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Safety of Chinese Imports:
Update on the US Federal Response
August 2007 (07B-141)
Summary:
In response to concerns regarding the product safety of Chinese manufactured consumer products, a number of initiatives are taking place at the US Federal level, including:
A recent hearing held by the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on July 18, 2007 on “Safety of Chinese Imports: Oversight and Analysis of the Federal Response.”
Three proposed Federal bills:
 Federal Bill SB 1833: Children’s Products Safety Act of 2007
CPSC Working Paper: The Product Recall, Information and
Safety Modernization “PRISM” Act
Federal Bill SB 1847: Consumer Product Safety Modernization
Act 2007
At this time, these proposed bills are in committee and no timetables for further action are available. At Bureau Veritas, we are monitoring these activities closely and will report new developments to you as they occur to assist you in understanding and complying with requirements should these proposed bills be passed into law. |
Summary of the Proposed Legislation
Proposed Federal Bill SB 1833: Children’s Products Safety Act of 2007
Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) have proposed this bill which would:
Require independent third party testing and certification of toys
and other products intended for use by children under the age of
60 months.
Prohibit imports of children’s products without third party testing
and certification.
Click to view the full text of the proposed bill
CPSC Working Paper: Product Recall, Information and Safety Modernization (“PRISM”) Act
The PRISM Act proposes revisions to CPSC statues. It would:
Make it unlawful to knowingly sell to consumers a recalled product
after recall announcement date.
Require a company recalling products to provide 24-hour advance
notice to affected retailers prior to public notification.
Prohibit the manufacturing of a product that violates a voluntary
standard upon which the commission has relied under Section 9(b)
of the Consumer Product Safety Act.
Require a certificate of compliance.
Raise the current cap on civil penalties against firms that fail to
report hazardous products.
Give CPSC commissioners final approval of recalls.
Require any retailer/distributor to provide the name and address of
any product suppliers
Click to view the full text of the proposed bill
Proposed Federal Bill SB 1847: Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act 2007
This bill, also proposed by Senator Durbin, would reform the CPSC by:
Increasing the authorized funding level for the agency over the next
five years.
Repealing the requirement that the CPSC have a quorum to engage
in regulatory actions.
Decreasing the amount of time that firms have to respond to CPSC
information releases under Section 6(b) from 30 to 10 days.
Allowing the CPSC to waive Section 6(b) requirements when human
health is in danger and a firm is non-cooperative.
Click to view full text of proposed bill
A Changing Marketplace
Today’s marketplace creates continuous challenges to ensure ongoing product compliance and protection of brand image. In a global economy, supply chain efficiency, regulatory conformity, global compliance and media transparency are a business reality. With ongoing recall and regulatory activity, the challenges are growing for US manufacturers and retailers.
Recent recalls have resulted in substantial losses from the cost of recalled product alone. In many cases, these dollar losses are minimal in comparison to the damage that can happen to a company’s image and brand equity.
Taking Proactive and Preventive Steps
Implementing the right services at the right point along the supply
chain and maximizing the spend of your quality assurance dollars can dramatically increase the effectiveness of a quality assurance program. As the marketplace continues to evolve and shift, it is important to re-evaluate your current program against the regulatory and industry changes taking place today.
With years of experience, a strong reputation and a full understanding of the retail marketplace, we are ready to help you get through existing and future challenges to protect your company’s most important asset – your brand. We offer a variety of solutions and services throughout the supply chain. Please call your program manager or contact our nearest location to discuss how we can help you.
Today's Top Challenges
Product Recall
Supply Chain Control
Price Pressures
Changing Regulatory Environment
Corporate Sustainability
The strategic use of consulting, testing, inspections and audits throughout your supply chain can help better manage the challenges and risks of today and the future.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Please contact your program manager or Rick Rosati, Director, Toys/Hardlines Business Line, Americas Region at 1-716-505-3472 or richard.rosati@us.bureauveritas.com
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Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc. (“BVCPS”) provides the information in this client bulletin as a resource of general information. It does not replace any applicable legal or regulatory requirements and is provided “as is.” BVCPS will not be liable for any indirect, special, punitive, consequential or other damages (including without limitation lost profits) of any kind in connection with this client bulletin. BVCPS DISCLAIMS ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CLIENT BULLETIN.
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