Toy Manufacturers Try To Block Online Injury Report Database

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is set to launch a database in the next few weeks that tracks reports of injuries resulting from strollers and cribs. A group of children’s product manufacturers are trying to coax lawmakers to stifle the database and roll back other health regulations.

According to The New York Times, there are efforts in Congress to slash the budget for the database, and the battles are becoming entangled over partisan bickering over budget cuts. The manufacturers also want to get rid of third-party testing of safety and lead content in kids’ products.

Lawmakers are looking to tweak the 2008 Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which gave the commission more money and power. The law was passed following 2007’s rash of recalls of millions of dangerous toys and other kid products that were largely manufactured in China. The story says some lawmakers reason that the regulations make companies more vulnerable to unmerited lawsuits.

Child-Product Makers Seek to Soften New Rules [The New York Times]

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