New CPSIA Requirements In Effect Now

Some new rules regarding baby and child products safety, part of the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act, went into effect on Aug. 14. It's not clear yet how these new rules will affect the availability of baby products from large companies, but some small businesses have already closed their doors because they were unable to meet new testing and compliance requirements. Some of the CPSIA requirements that went into effect on the 14th include lower total lead content limits (600 ppm to 300 ppm), lower lead content in paint and surface coatings limits (600 ppm to 90 ppm), tracking labels to allow consumers to easily locate manufacturer and model information, and choking hazard warnings are now required in catalogs and printed materials.

Larger penalties for manufacturers who don't comply with new CPSIA rules are also in effect now. Where companies could be fined a maximum of $8,000 per violation before, they can now be fined up to $100,000 per violation. For a series of violations, manufacturers could face fines of up to $15 million, which is also up from the previous maximum of less than $2 million.

• What Is CPSIA?
• Selling Used Baby Gear? CPSIA Could Affect You, Too
• Natural and Hand-Made Baby Products and CPSIA
• CPSC Grants One-Year Stay On CPSIA Testing