ANSWERS: The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008

What does the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (HR 4040) mean for all of us in Toy Nation? 

That is what John Gibson, Quality Coordinator for Combi wanted to know. 

He wrote me to say: “All manufacturers are awaiting the final draft of HR4040. Within that draft are many specific guidelines that will affect us. There are many other concerns about HR4040 that the public and toy manufacturers need guidance with.”

I thought John’s question was an important one so I contacted Carter Keithley, President and Harris Brandt, Director of Branding and Communications at the TIA to see what they could tell me about the impact so that I could share it with John and everyone else in Toy Nation. 

The question was certainly timely as Carter wrote back to say:

We just got word that the President signed the bill this morning, so it is official.  We have posted a comprehensive summary of 4040 on our (The TIA) website. We also will be offering webinars to TIA members to help them navigate the provisions of the bill.  There is much work to be done by CPSC to write implementing regs that will provide necessary detail about how the law will be implemented and enforced, so this will be an ongoing educational need. 

Carter went on to suggest that companies like Combi join the TIA so they can take advantage of the continuing educational programs being offered about this legislation and its impact on how we go about our business.