CPSC Approves Sale of Units for 12- to 15-year-olds
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CPSC Approves Sale of Units for 12- to 15-year-olds
Publish date: Feb 15, 2009
Dealernews / Joe Delmont
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said Saturday it has heard the
concerns of the motorcycle and ATV industries and riders and is
responding by taking action to meet their needs. The agency has decided
that machines designated for youths ages 12 to 15 – formerly the Y12
category – are not prohibited under new lead content regulations and can
be sold, an agency representative confirms with Dealernews.
“It’s time for everyone to be aware that those models for youths 12 to
15 are not deemed to be children’s products under the law,” said Scott
Wolfson, a CPSC spokesman. “Those that are the old Y12 or any newer
version of a model [for 12- to 15-year-olds] do not have to come off
showroom floors and can be sold appropriately to young riders,” he says.
The agency is charged with implementing the Consumer Product Safety
Improvement Act (CPSIA) that was signed by President Bush last August.
The law limits the amount of lead in paint and materials contained in
products designed primarily for youth ages 12 and under.
Wolfson said dealers should “keep in touch with CPSC. We have heard the
voices of those throughout the industry and those who are riders. We’re
working as hard as we can as an agency. We have a vast child safety law
we are continuing to interpret and implement in the right way.”
While Wolfson said he could not provide a date when the agency would be
able to act upon petitions presented to it by the MIC/SVIA that would
permit the sale of youth products, he urged dealers to view the
situation calmly.
“We really want to calm down dealers,” he says. “They should get (the
youth models) off their showfloors and back into holding areas. It’s
only been a matter of days since we received the industry’s petitions.
“We’re dealing with more than ATVs – we’re dealing with every single
product for children under 12,” Wolfson continues. “We need a little bit
more time to process the petitions and make assessments. We want our
decisions to be based upon sound legal judgments.”
Wolfson said the agency is reviewing situations based upon child safety
factors, the law as it’s written, and priorities and resources within
the agency.
“The industry needs to settle down,” he says, “and give the agency the
appropriate amount of time to review the petition and make sound
decisions that will benefit everyone in the marketplace.”
The new regulations went into effect Feb. 10. Any products for children
that don’t meet the requirements specified in the law cannot be sold.
These items include ATVs, dirtbikes, apparel, and related parts and
accessories, in addition to many other products for children.
ATVRE Editor’s Note: Make your voice heard. Go to www.tomself.com to
send a letter to congress to support the youth of our sport under the
age of 12.
