New children’s clothing law to take effect

05/01/2009
American product safety watchdog the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has introduced a new law under which all products including clothing sold for children of up to 12 must be tested for lead and phthalates in order to protect them from the hazardous effects of toxins.

The law will come into effect on February 10 under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which was approved by the US Congress last year. The Act was introduced in response to widespread recalls of products that posed a threat to children.

Lead is sometimes found in buttons or trinkets on clothing and on appliqués that are added to fabric.