Time for Congress to Pass Strong Consumer Protection Law

By Joe Newman
Cross-posted from CitizenVOX

Right now, leaders in the House and Senate are preparing to make decisions behind the scenes that will have a tremendous impact on consumer protection in this country. If they can put aside partisan differences and ignore the lobbyists from the manufacturing industry, they have a chance to craft a bill that should help to stem the flood of life-threatening, hazardous products that led to a record number of recalls last year. On Thursday, parents and consumer activists rallied near the Capitol to urge Congress to pass the strongest protections possible. It’s especially an important issue for parents. Last year some 25 million hazardous toys and children’s products, many laden with high concentrations of lead, were recalled.

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have each passed a version of the Consumer Product Safety Reform Act (S. 2663/H.R. 4040) and senior members from both houses of Congress are meeting in conference to negotiate a compromise bill.

The Senate and House bills take important steps toward better protecting American consumers by giving the CPSC more resources, improving product testing standards and increasing the penalties manufacturers face for violating the law, among other improvements.

You can take action by writing your member of Congress and urging them to pass the strongest bill possible.

Comments

[Martha]

A consensus demand set has just been released that outlines specific demands to transform big box industry. With the support of 35 organizations, the document has been brought to officials of big box retail corporations. It is now up to corporations how they will respond to the issues we have identified.

Show your support for the transformation of the current big box retail model of business. For more information, visit http://bigboxcollaborative.wikispaces.com/demandsguidance.