Madam Speaker,  I rise in strong support of the Conference Report on H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.  This measure will improve and reform the nation's consumer product safety system by restructuring and increasing resources for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which has long been underfunded and stretched too thin. 

Unfortunately, this past year we learned the extent to which the CPSC had failed to protect the American consumer by the high volume of recalls, including children’s toys and cribs.  To help get this agency back on track, H.R. 4040 provides a comprehensive response to the toy safety crisis by creating the toughest lead standard in the world for children's products and helps ensure consumers know when products are recalled.  This legislation also strengthens the currently underfunded and understaffed Consumer Product Safety Commission and significantly increases CPSC resources to hire additional staff and for laboratory renovations.

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act also creates new authority for the CPSC to immediately share information about dangerous products with the public and ensures State public health agencies are kept informed.  Finally, the bill requires manufacturers to place distinguishing marks on products and packaging to aid in recalls of products. 

I am confident that this bipartisan bill will take great strides in protecting consumers and children. 

Thank you, Madam Speaker.