Lead-Tainted Imports Require Proper Testing (Rep. Lee Terry)

The failure of manufacturers in China to live up to the specifications mandated upon them is a significant issue. The Chinese government has to get more involved and our manufacturers have to take more responsibility for the shops that they have set up in China. My first goal would be to have them move their manufacturing shops out of China; if we can’t have it in America let’s have it in Latin America and Mexico where it improves our neighbors and our allies.

The second part is the key if they refuse: to force independent third party testing. There are three major companies that do a good job and are well respected. I think it would be better that the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) be able to monitor those third party independent testers and certifiers and make sure that they’re doing a sufficient number of tests on the toys and the products. So third-party independent testers and certification is key in this process, and that’s where I’m leaning. I’m signed on to the Ferguson bill to do that and that’s probably a good place for us to start.