Mason Announces “Toxic Toys” Legislation

Bill will Protect, Inform Consumers About Chemicals in Toys

Rep. Cory Mason

Madison, WI – As the holiday shopping season gets underway, Representative Cory Mason (D-Racine) introduced legislation that will provide Wisconsin’s consumers with vital information about chemicals in children’s toys.

“After enjoying our Thanksgiving feasts, many of us will head out to shop the bargains this Friday. Like all parents, I want to ensure that the toys I buy for my young daughter are safe, and won’t harm her,” said Representative Mason, whose daughter Eleanor will turn one in December.

“One of the best ways to keep our children safe is to be knowledgeable about the chemicals which may be in their toys. The legislation I’m introducing will help Wisconsin’s consumers make informed, smart choices about children’s products, and will encourage manufacturers to use safer alternatives in products that our children are using,” continued Representative Mason.

The bill:

- Requires the state’s consumer watchdog agency, the Department of Agriculture, Trade ad Consumer Protection (DATCP) to identify chemicals that, based on credible scientific evidence, are capable of causing harm to children;

- Requires manufacturers and distributors of products containing these chemicals to provide information to DATCP about these products;

- Requires DATCP to identify safer alternatives and requires manufacturers and distributors to replace problematic chemicals with available safer alternatives within a reasonable amount of time;

- Requires DATCP to develop an educational program to educate and help consumers and retailers in identifying children’s products that may contain these problematic chemicals.

The bill, dubbed the “Toxic Toys” legislation, is being circulated for legislative co-sponsorship and will be formally introduced in December.

Posted @ 11:55 a.m.