Representatives of Specialized Technology Resources (STR) are among a group of industry experts collaborating with the Toy Industry Association (TIA) to develop common testing methodologies to be presented to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The TIA working group will submit its consensus recommendations to the CPSC in an effort to resolve inconsistencies in test methods currently being used to verify compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA).

Among the areas in which STR is providing input are composite testing for lead in substrates and component testing of toys and other children’s products. Industry groups have expressed concern, and some have even petitioned the CPSC, regarding its current mandate that third-party testing and certification be based on testing of the finished product, and not on component testing. If approved for use under the CPSIA, component testing would alleviate the burden on manufacturers and retailers of costly and time-consuming duplicative testing. The CPSC previously accepted a recommendation from the working group permitting the use of composite testing for lead paint.

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