LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The nation's biggest toy sellers are requiring their suppliers to meet new standards that limit the amount of lead and other metals and compounds in toys and children's products, getting ahead of federal legislation.
The House and Senate have passed versions of a wide-ranging bill to overhaul the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The bill contains language that would toughen current standards for products used by children.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. spokeswoman Melissa O'Brien said Wednesday that the nation's largest retailer crafted its requirements so that they meet or exceed standards in the working legislation. The bill has not yet moved to a conference committee, where the House and Senate would work out differences between versions of the bill.
Wal-Mart, the top toy seller in the United States, said products meeting the new standards will be on the shelves for the holiday shopping season.
Toys "R" Us Inc., based in Wayne, N.J., also imposed tougher standards for its manufacturers for orders placed around the start of the year. A spokeswoman for Minneapolis-based Target Corp., the nation's No. 2 discounter, said the company distributed new specs for store-branded products in April and that after Jan. 1, only products meeting updated standards will be on the shelves.