Congressman announces toy safety legislation Rep. Ferguson seeks third-party inspection of overseas toys BY TOM CAIAZZA Staff Writer PHOTOS BY TOM CAIAZZA Above: U.S. Representative Mike Ferguson talks to counselors in training at the Kiddie Keep Well Camp in Edison on Aug. 14 about toy safety in light of the current recall of Mattel toys made in China with toxic lead paint. At left: Ferguson donated an American flag that had flown over the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., to the camp . EDISON - In response to the announcement of a massive recall from the world's largest toy manufacturer, Mattel Inc., on Aug. 14, Congressman Mike Ferguson (R-7) announced legislation that would boost the country's diligence when importing possibly toxic or unsafe toys from overseas. Ferguson said he plans to introduce legislation when Congress returns to session after Labor Day that would require the appointment of an independent agency to inspect toys coming from countries such as China, where recent concerns over toxic products, including toys and dog food, has caused a shakeup in consumer relations between the two countries. "We have to do everything possible to make sure the toys are not toxic to the health of our kids," said Ferguson that afternoon while touring the grounds of Kiddie Keep Well Camp in Edison. "It is a real potential risk to the health and safety of our kids." Mattel announced the second major recall of toys made in China in as many weeks, citing possible lead contamination in the paint on certain figures based on the movie "Cars." The recall also focused on magnets in some of the smaller toys such as Polly Pocket that can come off the toy and pose a choking risk to children. The recall is estimated at nearly 19 million products. The bill would require essentially a third step in the inspection process where an independent, third-party agency would certify that the toys meet U.S. product safety standards before they are sold in the country. Currently, the process is mainly in the hands of the toy company and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which investigates concerns over imported products. Ferguson said this process is not working well and he would like to see an independent agency certify that the products are safe. While Ferguson admits that Mattel has a history of impeccable inspection methods for imported products, there is still a need for a more thorough inspection as the U.S. and China continue years of booming trade. "It would provide a level of security to give peace of mind to the moms and dads in this country," Ferguson said. The bill, labeled the Safe Toys for Kids Act, is still in its infancy, and Ferguson could not say where the funding would come from for an independent third party, nor whether the bill would include language that would put the hammer to Chinese manufacturers to raise production standards before the products leave China's shores. However, he did say he hopes the increased diligence in this country would have a marked effect on those Chinese manufacturers. If the U.S. makes it unacceptable for unsafe products to be sold in the U.S., Ferguson said, China will find it unprofitable to make the toys and lose its largest trade partner. Ferguson said there could also be a backlash against manufacturers with spotty safety records that could push U.S. toy makers to keep their manufacturing jobs in the U.S. Concerns over the safety of imports from China have increased in recent months. Earlier in the year, tainted dog food from China was considered the cause of many canine deaths in the U.S., and, in an attempt to show that it is serious about product safety standards, China executed the former administrator of its food and drug agency for accepting bribes in exchange for approval of unsafe pharmaceuticals. After the announcement of the first of what would be several recalls over leadtainted paint on its products, Chinese toy maker Cheung Shu-hung, co-owner of Lee Der Industrial Co., manufacturer of the toys, reportedly committed suicide. While meeting with counselors in training at the Kiddie Keep Well Camp, Ferguson urged those with younger siblings to go through their toy boxes and make sure those toys are not on the recall list. "It is a real concern," he told them. "If they are going to make the toys overseas and ship them to the U.S., we have to make sure they are safe." Ferguson said he is doing the same thing at his own home. Ferguson is the father of four children under age 10 and said that many of the toys on the recall list can even be found in his own home. "It hits me as a dad," Ferguson said. "Millions of parents in the country feel the same way we do."