As grandparents with 11 grandchildren, four of which are toddlers, we DO NOT want to put unsafe toys in any child's hand whether they live in Seattle, New York, Hong Kong or Dublin. Safety is paramount.
The problem is nearly anything we are exposed to can potentially be unsafe. For example, ingest too much salt and it is hazardous. That does not excuse the fact that in some cases, some products, not just toys, have been unsafe for humans and had higher levels of toxic substances which can be poisonous. So rigorous inspection procedures are necessary for all products.
The underlying problem with Washington's toy safety legislation which the Governor is considering goes too far and puts our state in a precarious position. It really won't prevent toys which some people are concerned about from reaching children's hands, it simply takes the toys off Washington retailer shelves. People can still buy the toys on line and cross the border to Portland, Couer d' Alene and Lewiston to purchase them and put them under the Christmas Tree. So the question remains: What good has it accomplished if it only puts Washington retailers in jeopardy?
A couple of days ago, we blogged on the Wall Sreet Journal (WSJ) editorial about the Washington legislation. That editorial is worth another look as the Governor contemplates her actions. In case you don't have time to log on to the WSJ website, here are the pertinent points.
From the WSJ:
Some small toy makers say they are planning to stop selling in the state if, as they expect, Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire signs the bill in coming days. The cost of certifying their products as safe under the law, they say, would be prohibitive. The state accounts for about 2% of total U.S. toy sales, which last year equaled $23.5 billion in annual revenues.
Obviously, no one wants unsafe toys in the hands of children. The legitimate questions have to do with the standards imposed. Following the recall of dangerous toys imported from China last year, toy safety has captured the attention of lawmakers responding to public concern. A common national standard makes sense. Lacking that, manufacturers face a plethora of competing, inconsistent regulations.
As the WSJ reports,
Of the laws under consideration at the state level, 24 regulate lead, 18 cover phthalates, 10 set limits on mercury, and 17 address a variety of other potential toxins. With more state laws possible, makers of toys and other children's products are afraid that regulatory compliance will turn into a manufacturing nightmare.
"Having different standards for different states is just going to create complete chaos," says Carter Keithley, the TIA's president.
For Seattle residents, an iconic retailer is at risk.
Don C. Brunell, AWB President
