Statement

ACC Believes Ammendment to Consumer Products Safety Commission Reform Act Will Not Produce Benefits Envisioned By Authors

ARLINGTON, VA (March 5, 2008) – The American Chemistry Council today expressed disappointment at the introduction of Senator Dianne Feinstein’s (D-CA) amendment to the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act (S. 2663).  The amendment seeks to ban certain phthalates from children’s products, yet ACC believes that the amendment will not produce the benefits envisioned by its sponsors.  ACC Vice President of Products Divisions, Sharon Kneiss, issued the following statement:

“We all share a mutual interest in the need to protect the health of children, and ACC believes that the proposed amendment will not achieve this objective. Furthermore, the modified proposal contains sweeping new provisions that require the full and diligent review and deliberation of Congress through the normal process, not through an amendment to the CPSC Reauthorization bill.  Our children's health and safety is too important to rush through changes without understanding their full consequences - including unintended and possibly detrimental effects.”
 
“Senator Feinstein’s amendment would prohibit use of certain ingredients in children’s toys called phthalates. Some phthalates are added to vinyl products to make them soft and flexible without compromising durability.  Phthalates are among the most thoroughly studied products in the world, and have been reviewed by multiple regulatory bodies in the U.S. and Europe.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission's review of the safety of phthalates in vinyl toys unequivocally included the statement that there is "no demonstrated health risk." After all this study and review, no reliable scientific evidence has found phthalates to cause adverse human health effects.

“America’s leading chemical companies have taken the steps to go above and beyond government rules and regulations with American Chemistry Council’s flagship program, the Responsible Care® performance initiative.  The U.S. chemistry industry continues to invest heavily in the application of improved technologies to ensure the safe production and use of essential chemical products. Today, people are living longer, safer and healthier lives through the essential benefits provided by the business of chemistry.”