The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is holding its LAST public hearing (by conference call) on the Toxic-Free Kids Act this Thursday, July 16th at 9:00 AM. This legislation, originally passed in Oregon in 2015 after years of work by Oregon PSR and partners, requires manufacturers of children’s toys to report to the OHA chemicals of concern in their products, and after a certain amount of time, to phase them out of certain products.
The legislation is now in its final rule-making phase, and it's important that we speak up now to prevent industry from weakening the bill’s protection of our children's health. This is our final chance to speak up before the law becomes fully implemented and enforceable.
This final phase of rule-making focuses on the exemptions manufacturers may seek if they are unable to completely phase out these toxic chemicals. If waivers are granted easily, the law simply won’t protect our children.
Speak up for children’s health by testifying via conference call (details below) hosted by the Oregon Health Authority.
Thursday, July 16th at 9:00 AM
Dial-in number: 1‐877‐848-7030
Access Code: 2030826#
The agency will base their final rules on this input, and we must ensure that the agency adopts the strongest rules possible. They need to hear personal stories about why protecting children is important from medical professionals, parents, teachers, and all Oregonians who care about healthy children.
You can also submit written comments until July 23rd. If you have the time to, please do both.
Here’s a simple script with talking points to help you prepare:
- Share your name and any personal connection you have with the issue (e.g., your children, work that you do related to children or health care, a health issue you are concerned about that has a link to environmental exposures).
- Point #1: The Toxic-Free Kids Act is about making safer products, and I like that it requires manufacturers to disclose the toxic ingredients in a product that my (child, neighbor, niece, loved one) uses. This will push manufacturers to design safer products up front and help OHA gather more information on toxic chemicals.
- Point #2: As a consumer, I urge OHA to implement manufacturer exemptions as narrowly as possible and to be fully transparent in who applies for exemptions and which applications are granted or denied
- Thank you for your time. My (family)/(group) expect your support.
Thank you speaking up for Oregon's kids and generations to come.