Public Citizen reported today that President Bush has signed into law strong product safety reform legislation that will overhaul the Consumer Product Safety Commission. According to Public Citizen, this legislation represents the most significant improvement to the Consumer Product Safety Commission since the agency was established in the 1970s.
Among other things, the new law provides that:
- Lead and toxic phthalates will be essentially eliminated from toys and children's products
- Consumers will have an Internet database where they can share information with each other about dangerous products
- Toys will be tested for safety before they're sold, so our children aren't treated like guinea pigs
- Whistleblowers will be free to alert the public to important safety problems without fear of reprisal from their employers
