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The article discusses the impact on thrift shops and secondhand stores in the U.S. of new federal laws concerning product safety. Often lacking the resources of large retailers, such sellers of used products may not be in a position to know if items they sell have been recalled, or contain illegal quantities of lead. Stores face the prospect of either risking fines or discontinuing sales of popular merchandise.

The article reports that the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have reached agreement on legislation that would strengthen and expand product safety rules while imposing greater punishments on companies that violate them. Rachel Weintraub of the Consumer Federation of America hailed the measure. President George W. Bush has not yet indicated if he would sign it into law.

The article calls on the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama not to support the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which has affect small business job creation in the country.

The article reflects on the implications for small businesses of the proposed Consumer Product Safety Enhancement Act by U.S. Representative Henry Waxman, with emphasis on the issue of lead poisoning.

The author examines the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) which she believes has added to economic problems of the country and spoiled Christmas for children.

The article focuses on the decision of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to vote against a petition to exempt brass used in the wheels on toy cars, tractors and buses from lead standards in November 2009. The fiasco is regarded as another indication of the need for the Congress to address problems created by its law regulating lead in toys in 2008. It says under the law, a risk cannot be considered by the commission in granting exemptions. It cites that according to CPSC chairman Inez Tenenbaum, it would be premature to revise the law.

The author comments on the passage of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act in the U.S. He mentions that in a hearing held by the House Energy and Commerce Committee concerning the children's-product-safety-law, none among the craftspeople, retailers and small manufacturers affected by the law was allowed to testify. One business requirement of the law is the placement of distinguishing marks on the goods. In the author's opinion, the skill of antibusiness groups asserting that they speak for consumers played a role in the passage of the law.

The article looks at the negative effect of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act signed into law by former U.S. President George W. Bush in the aftermath of the controversy over lead paint in imported toys from China in 2008. The law imposes strict limits on lead levels in products for children and took effect in February 2009. An estimated $2 billion for compliance is the cost of the new rules for retailers and toy makers, according to the American Toy Association. Also noted is the refusal of the government to address the issue.

The article reports that U.S. President Barack Obama is urged by Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Acting Chairman Nancy Nord to appoint a new CPSC chairman to deal with complaints about a consumer-product safety law that has left retailers stuck with over $1 billion of goods they cannot sell. It notes that the task of clarifying a consumer-product safety act passed in 2008 is the most immediate challenge facing the CPSC. She cites that the law limits the discretion of the CPSC to permit sales of existing products.

The article looks at the impact of a law governing lead in products on public libraries and businesses in the U.S. in 2009. Scott Wolfson, spokesman for Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), cited the need for public and school libraries to ensure that children are not accessing books that were published before 1986 until the agency can provide clearer guidance. The author emphasizes that the CPSC must take action to prevent more damage to the economy since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi refused to admit that there was a mistake in the law.

The article calls on the U.S. Congress to take action to stave off the negative impact on toy industry of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). It explains that the retailers of toys are required to remove from their shelves products that does not comply with the higher product safety standard for lead and other chemicals on toys by the CPSIA. It is expected that the requirements of this law will sent toy retailers into bankruptcy.

The article covers issues related to business failures in the U.S. as of March 2008. It notes that errors in bank risk management practices and not bank risk managers should be blamed for the losses of banks. It mentions that toy manufacturer Mattel, which experienced a drop in shares from toy recalls, is likely to benefit from new product safety legislation since confidence in toy safety will be restored.

The article announces that the U.S. Senate has agreed on bill that will overhaul the Consumer Product Safety Commission after recalls of toys have been made in 2007. Once approved, the bill will give the Commission more resources to remove unsafe products from the market. The bill also increases the fines for safety violations to $20 million from the present rate of $1.8 million. Under the bill, the use of lead will be banned in all children's products and state attorneys general will be allowed to file lawsuits to stop the selling of unsafe products.

The article focuses on a bill approved by the U.S. House which is designed to increase funding for the Consumer Product Commission. Representative John D. Dingell (D., Mich.) stresses the significance of the bill to national consumer safety. Consumer group, Public Citizen, claims that the bill does not do enough to improve the safety of products imported from other countries. It describes the Senate bill being favored by consumer groups.

The article reports on the testing of toys by retailers, including Toys R Us Inc., J.C. Penney Co. and Mattel Inc., as Christmas holiday approaches and the introduction of legislation concerning product safety. Separate bills governing the manufacture and sale of unsafe products are brought at the U.S. House and Senate. Legislative proposals to increase funding for the CPSC is supported by the National Retail Federation and the Toy Industry Association.

The article reports that the U.S. House has approved a legislative bill requiring high-chairs, cribs and other durable infant products to be sold with a postage-paid registration card so that consumers would be informed quickly of recalls. Another measure approved by the House would increase the maximum civil penalty for violating the Consumer Product Safety Act. The House has approved four bills which would go to the Senate for consideration.

Highlights the lawsuits filed by three consumer groups in a New York appellate court against the U.S. government that aims to overturn a provision of a tire safety rule on installing tire pressure devices.

Comments on the bill proposed by Robert Goodlatte (R-Va.) which would bar wholesalers from removing product safety codes that include manufacturing details. Arguments of the opponents of the measure; Threat of the bill to struggling electronic retailers; Unintended effect of the legislation.

Reports that Neiman Marcus Group has agreed to pay $112,500 to settle allegations that it violated federal law by selling flammable bathrobes. Charges of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) against the company; Reaction of the company on the allegations.