Children's Products Will Soon Face New Lead Regulations

Scott Kappes

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On February 10, 2009 the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission’s Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act will begin to go into effect. New lead standards will be one major accomplishment of the Act. The new lower levels of lead standards will be phased in over a three year period and will lower the acceptable levels of lead for children’s products by an additional 80 percent over that period.

When the new regulations go into effect next month the sale of products that contain over 600ppm of lead and are designed for children 12 years of age and younger will be prohibited. Violators of these regulations could face stiff civil penalties and even criminal liability.

On August 12, 2009 standards for acceptable amounts of lead for these products will again be lowered to from 600ppm to 300ppm. By August of 2009 the Commission plans to have the limit lowered to 100ppm, unless it is determined that this is not a technologically feasible limit.

New regulations will also be applied to acceptable amounts of lead that may be included in paint. By August 14, 2009 lead paint or other similar surface coatings containing more than 90ppm will be banned for use in the United States. This will be an 85 percent reduction in the acceptable amount of lead that may be contained in paints.

While this legislation will not solve all of the problems with our current system it is a step in the right direction. Consumers have been getting the short end of the stick for many years when it comes to product safety, but hopefully with introduction of this and other legislation over the coming years we will be able to feel more confident that the products purchase and use on a regular basis are safe for both adults and children alike.