May 2007 (07B-122)

The US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) in conjunction with the New York State Attorney General’s Office and the Illinois State Attorney General’s Office has announced an investigation into lead content in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bibs. As part of that investigation New York and Illinois have announced a recall of bibs from major retail outlets.

This information was announced in a recent CPSC press release that warned consumers about the potential harm to infants that may result, if infants ingest PVC pieces from old and worn bibs. The warning is based on testing data released by the CPSC that uncovered a wide range of lead levels from 40 different bib samples. No safety limits have been proposed by CPSC as a result of this investigation, but manufacturers and retailers plan to develop clear and effective guidelines addressing the use of vinyl in children’s products.

Currently, Illinois utilizes a safety limit of 600 ppm total lead under their Lead Poisoning Prevention Act, Public Law 94-0879. Prop 65 actions in California have previously been initiated on this issue by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) in March

Additional Information
Information on the investigation, findings and recalls can be found at the following websites:

> CPSC Warns About Worn Vinyl Baby Bibs
   http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07175.html

> Office of the New York Attorney General Issues Safety Warning
   http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2007/may/may02b_07.html

> Illinois AG Madigan Announces Recall of Vinyl Baby Bibs Containing Lead
  http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/pressroom/2007_05/20070502.html

How can Bureau Veritas help companies that may have concerns with lead in children’s products including PVC infant bibs?
Bureau Veritas is a leader in consumer products testing services, with experienced technical professionals. We can assist companies by testing PVC for the presence and percentage of lead in infant products. We offer comprehensive services to address specific product and supply chain concerns including:
> Analytical Testing
> Auditing
> Inspections

For More Information

Americas: elizabeth.hausler @us.bureauveritas.com
Asia: samuel.wong@hk.bureauveritas.com; christopher.tam@hk.bureauveritas
Europe: joerg.ruhkamp@de.bureauveritas.com; manfred.mayer@de.bureauveritas.com

Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc. (“BVCPS”) provides the information in this client bulletin as a resource of general information. It does not replace any applicable legal or regulatory requirements and is provided “as is.” BVCPS will not be liable for any indirect, special, punitive, consequential or other damages (including without limitation lost profits) of any kind in connection with this client bulletin. BVCPS DISCLAIMS ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CLIENT BULLETIN.

Copyright © 2007 Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.