Cal. Company Agrees to $31,000 Fine for Importing Dangerous Toys

A California-based importer will pay a $31,500 fine for bringing into the United States toys that posed a risk of choking to young children.

TGH International Trading Inc. of Los Angeles agreed to the fine levied by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in order to settle allegations against the company. However, the company denies that it actually violated laws intended to ensure the safety of children’s toys and products.

Federal product-safety officials accused the firm of knowingly importing more than 11,000 toys between March 2005 and June 2006 that violated federal laws. The hazardous toys were seized directly off ships as they arrived at the Port of Long Beach, before they were available in stores and the CPSC said it is not aware of any incidents or injuries related to the products.

The fine, just the latest in a string of recent similar financial penalties against companies, is a sign that the CPSC is cracking down on companies that import or otherwise market toxic or dangerous toys in the U.S., officials said.

“CPSC’s new authority to seek higher civil penalties does not mean we will ignore serious violations by small businesses,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “We will continue to take enforcement action against any business, large or small, that violates the Commission’s product safety laws and regulations.”

In the past, the CPSC has been blamed by some critics for being too slow and inefficient to respond to toxic or dangerous products, particularly toys, cribs, and other children’s products. Today’s fine against TGH International may be an indication that the agency, under the new leadership of the President Obama administration, is taking a more aggressive approach to prosecuting companies that break the law.

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