letter to the CPSC Commissioners today.
SGMA joined 66 other leading trade associations on a letter to requesting an emergency stay on the effective date. If granted, the emergency stay will give retailers and manufacturers time needed to move older product off the shelves and provide CPSC with the time it needs to address issues adversely impacting the sporting goods industry.
SGMA’s efforts to date have gotten the attention of the CPSC, as evidenced by CPSC consideration of the 185 day emergency stay in the effective date. The Commissioners have until next Monday to vote on the emergency stay. There are currently two Commissioners (President Obama will appoint the 3rd). Both Commissioners must approve the stay. As of last night, Commissioner Moore is the holdout, but he has not closed the door. We need to deliver our message to him loud and clear.
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