Not in My Cart

Finally, our children's products should be safer. Thanks to all parents, activists and Not in My Cart; Congress has passed a new safety law. The law states that the US will:

Virtually ban lead and certain phthalates in children’s products. These chemicals can seep into children’s systems where they remain for life, and are linked to serious health problems and cancer.

Prevent deadly imports from entering our borders. More inspectors will be placed at ports, and recalled products will be banned from being shipped to other nations, where they often found their way back to U.S. store shelves.

Make sure toys and kids' products are certified safe and meet rigorous standards before we buy them. In the first four months of 2008 alone, CPSC has initiated 121 recalls of unsafe products, totaling nearly ten million products.

Increase the CPSC staff to 500 and hiking its budget over 50 percent during the next five years. The watchdogs get more teeth by hiking fines on violators from $5,000 to $100,000, with a maximum penalty of $15 million. Employees who blow the whistle on their crooked companies will be protected, and states will have the power to act quickly if new safety hazards arise.

Give shoppers better information about dangerous products more quickly. A public, searchable Web site will have information from consumers, hospitals and public safety agencies about injuries, illnesses and deaths related to products.

Good job to everyone that fought back, because of you we have a wonderful victory!