Help Defeat Harmful Legislation Affecting Toy Companies in NY State

April 18, 2019 | The Toy Association is alerting members of harmful legislation that would prevent many toy companies from doing business in New York State. Members are encouraged to get involved and urge lawmakers to vote against Senate Bill 501B/Assembly Bill 6296B by attending The Toy Association’s upcoming legislative day, or by sending a letter of concern to leadership in the New York State legislature. [A sample letter and the elected officials’ contact information can be found below.]

SB 501B/AB 6296B would create new regulations for children’s products that are inconsistent with federal law and similar laws in other states. The legislation proposes a costly chemical disclosure and restriction program not based on specific scientific or safety criteria. If it were to become law, many companies may not be able to continue offering products for sale in New York State because of the undue cost and the unfeasibility of the requirements.

The Toy Association is holding a legislative day at the New York State House in Albany on Tuesday, May 14 to give toy companies and others involved in the industry an opportunity to meet with legislators and express concerns on this critical issue. Companies that wish to participate or want to learn more may contact Matthew Lenz, director of state government affairs at The Toy Association.

Those who wish to get involved but are unable to attend the legislative day are encouraged to send letters of concern to the following elected officials: Speaker Carl Heastie, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Chairman Todd Kaminsky. Be sure to copy Matthew Lenz so that the Toy Association can also hand deliver these letters.

“The Toy Association is working hard to communicate the negative impact of this legislation, and to highlight that toy companies perform rigorous safety assessments and are already subject to chemical regulation at the federal level,” Lenz said. “But we urgently need the toy industry’s help to ask lawmakers to vote ‘no’ on this bill.”

Sample letter of concern to elected officials.

Re: Concerns with SB 501B/AB 6296B

Dear [Legislator’s Name],

I am writing on behalf of [Company Name] to express strong concerns with Senate Bill 501B and Assembly Bill 6296B which would create a costly chemical disclosure regulatory program that would severely impact the ability for toy companies to sell products in New York.  My company [Company Information – history, employees, product lines, etc.]. 

SB 501B/AB 6296B proposes to give the Department of Environmental Conservation broad authority to list chemicals for reporting and restrictions, including the ability to ban products the federal government already deems safe without specific scientific or safety criteria, or any assessments of products. Compliance with this legislation would be very difficult, if not impossible, for manufactures to comply with.

[Company Name] urges you to vote ‘no’ on these bills so that the safe and fun products that will continue to be sold in other states and internationally can continue to be available to New York consumers. Thank you for your consideration of our concerns.

Respectfully,

[Name, Company Name]