-- Hooley’s Toy Safety Provisions to Advance to President for Signature;

Her 2002 Country of Origin Labeling Law Will Finally Be Implemented –

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (OR-5) will join her colleagues in passing the Conference Report of H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which includes a ban on dangerous phthalates in children’s toys and child care products that derived from legislation sponsored by California Senator Diane Feinstein and Hooley.  The measure will await the signature from the President to become law.

Phthalates are chemicals added to common plastic products to make them soft and pliable. They are found in a variety of children’s toys and childcare products that are frequently put in a child’s mouth, such as teethers, rubber ducks, and soft books.  Phthalates interfere with the functioning of the hormone system, and have been linked to certain defects in reproductive organs. Young children are particularly vulnerable. 

“H.R. 4040’s passage is a big win for consumers,” said Hooley.  “CPSC will now have the resources, both in personnel and authority to do its job, which is to provide oversight to make sure that millions of products under its jurisdiction are safe.  I’m also very happy with the inclusion of a ban on phthalates that Senator Feinstein and I pushed for that will require manufacturers to use safer substances when making children’s products.”  

Specifically the agreement:

• Imposes a permanent ban on three dangerous phthalates (DEHP, DBP and BBP) in toys for children ages 12 and under, and childcare items for children ages 3 and under. 

• Imposes an interim ban on three additional phthalates (DINP, DIDP, DnOP) in toys for children ages 12 and under that are small enough to be sucked or chewed by a child, and in any childcare items for children 3 and under. 

• Both bans would go into effect 180 days after enactment.

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued an interim final rule for the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) program that will become effective on Sept. 30.    In 2002, Congress overwhelmingly approved the Bono-Hooley Amendment to the Farm Bill, which required country-of-origin labeling on perishable meats, fruits, and vegetables.  Hooley and California Congresswoman Mary Bono led the fight for COOL.  The mandatory labeling requirement was supposed to have gone into effect in 2004, but opponents used delaying tactics to prevent its implementation until 2008.  Now the USDA is moving forward to making this law a reality.

“When I walk into the grocery store to buy food for my family, I want to know where it’s grown and that it’s safe,” said Hooley.  “That’s what American consumers want and what helps our local agriculture economy.  USDA should implement the labeling law without further delay.”