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The
Water Yo-Yo Survey of Online Toy Retailers Loopholes
in Toy Safety Legislation |
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Survey of Online Toy Retailers The Internet
offers busy parents the convenience of purchasing toys for their children
without having to brave crowded toy stores, especially around the holidays.
Unfortunately, CPSC does not require online toy retailers to display
safety warnings---such as the small parts choke hazard warning—with
the product listing. PIRG researchers conducted a third annual survey
of online toy retailers, finding that mandatory warning requirements
for online retailers are still necessary. Specifically: (1) Just one-third
of online retailers surveyed (13/41) displayed some sort of choke hazard
warning next to toys that otherwise require such labeling on their packaging
or point of sale and most retailers do not display these warnings consistently
on their websites. (2) A mere four online toy retailers use the statutory
choke hazard warning on their websites, and six additional retailers
use the statutory language but do not include the statutory warning
symbol ( Although
more online retailers are displaying choke hazard warnings than ever
before (xxxi), not all retailers are displaying
these warnings since such online labeling remains voluntary. Parents
and toy-givers shopping online should have access to the same safety
information as those shopping in stores. NYPIRG calls on CPSC to require
toy manufacturers and retailers to display the CSPA choke hazard warnings
next to products sold on their websites, including toys containing small
parts and small balls, marbles, and balloons. NYPIRG also would support
the introduction of the Internet Toy Safety Awareness Act (xxxii),
which would require toy makers to make safety labeling available on-screen
before purchase. These measures would help to ensure that parents shopping
online have the safety information they need to determine which toys
are most appropriate for their children. NEXT: Ineffective Toy Recalls
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). (3) The
majority of retailers do not include choke hazard warnings next to products
that otherwise legally require this labeling. Other disturbing findings
include: (1) Of the retailers surveyed, only half (20) allow consumers
to shop for toys by age group. (2) Of these 20 websites, six post or
direct parents to toys that are not age appropriate. (3) Eleven of the
retailers provided no manufacturer age recommendations for the toys
we surveyed. See the attachments for the complete survey findings.