CPSC Boss: Toys "Are Safer Than They Have Ever Been"

CPSC Wants To Make Retailers Test Products They Sell

If pending legislation passes, the CPSC may make retailers test their wares, and make retailers legally responsible for the products they sell. CPSC chair Nancy Nord said yesterday at a press conference, "the ultimate responsibility at the end of the day to make sure that their products are safe and if they do not, we will take enforcement activity at the product sellers."

A letter to the editor by CPSC chairperson Nancy was published in the Washington Post today. She feels that the Washington Post misrepresented the nature of several trips she took, trips which were paid for in full or in part by companies under her agency's domain. Particularly, she got peeved about people saying how the CPSC has only one toy inspector.

The characterization comes about from a NYT article in early September which reported the CPSC has only one full-time toy inspector, pictured, performing his impact tests in the swing area behind the door to his cramped office. See how we slice the hairs on that one?

Committed to Consumer Safety [Washington Post]
PREVIOUSLY:CPSC Head's Travel Paid For By Industry Groups
CPSC Chair Rebuffs Calls For Resignation
Washington Has Had Enough Of CPSC Chair Nancy Nord
CPSC Chair Thinks Senate Bill Would Overwhelm The Agency

CPSC Head's Travel Paid For By Industry Groups

CPSC head Nancy Nord took scores of trips paid for lobbyists representing companies under her regulatory scope, Washington Post reports. The trips include $11,000 in "gift travel" to China, paid for by a fireworks company. The Toy Industry Association paid for her train ticket, hotel, meals, and parking ticket to attend their toy convention in New York. Federal agencies are barred from taking gifts from industry groups with pending matters before them, but other top agencies are more strict about accepting gifts from companies under their domain. By some sort of magical coincidence, the travel records disclosure come at time Nord is facing calls for her resignation for disagreeing with the new changes and expansions Congress is considering for the CPSC.

Industries Paid for Top Regulators' Travel [Washington Post] (Thanks to Charlie!)

CPSC Chair Rebuffs Calls For Resignation

Despite Democrats clamoring for her resignation, CPSC chair Nancy Nord says she's staying put. Nord is a shill-bag. She couldn't answer direct questions from Congress. She couldn't even say "yes" when they asked her if the CPSC needed more money. Toss all the bums out and get some new ones in quick. Perhaps someone with a track record of consumer advocacy? What a concept! Congress' proposals might be over-reaching, but we need someone better than Nancy Nord to tell us. Her non-resignation letter follows...

Washington Has Had Enough Of CPSC Chair Nancy Nord

CPSC Chair Thinks Senate Bill Would Overwhelm The Agency

Liveblogging the Senate Commerce Committee Hearing On CPSC Reform

Starting today at 2:30, the Senate Commerce Committee will take up S. 2045, the CPSC Reform Act of 2007. Beyond reauthorizing the Consumer Product Safety Commission for the next seven years, the Act would:

• Boost the CPSC budget from $62 million to $147 million by 2015;
• Add 80 new staffers;
• Repair the CPSC's decrepit inspection facilities;
• Fund a full slate of 5 Commissioners;
• Increase civil penalties from $8,000 per violation to $250,000;
• Increase the maximum penalty for a series of violations from $1.8 million to a staggering $100 million;

Keep hitting refresh as we watch Congress go Scrooge McDuck and dive into the unlimited tower of gold.
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

2:34: Hey, Commerce Committee. Your official webcast link has gone Strom on us. Please fix!
2:39: Ok, it's not video, but we have an audio link that will suffice for the moment. Grrr, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee is underwhelming us with their technology. C-SPAN3 had promised to cover the hearing, but something about Iraq is apparently more important than toys.

Cancer Foundation Recalls 200,000 Bracelets Contaminated With Lead

Independent lab tests conducted on various bracelets by Massachusetts Materials Research Inc. showed that the multicolored beads in the Friends of Mel's bracelets contain no lead but that the small silver-toned rings connecting the beads have a high lead content. The beads are from China and Turkey and the small rings are from China, Herskovitz said.

Starting at 10 a.m., the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection will ask how best to protect children from lead-tainted imports. The hearing will be chaired by former Black Panther, Bobby Rush (D-IL), and comes exactly one week after the Senate Appropriations Committee grilled the CPSC and toy industry representatives at a similar hearing.

Parading before you today will be two familiar panels: The first will feature acting Consumer Product Safety Commission Chair Nancy Nord and Commissioner Thomas Moore, who skipped out of last week's hearing for a dentists appointment. The second will be devoted solely to Mattel CEO Robert Eckert.

Keep hitting refresh for up-to-the-minute coverage, including pictures of Members playing with lead-ridden children's toys.
(Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

9:30: Video Link - The House knows better than to use Real Player. Fun fact: before entering the Senate, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) was the Vice-President of Marketing for Real Networks.
10:10: Nancy Nord just snuck in, holding up the start.
10:13: Bang a gong, we are on! Good turnout today. It looks like ten members are in their seats and ready to give opening statements.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission Wants New, Improved Powers

New Powers
• The CPSC wants to make it illegal sell a product after the announcement of a recall.
• The Commission wants the power to quickly codify voluntary industry standards, which are currently unenforceable by the CPSC.