Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), alongside Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), is introducing the bipartisan No Lead in Toys Act to help protect children from toxic chemicals used to manufacture toys.
Why has this legislation been brought to the forefront? In February, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report in response to a 2024 inquiry from Sen. Ossoff.
The inquiry concerned how the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) tests products intended for children ages 12 and under for potential lead contamination and other safety hazards.
What lawmakers and key figures are saying:
- Sen. Ossoff: “The safety of children in Georgia and across the Nation must be our highest priority. I am introducing the bipartisan No Lead in Toys Act with Senator Cornyn to help ensure that lead and other toxins stay out of children’s products.”
- Sen. Cornyn: “Parents should never have to fear for their child’s health or safety when playing with toys, which are essential to the development of cognitive, motor, and emotional skills. By ensuring the Consumer Product Safety Commission is properly monitoring and recording inspections for lead contamination, this legislation would reduce children’s exposure to toxic chemicals through toys imported from places like China, preserve the joy and benefits of childhood play, and help parents rest easier at night.”
- Torine Creppy, President of Safe Kids Worldwide: “Parents and caregivers should be able to feel confident that the children’s products they rely on will not expose their kids to lead or other dangerous toxic substances. We applaud Senator Ossoff for his leadership in protecting some of our most vulnerable citizens.”
Context: The GAO’s report found that the CPSC has failed to review and update its lead-testing requirements, despite being required to do so at least every five years, and that the CPSC lacks written procedures for monitoring changes related to toxic substances in children’s products.
This bipartisan bill would direct the CPSC to implement the GAO’s recommendations to strengthen the oversight of toxic substances in children’s products and protect kids from dangerous chemicals.
