Worldwide Customs & Regulatory Updates
U.S. CPSC Enforces New Lead Limits in Children's Products
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the U.S. has begun enforcing certain provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-314) that relate to the lead content limits of consumer products intended for children 12 years of age or under.
CPSC states that the lead content limits apply to the following:
(1) Products manufactured prior to February 10, 2009 that are sold from inventory or on store shelves, and
(2) Products manufactured after February 10, 2009. CPSC requires that manufacturers, distributors, and retailers report to the CPSC if they become aware of a children’s product that does the following:
- Exceeds the applicable lead content limits, 600 parts per million (ppm), in any accessible part
- Is being manufactured for sale in the U.S., imported for sale, distributed, held for distribution, offered for sale, or sold after February 10, 2009
CPSC generally prohibits the export for sale of children’s products that exceed the new lead content limits.
CPSC advises manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers that the agency will not prosecute (for lead content purposes) any person for making, importing, distributing, or selling certain classes of children’s products whose lead content appears to fall consistently below the prescribed limits.
For detailed information, customers can go to the U.S. CPSC Web site, which contains links to several pertinent documents. It can be accessed at the following URL: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html.
The Federal Register Notice (Vol. 74, No. 25 / Monday, February 9, 2009 / Notices) can be accessed at the following URL:http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-2590.pdf