Mattel exempt from CPSIA testing.

[ModernSwitch]

Mattel, Primary Reason For Toy Safety Law, Gets Exempted From It

Third-party safety tests not required for Mattel.

WASHINGTON – Toy-makers, clothing manufacturers and other companies selling products for young children are submitting samples to independent laboratories for safety tests. But the nation's largest toy maker, Mattel, isn't being required to do the same.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090827/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_product_testing_mattel



I stumbled upon this article this morning. Mattel has built their own testing labs, and are allowed to run their own tests instead of going to a neutral third party testing facility like everyone else. This just allows all sorts of room for cover-ups and secrecy.

[bythewayside]

Why am I not surprised?

[LaurieRyan]

aren't they the reason we have this new law???????

[Former_Member]

nice... :/

[birdylegs]

I just read this in the paper this morning. It is outrageous that the company who started all of this is being allowed to do their own testing. Forget what they say about them not being under the influence of the corporation--their paychecks are coming from Mattel. Talk about conflict of interest. And isn't this the company least worthy of our trust? Our entire political system in this country seems to have been hijacked by lobbyists with deep pockets. On both sides. I'm not trying to start political arguments--just frustrated that Mattel has now hit us with a double whammy.

[SweetgrassEmporium]

corporate CRAP!

[Former_Member]

Now I'm really PO'ed. Perhaps we should bombard Sentor Waxman and the rest with letters as concerned parents that they would even allow this. Really this is ridiculous, honestly the laxed quality control from Mattel and is subsidary Play Skool was what prompted the NPIRG and Consumer Union to push Congress and the House for this law anyway. Talk about getting the fox to watch the hen house.
BTW, Is that class action lawsuit by mirco businesses against the CPSIA still in processing or did it fizzle out?

[ModandMint]

This makes my blood boil.
It's just too much.

[Former_Member]

This just makes me sick. The first thing I thought when I read that was BOYCOTT. I don't think it would be any good writing Waxman though, there have been quite a few past instances that have shown that he's not really on our side. Maybe if we flood the corporate offices of retailers that carry Mattel's products with letters about this it would help? They should at least be informed that the company that instigated most or all of the lead problems that led to CPSIA isn't being made to follow it, don't you think?

The way things are going I wouldn't be surprised to see a spike in lead poisoning cases sometime in the near future.....

[TheFairiesNest]

The definition of SNAFU.

[Former_Member]

See folks if we had a million dollars we could have paid off the crooked politicans. Gee isnt it great to see that our government isnt being run by the lobby. HMMM I remember Obama stating that he would not let lobby run Washington. WOW another suprise ....

[AveryLane]

What?!? That's crazy!

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Transparency at it's best! HAH!

[Former_Member]

No, Mattel is NOT "exempt from testing".
It's hard enough to get a sense of what the law really says, without people posting inflammatory comments just to get other people riled up again, don't you think?

Once before, I made an attempt at a sane and reasonable explanation for this, anybody who's interested can find it here:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6239868&page=3

Those who would rather just enjoy complaining about the unfairness of the universe, please continue. :-)

[Former_Member]

I read about this some time ago myself. It's a disgusting situation. I can't believe that the toy company that caused all of these problems with irresponsible manufacturing is being allowed to regulate itself. If Mattel could do that, we wouldn't have this situation in the first place.

[Former_Member]

Amyblandford makes a valid argument about the cost issue of outside testing for large companies. However, it does seem a little unfair (for lack of a better word) when the company behind much of this is allowed to self-regulate.

It makes financial sense for Mattel, and of course it is quite unlikely that they would deliberately force through an unsafe toy, but it is a frustrating situation for the small companies whose only option is outside testing. The law places a difficult burden on those who aren’t large enough to test in house.

[MamaFamilias]

Wasn't it Mattel who caught the lead in the toys to begin with?

There does seem to be a conflict of interest, but Mattel had track record of checking and self reporting, back when it was voluntary.

[Former_Member]

This is outrageous!

[Former_Member]

Yes, it is outrageous. But Mattel is not the only company receiving this special treatment. I beleive there are others.

[GoTo]

Yikes. I thought a big part of the idea was independant testing--companies that have already chosen not to follw the testing laws that have been in place for years now relying on their own testing doesn't give me confidence.

A big company being able to keep it's prices 10% lower isn't reason enough for them to be allowed to do their own testing, in my opinion.

[Former_Member]

Your Congressman and US Senators need to hear about this! Start your protests now. This law is supposed to apply equally to all. When anyone doubts that this was a conspiracy of the major toy manufacturers to wipe the market clear of small business competition, here is your proof!

As the article and others have stated, it is Mattel that has already been fined under the law for violation!

[Former_Member]

yep.

[StebbyLeeStudio]

Three pages (so far) of Etsians are outraged.
I am outraged.
How come is it-
-- that I -
ME!!!
- a humble American Taxpayin' artist-
knows this screams bullshit.
how???

[StebbyLeeStudio]

and "they" don't.
or won't.

[Former_Member]

I'm involved in a gift swap, and some of the moms will only accept store-bought gifts because of this lead-testing law. Say they can't trust small businesses anymore. All exempting Mattel does is makes it look to those who aren't closely watching like the problem is with the small companies because we're the ones not exempt.

I'm too numb to be able to drum up anger.