The Consumer Product Safety Commission will be holding a forum on May 12, 2009 on the tracking label requirement for children’s products mandated by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA2) that is due to take effect August 14, 2009. The forum will take place from 1:00-4:30 p.m. EDT in Bethesda, MD. The event will also be available live via Webcast. (Registration is required for attendance at the meeting in Bethesda but is not necessary to view the Webcast.)  CPSC meeting announcement and online registration available at:  http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/tracklabel.aspx

The purpose of this forum is to offer the public an opportunity to present their comments and information to the CPSC staff in person. This event will provide an opportunity for attendees to briefly present relevant information, ideas, proposals, or concerns about the implementation of the CPSIA tracking label requirement. 

The CPSIA tracking label requirement for children’s products is due to take effect August 14, 2009. Specifically, manufacturers will need to place permanent distinguishing marks on children’s products and their packaging, to the extent practicable, that would enable the manufacturer and ultimate purchaser to ascertain: (i) the manufacturer or private labeler; (ii) location and date of production; (iii) cohort information (including batch, run number, or other identifying characteristic); (iv) etc. CPSC has previously stated that the scope of this tracking label requirement is quite broad in that it applies to all children’s products (for children 12 and younger) including, but not limited to, items such as clothing or shoes, not just toys and other regulated products.  CPSC has also stated that this requirement is intended to assist in the event of a recall (e.g. by helping consumers identify the specific children’s product being recalled; helping companies only recall or destroy the affected products; etc.)