The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Golden Gift L.L.C. of Vernon, Calif., has agreed to pay a $125,000 fine for importing toys that did not meet federal safety standards. The CPSC alleged that Golden Gift knowingly imported children's toys that violated the CPSC's small parts and labeling requirements under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act.
CPSC alleged that on eight occasions between June 1999 and September 2000, Golden Gift imported for sale in the United States a total of 90,000 toys containing small parts that presented choking and aspiration hazards to children under three years old. CPSC and the U.S. Customs Service discovered and seized the illegal toys at the Port of Long Beach, thus ensuring that none of the toys were sold to American consumers. Golden Gift returned the toys, which included cartoon cars, fruit telephones, toy school buses, tricycles, pianos, phones, and bells, to its overseas suppliers.
CPSC also alleged that on three occasions between August 1999 and March 2000, Golden Gift imported for sale in the United States a total of 588,000 toys that lacked required safety labels. The toys, which included marbles and balls, did not properly warn parents that they were intended for children between the ages of three and six years old.
Every year CPSC recalls numerous children's toys that could contribute to deaths or injuries. In 2000, there were an estimated 151,000 children (under 15 years old) treated in hospital emergency rooms due to toy-related incidents. There were 17 deaths associated with toys. In agreeing to settle this matter, Golden Gift denied all of the allegations.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
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