LANSING – In a move to help parents better protect Michigan's children from toys containing toxic chemicals, State Representative Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) today announced a plan that will require manufacturers of children's toys and products to report what chemicals they use in the production of toys sold in Michigan. Manufacturers that fail to comply with the reporting requirements will be forced to pay penalties and have their products pulled from the shelves.
"Consumers should be able to feel confident that the products they buy are safe," Brown said. "As more products come
from other countries with lower consumer protection standards, we need to act now and protect our children from
manufacturers who use toxic chemicals in their products."
The legislation, known as the Michigan Children's Safe Products Act, is a seven-bill package designed to give parents
the tools they need to protect their children from harmful chemicals. The plan requires the Michigan Department of
Community Health (DCH) to create a list of "chemicals of concern" – those known to cause cancer, reproductive
or developmental harm, neurological damage or hormone disruption – by 2011.
From this initial list, DCH by 2012 will create and regularly update a list of "chemicals of highest concern" based on their use in children's products and their presence in children, household dust, human breast milk or cord blood. The DCH will make this information easily accessible to the public through a Web site or other means.
Under the plan, large manufacturers and distributors of children's products that contain "chemicals of highest concern"
will have to publicly identify what products contain the chemicals, how much they contain and the reason why the
chemical is in the product. They also must identify the number of toys distributed for sale in Michigan or
nationally.
Manufacturers who fail to comply with the reporting requirements will face monetary penalties of up to $5,000 for the first offense, up to $25,000 for the second offense and up to $50,000 for the third or subsequent offense. Those who knowingly violate the act will face a fine of up to $150,000.
Manufacturers that don't comply with the rules could see their products pulled off the shelves by the Attorney General
and the further sale of those products in Michigan would be prohibited. The plan also encourages DCH, along with the
Department of Environmental Quality to participate in an interstate clearinghouse to share information and promote
safer alternatives.
Chronic exposure to toxic chemicals in children's toys, such as arsenic, mercury and bromine have been linked to
reproductive problems, developmental and learning disabilities, hormone problems and cancer. These chemicals have been
found in popular toys such as Dora the Explorer lunch bags, Playskool's Mr. Potato Head, Mattel's Ballerina Barbie,
Disney's High School Musical belts and necklaces, and Little Tikes bath letters and numbers.
"One of the most disturbing things is that these products include trusted names and brands – many parents grew up
with toys like Mr. Potato Head and Barbie," Brown said. "There's absolutely no reason why hazardous chemicals should be
in toys and children's products when many manufacturers can make the same products safely. Parents need to know what's
in the toys prior to buying them for their children."