Toy Recalls Abound; CPSC Adopts New Third Party Testing Requirements
On July 20, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted 5-0 to authorize additional requirements for third party safety testing of children’s toys.
To usher in the latest rules, and according to the CPSC, in order to “give manufacturers, importers and private labelers additional time to put a third party testing program into place,” the commission has passed “a stay of enforcement” on the new standards until December 31, 2011. That means the commission will enforce compliance of third party testing and certification for toys imported or manufactured after that date.
Somewhat prophetically, however, during the same month as the initiative was rolled out, the following two major toy recalls by New York companies were also announced by the commission.
The toy giant Fisher-Price of East Aurora, NY, voluntarily recalled “Little People Builders’ Load ‘n Go Wagons” due to laceration dangers. The company recalled approximately 208,000 units in the United States and 2,800 in Canada. Seven accounts of injuries, including five of which children needed surgical glue or stitches, have been reported to Fisher-Price and the CPSC. The product was manufactured in Mexico.
The state’s second July recall came for Deer Park, NY, distributor Edushape, which voluntarily recalled their “Mini Stars Building Sets” due to choking hazard. About 18,000 units were in distribution, while additional sets were recalled as part of separate case in September 2010. No injuries have been reported but the CPSC and Edushape have received two reports of product dysfunction and hazard. The product was manufactured in China.
For both recalls, consumers should immediately take the products away from children and contact each company for further repair or warranty instructions. If your child has been injured by a defective or dangerous toy, call the Manhattan dangerous toy attorneys at Wingate, Rusotti & Shapiro, LLP at 212-986-7353 to discuss your case today.
