The Helmet Update
Volume 27, #1 - January 30, 2009
All issues index
CPSC delays some new testing and certification requirements
The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today that it had granted a one year delay of enforcement of some of its
new testing and certification requirements for lead, phthalates and toy standard compliance. Deep in the press release
however, is a statement that manufacturers and importers still have to
meet the requirements...but do not have to
have test records and issue certificates of compliance. CPSC acknowledges that it is difficult to determine if products
meet the new standards without testing.
There is no delay for lead paint and surface coating requirements, and no change in the requirements of the CPSC bicycle
helmet standard.
The delay gives CPSC time to work out four proposed rules that could eliminate lead test requirements for some materials
and products, and to issue more guidance on when testing is required and how it is to be conducted. Manufacturers and
importers had been asking for that. There may eventually be some permanent relief for helmet manufacturers from some of
the requirements, although savvy manufacturers and importers have already eliminated lead and phthalates from their
products regardless of the CPSC requirements to meet regulations in California and other states, and for basic corporate
responsibility reasons.
Consumer advocates are likely to react adversely to the postponement, and helmet manufacturers who have jumped through
all the hoops to meet the deadlines are likely to be irritated that competitors who have lagged behind now have a grace
period.
It is not certain that state attorneys general, who were granted some enforcement powers under the legislation passed
last year, will follow suit, although CPSC "trusts" that they will.
Here is
the CPSC announcement.
The Helmet Update - Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
Randy Swart, Editor
4611 Seventh Street South
Arlington, VA 22204-1419 USA
(703) 486-0100 (voice)
(703) 486-0576 (fax)
www.helmets.org