New legislation aims to make products on Canadian shelves safer

Reposted from ctvedmonton.ca
 
The federal government can now direct companies to pull dangerous products from store shelves.
 
The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act now gives ministers the power to recall unsafe toys, sporting goods, cribs and other household products. Ottawa hopes the changes will reduce injuries among children and create more consumer confidence.
 
"I think in today's age confidence of the consumer is lacking because of stuff being manufactured who knows where," said Tim Brodziak, a soon-to-be parent.
 
In the past, the federal government was only able to request that manufacturers remove their products. It was up to companies to issue their own mandatory recalls.
 
Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq outlined the changes to the 40-year-old act today in Ottawa.
 
"We have for the first time the power to order mandatory recalls of unsafe products if the company refuses to do the recall itself," Aglukkaq said.
 
The Alberta Centre for Injury Control reports more than 14,000 children under 10 years old visit pediatric emergency rooms every year with an injury from some type of product.
 
"Canadian consumers can now have the confidence when they're buying things that the product is safe, when used as intended," said Cathy Gladwin, Alberta Centre for Injury Control.
 
The revised legislation also compels manufacturers to report test and study results, and serious incidents relating to their products.