CPSC fines nine companies $530,000 for lead violations

Nine children's product manufacturers, importers and sellers have agreed to pay $530,000 in civil penalties for violating the federal lead paint ban, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today. The penalties settle allegations that the firms knowingly manufactured, imported or sold toys and other children's articles with paint or other surface coatings that contained lead levels in violation of federal law.

The nine companies were responsible for 13 recalls of 6 million items in 2007 and 2008 including toys, children's metal jewelry, children's pens, metal water bottles, pencil pouches, sunglasses and children's Halloween pails and baskets. Following is a list of the companies, their fines and the associated recalls.

Cardinal Distributing Co. Inc., of Baltimore, Md., $100,000

• 900,000 children's charm bracelets and 'Sportswear' necklaces

Dollar General Corp., of Goodlettsville, Tenn., $100,000

• 63,000 Frankenstein tumblers
• 380,000 pull-back action toy cars
• 51,000 children's fashion sunglasses

Family Dollar Stores Inc., of Matthews, N.C., $75,000

• 142,000 purple Halloween pails with witch decorations

Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. of Oklahoma City, Okla., $50,000

• 10,000 Halloween-themed baskets
• 13,000 camouflage eggs and spinning egg top toys

First Learning Company Ltd., of Hong Kong, $50,000

• 11,400 soldier bear toys
• 15,000 toy wooden blocks and train sets

Michaels Stores Inc., of Irving, Texas, $45,000

• 310,000 seasonal-themed writing pens

A&A Global Industries Inc., of Cockeysville, Md., $40,000

• 4 million children's 'Groovy Grabber' bracelets

Raymond Geddes & Co, of Baltimore, Md., $40,000

• 84,200 children's pencil pouches

Downeast Concepts Inc., of Yarmouth, Maine, $30,000

• 18,000 painted metal water bottles

Our take:  We are glad to see the CPSC finally flexing its muscle and fining companies that violate the law while putting children at risk.  Although the fines seem paltry, penalties such as these can act as a deterrent to future wrong-doing by flagrant violators.