In an agreement with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Mattel and its subsidiary Fisher-Price will pay $2.3 million in civil penalties for toys made in China containing high levels of lead paint. Lead paint has been shown to cause injury when ingested and is banned in the United States. This defective products penalty is the highest of its kind imposed by the CPSC.

The Mattel civil penalty sheds more light over recent concerns by Congress that some Chinese-made products don’t meet United States standards for consumer safety. Defective products originating in China from pet food to baby formula were pulled from U.S. shelves and came under FDA scrutiny when they were shown to contain ingredients that may be harmful to animals and people. The Mattel penalty involves importing and distributing non-compliant toys containing lead paint, including Sarge cars and Barbie accessories.

Experienced Florida product liability lawyers know how to interpret federal and state laws designed to protect consumers from faulty or defective products.

Other Defective Chinese Products: Faulty Drywall in Florida Construction
Earlier this year, we wrote about how some faulty construction materials made in China may be affecting people’s health and the air quality in their homes. (See South Florida Construction Product Liability: Faulty Chinese Drywall to Be Tested.)

Senators are seeking funding to continue studying this problem in Florida construction liabilityand in home building around the country.

Mattel to Pay $2.3 Million Penalty for Toy Hazard
Bloomberg.com June 5, 2009

Senators Seek Funds for Chinese Drywall Study
Environmental Protection June 5, 2009