CPSC Extends Certification Enforcement To December 31
Vol. 788 
February 8, 2011

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has voted to once again extend a stay of enforcement for the testing of lead content in children's products. Starting on the new enforcement date of December 31, 2011, U.S. manufacturers must have CPSC-approved third-party certification that the children's items they produce or import contain no more than the allowable limit of lead. "It is essential that the stay not be lifted before there is an opportunity for certified component parts to form the basis for the final product certifications of small manufacturers," said CPSC commissioner Anne Northup.

Even though the stay has been granted, manufacturers, importers and retailers of children's products must continue to comply with the federal restrictions for total lead content. Currently, the allowable limit for lead in children's items is 300 parts per million (ppm), but that number is scheduled to be reduced to 100 ppm on August 14, 2011. "It remains unlawful for children's products that violate these requirements to be placed on the market," said Inez Tenenbaum, CPSC chair. "I expect the agency to continue to enforce all standards and bans applicable to children's products."

The stay of enforcement does not apply to the 90 ppm limit on lead in paint and surface coatings or to the current 300 ppm limit on lead content in metal components of children's jewelry. A previously granted stay was set to expire this week, on February 10.