Sens. Ossoff, Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Children from Toxic Chemicals in Toys

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is introducing a bipartisan bill to protect children from toxic chemicals in toys.

Sens. Ossoff and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan No Lead in Toys Act to help protect children from toxic chemicals in toys.

In February, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report in response to a 2024 inquiry from Sen. Ossoff into how the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) conducts testing on products intended for children ages 12 and under for potential lead contamination and other safety hazards.

The report found that the CPSC has failed to review and update its testing requirements for lead despite being required to do so at least every five years and that the CPSC does not have written procedures for monitoring changes related to toxic substances in children's products.

Sens. Ossoff and Cornyn's bipartisan No Lead in Toys Act would direct the CPSC to implement the GAO's recommendations in order to strengthen that oversight of toxic substances in children's products and protect kids from dangerous chemicals.

"The safety of children in Georgia and across the Nation must be our highest priority," Sen. Ossoff said. "I am introducing the bipartisan No Lead in Toys Act with Senator Cornyn to help ensure that lead and other toxins stay out of children's products."

"Parents should never have to fear for their child's health or safety when playing with toys, which are essential to the development of cognitive, motor, and emotional skills," said Sen. Cornyn. "By ensuring the Consumer Product Safety Commission is properly monitoring and recording inspections for lead contamination, this legislation would reduce children's exposure to toxic chemicals through toys imported from places like China, preserve the joy and benefits of childhood play, and help parents rest easier at night."

The bipartisan bill is endorsed by Safe Kids Worldwide.

"Parents and caregivers should be able to feel confident that the children's products they rely on will not expose their kids to lead or other dangerous toxic substances," said Torine Creppy, President of Safe Kids Worldwide. "We applaud Senator Ossoff for his leadership in protecting some of our most vulnerable citizens."

Sen. Ossoff continues working to protect Georgia kids from harmful chemicals and contaminants.

Last December, Sen. Ossoff urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reinstate a grant made to Emory University to research children's exposure to lead, heavy metals, and other contaminants in West Atlanta following the discovery of dangerously high levels of lead in some West Atlanta yards.

Last April, Sen. Ossoff demanded answers from baby formula producers Abbott Nutrition and Mead Johnson about recent reports of toxic chemicals found in formula.

In 2022, Sen. Ossoff pressed the GAO and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to improve efficiency and coordination in processing product recalls in order to protect families from dangerous products.

Click here to read the No Lead in Toys Act.

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