The Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (H.R. 4040) was signed into law this month and requires more stringent product regulations and testing. Signed by President Bush, the law increases the funding and authority of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and mandates the creation of a comprehensive, publicly accessible consumer complaint database, protection of whistleblowers who report product safety defects or concerns and increase of CPSC fines against violators. Spurred by wide-spread media and public attention on product safety concerns, including children's toys and other products from China throughout 2007, the legislation was passed by both houses of Congress. The act will "require more responsibility from manufacturers and retailers, and stiffen the penalties if they fail to meet higher safety standards," says Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark, sponsor of the Senate bill. Advocacy and scientific groups, including the Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, Kids in Danger, National Research Center for Women & Families, Public Citizen, U.S. Public Interest Research Group and the Union of Concerned Scientists, expressed their support of President Bush in signing the legislation. | 
