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Rep. Haler appointed to "toxic toys" advisory
group
Rep.
Larry Haler, R-Richland, was appointed today by his colleagues
to a "toxic toy" advisory group to ensure the safety of children's
products being manufactured in -- or imported to -- Washington state.
"We need to protect our
children, first and foremost," Haler said. "We've had a lot of
toys coming into the nation and our state from overseas that simply
don't meet our criteria for safety and sustainability."
During the 2008
legislative session, the Legislature passed Engrossed Second Substitute
House Bill 2647, known as the Children's Safe Products Act (CSPA).
The legislation calls for an advisory group comprised of legislators,
retailers, manufacturers, and children's health and behavioral experts
to assist in the implementation of new product safety standards for
children.
"This advisory group is an
opportunity to have a say in the quality and safety of children's
products manufactured and imported into the state," Haler said.
"While we certainly live in a global economy and, in many respects, a
global marketplace, it's painfully obvious that quality and safety
standards for children's products are not the same across the globe.
We need to make sure the safety of our children is not taking a back
seat to expedited manufacturing processes, lax safety standards or
financial profit."
The advisory group will
work with state agencies, health officials, business representatives and
technical experts to determine how best to apply the new CSPA standards
to product development, manufacturing, testing and distribution.
The group will also recommend any legislative changes to ensure both the
effective and practical implementation of the standards.
The CSPA advisory group
will have its first meeting on Tuesday, June 3, in Tacoma.
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For more information, contact:
Brendon Wold, Public
Information Officer: (360) 786-7698
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