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News & Analysis | REG•WATCH Blog | Press Room
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Senate Examines Chinese Imported Product Safety
In 2007 alone, Chinese imports have been responsible for a nation-wide tire recall, a ban on five types of seafood containing potentially toxic additives, toys manufactured with lead-based paint, contaminated pet-food, and various other defective goods. In response to these concerns the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held an unofficial meeting today to shed light on why government agencies have been so slow to combat product safety violations.
The panels, consisting of representatives from various federal agencies including CPSC and FDA and numerous health and consumer safety groups like Center for Science in the Public Interest, said that agencies couldn't keep up with the rising rate of imported Chinese goods partially because decades-old laws and statutes govern the regulation of imports. Those imports have quadrupled since 1997.
Chinese manufacturers face loose, often non-existent government oversight. Most do not recognize food and safety standards in the U.S., and they improperly label many of their goods which makes the producer difficult to trace. To make matters worse, importers face weak reprimand from the FDA and CPSC, who lack statutory power to initiate mandatory recalls or levy civil penalties.
Panelists discussed solutions such as newly proposed legislation (the Children's Product Safety Act), increased appropriations for the FDA and CPSC to help these agencies monitor and enforce current and new regulations, and new labeling standards. The CPSC announced a four-step initiative that included holding safety summits and seminars with Chinese manufacturers and modernizing the Consumer Product Safety Act of 1973.
Perhaps most importantly, both sides agree that the issue is pressing and demands a progressive bi-partisan approach to fixing the various regulatory inadequacies meant to safeguard ourselves and our children from harm.
Posted by Kyle Hatzes
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