Understanding the CPSC-announced stay on enforcement and certification
05 Feb 2009
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced last Friday, January 30, 2009, a stay on enforcement of testing and certification requirements until February 10, 2010. Although this stay delays enforcement of certain third party testing and General Conformity Certificate (GCC) requirements under of the CPSIA, toys and children’s products are still required to comply with all applicable regulations.
The stay provides the CPSC time to seek input from industry as well as perform scientific investigations to complete a number of ongoing as well as projected rulemakings. The stay also provides additional time for some industries to further educate themselves on the applicability of the CPSIA and other regulations to their products.
The stay applies to third party testing and GCC requirements for lead content (substrate), Phthalates, and ASTM F-963 Mandatory toy standard, but it does not apply to the GCC requirement based on third party testing for lead in paint/surface coating (16 CFR 1303), small parts (16 CFR 1501), cribs (16 CFR 1508-1509), pacifiers (16 CFR 1511), and lead in children’s metal jewelry. More importantly, the stay of enforcement does not relieve the children’s product industry from complying with the underlying requirements, including lead content, phthalates and ASTM F963 once those requirements become effective February 10, 2009.
“The stay does not relieve manufacturers from complying with the requirements once those requirements become effective” explains Joel Pekay, Global Marketing and Business Development Director for Intertek’s Health and Environmental Services (www.intertek.com/green). “Companies should continue to develop and implement their compliance strategies including risk and responsibility assessment, product screenings, product and component testing, and ongoing quality control”.
Contacts
For more information, please contact:
Joel Pekay
Global Marketing and Business Development Director
Intertek, Health and Environmental Services
Tel: 630-481-3126
Email: joel.pekay@intertek.com
green@intertek.com
www.intertek.com/green
About Intertek Health & Environmental Services (www.intertek.com/green)
Intertek Health & Environmental Services offers the complete solution for global, regional, or local compliance, providing sound traceability systems and strict enforcement of due diligence policies. Intertek does more than simply help our clients comply, we give them the competitive advantage they desire. Our Services offer comprehensive solutions for RoHS, Restricted Substances, CPSIA, REACH, California Proposition 65, Carbon Management, and Greenhouse Gas reduction, including on-call consulting, testing and analysis, legal representation, certification, and corporate education appropriate for all types and levels of business. Intertek Health & Environmental Services is a leader in global environmental compliance, consulting, technology services and product stewardship.
About Intertek (www.intertek.com)
Intertek (ITRK.L) is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace. Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 23,000 people in 100 countries around the world.