Positive Trends in 2002

While PIRG identified some improvements in 2002, parents should still be vigilant, especially for potential choke hazards. PIRG attributes improvements to the following factors:

• Since implementation of the 1994 Act, fewer banned toys or toys with obsolete labels remain on shelves, due to stock depletion.
• The intensive joint CPSC/U.S. Customs Import Surveillance Program has continued to help keep dangerous toys from entering the country. In November of 2002, for example, the CPSC announced that it was levying a fine of $270,000 against STK International for repeatedly importing toys that violate the small parts ban, and for violations of the CPSC's labeling and testing requirements for children's art materials. The fine is the largest ever against a company for violating the small part ban; the case also marks the first time both criminal and civil penalties have been levied against a company for toyrelated violations. ("California Company Pleads Guilty To Importing and Selling Dangerous Children's Toys," CPSC, 11 November
2002.)
• Under pressure to improve their toys, responsible manufacturers have worked with the American Society for Testing and Materials on a voluntary standard for small action figures that took effect in 1996, requiring such pre-school figures to not only be larger than the choke tube, but also be blocked by a 1.68 inch diameter hole in a template. Figures no longer resemble the old "peg" or wine-cork shape of the older Fisher Price Little People. In the past few years, PIRG has not found any of these older "little people" on the shelves.
• Continued education by the media, consumer groups and the CPSC has helped to increase public awareness.
• Despite failure of the Congress and CPSC to require that warnings appear in a certain type, size, and color, fewer toys are inconspicuously and improperly labeled.
• Many toy manufacturers have complied with the CPSC's request to voluntarily remove PVC and phthalates from teethers and rattles, although old stock remains on shelves.
• A few toy companies are beginning to label their toys as PVC and phthalate free.
• At least three online toy retailers, including Toys R Us and Entirely Toys, are displaying some form of hazard warnings on the Internet.